I have no idea what this shelf thingamajig was originally used for but I saw it in an antique shop and decided it was perfect for my Distress Inks. You can probably fit about 30 inkpads on it comfortably. Pretty Cool find! They had old matchbox cars sitting on it (rather awkwardly, if Im being honest, as the shelves slant downwards) I got it for 10 bucks which I think is pretty decent. :-)