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DIY Mail Holder with Mod Podge

If you’re like me, you throw the mail on the table when you walk in the door. Instead, make a DIY mail holder using Mod Podge and keep it all together!

Skills Required: Beginner. You’ll be using basic tools, a screwdriver, and Mod Podging paper to wood pieces. If you’ve crafted before, this should be relatively simple for you.

How to make a mail holder with scrap wood and Mod Podge

Mod Podge Walter is at it again – making practical projects that we all can use! There’s nothing wrong with that, now is there? In this tutorial, he’ll show you how to make a mail holder.

Do you have that person in your life who stacks the mail in piles? And you’ve asked that person politely to place the mail somewhere but they don’t?

This DIY mail holder might help. Here’s the wood craft project straight from Walter.


If you’re like me and big on organization, then this DIY mail holder will be perfect. No more leaving mail on the edge of something-or-other in a messy pile. Keep it all together with this idea.

The first step is going to be gathering your supplies.

Plywood pieces, scissors, screwdriver, Mod Podge, tape measure, scissors, ruler, brayer, craft knife, and pencil

DIY Letter Holder

Some of the basic supplies and tools you will need:

  • Plywood, 3 pieces – 4″ x 5″ x 3/4″
  • Scrapbook paper
  • Mod Podge Gloss
  • Wood screws – 1 1/4″
  • Table saw
  • Drill press – with bits and countersink bit
  • Tape measure
  • Ruler
  • Philips head screwdriver
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Craft knife
  • Paintbrush
  • Adhesive rubber pads (optional)
Marking where the holes go on a piece of plywood

Select one of the three plywood pieces to use as your base. You’re going to want to make a mark in each corner, 3/8″ from each side. You can mark this a variety of ways, I’ll let you use whatever method is best for you.

Press the pencil head into the “x marks the spot” so your drill press head wants to seat right in there.

Using a drill press on a piece of plywood

Using the drill press, drill into and through the plywood. Then you’ll use a countersink bit to drill down, so that you give the screw head a place to seat. This will make the wood of your DIY mail holder flush on the counter.

Piece of plywood with holes drilled in it along with a screwdriver

Drill each hole about 1/8 – 2/8″ deep. This is what your base is going to look like.

DIY letter holder pieces with FolkArt waterbase varnish

At this point you will decoupage all the DIY mail holder pieces. You’re going to want to choose your favorite papers for your letter holder – do something mailed themed or something that matches your kitchen. Choosing the design is fun!

Trim all pieces of scrapbook paper to fit all sides of your wood pieces using your ruler, craft knife, and mat. You’ll cut a total of six pieces of paper for each piece of wood – four side pieces and two larger pieces.

Add Mod Podge to each surface in turn, then place down the paper and smooth with your hands or a brayer. Let dry for 15 – 20 minutes, and add a top coat. Let dry.

Optional: seal all three pieces with a sealer. I really like using FolkArt Satin Sealer. Let dry for 15 minutes and then give a second coat!

Base and side pieces for a DIY mail holder

Find the base piece and use a pencil or tool to poke the holes. Lay out the pieces and your four wood screws.

Yes, mine are drywall screws – but I have a ton of them. If you’re buying screws, use wood screws.

Assemble a DIY mail holder

Lay the pieces out and assemble your DIY mail holder from the bottom. Screw the wood screws through the base and straight into the side pieces.

The screws should be flush to the base because you used the countersink bit on the bottom. Repeat the screwing until you are done. Place a rubber pad / bumper over each screw head to finish.

Tip: if you want to make screwing easier, you can pre-drill holes into the side pieces. I’ll leave that up to you.

How to make a mail holder with scrap wood and Mod Podge

Thanks Walter – I totally need this letter holder. Yes, I’m one of “those” mail people. I need to make this mail organizer, stat!

Yield: 1 holder

DIY Mail Holder

DIY mail holder

Learn how to make a DIY letter holder using plywood, and decorate with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $5

Materials

  • Plywood, 3 pieces - 4" x 5" x 3/4"
  • Scrapbook paper
  • Mod Podge Gloss
  • Wood screws - 1 1/4"
  • Adhesive rubber pads (optional)

Tools

  • Table saw
  • Drill press
  • Tape measure
  • Ruler
  • Philips head screwdriver
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Craft knife
  • Paintbrush

Instructions

  1. Select one of the plywood pieces to use as a base. Make a mark in each corner with the pencil, 3/8" from each side.
  2. Using the drill press, drill into and through the plywood. Use a countersink bit to drill down, so that you give the screw head a place to seat.
  3. Drill each hole about 1/8 - 2/8" deep.
  4. Trim all pieces of scrapbook paper to fit all sides of your wood pieces using your ruler, craft knife, and mat. Cut a total of six pieces of paper for each piece of wood.
  5. Add Mod Podge to each surface in turn, then place down the paper and smooth with your hands or a brayer. Let dry for 15 - 20 minutes, and add a top coat. Let dry.
  6. Find the base piece and use a pencil or tool to poke the holes. Lay out the pieces and the four wood screws.
  7. Assemble your mail holder from the bottom. Screw the wood screws through the base and straight into the side pieces.
  8. Repeat the screwing until you are done. Place a rubber pad / bumper over each screw head to finish.

Did You Make This Project?

Please leave a rating or share a photo on Pinterest!


Did you enjoy this DIY mail holder? I’d love for you to check out the following ideas too:

Marie

Tuesday 23rd of August 2011

So cute! I'm cohosting a link party at southernlovely.blogspot.com on Wednesday. Would love it if you'd link up!

Mariemylilpinkpocket.blogspot.com

SewSweet

Saturday 20th of August 2011

You could also use one of those old wooden napkin holders...less tools required

WhichCraft-Liz

Friday 19th of August 2011

Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing Liz

CREATIVE MIND

Wednesday 17th of August 2011

hmm..interesting..easy as well!!!thanks for sharing with all :)

Walter Silva

Wednesday 17th of August 2011

@Amy Jeanie, Love that idea, LOL!

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