Do you have a child who enjoys making art, but you’re shocked by the high cost of plexiglass or acrylic easels that aren’t even portable? Or do you have a child that needs a creative activity in order to step away from the tv or ipad screen to enjoy time outside? Fear not, as Edgar has come up with a brilliant solution! He has created a transparent canvas easel stand (or chair) that is portable, inexpensive, and upcycled from a foldable beach chair. It’s true! Not to mention, it’s easy to assemble. Sounds like a slam dunk to me! His YouTube Channel isn’t titled Super Simple DIY to confuse people.
Reasons Why You Need This DIY Transparent Canvas Easel Stand!
It is Inexpensive, Simple to Create, and PORTABLE
This DIY project is not only affordable, but it also requires just a few readily available materials. The process of creating it is straightforward for anyone to follow and duplicate. Once you finish, you’ll have a child-approved, lightweight, transparent easel stand that is easy to clean and easily transported for guaranteed on-the-go fun. I couldn’t ask for more! Melianna’s love for art projects is undeniable, and she finds pure joy in creating her own masterpieces using paint, scissors, glue, and paper. To display her work, she showcases it throughout our home for everyone to enjoy. For children who share her passion, an upcycled foldable beach chair to a transparent easel stand is the perfect gift to pursue their passion anywhere.
It is Versatile, and Art is Easy to Transfer to Paper
There are countless ways to use this transparent canvas “easel stand.” For instance, you can attach letters, numbers, shapes, or flat surface toys to the opposite side of the canvas to promote writing skills by tracing or copying. You could also use your child’s headshot to inspire them to draw or paint a self-portrait.
Are you worried about losing your child’s masterpiece from the cleaning process? Worry no more! Simply take a piece of paper, press it onto the canvas, and peel it off. Voilà! Your child’s artwork is now transferred onto the paper and can be displayed for everyone to admire. In addition, if you’re not keen on using paint, opt for dry-erase markers or regular child-safe markers, which are excellent alternatives.
It Promotes Time Outside
You can easily attach items to the back of the easel stand and encourage your child to trace them. For instance, you can also use the same dampening method I used for the paper and wonder foam for certain things outside, i.e., leaves, grass, or flowers. Just stick them to the back of the canvas to inspire your child to draw or paint a nature-themed picture. You can also position it in front of a stunning outdoor view and encourage your child to paint their interpretation of the scenery. As can be seen in the photos, Edgar did this with the kids, and Melianna created a beautiful flower bed painting with the sun shining down. These suggestions will undoubtedly inspire you to create your child’s own transparent easel stand. Are you hungry for more? Please keep reading for more details.
What You’ll Need
- Beach chair. You can use any chair you would like. The chair must include two crucial elements for this project to work. It needs to be foldable, and the back and seat fabric must be separated. These chairs are all over Facebook Marketplace for the cheapest option. If you prefer Amazon, this beach chair is the best choice.
- Clear plastic tablecloth cover will be used as the transparent canvas element. The cover will eventually need replacing due to stretch over time after multiple uses. This table cover will supply numerous replacements.
- 5 Pipe tube clips will allow you to substitute the back fabric with a transparent canvas. These clips are the exact size of the chair bars to keep the cover tightly secured to the “easel stand.”
- Scissors/box cutter
- Ruler
- Marker
- Steam iron to flatten the canvas element of the easel stand.
- Towel
Creating the Transparent Canvas Easel Stand
To begin, remove the head pad from your beach chair using a box cutter or scissors. Then, carefully cut the back fabric off the chair, making sure to cut along the seams for easy reattachment in the future if desired.
Next, grab the table cover and lay it flat on your work surface. Take your ruler, measure 22 inches x 16 inches, and make your marks. Then cut out your marked rectangle with scissors.
To create a smooth surface for your canvas, it’s essential to remove any creases from the table cover. To do this, you’ll need an iron and a towel. First, preheat your iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then , lay the table cover flat and place it inside the towel. Then, carefully iron the towel to flatten the table cover. Avoid touching the plastic table cover with the iron, as it may melt. Use any fabric that is safe to iron. Do this until the table cover is entirely crease-free.
Now that the table cover is flat, it’s time to attach it to the chair. You’ll need five pipe tube clamps for this task. Start by attaching the first clamp to the top of the chair to connect the cover. Then, attach two more clamps to each side of the chair. It’s important to ensure the cover is taut to create a good flat canvas base for your little one. After that is complete, you may notice some extra table cover material hanging over the corners of the chair; trim these ends off for a neater appearance.
After the steps are complete, then voilà! Your transparent canvas easel stand is ready for your kiddo to enjoy ANYWHERE.
Below is Edgar’s full DIY video for a step-by-step guide.
Final Thoughts on the Transparent Canvas Easel Stand
As can be seen from the video, this transparent canvas easel stand is a must-have for younger children. It offers so many opportunities for learning, fun, and getting your kiddos outside to appreciate the environment around them. Not to mention, it is inexpensive and straightforward to create. We hope you enjoyed this creative idea and found these instructions helpful. Please share your thoughts, questions, or experience with the transparent canvas easel stand in the comment section below. We would love to hear your feedback! Check out Super Simple DIY Dad for more exciting ideas!
