Sketching Palette Made from Roadside Trash

[@cloverrabbit5622]

And this is why you are called The Frugal Crafter! haha I love this idea. Thanks for sharing Lindsay. 🥰

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@jacqulyynw]

Soap, water, and our dog's spare poo bags are always the friend of those of us who want to save money, and the environment. Cheers, Lindsay!❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great idea!

[@Petra0612]

Many years ago a brand of women's sanitary products added very pretty metal boxes to their products for putting in your handbag. Luckily I kept those. Each one fits 12 full pans!

[@berolinastrassmann]

You are right. I repurposed some slim ladies's pad metal tins with pretty printed designs. They fit 12 pans, a water brush and have a great mixing surface. Almost zero cost!

[@NelaDunato]

Around that same time a condom brand did the same thing 😄 I made my first ever pocket watercolor set with 9 half pans in that box. Sadly I can't find any tins of that size anymore in my country.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

How cool, I never saw those!

[@zenlife1200]

You saved the environment from plastic waste and found a great way to repurpose someone else's junk. Wins all round I think. 👍

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think so too!

[@susanbaker3078]

Love it! Years of picking up trash while dog walking here. I was raised not to litter, and hated seeing the same pieces of trash on the ground day after day! Clean dog bags or repurposed produce or bread bags were helpful. (No doggo right now😢) The clean parks and walkways felt good. Always washed my hands when I came back home anyway. Never a problem. An Altoid tin palette works surprisingly well for me. Holds more colors than I really need. Surprised me when I first made it! 💙🎨🐾💚

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Awesome!

[@lizgorley]

Absolutely love this and your fun video. Now ill be looking for one of these to make one. I think many of us enjoy the challenge/ creative process of a new mini/ travel pallette. I say enjoy the journey and save what you can. Love your paintings. Im going to go find info about Plein April. 🎨

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Enjoy!

[@GingahSnapsArt]

Nicotine mints! For those of us quitting smoking. That's such a clever little container! And you are breathing new life into it for sure! I love it

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@BeckyTregear]

How cool is that! I love finding treasures on the side of the road. ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Us too!

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Ah my frugal Lindsay is back!!🎉❤ Great quick sketch!👍🏾💜✨🤩

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yay! Thank you!

[@thecraftyrn]

It is a nicotine replacement container . I forgot the brand. The opening on the back is for used pouches. My son gave me some of his. I’ll have to try this with one. Thanks for the idea!!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for telling me what that compartment is for!

[@SorrensSorrow]

On! Seems to be the company that uses this type of container. Pretty cool!

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

A finger nail file would work great to smooth out the edges of the hole you cut out. This is such nifty idea!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great idea!

[@grannysmithart]

that box was made for paints! the ultimate frugal crafter!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@MaryYoungblood-xy8vg]

It's the frugal recycler in you. I am the same way.

[@ArtWench]

I LOVE this! I love repurposing everyday items for my watercolors. This is such a clever idea though. I never would have thought to cut the hole in that weird section for the rolled up towel! And that tiny spray bottle is fantastic! I’ve never seen one like that! I have been saving Altoids tins forever for this very reason. I now have more tins than I could ever hope to use; but, I am ready for the portable watercolor apocalypse! 😂😂😂

[@MsRain49]

Me too! 😄

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ChantelleArts]

what a fantastic craft, living up to your name ☺☺

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@LeslieStroz]

Love this! DIY palettes are the best. You could also clip a 2x2” piece of paper to the lid and have an all-in-one pochade box (use the bit below the paper for mixing). 😊

[@rizaferrer8766]

I thought of you here! Seeing a small pallette like this reminds me automatically of you 😂

[@LeslieStroz]

@@rizaferrer8766This one would be great! I love budget friendly art set-ups. 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good idea!

[@virginiafisher1266]

Altiod and cigarette tins are great. Sprayed the insides with enamel paint. Being crafty is half the fun!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes!

[@carolync9992]

Your creative juices certainly turned somebody else’s trash into a cute, little treasure. Great idea. Like the scene you painted too! 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@WendyColeArt]

Picking up random stuff is fun, that's a darling little box!

