Trashy Tales - A Croquet Holder

I've a trashy tale to tell.  Let's let it be our dirty little secret, 'k? 😉 Read on to hear how I brought home the trash and turned it into treasure! Welcome to Creative Friday!

Remember that the last time I was in Canton, I found this croquet set? It was complete but no holder for the pieces. I figured I'd just find some kind of box to put it in. (this isn't trash)

The next week, I'm out on my walk and spy this in the trash (however, this definitely is trash!).

Oh yeah, it came home with me. Hm, I see why they threw it away. The mallets were falling apart and there was plenty of rot happening. Could I salvage any of it? After a good scrubbing, I noticed two of the mallets were ok plus a couple other pieces would be usable. I knew then what I'd use it for!

Enter the croquet set holder! I know, right? What's better to hold a croquet set than actual croquet pieces?

First, I had to make a box. Digging through my stash of old pickets, I found two in reasonable shape. I figured out the size I needed, measured, then pulled out my trusty Ryobi circular saw. I carefully cut my pieces. Next up I drilled two holes in each side piece to hold the mallet handles.

Then I made the box - front and back nailed onto the bottom, then attached the sides.

Last, I slid the mallets in.

To hold the mallets on, I marked the handles where they came out of the side pieces,

Then pulled them back out and drilled a small hole to hold a piece of dowel rod old paint brush handle.
(I didn't have any dowels the right size but I have plenty of worn-out paint brushes! I cut them to size.)

 I then replaced the mallets and inserted my paint brush pins to keep the mallets from slipping out.

Now the game mallets can sit between the mallet handles and the balls fit in the box. The wickets also fit over the trashy mallet handles.

I'm rather proud of my croquet holder.  Not only did I repurpose some trash to something useful, I have a unique holder!

Happy to be sharing here: Vintage Charm Party