
Normally I'd rather not rip off artists {...big corporations are fair game, lol} but artists work hard to make a buck and art is art. HOWEVER when I saw these shell and coral sculptural decorative art pieces on gold bases by Eduardo Garza for sale at GILT Home the other day priced between $600-$1500 each I thought ...come on, I can do that. So I did.


* Coral &/or Shells I'm fairly lucky in this department because my mom's been collecting shells since the 80's and now that they're finally back in style, she's totally over them and gives them all to me ;) Thanks mom!
* Wood or plaster candlesticks I found mine at the Salvation Army the other day for about $1.35 per set. NOTE: the two I ended up liking the best, which also took the paint the best were both hand-made clay/plaster style {the two greenish toned ones above and I only know they were hand-made because they are engraved on the bottom with dates}
* Gold Spray Paint
* Hot glue gun + glue sticks
* Little hammer {for breaking up coral} unnecessary if you find using shells or like the size/shape of your coral piece.


* Wipe down your candlesticks if dirty.

* Spray paint your candlesticks and let dry.

* Using your little hammer, carefully break apart your coral into smaller {but still sizeable} sections.

* Arranging your coral in your candlestick in a pleasing but secure manner, glue it into place.
You just saved yourself thousands of dollars ;) Sorry Eduardo, your pieces are glorious though.




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41 comments:
love this maegan!
I'm so doing this tomorrow, they look gorgeous!
Beautiful! I´m definitely going to do these!!!
xx Ivana
http://styleinthecityen.blogspot.com
Wow, this is so amazing
lollipopcat.blogspot.com
I love this! I keep all of my shells and coral in apothecary jars (separated by which beach they were collected at). I don't think I could bear to take one out for this project!
Where do you find the time for all of this? :o)
Too cute, love how they look like a spray of flowers. Thanks for the DIY.
xo-AlbeeLucky.blogspot.com
Guh - I love Eduardo Garza's work - SO gorgeous. Your take on it is f-a-b FAB.
merci!
Shan
Great idea Maegan...will definitely try this...hope you had a wonderful bday...
Mmmm....I like these! Thanks!
As a diver, this totally breaks my heart... :( coral belongs in the ocean...!
Love this. It looks beautiful!
Fashionable Collections
I'm so glad you let me know about this project. They look great! Since coral sculptures are my kryptonite, I have more than a few around here that I could transform. I'll have to look for candlesticks the next time I'm thrifting!
Wow, that's awesome!!! At a glance they almost look like little bouquets! Love it!!!
http://sweetandsassy-sherry.blogspot.com/
Just amazing Maegan!!! They are sooo pretty.
you're my hero!
those are fricken fantastic!!! i'm so stealing this idea. i am. i'm thinking bright colors instead of gold though cuz that's how i roll.
thanks for the inspiration as always!!!
I Love this! I wish I didn't toss my moms vintage things back when I was a teenager and just though of it as clutter!! :( now I'm always on the hunt for cool things
http://www.pinkpeonieswithlove.blogspot.com
Oooh thanks for the tip! These turned out gorgeous!
OMG! this is awesome...I am totally doing this project! Thanks for the inspiration.
http://simplicityisultimatesophistication.wordpress.com/
dude. so glad you did this, as the gilt prices are CUH-RAZY!
and the "using your little hammer" line made me laugh! i happen to have a very large hammer. gah. i am such a moron.
This is right up my alley. My decor is super beachy, so these are perfect! Great job Maegan!
xoxo
Lia
Awesome! I'm hitting up the thrift stores this weekend for candlesticks and I hear Wal Mart has cheap coral in the fish department.
Maegan, this is fabulous and I do wish I had this talent. All I can do is knit...LOL.
$600-$1500 each?!!! Are people fucking INSANE? To charge AND buy that? That's just crazy times...Your's look great btw. Thanks for the DIY!
long time reader, first time to comment. but it has to be this... i am disappointed. considering what we have on the the news for the past week
ann
fail comment w/o the link
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110530/wl_asia_afp/environmentaseanphilippinesbiodiversity
ann
you are a really artistic person!
http://www.ohmydior.org/
Ok, the coral is nice, but that flowered hammer?? Have to have it!!!
I'm sorry, Anonymous, but the coral that I used is over 30 years old. It's been in a box at my mom's house and was a souvenir from a trip to Hawaii.
love the "little hammer" instructions. so cute!!!
I couldn't bear to break up my coral (big shell collection) so I'll check the aquarium supplies.
So pretty! Thx
People need to relax. Before your clarification I still would not have thought you went into the ocean to dig up coral for this project - that would be a bit extreme (even though you live in Cali)
Anyhoo: that hammer = love
lol, Kat ...l.o.l.
Hahaha I have the same hammer. My old boss gave it to me when I was in my early twenties and I've only come to appreciate it recently. The little hammer that could.
Hi sir, your site is great, that is your good job. well done
anyway, could you exchange link me ?
my site:
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do hope you do not mind to link my blog and I will do the same,
thanks you
cheer
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love it! i am totally going to do this in July when I have the month off. I am adding it to my to-do list.
100% trying this for our living room mantle accent pieces! have been eying similar pieces but cannot bring myself to spend soooooooo much money on it! thank you so much! (p.s. have that hammer with the screwdrivers built in & love it too!)
This is a great idea! I just wish you hadn't killed coral for it >_<
Hi, this looks fab, but it was discomforting knowing that these coral decorations were available mass produced. The oceans are really fragile, and selling corals are like selling ivory- demand creates supply. Nothing personal, just sharing the thought. I do love what you've done with it tho. I too have corals from "pre-awareness" days, i feel too guilty to display them or throw them out!
Like popsy here said, it looks amazing, but coral is just like ivory - its practicly criminal to use them, because you are destroying the coral reefs at the same time. Also some shell fish are endangered and so should not be used either, because shell fishs are killed for profit..
Great DIY idea! I love the designer's work, and I love seeing original ideas, but I really don't understand how they can charge so much and think it's an acceptable price!
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