[@Faerysong1]

I Love this!! I like my homemade pallets better than the store bought ones.🙃😉

[@sanctityjohnson289]

I love your ingenuity and reuse of trash! Recycling, repurposing and making it useful is half the fun. And it's so tiny and cute! Kudos to you, Lindsay!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@blueviolets2022]

Nicotine pouches come in those. I have several, and was planning this very thing, watercolor palette! Thank you, now I don't feel crazy for thinking it. Hehehe!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@jimflack9462]

I'm still new enough to the watercolor "scene" that I haven't become that inventive. But, I have Altoid mint boxes galore. I just can't toss them when empty, so there's hope for me yet!! Lol! Love that you're eco-friendly and will pick up trash without fear. I live close to a mini mart, and it seems that people who shop there can't be bothered to carry their empty Slurpy cups and candy wrappers home. I pick up their trash daily.

[@MaryYoungblood-xy8vg]

I think Lindsay has made Altoid palettes before.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Almonds tins are so handy!

[@MarthaJamsa]

Homemade or recycled palettes are an art form in themselves! I’d like to see an art exhibit with artwork and the portable paint holders that were used. Bravo, Lindsay! Recycle, reuse and…what’s the last verb? Oh yeah, reduce. Haha

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That would be cool!

[@sondrabrown442]

Love it! I’ve used lots of random plastic containers that come in Amazon purchases, the clear plastic ones with lids. And of course the mint containers, I have one with a sliding lid that is a favorite. Thanks Lindsay!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Sounds great!

[@windydayz]

I love this. I have always loved small boxes, and repurposing them. What a wonderful little pallet.

[@jennw6809]

It's perfect, especially the built in rag to dab the brush! I recently reused a couple mint tins to make palettes for friends, and then wanted to have a tin to travel with Neocolors and make another for a third friend. So I got a pack of 6 tins from Amazon, now one's my crayon travel tin and another is with the friend I went to see.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Sweet!

[@cottonwoolclouds]

Practising ingenuity, so rewarding!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@jillbartos8893]

You're so clever! I love making travel palettes from tins. I repurposed a plastic eye shadow case to hold an ArtGraf Carbon Black tailor chalk, then glued palette paper inside the lid. It's one of my faves I grab whenever I need black. Thanks for sharing!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great idea!

[@JoAnneSmith-di8ok]

I love the palette you made. That's why you call yourself the Frugal Crafter! Lol Great idea. I love the beautiful Spring paintings in your book.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Oh thank you!

[@ah64dwife82]

That way to fun!!!! I wish I was still working with scouts, etc (my kids are grown!) what a great idea!!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It really is!

[@elizabeth50mahoney]

Super cool! I'm impressed. I always rescue or keep bits and bobs that might be useful for .... At one point, I realized that I MIGHT have too many cigar boxes.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Me too!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

It definitely doesn’t have to look cute, but it does, it just has to be functional. I love 💕 the idea of having a spot to wipe your brush too. Oh gosh that’s a great idea for the spray water bottle. Wonderful new palette 🎨 Lindsay! Thanks for sharing this wonderful video with us!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@Gypsisoul1111]

I love the mint containers from Traders Joes (usually at the cashier station) I love that container.

[@jillbartos8893]

Good to know! I found a mint tin with Bob Ross on the lid at Barnes and Noble (by the cashier, too).

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice! I am going to a TJs this wekend!

[@judygrandstrand9784]

What a wonderful way to recycle!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@maryannprzybycien2013]

I love that little pallet you made! I have a couple of pretty little pill boxes I repurposed for pallets. ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice!

[@cherylclaviter6398]

Love the palette what a great idea.💕💕

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@OpalInspired]

What a super idea , something you can keep in your bag all the time for all your travels. I like the idea that the small palette will force you to get creative with a limited palette.❤❤❤❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

So true!

[@sonyaoart]

I think it did turn out cute. And the little painting is lovely, too

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@pokey3010]

Love your invention it's awesome, and your painting.. You help us see things for other uses, so I think it's a great idea! Thank you

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you very much!

