This is one of my most favorite make over results of all time! It has all of my favorite elements all rolled into one amazing project!
Recycling
Repurposing
Organizing
Refinishing
After searching high and low for a cute ribbon organizer, I finally came up with my own solution!
I took this old dresser bought at a thrift store
Gutted the bottom section, refinished it (refinishing instructions found HERE!!!) and then turned it into this…
It became a lovely little storage unit!!
I turned the six removed drawers into fun ribbon organizers! It was super easy!!!
Each of these particular drawer openings were about 14″ x 14″.
- I first measured off and then drilled holes for the dowels that would hold my ribbon.
- Next I painted each box inside and out using my refinishing technique.
- Once the paint was completely dried I added with Mod Pogde a sheet of scrapbook paper to the inside of the drawers. If you look close the 12″ x 12″ paper does not completely cover the inside. I simply centered it to make it look even on all sides. I had applied a Glaze that left aging in the corners and seams of the drawer so I think it looks cool. You could also use wall paper or wrapping paper and cut it exactly to size and then adhere it with Mod Podge as well if you wanted a completely covered drawer.
- Next I adorned the outside with scrapbook “frosting!” my fancy word for pretty little extras!!
- I spray painted the existing brass handles and reattached it once it was dry.
- And lastly I added decorative ribbon to the handle and a fun gem and button to tie it all together!
They sit so perfectly atop a desk or work station and the handle makes them so tote-able ( is that a word!!!) The highlight has been seeing one of my ribbon boxes in
use at my favorite Fabric store!
use at my favorite Fabric store!
I have made these using larger drawers! The sky’s the limit when it comes to size and shape!!!
I sold or gave then all away but not before keeping my favorite
one that sits happily in my craft room!!!
You are too talented for your own good.
I freakin' love 'em! I want one so bad now!
Oh man, how cool….and to think I passed up all those old dressers at last weekends garage sales
O-well, there's always next weekend!
LOVE it!!! Great Job!!
I love this idea…I've totally want to try it! I'd probably need 5 drawers to fit all my ribbon though! Thanks for the tutorial!
Those decorated drawers would also make great shadow boxes to hang on the wall! I love it!
Lovely way to keep all your ribbons, the dresser refinish came out awesome – such a nice piece!
LOVE this idea! so clever and crafty!
This is such a FABULOUS idea!
I've always loved this project of yours too and always meant to buy one from you. Rats!! I wish I would have.
Adorable!!!
This is a great solution for those of us who have problems with ribbon storage. Mine are all jammed in a plastic Target bag. :s
If you have a chance to link this up to my Decorating Dilemmas party today, that would be awesome.
(Some bloggers have been adding solutions to challenges if they don't have a dilemma) Just be sure to add my link if you can.
brilliant!!!! i just asked my friend yesterday that i needed to figure something out for all my ribbon, thanks for the great idea!
Seriously just fabulous! I love what you did with EVERYTHING!
Thanks for joining!!
Please add a link to my party when you have a chance. 
Ummm….hello! Genious! Love what you've done here!
i love love love these!!! I want to start collecting spools of ribbon just so i can make myself one!!! Way to go Bec!!! You're so stinkin talented!!!
This is fabulous! The ribbon organizers are so adorable (and useful)
I have been eyeing this project. I've just been searching for the right dresser!! I'm going to make one. I make bows and have TON of ribbon…I might need five!
I LOVE THIS! IT'S SO CUTE! I'M ON THE HUNT FOR A DRESSER!
I have two old drawers I've hung onto for years, hoping to do something with them. They are out in my driveway right now, ready for Goodwill, but now I'm bringing them back in. I would have been SO mad if I'd already donated them before I saw your great idea!
No worries! You actually went above and beyond…I usually just ask for a link to my site within the post you are linking up with (that way if you have someone read your post next week, they'll easily be able to find the party). It doesn't have to even be the button/photo or anything. Thank you so much for taking the time to join in. I love that I had a nice mix of decorating solutions to go with those dilemmas.
I'll be sure to let you know when the next party is. 
*Amanda
You are too.smart. Love this! Sorry for the late comment, I'm just now catching up from Labor Day vacay!
Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing! I have never seen anything like this – what a great idea!
This is great! I use peg style clothespins for my ribbon bits and pieces (you can see them here) but I really, really love this idea! Now . . . I'm really curious as to what the drawer spaces look like behind the fabric! I'm guessing there was a wood separator when you removed the drawer, or did you put "floors" in? Anyway, I linked to this on my weekly roundup – post is here. Thanks!
