Pet Craft – Upcycle an old Coca Cola crate in to a pet bed….
I made this:
From this:
This is how I did it:
When I am upcycling something iconic like a Coca Cola crate I tend to leave the base item pretty much alone other than cleaning it and making a safety check for tacks, nails or sharp pieces of wood. This crate was pretty old (it was stamped 1971) but in spite of its age the paint job was in pretty good shape. Be careful washing something like this; I use Dawn and rub very gently so I don’t remove any more paint than has already aged off.
I added bun feet to the bottom of this bed…I add them to most beds…its such a nice finishing touch. You can buy bun feet at most home improvement stores. They are a bit spendy so next time you are tossing away something old that has bun feet on it…take them off for your next project! My husband drilled the holes such that the bolt for the feet would be sunk down in the base of the crate.
I painted the bun feet with primer and then red craft paint (glossy). To get the cleanest paint job I can (no brush strokes) I use my artist level paint brushes …its a bit spendy but I get a much nicer finish. I use artist level paint brushes on pretty much any piece of furniture I paint. Working always in one direction keeps the brush strokes away too.
My preferred material for cushions in pet beds is High Density Smart Foam. Its mildew resistant, flame resistant, holds its shape and is super comfy. You can find it at Hobby Lobby but it is a little spendy (wait for a coupon). I buy it wholesale or it would not be practical to use it in beds that I sell. I cut the cushion first based on the size of the box. The best way to cut this foam is with an electric knife (like you use to carve the turkey). Once I have my cushion cut I measure the cushion for the cover and add 1/2 an inch to each side and piece I need to cut to make a pattern. I always make my pattern on paper first and test it around my cushion before I cut my fabric.
I sew the cushion together inside out on all sides but for one last opening which I sew Velcro in to. It just seems impractical to have a dog bed you can’t pull apart for washing or replacing the cushion if necessary (accidents happen often with pets…or just drool over time).
For this cushion cover I embroidered paw prints randomly on the top piece (BEFORE I SEWED IT TOGETHER). I found this particular design on the Dakota Collectibles website (shop on Friday’s – good deals). The cushion could easily have been embellished with iron on pieces or non-toxic fabric paint, etc.
Once the final cushion cover is assembled stuff the cushion in and Velcro it closed. Waa laa!
I had a blast making this bed…enjoy!
If you interested in purchasing a pet bed feel free to browse my selection on my ETSY shop, use the coupon code “NEWCUSTOMER” for 10% of your first purchase. Looking for inspiration for your own dog beds or pet crafts…check out my Bed Gallery and Craft Page! If you love all things pets …feel free to follow my blog. I post 1-3 times per week on pet care, pet crafts, pet rescue, pet art and more. I post daily on my Facebook and Pinterest pages.
Happy crafting and Rescue On!
Nancy