If you are anything like me, you get the Ballard’s catalog in the mail and just pour over it. Page by page. Soaking it in. Absorbing the beauty.
And trying not to look at the prices.
In the most recent issue, I found myself going back again and again to one page. The page that had this Coral Topiary on it. It is so beautiful.
It’s price? Not so much.
There are A LOT of things I could do with $99 and buying a coral topiary isn’t one of ‘em!
So, I thought, “Well, I’ll just make one!” To which the voice in my head replied, “Yeah right!”
To which I replied, “You just watch me!” To which it replied…oh…ummm…wait…maybe I better stop before you all realize the full extent of my craziness.
And, of course, you know how the story goes. The “best laid plans” are always met with road blocks…and not just from the voices in your head!
I could not find affordable faux coral to save my life.
Not in the fish section of stores, not at the pet store, not at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.
Oh no! Was everyone else making Coral Topiaries too???
Sure, I could find some here and there but it was all so expensive and I might as well have just ordered the topiary from Ballards!
Then I saw it…a little mesh bag with something “coral-y” looking in it. Would it work? Could I pass off a Sea-Sponge as coral? It was worth a try!
Then I reached that point I always reach every time I attempt anything craft-y. The “this could go either way” point.
The below photo was taken when I had reached that point…in case you couldn’t tell.
If you want your family to really think you have gone off the deep end, start cutting up a sea sponge and hot glue it and some seashells to a foam cone.
Ummm…do I keep plowing forward or just chuck the weird looking cone into the garbage? I decided to just plow ahead!
Because we all know that white spray paint can work wonders on anything.
I’m so glad I didn’t toss it in the garbage after all! Although, I’m not sure that it looks exactly like coral.
So, I changed it’s name!
This way no one will leave me a comment telling me that it doesn’t actually look like real coral.
Right? RIGHT?
Of course, I had to show off my other “beachy” creation. Simply adding twine to the bottom of a glass hurricane and attaching a starfish gave me some more seaside décor and I found the seashell candlestick at TJ Maxx, my home away from home.
I liked my twine-y, starfish creation so much I made another one!
So, there you have it. My attempt at a Ballard’s knock-off.
Maybe if the voices in my head cooperate I will get up the nerve to try another one sometime!
“No you won’t!”
“Yes I will, just watch me!” Umm…I better go now.
Thanks so much for joining me at the Fence today,
your scaring me!! Great knockoff. I wouldn’t know which one was which!
I looked theirs up, I like yours better! Great job!
That’s pretty much The best thing I’ve seen all day! I love when you can take one thing and look at it a little differently.
OK, I am seriously not trying to “just be nice” but I REALLY like yours better!!! I looked at the other one online and I like the soft color of yours much better! Great Job.
XO Cindy
I looked up there’s and then at yours and think you have a terrific kockoff! Looks so nice in your vignette!
Vanessa, what a great job! You nailed it for a whole lot less money and some very big bragging rights! You are so clever to use a sea sponge. Very good substitute!
Your project would be perfect to share at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS, my new weekly linky party! It is live every Wednesday evening at 8:00. Come on over and join in!
LOL … do glad to see that I’m not the only one with those crazy voices in my head. In fact, that’s one of the reasons I started the blog because I was turning into the crazy lady who mutters to herself!
Love how it turned out. And, like you, adore the twine starfish on the vase thingy thing …
🙂
Linda
Looks like coral to me. Great knock off and thanks for sharing at Wow.
It looks great! I always knew I liked you–I have talking in my head going on in my post tonight, too. I think it is the diy projects that bring that out in me. Or maybe it’s the kids . . .
Amazing! That is one clever knock-off. I’m with you about not wanting to spend $100 on that. Ballard’s is over priced anyway. I prefer their outlet prices. Love how yours turned out. Perfect for this summer!
That turned out totally COOL. It looks just like coral. I would not ahve none, if you didn’t spill it 😉 Awesome!!
Now that’s one great looking knock-off Vanessa, I’m glad you decided to finish it! Love the twine and starfish on your vase too, so pretty!!
I never would have thought to make that but it’s beautiful! I love the vase with twine on it too! Great job! I pinned it!
Vanessa, I think this turned out wonderful!! I never would have thought of using sponges but they worked great.
Vanessa, I love this idea! Wow- how clever! I would have never thought of using sponges!
What a terrific project vanessa! Love it! Trying to get use to everything being on the left now. Y’all do such a nice job with your blog!:)
Oh yes, I am familiar with the voice!! But, I think it turned out pretty well!!
Shhh, you’re not supposed to tell anyone about the voice! Now you’ll have to escape out your back door when the men in white coats show up to cart you away to the rubber room.
