For this weeks DIY, I recreated a high end Anthropologie décor item for less.  

Materials:

• 2 Gold Rings - 5 inches in diameter (I purchased mine from JoAnn Fabrics for .99 cents each)
• 1/8" x 1/8" x 36" Balsa Wood sticks (pack of 50 from Amazon for $19) 
• Natural cotton twine rope (Home Depot 420 ft for $2.98)
• Hot glue gun and glue
• Super Glue
• Glass candle holder (Dollar Tree $1)

Instructions:

1. ​Cut 55 Balsa wood pieces to length of candle holder.  Mine was 9 inches tall, so out of a 36 inch piece I was able to get 4 pieces.
2. Hot glue 5 Balsa wood pieces evenly around one of the gold rings.  Then glue ends to other gold ring keeping pieces as straight as possible.  Once 5 pieces are secure, glue the remaining 50 Balsa wood sticks around the rings creating a cylinder.
3. Remove the 1st and 11th stick from every 11 stick section (Sticks 1, 11, 12, 22, 23, 33, 34, 44, 45, 55)
4. Wrap the sticks with twine securing each end with hot glue.
5. Hot glue twine wrapped sticks back into place on the gold rings.
6. Cut about 2 yards of twine.  Tie to one end of candle holder between two sticks, then begin wrapping the twine around the gold hoop in between the sticks.  You can skip every other, then when you get to the starting point begin wrapping the twine in the opposite direction creating a criss cross pattern.
7. Repeat step six for the other gold hoop.
8. Cut 5, 1 yard pieces of twine.  Wrap each piece around each 11 pieces section 5 times.  Secure with a knot and super glue on the inside.
9. Insert a glass cylinder and candle.  Your Anthropologie inspired lantern is complete.
10. Total price about $10, Anthropologie's price for a 14" lantern $58

Materials Needed:
16" Metal wreath form
Spray paint (Rust-Oleum Metallic Satin Nickel All Surface Paint + Primer)
Assorted faux leafy and floral stems
Floral wire 
Hot glue gun and glue
Needle nose pliers or wire cutter
Scissors

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Instructions:

1. Bend back metal sections of wreath form with pliers and snip any stubborn pieces of metal to give yourself 4 separate rings.  Use the largest ring for this project, the other rings can be used for smaller wreaths or other projects.
2. Spray paint both sides of wreath form.  Spray paint doesn't have to be perfect since most of it will be covered by foliage.
3.  Cut floral wire into small workable pieces.
4. Snip apart leaf and floral stems, making sure to leave enough of a stem to bend around the form and attach.
5.  Start by attaching largest leafy stems to wreath form with small pieces of floral wire.  Attach about 2 leafy bunches to one side of the form.
6.  Next add florals followed by smaller leafy branches.  Add as few or as many as you would like.
7. Repeat steps 5 & 6 going in the opposite direction on the wreath form.  Do not make the sides symmetrical. 
8. Lastly hot glue individual leaves to heavily wire wrapped sections.  The key is to conceal any unsightly areas.
9. Your wreath is complete.  Hang on your front door and welcome in spring.  Remember Simplicity and Asymmetry are key to the modern feel of the wreath!

The other day I was out thrift shopping at the local Restore and found these amazing wood bowls.  I purchased them not knowing exactly what they would be used for, but I knew I wanted to create some type of wall art.  After I finished my thrift store haul I stopped by JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts and started gathering supplies for my projects.  I purchased a variety of paints, yarn, and three very cool pendants for necklaces.  Once I returned home my ideas starting coming together.  I knew I wanted to create something Boho inspired with a geometric flair, so I started by perusing Pinterest for ideas.  It wasn't long before I started cutting out different shapes from tag board and assembling these shapes into different geometric patterns.  From there I converted these geometric patterns into painted images on paper.  Once I was satisfied with my creations I taped off the different images in the bottom of the bowls and painted until my heart was content.   Here is what I created and I hope it inspires you to turn your everyday items into art.

D.I.Y Steps:
1.  Wash tiles and let dry
2.  Cut fabric into 3.75 inch squares
3.  Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to first tile using paint brush
4. Immediately apply first square of fabric and brush mod podge over fabric and tile.
5.  Repeat on steps 3 & 4 to remaining tiles, then let dry for at least 1 hour
6.  Once all tiles have dried apply a second coat of mod podge
7.  Cut cork into 4 inch squares and carefully apply to the underside of tiles.
​8.  Let cure 24 hours before using

Video of Steps 3-7