I’m back today with…wait for it…MORE oysters! It’s a bonafide oyster bonanza at Dixie Delights this week. (Just kidding. I promise this is the last of my oyster inspired posts for a while.)
When my eyes first spied this lovely oyster lantern on the glossy and coveted pages of Wisteria, I made it one of my missions in life to have my own.
Alas, a price tag of $149 seemed a bit steep for the gal who’s parent’s have a hearty supply of oyster shells and a few random tubes of liquid nails lurking around their house. [Apparently that price isn’t so steep for the average Wister customer seeing as these lanterns are SOLD OUT until 11/25.] I promptly alerted Mother and we both set out on the hunt to find a great (read: cheap) lantern to gussy up. She lucked out with a tall black specimen at Homegoods for $12.99, loaded three in her buggy (one for moi, one for her and one for Sister) and raced to the checkout.
With all the supplies on hand, on my last trip down South, we set to work arranging and gluing and rearranging and then waiting a week for the shells to stick. I didn’t document this process – it’s pretty self expanatory. I do, however, have some tips.
1) You must use liquid nails. Hot glue will NOT work. It appears to work, but it doesn’t. The day after trying this short cut, I was left with blistered fingers (obvi I’m not the best glue gun operator) and a pile of oyster shells on the ground next to my lantern.
2) Oyster shells are heavy. Lay your lantern on it’s side, take your time and glue just one side at a time. Let it set for a day and then wash rinse repeat on the next side.
And now, behold my copycat Wisteria Large Oyster Shell Lantern…
…a savings of 91.3%. Honey, please mark this down on your (short) list of ways your wife is so uber thrify. Right after the deals I struck at the Kate Spade, Lilly and CSB sales last week.
xoxo
Good to know about the liquid nail!! I was intrigued by the Wisteria lantern too. Love you little knock off!!
Maybe you get a kick off a post on my blog featuring the Wisteria oyster mirror knock off! See here.
Also…, let me know if you want to do a guest post on my blog about your oyster obsession…, projects. Would love to have you.
Good to know about the liquid nail!! I was intrigued by the Wisteria lantern too. Love you little knock off!!
Maybe you get a kick off a post on my blog featuring the Wisteria oyster mirror knock off! See here.
Also…, let me know if you want to do a guest post on my blog about your oyster obsession…, projects. Would love to have you.
This is a great knockoff! I think on our next vacation to Florida we'll have to save our oyster shells so I can have a go at some oyster shell crafts myself! Thanks for sharing this with us.
That is absolutely gorgeous! Fantastic job! Found you via Homemaker on a Dime. Tootles, Kathryn http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2011/09/voice-studio.html
Beautiful & thrifty all in one! That's my kind of style… save on decorating, hit the clothing sales =) Visiting from Homemaker on a Dime.
-caroline @ c.w.frosting
Cute! I love Wisteria, and have purchased LOTS of things from them, back when it used to be priced reasonably. I'm not sure what happend, but over the past year prices have sky rocketed! Am I the only one that noticed this?
Now following! I hope you'll pop over and see me & my kitchen that was featured in September's Romantic Homes magazine!
~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage
http://www.shabbyfrenchcottage.com
I love this! You did such a fantastic job. I came over from Kristin's. I just happen to have a magazine photo challenge going on now if you would like to show this off, it is fantastic, and I know the gals would love to see it. Have a great day!
This is wonderful! Good for you to put this together and save all that money, thanks so much for linking up with VIF! xo Debra
I have seen some really cute things made with oyster shells lately and this project is wonderful! I am off to see what else you have been up to while I was away on vacation. Thanks for joining the Open House party this week.
Hugs,
Sherry
I like yours better than theirs! Great job! Vanna
Turned out great!! With a much better price tag!!!
What kind of liquid nails did you use? Silicone or the regular? I love the lantern.
Maria – I used regular. It was a slow process but worth it!