[@marcellamoran3944]

Great palette. Thanks for sharing. I purchased metal tins from an antique store. Sucrets tins will hold 12 half pans - my favorite is a Hoyle Collection Card tin that would hold two decks of cards. I also received my four sets of your Sketchbook Floozy Stencil. Looking forward to using in my scrapbooks I made.

[@dennybean4009]

That's awesome! 👍

[@ooman56]

Oh no, now I have trash palette envy! It will drive me nuts until I find out what brand has this box...because I gotta have one! lol....Your idea is so cool and practical, thank you! And watching you do a watercolor sketch using your limited palette is pretty fun, too, thanks again!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think it is a nicotine replacement mint

[@Anonymoi]

A recommendation for what to use to adhere half-pans to small palettes like this - Aleene’s Instant Tacky. These are small (maybe 3/8”) double-sided rubbery glue dots… sort of like rubber cement. I had some on hand from a project my child did, but I think they are often used for scrapbooking and that sort of thing. They adhere strongly with some flexibility, but they’re also easily removable, especially on non-porous surfaces. They are pretty much the perfect size for the bottom of a half pan. I have also used them very successfully to re-adhere pre-poured paint cakes which fall out of half pans. They’re thin and so they don’t lift anything up too far, but they are slightly “squishy” so they can work on things which aren’t perfectly flat.

[@kkswiss1902]

I love your creativity . Thank you for sharing your ideas with us. ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@katarinaholik]

You can use nail file, a glass or stone kind, metal too to refine edges.

[@veystone2580]

What a great finding 😅 love it!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 😁

[@1RealRoyalPain]

Use an emery board to smooth out your edges for your cut out

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good idea!

[@triciab8751]

Too funny. I have a dozen of those containers I got from a family member with the intention of making them into little pallets. I just haven't had a chance to do it. I was planning on sending you one. LOL!!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Have fun!

[@tworoadscreative]

How sweet! I love mini kits and this one is great, too!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Me too!!

[@Linda-qq5mg]

leave it to Lindsay! I had to pause! We just had an aftershock from the earthquake this morning. I am on the USA east coast. Have a good weekend Lindsay, and thanks for sharing your neat pallet!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yikes!

[@paulah317]

I did my first Plein Airpril today and did a watercolor of my daffodils. I also found a little plastic box with 6 compartments in it. Filled them with some thrifted paints of red, yellow, blue, cad orange, cad red, burnt sienna and burnt umber. The 2 browns shared a compartment. Fun little pocket size palette.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Sweet! Well done!

[@annettefournier9655]

Being a retired nurse , I don't pick up anything without a barrier, or touch door handles. I would have used one of my clean dog poo bags lol. Very cute Lindsay and the colors work well too. Oh no , abandoned pallets. I have a few of those🤯

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good tip! I picked it up with a tissue:)

[@paulalister80]

Lindsay this pallet is so the bomb! As me daughters would say, lol. Awww my I love this, have a little mint container that has been kicking around to cute to throw out and well is precious to me as is the last thing my dad gave me before he died, yeah he loved mints and a friend got him a little tin of them well he gave the tin to me as he thought it was small and cute he said it reminded him of me so funny then three days later he passed, still here I am and I still have the tin would be great to use and take out painting. Wonderful painting to love the sky and aww those little perfect trees, lol.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Aww, that is a sweet memory:)

[@petrajimenez7323]

Great idea ! I love tiny pallets and have a few prepared with empty mint cases.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's a great idea!

[@olderendirt]

Usually it's harmless trash we find in our yard along the road, but we did find a small bag with a white illegal substance once and called the sheriff. I'm very cautious about anything we have to dispose of. That is a really cute little pallette though. The perfume bottle is a great idea, too. Thanks for sharing this!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@brendawalsh8254]

Love your enthusiasm over everything 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@DoveJS]

"Maybe I shouldn't have." I'd argue it's a good thing that you picked it up! It helps the environment and you got to repurpose it or if you didn't, maybe recycled it but either way it's no longer litter.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@berolinastrassmann]

