Dear Chicago House,
After a lovely vacation on the beach I am drawn (once again) to creating beachy thing. I think it is my destiny, to one day, to live on the coast.
I saw a lovely drift wood orb in Crate and Barrel recently and as soon as humanly possible went to my secret Chicago beach to collect some drift wood, ready to make my own version. Lake drift wood is just as good as sea drift wood.
Ta da!
It took a little patience and did result in quite a few hot glue gun burns but what can I say I should wear gloves!
What you need
Blow up the beach ball. Working from the top down create a lattice work of drift wood, hot gluing as you go. The easiest way is to build the basic structure first and infill with smaller pieces as you go.
Once the ball is totally encased in wood deflate and remove.
How easy was that?
Love from
Creative in Chicago
XX
After a lovely vacation on the beach I am drawn (once again) to creating beachy thing. I think it is my destiny, to one day, to live on the coast.
I saw a lovely drift wood orb in Crate and Barrel recently and as soon as humanly possible went to my secret Chicago beach to collect some drift wood, ready to make my own version. Lake drift wood is just as good as sea drift wood.
Ta da!
It took a little patience and did result in quite a few hot glue gun burns but what can I say I should wear gloves!
What you need
- Short lengths of drift wood, get way more than you think you will need. I ran out mid project and my orb sat unfinished in the garages for ages. I did not want to cut any of the wood I collected preferring the natural look of the ends.
- An inflatable beach ball
- Hot glue gun with lots of spare glue sticks.
Blow up the beach ball. Working from the top down create a lattice work of drift wood, hot gluing as you go. The easiest way is to build the basic structure first and infill with smaller pieces as you go.
Once the ball is totally encased in wood deflate and remove.
How easy was that?
Love from
Creative in Chicago
XX
Great idea! Can I link back to you on my blog using your pictures?
ReplyDeletesure as long as you credit me!
DeleteI love it! Like, really love it. And I agree - lake driftwood IS just as good.
ReplyDeleteLake driftwood is surprisingly good...although my last two trip to my secret beach have been fraught with issues. I got my first ever parking ticket then I managed to leave my purse, phone, ID driving license etc in my bag...in the garage!
DeleteNow, you KNOW I love it!!! Totally fantastic. :)
ReplyDeleteYes I thought you'd like this Karah! I think it may be the start of a new obsession for me...Driftwood crafts here we come
DeleteThis is such a wonderful idea! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteHow can a deflated ball be removed once hot gun glue is used on it?
ReplyDeleteThe ball is just there to give the framework to the orb...nothing is stuck to it so it comes out very easily
DeleteI love driftwood and beach creations too. There is something really invigorating about having images in your home that remind you of being at the beach. Thanks for sharing this tutorial. I would love to try it one day.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Never though of using the ball.. Thanx for the tip!
ReplyDeleteDid you poke holes in the ball to get it out or was it still usable after you were done?
ReplyDeleteNo I just deflated the ball, it is totally unharmed and ready for another crazy project
DeleteLove it! Absolutely an awesome beach house decoration! Did you do anything to clean the driftwood first?
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays
Leslie
House on the Way
Thanks Leslie, I didn't do anything to clean the driftwood...but it was lake driftwood as opposed to sea driftwood so there were no salt issues.
Delete