First, went with the smallest table top I could find at the local Home Depot

Next is the stencil. If you have a fancy cricket or silhouette machine, you go on with your bad self and just know that I’m all kinds of jealous sitting here envious. If you don’t, then there are a few different routes to take with the stencil. A.) Make friends with someone with one of those machines or B.) Make friends with someone at your local sign shop. They should have the ability to print larger “sign” type stencils. or C.) You could go with a pre-made stencil from the craft store.

Layout your stencil and then proceed to paint it I painted it with an all purpose black craft paint that is good on wood.

Let it dry, and then remove the stencil.

I then decided to go with a classic gray stain. Our friends are a bit more modern and so the gray felt a little less rustic and modern to me.

Using a rag, I applied a few coats of stain, let it dry and then a few coats of clear satin finish.

Using the toothpaste technique, I drilled holes according to the size of the handles. The toothpaste technique is to place a small amount of toothpaste to the outside of the holes of the handle and then place the handles one the board when you want them. When you pick the handles up, the holes will be identified. I then outlined with pencil and proceeded to drill !

Add handles and viola, you have the prettiest wine barrel “inspired” tray.