DIY Wall Mounted Planter

Check out this DIY wall planter that I made recently.  I love that it frees up some surface space as well as combining living things and art.  The most time consuming part of this was stenciling on the design.  If you were to make this back board a solid colour, you could probably put this whole thing together in a couple hours.  Want to know how to make one of your very own?  Check out the instructions below.

Materials

• Plywood (mine was 1" x 10" x 36")
• Paint
• Permanent marker
• Stencil
• Scotch tape
• 5 x stainless steel clamps adjustable ring clamps
• 12 x Wood screws 
• 2 x eyelet wall hangers
• 2 x drywall plug + matching screws
• 5 x glass containers
• Soil
• Gravel
• Plants

  Step 1: Paint the plywood

Step 2: Tape the edges of your stencil where you want the design to be.

I suggest starting in the middle of your board and working to the edges.  This way your design with be symmetrical.

Step 3: Use your permanent marker to draw the design.  Move the stencil and repeat as necessary.

I centered my stencil at 0", 6", 12", 18", 24", 30" and 36".

Step 4: If you want to fill in the gaps, keep stenciling!

I added the top and bottom edge designs at 3", 9", 15", 21", 27" and 33".

Step 5: Flip over your board and screw on your eyelet hangers.

I put one on either end of the board.  I used 3/4" #5 wood screws to attach them.

Step 6:  Attach your ring clamps.

Make sure the size of your ring clamps can accommodate the containers you plan on using to pot your plants. To attach them I used  3/4" #5 wood screws.  Two screws per clamp with 2 'slots' in between each screw.

Step 7: Install your drywall anchors (or anchors appropriate to the surface you are hanging it on).
Screw in the matching screws leaving a small gap between the heads and the wall for the eyelet hangers to hang on.  The anchors I used were rated for 50lbs.  Make sure your two anchors are the same distance apart as your eyelet hangers.

Step 8: Hang up your planter!

Step 9: Pot your plants.
I got my glass containers at the dollar store.  You could also use old jars or other containers you have lying around.  Just make sure they aren't super heavy.  I suggest putting a small layer of gravel about an inch thick at the bottom of each glass pot to provide drainage for the soil.

Step 10: Put your plants in the planter.
Loosen the ring clamp until it is slightly larger than the glass pot.  Insert the pot, and while holding it at the desired height, tighten the ring clamp until the pot is held tightly in place.  You shouldn't be able to rotate or move it at all.

Step 11:  Repeat Step 10 for all your glass pots and you're done!

Copper Wave Wire Wrapped Ring Tutorial Now Online

The tutorial for my copper wave ring is now available in the tutorial shop. Now you can make one of your very own!

Material List:

• 25" of 24 gauge round copper wire
  
• 14 size 11/0 miyuki delica seed beads

Tool List:

• Needle nose pliers
• Flat nose pliers
• Wire snips
• Ring mandrel

Copper Wave Wire Wrapped Ring

Check out this ring I made today.  Didn't really have much of a plan going into it, but I really like how it turned out.  The wire wrapping has a fluid feel to it and the colours are really earthy.  It's made from 24 gauge copper wire and size 11/0 miyuki delica seed beeds in 'avocado green'.  If you like it and want to know how to make it, leave a comment and I will try to put together a quick tutorial.

Origami Flower Ball

I know it's not quite jewelry, but it's still pretty and crafty so I thought I'd share it with you.  I made my first origami paper ball.  I found the process surprisingly relaxing and the completing the project very satisfying.

From this...

...to this!

I used a pad of dollar store post it notes.  They're convenient because they already come perfectly square and exactly the same size.  Don't worry if only one side of the paper has a pretty pattern as the other side gets hidden in the folds.  The tutorial I used attached everything with glue.  I opted to use double sided tape instead so that I didn't have to wait for the glue to dry in between steps.  Here are a few different tutorials that give you variations of the origami flower ball.  Enjoy!

Free Beaded Beads Tutorials

If you're like me, beaded beads look really intricate and beautiful, but I can never figure out how to make them from just looking at the finished product.  Beadiferous to the rescue!  In my internet wanderings, I stumbled upon this website that has some free tutorials for some beautiful beaded beads (as well as some other neat earrings too!).  My personal favorite is the O Pendant, which I think could make neat earrings as well if you used smaller beads.  Check out the photos below to get the tutorials for each of these beads.  Also, don't forget to enter the contest for a free copy of my Shimmering Beaded Leaves tutorial.  You have until December 9th, 2011 to enter : )

The Filled Net Pendant

The O Pendant

The 12-Bead Base

Embellishment of the 12-Bead Base

Free Bead Weaving Tutorial!!!

As I mentioned before, to celebrate my 1000th page view, I am having a contest.  Well, we made it!  Time to find out what you can get.


Win a FREE copy of my Shimmering Beaded Leaf Earring Tutorial which I announced to you here and is for sale here.  However, right now, you have a chance to get it for free!  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post saying what you would like to see more of on this blog.  That's it!  The contest will be open until December 8th, 2011 at midnight EST.  On December 9th a comment will be picked at random and the person who posted it will get the tutorial for free.  One comment per person please.  I'm excited to see what you have to say!

New URL

In an effort to consolidate my 'brand', I've been unifying everything associated with making jewelry under one name:

Crossed Wires Jewelry

As such, the URL for this blog has been changed to www.CrossedWiresJewelry.blogspot.com.  My esty store has now been updated to www.CrossedWiresJewelry.etsy.com and you can contact me via my profile or at CrossedWiresJewelry@gmail.com.

Stay tuned as we're only a few page views away from a contest!  Who doesn't like free stuff?!