I Made a Table, Part 1

For the past few weeks, I have been cleaning out our garage to create a little corner to serve as my "art studio." My husband has reminded me that I will only be able to use this space for about 2, maybe 3, more months, and then it will be freezing for the next 6 months. Still I push forward, (And I have a plan for my "winter studio," but let's not get ahead of ourselves.) 

In my studio, I needed a worktable. Something to use as a desk for blogging and also a spot to take photos of smaller works. A full studio tour will come later. For now, let's get to the table.

My garage. Not the set of a horror movie

Since the space is, ahem, rustic, I needed something rustic and industrial-looking. I got the crazy idea that making my own table would be cheaper than buying one (not necessarily, I would soon learn), and it would make a good blog post. Since I began my venture into macrame, I've become more comfortable at the hardware store with trips to purchase copper pipe. What about a table made with pipes. So I googled pipe tables and found several DIYs, from House by Hoff, Designer Trapped, and Apartment Therapy. Looks simple enough. So I sketched a drawing and set off for Lowe's. 

Ack! So much pipe.

Of course, I brought measurements with me. Unfortunately I did not know what were the standard measurements for pipe and board. Learning as I go here. A year ago, I would have given up. Hardware stores made me itchy. But post-med me had her anxiety in check. I can do this. So...

I bought

• a piece of pine (I think) plywood, measuring 2' x 4' x .75"
• 4- 30" (.75") galvanized pip3
• 4-  10" pipe
• 2- 18" pipe
• 4-  iron floor flanges (they did not have enough galvanized pipe floor flanges. I am impatient and the flanges will be on the underside of the table.)
• 4-  pipe caps
• 4-  pipe tees
• Minwax Polyshades in American chesnut
• Miscellaneous staining/cleanup supplies

I would return to Lowes (and Home Depot and Agway) several times before completing the table, which I am now sitting at. It is still not right, but it is close enough for now.

Join me tomorrow as I conclude the saga of my table. 

The table I made. Today.