Materially Crafted: A DIY Primer for the Design-Obsessed
I love a good DIY book. Primarily because they remind me (hopefully over and over again) that beautiful design isn’t something you have to buy in a store or take down from a shelf. Sometimes the best things you can decorate your home with are the ones you make with your own two hands. Victoria Hudgins of the blog A Subtle Revelry has a brand new DIY book out and I’ve already dog-eared a few pages to tackle this spring when it starts to thaw outside. Her book, Materially Crafted: A DIY Primer for the Design-Obsessed, focuses on materials and great ways (including 30 main projects) to transform them into something special. I think material-based projects are the best to tackle, because they leave you feeling comfortable and proficient with something you can now carry over and try again in a new way. Victoria has been kind enough to share a full project from the book today — one that is perfect for pre-spring. This hanging orb planter (don’t worry, the pot is attached!) lets you show off your favorite plants and turn them into a dramatic hanging display — or just a single bold strand of statement. Thanks so much to Victoria for sharing this with us today and a big congrats on her new book — you can check it out and pick up a copy right here. xo, grace
Hanging Metal Globes
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
TIME NEEDED: 15 minutes per globe
Bringing your garden inside, or designing it well outside, is easy with these simple metal globes. They look pretty on their own, but even better with a small potted plant in the middle. They also make great trailing guides for ivy and other garden plants. A collection on a large windowsill would look amazing!
SUPPLIES:
-At least two packs of 1″ (2.5 cm) wide perforated metal hanger straps
-Cylindrical object, for shaping (see note)
-Wire cutters
-
One #8 (32 x D⁄i” (81 x 1 cm)) screw and nut for each terra-cotta pot (optional)
-Terra-cotta flowerpot (optional)
-String or fishing wire, for hanging
Note: I used a jar to mold the smaller globe and a beach ball to mold the larger one.
INSTRUCTIONS:
. 1 Measure out your strapping by wrapping it around your shaping object and cutting it to size using wire cutters. Repeat with three more lengths of strapping.
. 2 Overlap the first circle of strapping with the second circle, making an “X” shape. Place a screw through one of the top holes to temporarily hold the two pieces together.
. 3 Place the third circle of strapping over the first two to create a sphere. Bolt the top screw and a bottom screw into place.
. 4 If you plan to place a terra-cotta pot inside, do this before wrapping the last strap. Once the third circle is attached, remove the bottom screw and replace it with a slightly longer screw. Set the terra-cotta pot atop the screw before replacing the nut with a larger one to hold the pot in place.
. 5 Wrap the fourth length so it lays horizontally across the midsection and add a screw at every point the horizontal strapping intersects with the vertical pieces.
. 6 Fill your pot with small flowers and herbs and hang with a length of string or fishing wire for a modern garden display.
