Upcycle An Old Pot Lid Into A Clever Addition To Your Craft Room Supplies

People are repurposing cookware lids as stencils for their artwork, thanks to the lids' perfectly round design. When you think about it, pot lids are ideal for tracing circles — they're literally manufactured to be round in shape. Also, they're heavy and solid in construction, which means they'll stay in place better than flimsy stencil outlines or paper plates. These lids also come with a built-in central knob or handle to help you hold them in place as you work.

The other benefit to using lids as craft supplies is that they're completely free if you upcycle from your own collection. However, they can still be extremely cheap if purchased secondhand as part of an incomplete pots and pans ensemble. Actual round art stencils can cost anywhere from $6 to $30 or more, depending on the diameter; plus, they're often paper cutouts that have to be taped to a surface.

The only drawback to this hack (one of the many clever ways to repurpose old pot and pan lids) is the potential size limitations for large-scale murals or art projects. Most pot and pan lids max out at around 12 to 14 inches wide, so that's something to think about if you need a size that exceeds a foot or so in diameter. Also, if you're working with a vertical surface, such as a wall, holding and tracing the lid, and ensuring it doesn't shift, may prove difficult as well.

First, take stock of what you have and what you'd like to add. You can always find old pot lids at garage sales or thrift shops for a bargain, especially if they're without a matching pot. Although knob-style lids are fine, prioritize those with center-mounted handles. These might be easier for you to lift, maneuver, and keep in place as you trace around them — specifically, if you're tracing on an upright canvas or wall instead of a flat surface. Look for size variations, too, so you have plenty of stencil options for all kinds of projects.

Once you have an assortment of old pot lids to upcycle, measure and label each by their diameter in inches. For example, you could put a piece of duct tape on top with the lid's size written in ink. These labels will make the task seamless when it comes to choosing the correct "stencil" size for the scale of your craft.

You can also bargain shop for a pot lid organizer that suits your craft room storage. Some are configured to mount onto walls or to fill in bare cabinet space. (Speaking of which, one organization hack is to keep your pots, pans, and lids sorted in a file organizer.) An organizer will keep your circle lids neat and tidy, make them easy to retrieve, and leave plenty of room for other staples to your creative process.