On my previous post, I shared the sign I had made from an old baseboard. Even though I really love the way it turned out, the space needed something else….
Enter a homemade shell garland…
I love seastars, but I only had one around the house….
…and the ones I found at the store were $6.00 a piece. So, like any sensible DIYer would, I decided to make my own out of clay….
I had the original as inspiration as nothing
compares to God’s original masterpiece….
but here is a quick step by step…
(I added a toothpick to each arm to reinforce them).
I didn’t really take my time so I was not 100% happy with the way the stars looked, but once I threaded them and hung them, I thought they looked ok.
Once the clay dried, I painted it and sealed the stars.
Threaded some twine and some spiral shells…
If you have the time and patience, you can mimic each little hole easily using a toothpick. Or, you can simply buy them, gently drill a hole on the top and thread the twine through…easy.
Nothing says summer like a garland made of pretty shells, twine and some seastars. Come on summer, I am eagerly awaiting your arrival…
On a final note, I wanted to say thank you so much for all your lovely comments. I hope you know that I truly appreciate the time you take to leave your words behind.
much love,
Lucy
So SO pretty! I love using shells to decorate in the summertime. Oh sweet summertime :o)
These are gorgeous and look so real! I love the sign you made as well. Just found your blog through Someday Crafts 🙂
Ahhh Lucy – you read my mind!! I was laying in bed last night trying to figure out how to make white starfish so I didn’t have to buy them, and then tonight I saw your post. Too funny! These came out great! What kind of clay did you use?
– Jenn @ Social Salutations
Fantastic!!! What kind of clay do you use? I seem to have a hard time finding clay that doesn’t fall apart easily. Thanks! I love your blog!! 🙂
Very pretty!
Jo-Anna
I just made one for my flag! Love it!
Fantastic sign and amazing starfish.
Okay-So much for the old adage that if it looks like a “fish” and it smells like a “fish”..it must BE a fish! In your case it would be CLAY! lol I love it-You are so darned clever! Can you sculpt me a new body with no flab attached? Please??? Love it, Lu!!! xxoo Diana
These are precious! I love how they look strung on the twine! Good work!
I know 6 bucks each right! This is such a Fantastic Idea. I cant wait to make some for myself.
Great idea! What kind or clay? and where do i get some!!!
I love this!
oh my – this is Gor.GE.OUS!! Love love the multiple light colors. Really refreshing!
http://www.northerncottage.blogspot.com
OH HOW I LOVE YOUR PHOTOS!
It’s so nice to meet you. I followed you over here from a comment you left on another blog! I just thought your blog name was adorable!
Come by and visit with me too sometime! I’d love to share my creative side with you.
ciao bella
CREATIVE CARMELINA
I JUST READ YOUR PROFILE!
and you are also from Ontario Canada!
hello neighbour! nice to meet you.
ciao bella
CREATIVE CARMELINA
That baseboard sign is just gorgeous! Love love love. 🙂
~TheBargainBabe
i love your starfish! bite your tongue talking about not being happy with them and just looking “ok”. honest to goodness when i first saw your starfish before reading i thought, “ooooh i love her starfish, i wonder where she got it? it’s better than others i’ve seen..” then i find out you made them! unbelievable! they are perfect and lovely and i totally love them in that space! i wish i had some clay right now! : )
I love them!!! They turned out fabulous. I didn’t even notice they weren’t the real deal until you told us.
Lucy you are amazing creative and inspiring. I am also wanting to know what kind of clay…air-dry? Hoping it’s Crayola or even homemade Play dough Clay! Heck, guess it could be any kind we want or have, right? xoxo
I had no idea that those starfish weren’t the real thing until you said you made them. I think they turned out great! Very impressed with your crafty skills.
that looks beautiful, lucy! love the colors you used!
I absolutely adore the baseboard sign, its colors and the starfish. What craftiness! You created those starfish. If you hadn’t said anything, I thought they were the real thing. Fantastic. I look forward to reading more or your posts.
Wow! They look so real!
CLAY starfish?!?!?! incredible! your creation is stunning and i was so excited to see a Canadian girl! I just entered the blog world and I am only one hour away from you. Come visit me sometime
http://www.ellabooandcompany.blogspot.com
Gosh, your garland is so adorable. Never seen faux starfish like that before -brilliant!! I’d love to show this on my site.
Each part of this is simply beautiful, you are and incredibly talented woman!
The starfish look real!
