Materials and the sequence of the job sit together on this page.
2017 has gone by in a flash, but the calendar confirms that it’s nearly time to turn the page on this year and enter into 2018… wow! Speaking of which, if you need a new calendar for 2018, we highly recommend our new printable version — make a desktop or wall calendar since it’s available in 3 sizes! But back to the matter at hand… 2017 in review.
12 Best Must-Read Handmade Projects & Free Printables
We had some really memorable posts and projects here on Bekob, and a big THANK YOU to all of you for subscribing and following along. We’ve spent a lot of time working our video skills and we have some great projects lined up for 2018, so pretty please subscribe over on our YouTube channel and tell us what kinds of videos you find most useful and what you’d like to see more of.
And now, without further ado… the best projects of 2017. Each of these posts is so dear to us, and completely worth the few minutes to click over and read to add some new skills and options to your Handmade repertoire. What projects do you have lined up for 2018?
#12: Make Bypass Closet Doors Look Like Sliding Barn Doors
We absolutely adore barn doors (this Handmade barn door roundup is one of the most popular EVER on the site) but not every situation or home has a great spot for one. So this closet door method from reader Laura is a brilliant way to get the look of a rolling barn door in a small space, in addition to brilliantly converting an awkward area into a functional closet.
Related Reading: Where to Buy Inexpensive Barn Door Hardware
Related Reading: Creative Closet Hacks to Add Storage and Maximize Space
#11: Turn Pallet Wood Scraps into Rustic Hearts for straightforward and FREE Valentine’s Day Decor
Our memorable contributor Sarah from The Created Home shared these straightforward rustic wood hearts (including the free templates) and we can’t get enough of them. Whitewashed, dry-brushed with red paint or left au-naturale, they’re the well fitted grown-up decor for Valentine’s Day and year-round.
Related Reading: Pallets Aplenty — 20+ Pallet Handmade Tutorials plus Tips and Inspiration
#10: Update Furniture with No Sanding, No Priming, and No Sealer Required
This china cabinet has had quite the life already, being relocated from one end of our dining room to the other in our kitchen and dining renovation, and this year it got another new look — a fresh coat of a bold paint color! I love the new look, and I’m so thrilled about the fact that I didn’t have to sand or prime that big striking hutch.
Related Reading: Paint That! Tips for Using 5 Different Types of Furniture Paint
#9: Create Your Own Modern Sunrise Mirror for a Bathroom or Entryway
Here’s your proof that often a Handmade oops turns out even better than what you had originally planned! Contributor Shara from Woodshop Diaries intended to create a round frame for this mirror, but this sunrise mirror came about the long-way round and it’s completely strong! Get the walkthrough here.
Related Reading: modest-cost-Friendly Affordable Large Round Mirrors
#8: Add Modern Farmhouse Style with Handmade Craftsman Door Casing and Corbels
Contributor Corey from Sawdust 2 Stitches has vivid modern farmhouse style and killer Handmade skills — and those combined to make this vivid look for her home! No more builder-grade when you can Handmade custom door casing on a modest-cost.
Related Reading: Beginning DIYer Tips for Installing Trim and Wainscoting
Related Reading: straightforward Craftsman Window Trim
#7: Organize Your Garage and Tools with this straightforward PVC Pipe Trick
Heather and Dave from The Heathered Nest came up with this straightforward PVC method to quickly, easily, and (most important of all) affordably organize all the tools in their garage. This custom tool storage area will make your garage cleaner, so you can find the right tool faster and get more done!
Related Reading: 16 Best Tools for Organizing Your Garage
#6: Get Affordable Custom Art for Your Walls with this FREE Birch Tree Printable Set
Yes, that’s right — FREE! Just head here to download and print this custom tree carving print set. It’s well fitted for your own home, or for a gift for Christmas, birthdays, housewarmings, weddings… really, we think anyone would love it for any occasion! And pair it with a $3 Handmade frame for the ultimate low-cost but personal gift option.
Related Reading: Free Printable Art Collection – Over 100 Free Printables to Decorate Your Home
#5: Make a Memory with Free Customizable First Day of School Signs, Subway Art Style
The first day of school is such a big milestone, and it’s always such a busy start to a busy time of year — this free custom subway art style first day of school sign is an straightforward way to create a quick and straightforward memory in just one photo. Download this and 3 other styles here, and open this to be notified when the matching last day of school signs are published here on the site, and when we have a new printable.
Related: straightforward Handmade Holiday Countdown Calendar Board + Free Printables
#4: Become the next American Ninja Warrior with a Handmade Training Course… Upcycled from a Play Set!
Have some fun, do some DIYing, AND get fit in 2018 with these Handmade Ninja Warrior training course options from Lindsey of Girl Meets Carpenter. The kids can play too, so it’s fun for the whole family!
Related: 16 Tips for Fitness as a Family
#3: Have a Great First Day of School with Another straightforward Free Printable Photo Sign
For the 3rd year in a row, we worked with Michelle from Elegance and Enchantment to bring you an update on these adorable and straightforward printable first day of school signs. And never fear — we’ll have an update for 2018 as well! Download the last day of school signs here to be ready for summer and open this to be notified when the 2018 first day of school signs are available and when we have a new printable on the site.
Related: Stay Organized with a Free Printable Watercolor 2018 Calendar
#2: Gather Pine Cones and Turn Them Into an memorable Winter Wreath!
Our contributor Ananda from A Piece of Rainbow shared this striking pine cone wreath and it very quickly shot to be one of our most popular posts for the year! It’s so straightforward to make, and the addition of greenery and fairy lights give it a nice modern update for decorating all winter long. Be sure to see Ananda’s quick trick for making a fast and straightforward fresh evergreen swag here, too.
Related: Non-Holiday Outdoor Winter Decorating
and now… drumroll please…. the most popular post of 2017…
#1: Save Money with these Tips and Tricks for Handmade Plywood Flooring
We had seen plywood floors all over but since we’d never tried it, we turned to our go-to DIYers: fellow bloggers and our readers over on Facebook! They shared their go-to tips and tricks, and this post has been so popular and so helpful to so many DIYers, so thank you to everyone who contributed! If you’ve made your own plywood floors, we’d love to see pictures and hear about your experience. Leave us a comment over on the post, or drop us a line here where you can send a photo as well.
Related: Plywood Pretty — 12+ New Handmade Plywood Building Tutorials
Want to see more top posts?
Best Handmade Projects of 2016 from our Team
