DIY DOLLAR TREE DOUBLE TIER TRAY

Hey friends!

Yep!!! I did it!  I made a popular home decor piece.  If you would scan Instagram or Pinterest you will see many photos of tier trays.  If you have ever shopped for one of these you know they are pricey.  I have one that I purchased and I still want another one.   So I took one day and made a double tier tray by using mostly Dollar Tree items with a few things that I had on hand.

A lot of people have tutorials making their trays out of candle holders, pizza pans, toilet plunger, pie pans and picture frames.  It is neat to see all the different styles.

I didn’t want to use the same old candle holders from the Dollar Tree so I walked around the store looking for an object that I could use instead.  I found a wooden rolling pin and thought, that’s it.

Today I will share with you how I made a double tier tray in hopes you might want to save a few bucks and make one of these popular items for yourself.

You know I always find something I like and use it for my inspirational piece.  This piece is  from Willow Tree Farms and runs $52.00.

Here are the items I will be using.

  • Cake pan (Dollar Tree)
  • Pie pan (Dollar Tree)
  • Rolling pin (Dollar Tree)
  • 1 wire shower curtain ring (I had on hand, you can purchase at Wal-mart)
  • 4 large wooden beads (I had on hand)
  • Power grip glue (I had this on hand, you can purchase at Lowe’s)
  • chalk paint
  • drill
  • saw
  • sandpaper block (Dollar Tree)

Let’s get started!

First thing I did was I figured out the distance I wanted between the two trays.  I am going with 8 inches between my two trays.

  • I took the rolling pin out of the package
  • I marked the measurements
  • My husband cut the rolling pin for me

Using the sand block I sanded the cut ends smooth.

Making sure that they are level so when they stand they are standing straight and not leaning.

Now I took the shorter part of the rolling pin and marked 1/4 inch on each side at the top.

My husband drilled the marks.  Not all the way through just about 1/4 inch deep on both sides.  He used a drill bit a little smaller than the shower ring diameter.

I took the power grip and add a little dab to each hole.

The power grip glue bonds within 10 minutes and is water proof.  I wanted to make sure this tier tray stays together and secure.

  • I opened the shower ring
  • I pushed the ends of the ring into the drilled holes.  It was a little tight but they should go in fine.  The glue will secure the ring.

Putting the top to the side for now.

Turned the pie pan over.

With the power grip I glued the beads to the bottom of the pan.  Making sure they are spaced evenly.

Clean the excess glue with a toothpick.  The glue will dry clear but try to get as much off as possible.

Let that sit for 10 minutes before turning it over.

I took the long piece of rolling pin and put some power grip glue to the cut part.

Note to self: If making this tray again I would turn the rolling pin around and glue the uncut part to the bottom tray.  Placing the two cut ends glued to the top tray.  I will show you why I made a note to myself below.

Place it in the center of the pie pan.

Clean the excess glue as much as possible.  Remember it will dry clear.

Place some glue to the top of the long rolling pin portion.

Take the cake pan, center it on the glue portion base.

Place some power grip glue to the center of the cake pan.

Take the short cut rolling pin and place it on the glue.

*If I would have turned around the rolling pin and glued it the other way it would have looked like the rolling pin was not cut.

I am going to let this dry for 24 hours before I paint it.

Now that it has time to set I am going to spray paint The shower ring bronze.  I didn’t tape it off since I will be painting everything.

I am painting the whole tray with brown chalk paint.  Painting it two coats letting it dry between coats.

After the 2 coats of brown paint I painted the tray the same way I painted the candlestick that I shared with you last week.  Except I changed the brown as the base and I didn’t use the silver metallic paint.  If you hadn’t seen that post you can go HERE to see how I painted a faux wood look.

I did not want the hinge part of the shower ring to show.  I took some twine (from the Dollar Tree) and wrapped it around several times.

I am going to add some detail to the outer part of the trays.

  • I had some furniture brads left over from my chair project.
  • I  bent the nail part of the brads to make the back part flat.
  • I used E6000 to glue them onto the tray.

I used 4 to each tray.  I glued them the same distance as the wooden bead legs.

 

I sealed it with Minwax paste finishing wax.

So what do you think? 

My trays are smaller and the rod base is straight but all in all I am so happy with how it turned out.  I spent $3.00 at the Dollar Tree.  I had everything else on hand.

Yes, I had the shower rings on hand.  My son moved a couple years ago and I bought them for his shower curtain and didn’t use them.  You could use a coat hanger and bend it into shape for the handle.

I hope I inspired you into challenging yourself in making a cute double tier tray for yourself.

I am so happy with how it looks all dressed up!

Thanks for stopping by.  Come back here on Friday when I show you 3 basic tips on how to decorate a double tier tray.  Maybe by then you will have your tray all made. 

As always follow me on Instagram and Facebook.   Jump over on Pinterest to see what I have been saving for inspiration.  You can PIN this blog to your Pinterest board by simply clicking on the Pinterest button below!  If you like this blog please click the LIKE Button!  AND if you really like it SHARE it.  I would really appreciate that so much!

Stay strong and stay blessed!

XO  Terrie

13 thoughts on “DIY DOLLAR TREE DOUBLE TIER TRAY

  1. Pinned it! I cannot believe how expensive some of the tiered trays are in the stores and catalogs. You are so clever. I need to go with you to Dollar Tree to see what you find!

  2. Hi Terrie. I believe this is the first time I have stumbled across you on pinterest, but I have seen MANY different 2 and 3 tiered trays, mostly dollar store creations. Most of them are creative and done nicely BUT!! I must say, I absolutely love yours the best!! Yours definitely looks as expensive and well made as the ones I have in my home from Hobby Lobby, Michael’s and TJ Maxx!! Thank you for sharing and happy crafting!

    1. Awe! Thank you Tina. I just love my little Dollar Tree tiered tray. It has held up as well as the one I paid over $50 for. It is a smaller version of the ones you see, but for the cost it is perfect. I have been using it in our guest bathroom vanity. It is a perfect tray for that space. Thanks for stopping by and for the sweet comment. I appreciate your kindness!

  3. TERRIE!!!! I just googled how to make a cheap tiered tray today because I’m making cookies for a fundraiser and I wanted to display it in something inexpensive that I could give them and you and your wonderful project came up! You are always the most creative and su h a great crafter!!! XOXO

    1. I made that it seems long ago. How fun that you found it. It is a very inexpensive tray and for your back sale I would say it would be perfect. plus my little lap tray or my riser would work perfect also. Thanks for looking my DIY up. Hope you have a great bake sale.

  4. This is a great project. As a fellow crafter I really appreciate this piece. Looking forward to creating one for our booth.

    1. I am so happy you are going to make a tray and place it in your booth. Happy creating. I love how mine turned out and hope you love yours as well. Thank you for visiting my blog.

  5. Hi Terrie!
    This is so cute! I think it would be something I would buy in a country shop!
    I love it! 🙂

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