Too bad, it’s really difficult to cut up sponges and glue them to styrofoam while you’re wearing a straight jacket.
And we, and by we, I mean me and my own little voice, really love your coral masterpiece!
So much that I have to pin so other women can be scorned by their families when they start a craze of gluing sponges onto everything in their paths.
Whew, world’s longest comment.
Kelly (and my little voice)
Wow, great knock-off. You are just so clever!
CAS
Such a great idea!!!
Looks great!! Have to say I love the commentary on your project…had me grinning all the way through. 🙂
Super cute Vanessa! 🙂
I definitely think this is a great idea! Might have to make one of these as a gift for my brother and his wife who live by the beach =)
I think yours looks every bit as pretty as the one in the magazine. The sea sponge did the trick! Actually love all your seashell inspired creations.
I would never have come up with that but it looks great!
Vanessa, what a darling idea! Your project turned out AMAZING, thanks for sharing! xoxo ~Liz
I went and checked out the Ballard’s coral topiary and I just want to say, I like yours better! Really! Great thinking on your part and it didn’t cost you an arm and a leg to achieve the look you wanted. Plus if you decide you are tired of it later on, you don’t have to feel guilty for getting rid of it or for putting in storage because you’ve spent a bazillion dollars for it. haha.
PS…when I went to check out Ballards topiary it is now on sale for $69.99 in case you really do want the real thing.
I love this. I think you did a great job and it looks really similar to the Ballard one. I really like the starfish creation. I think its super cute!
Wow… this turned out great!
I like it, turned out great.
It’s a great knock-off. I may have caved and ditched it midway. I’m impressed with you sticking with it!! The end result is great.
Wow!I’m impressed! It’s a great knock-off.
This is quite extraordinary — you are amazing! You definitely have an eye for seeing things in a different ‘light’, i.e. the sponge as coral! This looks fantastic and I love the vase with the sand and shells in the bottom. Pinning both of these!
That is one of the best “knock off’s” I have seen….superb job!!!…love the “twine-y starfish creation too”….
Very, very clever! You saw potential and made it work! Great job!
Love your two nautical theme creations!
Kathy
Well, if that doesn’t ROCK, I don’t know what does! Love your twiney-things, too — I’ve been wanting to do something similar, but I’m in dining room makeover h*ll!
Well done, Vanessa!
xo Heidi
Your creative genius showing off. I agree with others, couldn’t tell the “real deal” (that’s no deal) from yours.
I would be remiss as a mom if I didn’t address the “voices in my head” comments, though. I realize you made them in jest. But my son who has autism has also had voices in his head that told him to do dangerous things. Fortunately he never did any of them and always told me so we could handle the situation, but it is real and it is scary. Have you ever seen “The Beautiful Mind”? Gee, I hope I remember that title correctly–memory is not my strength. But it is a superb film that deals with this topic so well. Thanks for reading and thanks for all the good stuff you do.
Janet
I love it! I would have never thought to use the sea sponges. It looks fantastic, and I love your add in accessories! I call the “Ballards” catalog, my “idea” bible!
You did good girl! I have voices in my head too! 😉
I love it. I think it turned out great. I too drool over the issues of Ballard Designs! Great job!
This is just incredible and so darn fun! I love all your beach-y decor, but that coral (heck, yeah, it looks like coral)just takes the cake. So smart and pretty, too.
ha ha! very cute idea! I just got a ring form to make a shell candle wreath for a blogpost soon….thankfully I don’t need coral ~ but if I did, a sea sponge would work wonders!
From two sisters, to two others,
Karla & Karrie
That is so cool! I like it and it looks like the real thing:)
I’m so loving this…can’t hardly stand it! Hmmm…where I can I make and place one in my house!?!? XO, Aimee
I hear voices too! But they aren’t as good as yours!!! Love it!
Debbie
Love it!!!!
Wende
The Rickett Chronicles
Great job! And nice improvising skills when you couldn’t find any coral. (I am obsessed with Ballard’s too, by the way!)
-Erin @ DIY On the Cheap
Oh how fun! Love it! Great job…..looks wonderful. 🙂
Beautifully done! What color “white” spray paint did you use? It looks softer than stark white in the photo?
Thanks.
Thank You!! I am going to try this with lamp bases…maybe even a floor lamp!!!I must go now, the voices are calling….
OMG! this is soo beautiful and looks so real !!
I am wondering same thing… Did you use white spray ??? it looks more grayish.
Thanks!
Hi Kookie! I did this project so long ago I can’t really remember. I think I used white spray paint! LOL! The editing of the photo kind of made it go more grayish but I definitely think it would look best with bright white paint. 🙂
Great!!I have a bright white paint spray!!!
Thanks:)