Hopped over hear from Mod Podge Rocks- I love your idea! Thanks for the details.
Visiting from Mod Podge Rocls and I love this storage idea. Your's are all so pretty. I gotta make one. Now to find aqnd recycle some extra drawers. Goodwill here I come.
What a great idea! They came out great!
Oh this is such a fabulous idea…love it! I'm always loosing my ribbon, I may just have to do this!
Jane @ Finding Fabulous
That is the BEST idea. I've been looking for a ribbon storage idea and this IS IT!!! thank you for sharing!
robin
seriously thanks for sharing this!!! I have been dying for a ribbon holder, but not wanting to pay the money for one! Now I am totally going to make this!!! thanks for the idea!!!
how do you keep the dowel from falling out? I found a broked record player box..its all old and distress and I have my step daddy helping me cut the dowel and drill the holes( im clutzy and I am not allowed to play with power tools) I'm 36 LOL Love your projects
Love, Love, Love this idea! I'm behind schedule clearing out my living room to convert to a sewing room (back injury), but I think this is a perfect addition for my organizers!! I will be scouting out the "curb finds" now! Thanks for posting such a clever idea!
~Kelly
Wonderful idea I have drawers just waiting for inspiration & now they have a purpose – Thanks so much!
I love love love this! I can not wait to find the perfect drawers… I think I will hang mine on the wall (as useful art) in my craft room! Thanks for the wonderful idea!
Becca, this is pure genius! I very recently broke down & bought 2 organizers, but they only hold my small ribbons. I’ve been searching for a way to organize/display my large ribbons (think Costco size). Next weekend is our development’s semi-annual garage sale and there are literally hundreds of yard sales going on at once. NOW I KNOW WHAT I’LL BE SEARCHING FOR! Thanks for your brilliance & fun! (I’ll let you know at Creative Estates if I found an old dresser…hehe)
Awesome! Totally looking forward to meeting you at CE!!! Please find me and say hi!
I have a dresser that has taken its last stand. The drawers are great, but the frame itself is very wobbly & just not safe to use any longer. So I head to the laptop & begin my search for upcycling a drawer. I went to my favorite “go to” place, Mod Podge Rocks & a few clicks later ended HERE! I am so excited.
I was actually gathering the ribbon I have ALL OVER THE HOUSE ( 65-75 spools or ribbon!), walked into the crazy mess of a studio I have to find a place to put the strays, looked at the broken dresser & told my husband we need to throw it out tonight, tomorrow is trash day. They I said, wait, let me look online for some ideas…
THANK YOU for this great idea. I feel much better about not throwing out the drawers that are still useful.
So glad you found me! Also…depending on the size of the drawers you can paint and distress one and use it as a Blanket box instead of a basket in your living room! Swap out the hardware for something more fancy and there you go! I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect sized drawer to do just that! Happy Crafting!
Hi again. Figured I’d come back & show you what your blog has done to my husband, lol.
I was going to go w just a few free hanging drawers for ribbon… then my husband’s wheels began to spin on full speed. Below you will find a link to the photos that were taken during the transformation.
I must say though, it is IMO pretty darn amazing!
I am not going to say exactly what we did, but would love for you to see yourself,
Casey Marie
https://picasaweb.google.com/Tummy.Earth.Fashions/20110411TheMostAmazingDeskEver?authkey=Gv1sRgCNyDqLuC5PLo2gE
My apologies, I just noticed that link did NOT work. I believe/hope the following is correct.
https://picasaweb.google.com/Tummy.Earth.Fashions/DresserToTheUltimateUpcycledCraftingStationAkaDesk#
that was amazing!!!
I love this idea I have been taking ideas on my FB Page looking for ideas for re-purposing drawers. Then I stumbled across yours today. I shared your post on my FB page and I am going to share on my website as well. I love this idea. I too am into re-purposing items.
My crafting phrase is Re-use,Re-cycle,Re-decorate.
I hope you check out my website as well. It is still in the works of working out the kinks.
Thanks for sharing.
happy crafting, Kellie
This is such a great idea! I just found your blog and I love it!
This is fabulous and just what I need, thank you!
3 potato
I have got one idea for your blog site. It looks like at this time there are a few cascading stylesheet troubles when opening a number of web pages within google chrome as well as firefox. It is running fine in internet explorer. Probably you can double check that.