Monday Made-It: Pencil Dispenser

My straw dispenser FINALLY arrived this week!!   Wahoo!!  I'm linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for this Monday Made-It!
Here's is the story of my new pencil dispenser.


 When I saw this pin on pinterest...
I knew I needed a pencil (straw) dispenser for my classroom.  Initially, I looked for metal ones (like in the picture above) but they were $80 or more!!!  A bit pricey for me!  So...I began looking at the acrylic ones.
 
When I first noticed these, they were $17 on Amazon.  By the time I went back and placed my order it was $28.  Now, they are around $40!  I think this would be a great example of supply and demand for a future lesson!  If you spend time searching Amazon and/or Ebay you may be able to find a cheap one.  If you do, place your order immediately! :)

I wasn't really happy about the acrylic because you could see through it.  Who wants to look at pencils all day? :(  But then, Amy from the Resource(ful) Room let me know that she bought an acrylic one and mod podged paper inside of it!  This is Amy's pencil dispenser (click the picture to go to her post):
Brilliant!  I eagerly awaited the arrival of my straw dispenser so I could try to work my magic.  It took a LONG time for it to arrive!  I even got an email from Amazon stating that it had not been shipped by the third-party seller and I might want to contact them.  Well, I didn't have time, so I just kept waiting and FINALLY (5 weeks later) it came!!  Just. In. Time.

Now, you know, Mod Podge and I have been working on our relationship this summer, but we're still not besties.  I was a little worried about the bubbles, especially since working from the inside of this dispenser would be a tight fit.  I chose my FAVORITE scrapbook paper and very informally (holding it up to the sides, folding, and cutting) measured it to fit the odd shape of my dispenser.  It took two pieces of scrapbook paper (cut into 4 pieces in all - one each for the top, back, front, and bottom) in all.  I decided to use the Elmer's Spray Adhesive that I had instead of Mod Podge (I'm sure that didn't help our relationship at all).  I simply sprayed each page with adhesive and carefully (that stuff is pretty sticky) positioned it into place.  Voila!  Instantly finished...no waiting to dry...no air bubbles magically appearing.  DONE in 10 minutes tops!  Then, I used my new Cameo to cut out letters with vinyl and applied them to the front!  (I still didn't have any transfer paper at this point, so I drew a straight line on the acrylic with a dry erase marker to position the letters and then erased it.)
 I HEART this thing!!  And, it works perfectly EVERY TIME.  Turn the knob and a pencil falls down.  LOVE.  The acrylic is very durable and it's MUCH cuter than the original metal one that I wanted.  Sometimes things don't work out for a {good} reason.  :)

36 comments

  1. I love the Elmer's Adhesive glue, too! Modge Podge and I also tend to be on the outs. I like Elmer's when something has to stick. I only Modge Podge the TOPS of things now to give them a protective finish. Your pencil dispenser turned out fabulous!!

    Megan
    I Teach. What's Your Super Power?

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  2. I love it! It did turn out SO CUTE! i saw the same pin and I love your transformation of the acrylic one!

    Allie
    The Gypsy Teacher

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  3. I love this so much! Bummed that the metal ones are so expensive, so these will test my adhesive ability. Glad it finally arrived!

    Diane
    Fifth in the Middle

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  4. This is amazing. I have been in awe of those pencil dispenser things as well. At least now I know to hold out on it until Christmas!

    Brittany
    Stickers and Stamps

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  5. Love this! I shared your post on my blog as well as a terrific supplier of the straw dispensers! I will plan on using the Elmer's solution as Mod Podge can be a little temperamental! Way to go! Thanks for continuing to inspire!

    Nikki
    uncommontothecore.blogspot.com

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  6. So cute! Yours is my favorite version.

    Laurie
    Chickadee Jubilee

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  7. Fabulous job! I've been looking and looking at these. I need one in my classroom teaching 3 sections of math everyday. It looks like I need to get a move on finding and ordering one!

    Michele
    <a href="coffeecupsandlessonplans.blogspot.com>coffeecupandlessonplans</a>

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  8. I am so glad that you finally got your pencil dispenser. I know you have been anxiously awaiting its arrival. It looks soooooo great!! I want one now!!

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  9. Oh that is beyond adorable!! LOVE it!

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  10. I already saw this on Pinterest today! Too cute! I can't believe it took 5 weeks to get to you. I would have gone crazy.

    Jennifer
    Darling Little Learners

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  11. I saw a pin but didn't know where to find one of these dispenser! It turned out AWESOME! I love it!

    Sent From My iPad

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  12. Love all the pencil holders! I feel like I should put stock into pencils because we go through so many! I am just starting out my blog and I would love for you to check it out! Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Love it! It turned out great :)
    Elizabeth

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  14. This is so stinkin' cute! I love it!

    www.polkadotsandpushpins.blogspot.com

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  15. I love your blog! I am your newest follower. I really like this idea!
    Latoya
    Flying Into First Grade

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  16. What a great idea! I teach Kindergarten and we use the fat pencils. Would the acrylic pencil dispenser work with the fat pencils?

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  17. I don't think it would work with the fat pencils. :(

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  18. I love this! I am going to order one and do this! I just have a pencil box on my desk. I teach HS and I know my students would love this! I also ordered these last year... And my students loved them as well! I had them personalized to say: Stolen from Mrs. Hannigan. I actually had a high return rate for these pencils because no one wants to walk around school with a pencil of a teachers name on it :)

    http://www.orientaltrading.com/mega-personalized-pencil-assortment-a2-47_362-12-1.fltr?Ntt=pencils

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  19. I LOVE this idea and ordered an acrylic dispenser from Amazon. It JUST arrived and I am headed out to my craft store to get supplies. Mod Podge and I are friends but I think I am going to try the Elmer's Adhesive since you spoke so highly of it! I absolutely love your design and hope that my dispenser turns out just as cute as yours did! **fingers crossed**

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  20. Have you ever had a problem with the pencils not dropping consistently? I have and was wondering whether it was a problem with my dispenser or if I had too many pencils in it or something.

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    1. I did notice that happening occasionally if I filled it with too many pencils. I found that if I only filled it half way, it didn't happen.

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  21. I just got my acrylic straw dispenser. I really confused on how to put paper. On the bottom did you glue it on the bittom? How did you do the lid? I noticed its not removable.
    Can you please email. Cant wait to do it but I need assistance. Thank you!

    melrsdz@gmail. com

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  22. I just got my acrylic dispenser today. I can't wait to pretty it up!

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  23. Have you ever had a problem with the knobs coming off. We've been in school 1 week and my students have already popped the handles off the sides. I'm hoping a little Gorilla Glue will solve my problem.

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  24. Just got mine today (first one I order was broken). So excited to use it this year. Thanks for the idea!

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  25. This looks awesome! Have any of you had experience purchasing the already labeled/decorated pencil dispensers on amazon? I'm not sure I can do as well as you can with decorating, but the ones on amazon look nice and are already labeled. Here is what I am talking about: http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Acrylic-Pencil-Dispenser-Black/dp/B00Q5N8LBG/ref=pd_sbs_op_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=1G9CFQX9005NMZPQRZZH

    Looks like they have the push to dispense version too...

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  26. What type of pencils do you place inside of your dispenser? I can't get my pencil's to come out when I turn the knob. I think they are too big. Your dispenser is cute! Thanks for sharing.

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