🥇Top Frugal Friday tip, Lindsay! Very clever hack with the hole and the spray bottle. I would insert a piece of kitchen sponge (or cellulose sponge) which I can wash and reuse. Well done, @thefrugalcfter! (But next time, do use 🧤 or even a dog 🐕 💩 bag until you can get home and wash it!) 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I picked it up with my pocket tissue:)

[@berolinastrassmann]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@ghentsy1]

That's pretty cool! Love love that container 🥰 I do save the plastic BandAid boxes myself, perfect for palette. Also the plastic dispenser flip covers of those Wipes: put them back to back and sandwich 'em w plastic (cut from go-to containers) in the middle, bwala! Hey anything plastic can be upcycle 😄. Saves the environment .

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great idea!!

[@carolmikolj5134]

Here in UK, the store Marks and Spencer sells mints in green tins that are the exact same size as an Altoids tin. They neatly hold six half pans and I've made several palettes.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice!

[@christierinehart3289]

Wow! It's awesome that everything fit perfectly! Great idea! 💡

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 😊

[@terrilyon6825]

Ha ha I do this kind of thing all the time. Anything that looks dinky and I can put paint in it, I'm right there 😂 great video

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 👍

[@vatiammatri2660]

It's adorable! I have the same disease 😂

[@starshinesoldier]

This is so fun! I love up-cycled art supplies! I’ve made a few watercolor palettes out of the Amazon gift card gift tins back in the day when they still sold physical gift cards.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That is awesome!

[@suzannemarshall7458]

fantastic. Love your sketches. I'm doing Plein April too

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Have fun!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Lindsay, You are so funny and I applaud you picking up trash on your walks! Now I believe you did say that you washed it and I hope I did not mis-hear your dialog. You should ALWAYS finish adjusting/cutting before assembly should begin. I have used a rasp or other cleaning tool to finish edges. you can remove plastic from the groves of a file or rasp with a wire brush if your worried about clogging your tools. I have more than enough actual palettes, yet I cannot resist it when I see a porcelain plate or serving tray to think "How can I make this into a watercolor palette??" I would also caution you that out in the "sticks" is exactly where you need to be careful of dangerous chemicals on trash! I always have gloves latex or nitrile in my go bag. It looks like you have another travel kit! Congrats!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I picked it up with a tissue and washed it when I got home to be safe:)

[@sarajamal799]

Well done 👏👏👏

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 😃

[@artandmusic09]

Very resourceful 👍

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 👍

[@melissaaldosari8024]

I would absolutely have picked it up too!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad I'm not weird:)

[@melissaaldosari8024]

It’s so perfect!

[@susansacco7583]

I’m stealing that perfume sample bottle! It fits your new palette perfectly! Thanks 💕

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Check out the Loreal Facebook page, I signed up for a sample there. Sadly, the fragrance was too strong for me, but I could use the bottle.

[@nellkrams3698]

I love it!! The only thing I’ve used were old altoid tins. And small plastic first aid kits. The first aid kits worked great! I love the painting you did…taking a rather bland picture and jazzing it up! I’m going to start pleinapril this weekend. We’ve had nothing but rain and wind for the last week! I’m in soggy Delaware. Maybe I can find a few shots that I can jazz up ! Thanks for sharing!!😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Perfect!

[@drbettyschueler3235]

You make it look so easy to paint a little picture in a few minutes. I can spend almost as much time on a 3 x 3 picture as an 8 x10.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Aww. Thanks:)

[@attorneycarissa]

This is so clever!! I love it!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 😊

[@susanhammitt7080]

You just cannot pass up an excuse for another palette. I love it. How many do you have?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

A lady never discloses the size of her palette stash 😆

[@melissaaldosari8024]

Fabulous! I absolutely love this!💜💜💜

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@suemitchell3064]

have the same thing My son in law threw it in the garbage and I got it out. So he saved me several and I have about 10. I will probably use them also for beads. And I can always get more because he still uses them. I am afraid I save all kinds of things. That's why my house looks like it is full because it is but I usually have what I need. without going to town which is 20 miles away

[@128titanic]

Hi, Lindsay. Thank you for your video. Have a good week. ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! You too!

