This summer I've been working on a Sue Whitney-type project that involves this:
Love that patina!
At any rate, I was working with some metal strapping. I'm sure there's an official guy-type name for it, but I'm going with metal strapping since it's metal and it's used to strap pipes to the wall. Apparently, the "Guy Name" for this stuff is pipe strapping, if you read Hubs comment below, but don't tell him what I did with it. ;-)
As I was working with the strapping, the thought occurred to me that it would make a cool basket. I went to YouTube and looked up basket-making instructions and here's what I came up with:
I used some screws in the holes to hold the strapping in place while I added the new rows.
I was so excited to find the copper strapping. I was doing the happy dance in the store and Hubs just rolled his eyes at me. Whatevs. Copper metal strapping is Happy Dance-worthy, am I right?
It took me about 3 or 4 days to do this, since I had to let some ideas brew for awhile. I couldn't do a traditional finish on the top, so it took me some trial and error to find a solution I liked. A few hours of work plus a few cuts and scraps later, I had this:
I think I must have been a raccoon in another life, because I sho' love the shiny stuff. Of course, if you know me by now, you know I can't leave well enough alone. That's right, I froufed this bad boy right up.
Here it is in all it's glory.
Here it is in all it's glory.
Because of some of the comments I've had on this basket, I want to clarify a few things.
- If/When I make another basket, I would definitely wear gloves. This project is hard on your hands.
- This project is a moderate- to advanced-level project.
- I'm not sure I would make one for a kid or with a kid, as there are wires inside that can be painful if bumped into. If you can find a way to weave the wire ends in so they aren't seen and aren't sticking out, that might help, but I don't have little people any more so it's not an issue in my house.
Cost Breakdown:
Metal Strapping - $9-ish
Copper Wire and Soldering Wire - $8-ish
Beads - Stash on hand
Total Cost - $17-ish
You can check the FruGal's Facebook page for more pictures and details on the project.
I'm Linking Up to the parties on my Link's Page!
Oh.my.goodness. I absolutely LOVE this basket and I cannot believe you made it yourself!!! Awesome!!! I would do the copper happy dance, too. So glad I came to visit, now I'm following. Come see me sometime at http://sceneofthegrime.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteLaurie
i am honestly amazed! you're phenominal!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I never know when I make something if I've got a good idea or if I'm just being weird. I appreciate the kind words.
ReplyDeleteUm has anyone seen my pipe strapping?
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure it's in with the tools, Sweetie Pumpkin. I could be mistaken, though.
ReplyDeleteThats is so cool!
ReplyDeleteVery creative idea.
Is the metal straping very pliable?
It's pretty pliable, but I used angled jewelry pliers to make the sharp bends. I cut the strapping with some junky scissors I had laying around. The ends and sides of the strapping can be sharp, so be careful if you're going to try this project at home.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Three Pixie Lane! I came to say hello and I am your newest follower...the gray head because I am electronically challenged and don't know how to add a pix! LOVE, LOVE your creative basket!
ReplyDeleteVery cool!
ReplyDeletehttp://thecraftinme.blogspot.com
This is totally cool looking! great job!
ReplyDeletewww.makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for being my first ever follower! I feel so proud! You are right... I LOVE the basket. I'm gonna have to go dig around the garage some more
ReplyDeleteLovely craft, very unique! I haven't seen this done before!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the coolest projects I've seen in a long time, love it. The copper strips really make it pop. Great idea to check out how to make a basket...much better than your standard basket. I'm joining up with you as a follower:-)
ReplyDeleteThis is so unique! I'm loving it! Husbands just don't understand the happy dance thing.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, we all understand!
I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I linked to this post today from the new Home & Garden channel at Craft Gossip. :) My hope is to share many of the fabulous projects I see everyday with the vast CG audience. I hope you will not only stop by and subscribe to CG, but will tell your friends about the new category! Hope you see some traffic from it!
ReplyDeleteYour feature will appear in the main Craft Gossip RSS feed, on the main home page and can be found directly here
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/make-a-metal-basket/
If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here!
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/
That is so neat! Way to think outside the box(basket). Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI found this through craftgossip. I am always on the lookout for things my Scout group can do. This will be perfect to make and fill with item to sell at our Christmas bazaar.
ReplyDeleteI've worked with scouts for about 20 years, and unless you are talking about the older boys, I think it would be too difficult for the young guys.
ReplyDeletethis is so funky and cool! What a great way to incorporate a manly, modern, industrial material into a soft, traditional form! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteoh WOW is this ever amazing!!! I need a trip to the hardware store...
ReplyDeleteThis is truly amazing!! Great job girly!! Thank you oh so very much for linking your creations up at my party today! Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
ReplyDelete~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~
WOW!!! I think this is amazing! Great job!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! This is incredible. I would never be able to do something like this. My oldest son would love this as it would be perfect in his room.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm doing a giveaway on my blog right now and would love for you to enter if you're interested. <3
So cool! Very clever idea. Was the strapping hard to work with? Is it sharp? (I would probably cut myself or something...)
ReplyDeletethis is awesome. i want to make one. i also wonder if it is sharp and if i need gloves or something.
ReplyDeleteFound you through Blue Cricket. Love this basket, and looking forward to exploring your site - your About Me quote is perfection! :)
ReplyDeleteThat turned out super cool. I wonder if it was any of my videos that you saw to help inspire you with it. I hope so because this is great.
ReplyDeleteNancy
http://www.basketmasterweavings.blogspot.com/
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for finding me. I meant to go back to your site and show you what I did. It was definitely your wonderful videos that I followed. They are so clear and concise. Thank you for posting them.
I featured you this week! You can see your feature by clicking on the link.
ReplyDeletewww.houseofhepworths.com/2010/09/08/hookin-up-with-hoh-16
Feel free to grab a button if you'd like!
~Allison @ House of Hepworths
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ReplyDeleteHah, “bling basket” is right! I think this basket is shinier than a lot of my bracelets, haha! But this is something I’d definitely like to try. Who knew steel straps could be put together to make something like this? It’s both functional and fashionable. I know there are some straps that you can even paint on, so if you use those to make this basket, you can decorate the basket a different way.
ReplyDeleteCarl Patton
Because of this project, I’ll be happy to do the copper dance for you! My last metal strapping project was a wall decoration, so seeing you create a basket (using copper strapping as an additional design too!) made the DIY-er in me clap with glee. I know it’s a complicated project based on the weaving that you did, but I’ll surely give it a shot!
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Thelma Bowman