Make a Curtain Rod

Here's what you need:

a dowel rod - I used 3/4" that is 48 inches long

2 screw hooks that are big enough to hold the dowel rod

2 drawer pulls - I used black porcelain and decorated with a paint pen

2 hanger bolts (these are like headless screws) -  The diameter should be the same diameter as the screws that came with the drawer pulls

1. Figure out how long the rod needs to be and then cut it down to size.  Remember that curtain rods generally extend an inch or so past the window edge on both sides so you'll need to factor this into your measurements.
2. Sand (just the rod), prime and pain the dowel rod and the screw hooks.  I actually didn't think to sand until after I painted.  I planned on repainting, but decided I like the distressed look so I left it unpainted.
3. Screw the hanger bolts, non-pointed end, into the drawer pulls and then screw the pointed end into the ends of the dowel rod.  I ended up having to pre-drill holes into the end of the rod.  If you do this, make sure you use the right drill bit for the size of your screws.
4. Screw the screw hooks into the wall where you want them and place the rod into the hooks.

My pricing:

Screw hooks - $.48 each

Hanger bolts- $1.13 for a pack of 8

Drawer pulls - $1.57 each

Dowel rod - $2.64

My total, plus tax was $8.40. 

**  The window I made this for is 36" wide so two screw hooks was all I needed.  If you are making a longer rod, you will probably need more hooks to support the rod.  Also, Charles said that if a heavier rod or curtains are being used, the screw hooks should be anchored into the wall.  I didn't do this because my curtain panels aren't heavy and the curtain rod is so short.


Linking to:
Creative Therapy @ Life in the Pitts
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog
Make it Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden
Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
DIY Day @ A Soft Place to Land