
You might recognize these containers as straw holders normally found in retro diners. But we thought they’d be great as chic desk accessories instead. Of course we can’t just toss in a few pens and call it a day. Instead, we came up with three easy DIYs to make your pencil holder really stand out. And then we found the perfect pens to fit inside!
Which of these three would be the best fit for your workspace?
This holder is perfect for fine artists pens, or other felt tip markers. Plus, it’s the absolute easiest to make!
Materials:
– painter’s tape
– fine point paint pen
Instructions:
1. Tape off one stripe on the pencil holder. This will serve as your guide for the first row.
2. Using the paint pen, draw a row of arrows, Vs, or slashes.
3. Remove the painter’s tape.
4. Draw the next row of your pattern with the design facing the opposite direction.
5. Continue alternating the direction of the rows for seven to nine rows.
This is the simplest of the three DIYs. Don’t worry about each arrow being perfect, the pattern will hide any individual flaws.
You can almost imagine that one of the pens inside is what was used to make this little pattern.
We love the way this design mirrors the colored pencils we’ll be stashing inside. If the ROYGBIV look isn’t for you, you can choose any other color scheme imaginable.
Materials:
– pop-up straw dispenser
– measuring tape
– painter’s tape
– acrylic paint (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
– paint brush
– paint palette
– water dish
Instructions:
1. Tape off one stripe 1/3 of the way up from the bottom.
2. Measure around the circumference of the holder. Divide that measurement into the number of sections you’ll be painting. (We did seven, and mixed indigo paint from the blue and purple.)
3. Mark off sections on the bottom of the holder, and place a piece of painter’s tape at each section. Be sure to stay on the same side of your mark each time. You can also angle the tape, or you can have it go straight down to the first tape stripe.
4. Paint each section of the holder with a different color. We went in rainbow order.
5. Let the paint dry completely before removing the painter’s tape.
If you want to make it easier, only tape off six sections. Then you can skip a lot of the measuring and just divide the circle down the center, and section from there.
We used equal amounts of blue and purple paint to mix up an indigo hue to go between them.
We wanted a little bit of texture, so we let the paint strokes show through. If you want a smoother look, try using a foam brush and doing two thin coats.
So many freshly sharpened colored pencils just begging to be used!
You can make your holder say anything you want. We’re using it as a reminder to write by hand occasionally.
Materials:
– vinyl adhesive letters
– painters tape
– plastic bags or plastic wrap
– gold spray paint
Instructions:
1. Choose your word, and apply the letters to the middle of the plastic holder.
2. Tape plastic bags or plastic wrap on to the holder so that all of it, aside from a box around the word, is covered.
3. Spray the holder with gold spray paint. It might take two coats to fully cover.
4. Once the spray paint is completely dry, remove the tape and letter stickers.
If you want to get your letters perfectly spaced, use a ruler and a dry erase marker to mark off where each letter should go.
Make sure the only part of the holder showing is the part you want to be gold. The straw holders we ordered came wrapped in plastic bags, so they were the perfect size for covering the holder.
To make the pencil holder coordinate, we sprayed the interior metal piece gold to match. As always it’s better to spray lighter and have two coats for a more even finish.
Now if you’ll excuse us it’s time to keep up with our correspondence.
How do you have your pens displayed on your desk? Tell us in the comments!
Getting the word out about your brand takes time, drive, and ingenuity. And it doesn't come easy for many entrepreneurs. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're chatting with Selfmade alum Taylor Morgan McPherson, founder of Sustainable Sparkle Bar, about ways in which she scored press as a solo startup brand and what she learned from Selfmade to take her brand marketing up a notch.
B + C: How did you know Sustainable Sparkle Bar was your business to start?
Glitter has always been my thing, so when I started my event company I decided to make it my niche. I started telling people I threw glitter-themed parties where people would get sparkled with glitter body art and makeup. Six months after that I applied to my first festival and to work with SUR restaurant in West Hollywood.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
I honestly can't say that I've had a specific strategy that I've followed when it comes to getting my business off the ground. I have a PR background so I was just constantly pitching new business and posting on social media.
B + C: What's the biggest challenge you face as a small business owner?
I would say creating a stable income and revenue stream. With a seasonal, event-based business it can be very up and down.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
The relationships I made and the push to start an email database.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I love what I do and I believe in myself 100%. Staying motivated isn't the hard part. Pushing myself to do the work and staying accountable is the hard part.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip? Do you use any apps that help you manage your business?
I keep multiple to-do lists, hand-written and digital. I also tell clients and partners that I will have something to them by a certain time or day so I have to stick to it.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Just do it, take the leap. And don't worry about what anyone else says to thinks.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Issa Rae, I'm so inspired by everything that she's created being a creative and a black woman. It's my dream to have my own show one day based on my life and where I give advice and talk about the world. She's doing it and making people laugh and giving people joy. And it's based in LA. Watching Insecure only further cemented my dreams of wanting to live in LA.
B + C: How did you hear about the Office Depot scholarship?
One of my friends that I met through Camp No Counselors saw an IG ad for it and nominated me.
B + C: What has receiving the scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start/grow your business?
It's completely helped me level up and take my business to another level. Selfmade helped me host my first virtual event and taught me how to set up my website to sell tickets to events and get RSVPs.
B + C: How have Office Depot services or products helped you accomplish more in your business?
I got new cards to send in all of my orders with my discount code on them. I also bought a really cool 4K camera that I now use for my social media.
Thanks Taylor! You really know how to sparkle. We love her colorful, creative vibe. You can follow Sustainable Sparkle Bar on Instagram @sustainablesparklebar.
Let Office Depot OfficeMax help you stand out in the crowd. From signs, posters & banners to promote your business, to marketing materials to keep your customers informed, Office Depot OfficeMax offers a full suite of business services & solutions to help you & your business get noticed.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.