Pistachio Shell Craft

Creative use of recycled pistachio shells for your inspiration.

These are the materials needed:
~ pistachio seed shells
~ mirror (from compact face powder)
~ cardboard
~ gold spray paint
~ glue
~ pair of scissors
~ pencil
~ trimming for embellishment (optional)

Procedure:
~ Outline the width of the mirror onto the round cardboard with a pencil. The size of the cardboard depends on your preference and on how much shells you have.
~ Start glueing down the shells outwardly right up to the sides.
~ When the glue has dried, spray one coat of paint,  let dry.
~ Spray a second coat of paint.
~ Attach mirror at the center.

Corn Husk Picture Frames

Decorate for zero cost~ make shabby, bohemian picture frames out of dried corn husk.

 If you're committed to reducing wastes and you're up for a crafty challenge, here's a chance to fill your wall for nothing. Have some of your beloved pictures laminated, attach coils of braided corn husks around the borders, mount them up and voila, you got yourself a happy wall in place of an empty space.

Basically, these are the supplies and materials needed: corn husks, cardboard, a pair of scissors, glue gun and mounting tape; but the first thing that needs to be done is to make the coils of braided corn husks.

 Approximately, a 6" piece of braided corn husk can make a one-inch diameter coil.

1- Make a knot at one end of the piece of husk,
2- tear it into three strands
3-and braid. Tie up the other end.
4-Glue down the initial knot at the center of a cut round cardboard
5-coil the braid
6-and glue down the other end at the back of the cardboard.

Make as many coils as needed, depending on the size and number of your laminated pictures. If you prefer some colors, you can soak the husks in watercolor before drying them.

Nature's Objet d'art: Coconut Stalk Flower Craft

A little dressing up is all it takes to turn dried coconut stalks headed for the compost heap into sculptural objet d'art home decor.

It's easy to notice that this part of the coconut stalk very much resembles a flower, when dried it looks sculptural just as it is. So with a little bit of furnishing and elements of bling I tried to work up something on a couple of dried coconut stalks that I found.

A. Prepping up

 After cutting excess part at the back portion, smooth the center with any blunt tool and wipe off dust with a soft cloth.

B. Materials

Materials I have on hand are thick wood glue and glossy beads but any materials for embellishment will do just as well like little pearls, sequins or crystals.

Bedazzling from the inner core, I worked my way outward and chose to leave the 'petals' unpainted to retain the rustic look.