Building memories

Meagan had one wish for her birthday this year (she turned 9 in July!) and that was to build a stand that she could sell from. We were, at the time, involved at a low level in a farmer's market and she so wanted to have her own stand, her own goods, and her own business.

So, for her birthday, I gathered up a bunch of scrap wood, bought a few pieces we didn't have, and presented them to her, with a promise that we would build the stand together. Just us girls.


Here it is in it's finished form. We will add a sign in the pink area, naming her stand, eventually, but at the moment, we don't have a name. We are also toying with the idea of making it changeable so that she can name it "Meagan's Melons" one day and "Meagan's Mushrooms" the next. We're brainstorming as to how to do that best.

I used the plans from Ana White's website as a basis, but modified it as Meagan is now 9 and these were designed for much littler girls. The hutch part comes off, as we attached it with bolts, so that we can easily stick it in the back of the pickup to take it somewhere else for selling things. It is a bit heavy, but manageable in two pieces. If you are interested in the plans and how we modified it, that info will follow...

Here is the base unit as is.
My cut list was:
A) 2 - 1x12 @ 31 3/4" (sides)
B)3 - 1x12 @ 34 1/2" (shelves)
C)2 - 1x4 @ 34 1/2" (half shelves)
D)2 - 1x10 @ 34 1/2" (center dividers)
E)2 - 1x12 @ 8 3/4" (bin dividers)
F)1 - 1x8 @ 36" (top of bins)
G)1 - 1x4 @ 36" (front of bins)
H)2 - 1x2 @ 22 1/4" (front side trim)
I)1 - 1x3 @ 33" (front footer)
J)1 - 1x4 @ 36" (back of bin trim)
K)1 - 1x2 @ 36" (back top trim)
L)2 - 1x2 @ 5 1/4" (back side trim)
M)1 - 1x3 @ 36" (back bottom trim)
N)2 - 1x2 @ 20" (back side trim)

The new overall dimensions are 36" wide, 13" deep, and 32 1/2" high.

In step one, the top measurements are the same, but the side will measure 25" instead of 15 1/2".

Step two is the same.

In step three, the bottom shelf will still be 1 3/4" off the ground, but there will be 3 shelves instead of 2. There is 9 1/2" BETWEEN each of the shelves, with 8 3/4" remaining at the top. So, the bottom of the bottom shelf will be attached at 1 3/4", the bottom of the 2nd shelf at 12", and the top shelf at 22 1/4", leaving 8 3/4" over the top of that last shelf.

In step four, we will add 2 half-shelves instead of one. The lower half-shelf will have 6 7/8" from the bottom to the ground, and the top half-shelf will have 17 1/8" from the bottom to the ground.

Step five is the same, except that there are 2 of the D pieces instead of one. Obviously, one between the bottom & 2nd shelf, and one between the 2nd & top shelf.

Steps six through fifteen are the same, just using the new cutting measurements. Locations & methods are the same, though.


Here is the hutch unit as is.
My cutting list was:
A)2 - 1x6 @ 32 3/4" (sides)
G)2 - 1x3 @ 25 3/4" (front side trim)

The new dimensions are 36" wide, 7" deep, and 36" tall.

All the steps are the same, with only the side heights changing. You won't notice any difference in the instructions.