how to make a driftwood mobile
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After sharing the whale shower yesterday, it’s only fair that we do a quick followup and show you how to make the driftwood mobile.
But first, you should know something. I love driftwood. It’s the perfect combo of natural, weathered, and beach (all looks I love).
This summer I picked up a little collection of driftwood on the Oregon coast. Then I saw this mobile at BHLDN and knew exactly what my stack of driftwood would become. Even better, when I found out that Baby Ben’s nursery theme is “Whales,” I knew we’d get some good use out of this little mobile at the whale shower!
To make one too, you’ll need:
-a pile of driftwood
-a length of gray-ish white rope (very nautical, don’t you think)
-a drill
-scissors/pliers/screwdriver
1. First cut your too-big pieces of wood in half and sand the edge so that they are ‘soft’ to look at.
2. Using a drill bit a little larger than the diameter of your rope, drill holes in the center of each piece of driftwood.
3. Singe the end of your rope. Then push it through the center holes (I used a combo of pliers, a screwdriver and scissors for the pushing and pulling).
4. Tie a knot at one end of the rope and slide your pieces down to the knot.
5. Alternate larger pieces and smaller pieces of driftwood until your entire mobile is complete.
6. Voila! The perfect mobile for a beachy nook. Alternately, this gem functions as the perfect garland for a whale themed baby shower (in my case, both!). Go grab your driftwood collection and make one of these stacks-of-beachy-goodness!
ps- Anyone have non-coastal places to source driftwood for those of us who don’t live close to a beach (or collect driftwood on their summer vacay)?
This is beautiful! I love this as an alternative type mobile.
you are my hero 🙂 i want one for my beach house…when i have a beach house…
Kirstin,
Another approach to this is to use found/collected branches which are indigenous to a person's region. Birch and aspen both have pretty barks which would also make a nice mobile.
I have found lots of driftwood when walking along a major river running off the rockies. I'm talking about when I'm still in the mountains, and only about 200km from its mountain source. Look along the peak swell lines where it is fullest in the early srping, and by summer there should be lots of dry-ish driftwood once the river has dropped.
Also, as a child I used to pick driftwood along a quieter river that was mostly bounded by woods, in a non-urban setting. I've been in the city shores of both of the aforementioned rivers, and no driftwood was visible. I think the key is rocky or sandy (not muddy) shores, and some woodland bordering it upsteam, and being out of the city and you'll find a cache.
Good luck!
Really, I love the natural-ness of it and oh! so easy!
That is so lovely and serene! Very beautiful!
Natalie
http://www.projectdowhatyoulove.wordpress.com
This is so beautiful and peaceful to look at! So simple as well. I think I need to hang one above MY bed.
i love it! 🙂 it looks so peaceful and simple!!
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [11 Nov 02:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
That particular size drift wood makes a great drawer pull to replace your store bought handles,,,on cabinets or bureaus, etc. I added them to a kitchen redo and about to add them to a nightstand.
What a fantastic idea! Love that.
In Denmark we hang these outside our beach houses because, traditionally, they ward of witches. So there you are!
Love it! Beach house in Denmark sounds idyllic. 🙂
You could try Driftwood Decor Design if you’re in the UK. They have many sizes of beautiful driftwood sticks.