I’ve been drooling over the coral in the Pottery Barn catalogs, but there’s no way I’d pay for them & I have no plans to travel to a tropical isle to collect my own…
So, my brain went working overtime to think how could I make coral???
This is what I came up with…
I took 18 gauge wire & just cut and twisted till I created my coral form.
I made clay…
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
I used my kitchen aid mixer… it brought it together in less than a minute, but you could mix it by hand as well. (make sure you keep unused clay in an airtight container)
Then it was just covering my wire form. I only used about 1/4 of the clay we made… the kiddos had fun making their own sculptures with the rest.
I used a toothpick to dot holes all over it (to add a little texture).
It took a few days to dry… then I gave it a couple coats of white spray paint.
So…it looks nothing like Pottery Barn’s coral, in fact it’s lookin’ more like a 2nd grade craft project…
maybe it will grow on me.
So what have you’ve been painting?
Power of Paint Party Rules:
This is a PAINT party… so pretty please, link-up only paint related projects. I HATE deleting!
Please put my nifty POPP button in your blog post or a link back to this party in your post… that way others from your blog can check out all the paint projects too.
In the URL line, insert your blog post url… not your general blog address.
In the “NAME” line place the title of your post.
Let’s Party Painters!
(Submissions start July 6, 2010, 7:00 pm)
Link tool by inlinkz.com
Sharing my coral here:
Get Your Craft On @ Today’s Creative Blog, Penny Pinching Party @ The Thrifty Home, The Boardwalk Bragfest, Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage, Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, I’m Lovin’ It @ TidyMom, Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous,
So…it may not look like Pottery Barn's, but it sure is ingenious.
Would love to have you share your creativity at the cottage for Tips and Tricks Tuesday.
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Don't you just hate it when you spend so much time on a project and it doesn't turn out like you expected? I do! But what an creative way to make your own coral! Good job!
You are so clever! I see the coral everywhere too, and have had the same thought of "how could I make my own?" Thank you for sharing. I am uploading my recent paint projects, can't wait to get to it. Your blog is wonderful!
I love your coral it's adorable!! Great thinking.
Super creative, love it!
http://basicallyformyself.blogspot.com
I think it was creative and you did a good job! As the old saying goes…"practice makes perfect". Thanks for hosting.
Have a wonderful day.
what a great idea! and then you can have it as big or small as you'd like! thanks for hosting!
Personally, I think it turned out pretty cool.
I LOVE that coral — I think it is such a cool idea — and it looks good too
Thanks for hosting a fun painting party!!
Oh, but no two pieces of coral look alike, right?! I like it and think it would be fun to do with the kids. Thanks for sharing!
Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com
I would never have thought about making my own coral! You go girl!! You did a fiiiiine job!
Lisa
Pretty Darn Crafty, Love that, looks Great… Thanks for sharing.. AMazing what you can make out of nothing. Thanks for linky party- a New Follower- Ill back to share& see what your making.. Love all The Insiration. Karryann
Way to get creative by making your own coral! Thanks for hosting another linky party.
~Lori S.
Are you kidding, Maryann? I LOVE THE CORAL. I've bookmarked it and plan to make some myself. I thought it was coral. We tend to be so hard on our own designs, but you should really embrace this one — it's a definite winner and I LOVE it!
New follower.
You guys are so sweet! You are making me feel SO MUCH better about my coral!
You make the best knock off's!!!!
XO
KRistin
I think the coral turned out great! Sometimes we are our own worst critic. Fabulous job and great creative thinking!
I LOVE your coral! It is sooo stinkin creative and it turned out great! I love your blog and LOVE painting so I shared one of my projects and am definitely becoming a follower.
Thanks 4 Sharing:)
-Amanda @ thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com
Love your coral idea!!!! Here's another possible way you might try and make it….pipe cleaners and Borax!!! I have made Christmas ornaments before using this techniques although I don't remember much about it. But it's basically like making old fashioned rock candy! You make a super saturated solution of water and Borax (laundry detergent aisle) and then suspend your "shape" in the solution and over a period of time, crystals attach and grow on the pipe cleaners! If I remember right, it was kinda sparkly, but I guess you could spray paint it if you wanted it matte. Hope this helps you if you are interested in trying another coral making method!
great idea! i love to look at pottery barn catalogs for inspiration – i surely can't afford the "real" thing. maybe next time, use 2-3 x as much clay or maybe "upgrade" to wire hangers – may make it more substantial! but i may have to incorporate that in my own decor!!