I didn’t even realize they were fake until you said you made them! that’s awesome!
Beautiful job and you totally rocked those faux sea stars!
I just adore all of your projects—I am so glad I found your blog this week! I know my blog is just a little one but I am featuring you today. :o) p.s. have I mentioned I adore your blog?!??!
I love the colors you used for the sign. The garland is terrific! Very cool and summery.
Beautiful… I am definitely adding this to my list of projects to try… thank you so much for the inspiration!
What a beautiful sign! Makes me want to be at the beach! Visiting from TT&J
you hit it out of the park AGAIN!! LUV IT! What Clay did you use??? I have a wood kit, wasn’t sure what to do thanks to you now I know 😉
terrivw at yahoo dot com
Comin’ to you via TT & J. Totally love it!
This is unique and very beautiful!
These look awesome, I didn’t realize they weren’t real!
Darling idea!
wow – love love love this – I recently made over a orange pine set of shelves as wall art and was pleased witht hat as it was a first attempt but this well its totally awesome – love it!!!!
The sign and the garland both look wonderful, you did an excellent job on the garland, the stars are great!
Hey there, this is darling. I love how you came up with the idea of making sea stars. You are are girl after my own heart.
Best. Idea. Ever.
Love it! I didn’t realize the stars weren’t real at first. Definitely have to try this. Stumbled the post. 🙂
I love the sign…could you tell me what colors you used on it?? Also, did you free hand the words?? Thanks!
Hi guys, I hope you are all having a great long weekend…I have tried to answer a few of your questions directly to your email, Thank you so much for your sweet words. You are so encouraging..I hope I can do the same for you.
Many people have asked me what type of clay I used for this project. I used an air drying clay I bought at my local art store (Curry’s) but I have purchased air drying clay at Michael’s before.
The other question I have been asked is the colours used for the sign…
I usually do not use just one colour…I mix together colours until I’m happy with them…but here are the ones I used..
Folk Art 645 Basil Green
Folk Art 1667 Calypso Sky
CraftsSmart – Apple Tart
Folk Art- White
And lastly to answer Michelle’s question – I did write the words free hand…:( (i know they are a bit crooked)
I hope that helps…please feel free to leave any other questions you may have, I am happy to respond…..luv ya bunches…xo
Amazing creations! First, I fell in love with the sign you made, then making seashells out of clay??? Holy cow, you’re the female version of Michaelangelo! Love your blog and I’m your newest follower!
-Marie
Hi Lucy! I loved this project sooooo much I made some of my own out of Salt Dough! I linked back to your blog and I’m a new follwer of yours. Come on over and check it out if you’d like 🙂 Thanks for the idea!
http://johnsonfamily23.blogspot.com/2011/06/salt-dough-starfish-i-was-browsing.html
You’ve outdone yourself, Lucy. These are amazing. I never would have guessed that you made them. They look so real.
These are so beautiful…what a wonderful idea.
I featured your awesome idea on my post today called ‘Alooooha Friday Wrap Up’ so I hope you check it out! My followers are sure to love it as well 🙂
http://jelly-bean-dream.blogspot.com/2011/06/aloooooha-friday-wrap-up.html
~Jill from ‘Just Dream, Jelly Bean!’
Wow! This is beautiful – a project I definitely want to emulate. And I know just where I’ll hang it! Thanks for sharing it at the SNS party!
Oh my… this is so unusually cool! I just love the rustic touch with these summer colours. Beautiful creation!
Shared this on FJI Facebook for SNS 85. 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Funky-Junk-Interiors/175378011140#!/photo.php?fbid=10150270383301141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater
Donna
Very fun and inspiring blog! LOVE IT 🙂
Lucy, I’m in love with your sign and would just love it if you’d stop by my little international crafty linking party, Craft Schooling Sunday, and share it! hope to see you there!
Love the sign and love the starfish DIY! Such a great idea. And I’m with you about the crazy overpriced starfish at the home and craft stores …
Oh, and I pinned it for my back porch inspiration!
🙂
Linda
Did you leave the toothpicks (to create the holes at top to hang) in while they dried? Or did you take them out?
Wow, Lady, you really nailed these! Just what I was looking for so I, um, er….. copied them (blush)! But I used a different type of clay and made them a tad bigger and of course, gave you the kudos you deserve for the inspiration. What a fun site you share with all – many thanks.
http://buildandrebuild.blogspot.com/2013/12/gonna-make-you-star-fish-diy-papier.html
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