[@chickeyd9579]

I kept giggling at the Frugal Crafter asking why she was doing this silly thing. Haha, it's in the name. I really enjoyed the mini demo because I could see the pallette, mixing tray and painting all at once. Mixing is one of my biggest challenges, because I don't know how to manage my mixing tray's limited space.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@angelag9346]

I think this is great!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@susansacco7583]

That’s great! You could use a sponge like the ones we get with Derwent pan paint if the rag doesn’t work out. 💕

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great tip!

[@dianehoffman3508]

Cute!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@flychk1229]

Genius Lindsay!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks

[@CP-rc9sw]

$1.25 Tree white eyeshadow palettes and I sprayed the clear lid with white enamel. It is small, and probably not robust, but it is fun!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice!

[@pattybrewer3907]

Cute! Enjoy

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 🤗

[@Obsidian_Iris_]

Never feel bad about repurposing plastic, especially to make something you’ll both use and enjoy using.

[@dustinmyeye-trin]

I love this! Totally something I would do. 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Go for it!

[@marytesta3003]

Lindsay, I'm laughing. Your husband must wonder what happens downstairs when he's gone to work😂 My husband gets heart palpitations when he sees paint chips tapes to the walls😂

[@thefrugalcrafter]

😆

[@cynthiabrassfield-richmond9563]

Love it! 🎨

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 😊

[@TuxieTude]

Hi Lindsay! I absolutely love your little recycled palette. ❤ 🎨 What is the darker yellow color (yellow ochre?) and the other blue besides ultramarine please? Is it Pthalo? Thank you. 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Gamboge i think

[@marshacook7840]

What colors are you using in this palette? Love the little box and painting is beautiful.😍

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's a split primary palette like Daniel smith essentsils set (but I think these are Rembrandt)

[@ajourneymaryb]

Lol I just did this with small pans small from hobby lobby into an old plastic box (was a pin/ needle box from dollar tree .

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice!

[@darleneplant.6284]

I have a tiny tin that had Bob Ross happy mints I got off Amazon . It holds 4 full pans

[@thefrugalcrafter]

So cute!

[@gertietheduck]

"it could be laced with fentanyl:" really? is that a thing that happens/that people say? Sounds totally far fetched (though I don't live on the US). Love the palette! Also really loving your quick painting - it's so fascinating to watch you mix one such a small surface, and get so many hues!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes, people say it but I'm not sure how true it is, still those negative warnings stick in one's mind and there is an opiod crisis here. People get hooked on opiods or are in pain and can't afford to see a doctor and self medicate. It's a huge problem here.

[@gertietheduck]

@@thefrugalcrafter to clarify: I am (sadly) aware of the opioid crisis, it's just the part about stuff on the floor being laced with fentanyl that sounds far fetched to me. Reminds me a little of the kind of stuff peeps in the village I grew up in for part of my childhood (the other part was spent in huge cities) used to say! I reckon you are safe making palettes - don't let it spoil your fun. ☺ I loved this video - a good way to satisfy that want monster without truly breaking its fast 😄

[@carrollwilson5169]

I think you are very clever 😊. Enjoyed the video. Think you need another palette or three. Have you bought the A.Gallo wooden palette yet?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I have no plans to, the paint look nice but they are more than I want to pay for watercolors and I have so much all ready.

[@drbennettdc]

This turned out to be the cutest little homemade palette. I have a question. How did you get the fragrance smell out the mini perfume bottle? I have about 3 or 4 of them and was getting ready to throw them away.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I didn't, it still has a faint smell but dosnt bother me. You can try soaking for in vinegar and baking soda tho.

[@Reeflections]

Clever~ and I like the idea of a perfume sample bottle too. Fentanyl is everywhere sweetie~ maybe take disposable gloves with you next time! Much love ❤️✝️🙏🏻

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I picket it up with a tissue to be safe and washed it as soon as I got home.

[@lora9664]

I heard some folks in Maine felt the quake today I was wondering if you felt it?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I didn't, I think it was further south

[@alyonaa8788]

You can polish it with a sandpaper btw

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for the tip 👍