How to Display Painted Rocks - Store-Bought and DIY Solutions

You can display painted rocks by using wooden display easels, a plate stand, or DIY stand made from drapery slip-on hooks.

I found these wood veneer folded easels at Hobby Lobby and they nicely and attractively hold the the weight of painted rocks. They are available in 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12-inch sizes with a black or walnut finish. Regularly priced from $1.99 to $7.99, Hobby Lobby often has them available for 50% off. (Note: if your rock is too heavy, it may spread the stand's feet, making the stand unsuitable for that stone.)

Painted Stone is Displayed on a 3-Inch Folding Easel

For larger and heavier painted rocks, an art-style display easel or metal plate stand is a better choice. Both of these stands were purchased at Hobby Lobby at 50% off the regular price.

The Metal Stand (Right) is Displaying a 5-lb. Painted Rock

 
Artist, Marilyn Boyle, came up with this clever idea for DIY display stands using slip-on drapery hooks.

DIY Stand How-To by Marilyn Boyle

Marilyn Boyle Painted Stone Agate with Stand

UPDATE

I have tried 3 types (brands) of slip-in drapery hooks and learned they are not created equal when it comes to shaping them into stands for painted rocks.

 

The slip-in hooks are listed in the order of my preference:

• The most expensive set costs around $3.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond for 14 hooks. It was the easiest to shape into a rock stand.
• The medium-priced set costs around $2.49 at Hobby Lobby for 14 hooks (4 hooks were end hooks and could not be used as stands). It took more time to create a stand because of the 4 "legs" but it was fairly easy to bend and shape into a stand.
• The lowest-price set costs around $1.97 at Lowe's for 14 hooks. The metal was thicker and more difficult to bend and shape into a stand. In addition the piece used as a back support (soldered to the "legs") would snap off if I was not careful.

(I am sure each hook type works well for hanging curtains and drapes.)

Helpful Links:

• Hobby Lobby Wood Display Stands
• Hobby Lobby Metal Display Stands
• Slip-in Drapery Hooks at Bed Bath and Beyond
• Pleater Hooks at Hobby Lobby
• Slip-in Curtain Hooks at Lowes 
• How to Make Rocks Stand Upright 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks 

Ideas for a Small Rock Painting Studio

I'm fortunate to have an enclosed balcony for my painting studio. A wall of windows provides good light during the day and an inspiring view.

Shortly after I started painting in the enclosed balcony, I realized I needed somewhere to store all paints, supplies and brushes in a way which was easily accessible and saved space.

A carousel was the perfect idea (purchased from Hobby Lobby). It was meant for a table top but I sat it on the floor instead.

The wall of windows in my studio worked well until the sun set. Without good lighting, I had to put off painting until the next morning.

Then I discovered the Daylight Tabletop Magnifying Craft Lamp (available at Amazon, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, Walmart).

Daylight Table Top Craft Lamp, White

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may get paid for the purchase of products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The daylight lamp enabled me to paint at all hours of the day or night.  (The magnifier takes some getting used to and will come in handy one day.)

I love my daylight lamp and the paint carousel worked fine until my paint collection expanded and my desire for organization (and keeping like colors with like) put me in the market for something new.

I found this 10- drawer organization cart with multicolor drawers at Sam's Club for under $30. (The drawers also come in black and clear.)

10-Drawer Rolling Cart

The cart was easy to assemble and...

...each drawer had more than enough room to store my paints. (I used egg cartons as temporary organizers.)

 

The daylight lamp and rolling cart not only solved my evening painting and organization dilemma. It also proved invaluable when Winter weather arrived and my enclosed balcony was too cold to spend much time in.

I just rolled my paint cart into the dining room and tucked it into a corner for easy access. The tabletop daylight lamp didn't take up much room on the dining table.

Are you wondering what happened to the paint carousel? It became a storage spot for some of my smaller, painted rocks. (And yes, those are egg cartons used as organizers.)

I'm looking forward to warmer weather so I can move my lamp and rolling cart back into the enclosed balcony again. I miss the view!

Helpful Links

• Daylight Table Top Craft Lamp
• Daylight Table Top and Floor Lamp Video
• 10-Drawer Rolling Cart
• 3-Bin Rolling Cart

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may get paid for the purchase of products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks