Aloha!
Here’s my tutorial for the DIY Ballard- and PB-Inspired Wire Wall Baskets (in case you missed it over at Infarrantly Creative last week).
I opened my Ballard and PB magazines again this week, and these two items caught my attention:
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Pottery Barn |
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Ballard Design |
Here’s what you’ll need:
1) Hardware cloth (wire mesh thingie stuff). I bought mine at a small local hardware store. It’s 2′ x 10′ and cost just under $8.
2) Wire cutter thingies. I found these in my husband’s tool stash. If yours doesn’t have one, just ask your local hardware store for wire cutter thingies, and they’ll send you to the right section. 😉
3) Floral wire. I used both 20 gauge and 26. The 26 was cheaper and worked better. Sweet. 😉
First, you will need to decide what size you want your baskets to be, and draw up a little sketch, so you can measure and cut one piece out. I used sizes close to the Ballard and PB hanging baskets, but I also created a few small ones for my daughters who insisted they needed them to play “Red Riding Hood”, and I made a few for our hall closet that are 5″ wide x 4″ tall x 11″ deep to put nail polish and hair frillies in.
The wall ones I made measured 12″ wide x 4″ deep x 10″ tall. I calculated that to wrap a piece around the 10″ tall back and 4″ deep bottom and 10″ tall front, I would need 24″. PERFECT since the “cloth” is 24″ wide. I cut across one side 20″ (12″ wide front plus two 4″ “wings” that will be the sides).
Here’s what it looked like after being cut out (Step 1 for anyone who’s counting):
UPDATE — HERE’S A PIC WITH THE MEASUREMENTS FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS IT REALLY SPELLED OUT.
Step 2: Make your creases/folds along the “wings” and then around the bottom and up the back.
Step 3: Unfold and give it a little bit of shape. Don’t stress too much about the form, though, until after we “sew” the sides together.
Step 4: Cut your floral wire about 1.5x the size of the side you’re going to sew up. So for your 4″ sides, cut it about 6″. For the 12″ side, cut it about 18″.
Start at one end, and pull the wire almost all the way through. Leave about 1″ hanging out, and wrap through that first square a couple times, then weave it up the side. I hit every square because I preferred the look, but every other also gets a good effect and saves on time…totally up to you.
Step 5: Trim the ends of your wire, and shape your basket out! Easy as that. So for less than $3, and in under 1 hour, I saved $75-90 (depending on the catalog we’re hacking here)!
And here they are all prettied up in my mom cave. I created a few labels and printed them out on photo paper, cut them out and then cut out a piece of fabric and sandwiched the mesh and some hot glue between the label and the fabric. Easy to swap out, looks like funky chalkboard paint, but no dust. 🙂
Curious how I hooked them to the walls?? I researched extensively, tried numerous hooks and nails, and eventually I came up with an innovative idea…wait for it… STAPLES! Yep. Good ol’ staple gun across the top. Leaves tiny holes, so they’re super easy to hide and/or paint over without patching when the time comes. I’m sure there are a million other ways to hang them, but this is what I had on hand, and it got the job done.
Check out what else I decided to craft up for some of them:
Ahhh… Lovin’ the pleated ruffles and contrast of the drop cloth and wire mesh. I’m actually jealous of my magazines. 🙂
I even made a few smaller ones for our hair accessories:
Here’s the link for the pleated liners.
And here’s the link for the hair accessories baskets.
So with the one $8 hardware cloth, I made 3 large baskets, 3 small baskets, and I also used a couple feet for another project I’ll be showing later.
Total cost per large basket with pleated liner is approximately $1.50. The small baskets are about $.75 WITH liners. Pretty awesome, right?
Comparison:
My three baskets: $4.50
Three PB Baskets: $72
Three Ballard Baskets: $87
(And mine have liners…)
PLUS…you can customize mine for any space! Pretty stinking awesome!!
Aloha,
charlie
My DIY Baskets/liners are participating in the $5 competition on the CSI Project. 🙂
OK, I love these!
I'm visiting from Keeping It Simple. I love the PB lamp and I love these wire mesh baskets too…especially the magazine holder – lined…so cool! My parents live in Kona – that's their home 🙂
I'm your newest follower…come check out my blog when you have a chance 🙂
Shantel @
http://www.itsapricelesslife.blogspot.com
I love these! What a great way to stay organized and get things out of the way in a fashionable way 🙂
your newest follower!! LOVE all your cute ideas 🙂 Cant wait to see more!
Very cute! I love those wire storage baskets, but not the price. Thanks for sharing a less expensive version.
-Rene
These are beautiful! I might have to come up with a good spot for these somewhere in my house.
1. Love the basket. Especially the one with the drop cloth lining.
2. A friend from church has just moved back home to Hawaii and I really miss his testimony at church about living Aloha. Just seeing your blog title made me smile.
What a great know off. These seem very easy to make. The liner just makes them so cute!
You did such a good job! I actually made a tote out of wire . . I added wood to the bottom so it wouldn't sag. I am kinda indifferent about it . .. However, I really like your wall baskets.
http://theautocrathaley.blogspot.com/2011/01/ballard-inspired-wire-tote.html
Never would have thought to make a wire basket!! This is so cute and I love the ruffle insert!
very clever!!!!! stopping in from coastal charm ~ Loving your blog
Stopping by from Coastal Charm. You are just way to clever and crafty!
GREAT IDEA. THANK YOU FOR SHARING. I WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD LINK YOUR SUPER CUTE BLOG UP ON MY BLOG STALKIN' PAGE.
http://alaynahoward.blogspot.com/p/blog-stalkin.html
Ingeniously beautiful. Well done. I love wire baskets.
Cheers,
Lisa
awesome you rock girl! can't wait to see the liner tutorial oh my!
http://www.northerncottage.blogspot.com
LOVE LOVE Love this!!! I've been wanting to make a magazine rack! I'm adding this to my "idea files"! 🙂
Found you on the CSI project! You are super creative! I love it! I've been wanting some wire baskets as well! Thanks for sharing this project! I am totally going to start following you now!! {why does that always sound super creepy?? ha!}
I just found your blog through the CSI Project blog and am in blog love! You are incredible!
P.S. I have a pink Charly at my house, too. Her's is with a y, though.
I am your newest follower:) l-o-v-e these:) thanks for sharing!!!
You are awesome! I just discovered your blog, and I love everything that I see!
I love these baskets! The liner is adorable.
I'm a new follower!
http://www.joybeadworks.blogspot.com
Very cool! The new liner is pretty darn cool! Just moved from Oahu after living there 9 years!
This is great! Thank you for the wonderful tutorial!
Amanda – One Girl in Pink
Love this idea. I love Pottery Barn and Ballards knock offs.
Ruth
These are fabulous! Great job! Thanks for linking up!
That is such a creative idea!
Charlie I love it!!! I'll be featuring this on BCD on Feb.21 st!
how impressive and cute…love the ruffle liner!!
I really like these. I just used the hardware cloth to make a dress form and have been brainstorming other ideas to use it. I'll be trying this one.
Janet
I love these! I've been looking all over for the ones like Ballard's that don't cost a fortune. Thanks for the tutorial!
I've been admiring these basket for awhile and love your detailed tutorial!! I have a roll of chicken wire in the basement… I wonder if that would work! Might just have to try it tomorrow!!
Thanks!
Natalie
http://aturtleslifeforme.blogspot.com/
I love your knock-offs! You did a fantastic job and a great tutorial too! Great idea!
Deb
http://splendidlycharming.blogspot.com
Fabulous! I would have never thought of that.
I love this idea and especially love the liner you made for the basket! Suz at Inspiring Creativeness sent me the Versatile Blogger award and I'm sending it to you. Please visit my blog to get the details.
Lesa at Home-Frosting.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh! These are so cool! I'm saving this tutorial for the future. I'm hosting We're Organized Wednesday this week and would love for you to join the party. http://organizeyourstuffnow.com
What a knock-out knock-off! Wow!
I put this in my to-make file…
I'd be so happy if you could link this up to my party:
Creative Juice Thursday
uhm, I think this is the greatest tutorial I have ever seen! Imagine! I can make any basket in any size I want! Oh why does it have to be 7pm on Sunday night?!? i so badly need to run to hardware store!!!!!!!!! I would love love love if you would come link this up (and the liner tutorial too) @ my Sew Crafty Party!!! Yay…see stuff like this is why I blog! Take that grossly overpriced department stores! lol
http://wildflowersandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2011/02/sew-crafty-saturday.html
WHAT A WONDERFUL IDEA!!!CONGRATS
VISIT: LIGHTTRIGGER.BLOGSPOT.COM
thank you for such a clever idea. i had no idea i needed these so badly. i am sure to be making a bunch. and they will of course need liners right? metal and fabric come together … two of my faves. thank you.
i also might go so far as to try some chicken coop wire too.
daring as that is!
xow.
love this! already a follower. What aisle do you find the mesh in? laura@imnotatrophywife.com
I love this! I recreated some Ballard Designs office file cabinets last week – originally $60 bucks for each basket and I made them for $20. You have such great ideas and I'm your newest follower! I'd love it if you'd follow me back: http://stillwaterstory.blogspot.com/
Again, you did a fantastic job with these!! 🙂
I just bought the hardware cloth today…can't wait to make this. You're sooooooo smart! Thanks for sharing
I heart these!! Thanks for auditioning for OMTWI!!
Amazing and Beautiful — a great combination!
Fabulous! I love that you used staples! Who'da thunk it?! Brilliant job.
Your baskets are so adorable! They are such a great knockoff for such a great price. I think I'll be making some of these. Thanks for sharing!
These are great! I love the lines with the little ruffle!
Stopping by from CSI.
Simply beautiful! I am totally in love with those pleated liners. Off to check out that post. 🙂
Lovely! My favorite are the little ones with ruffled liners. 🙂
Love, love, love it! Designer look on a truly affordable budget. Great tutorial, awesome blog!
Fabulous! I loved the ones in the PB catalog too, but yours are definitely the right price! Great work.
Great idea! I've been looking at these baskets in the catalogs for a couple of weeks but just couldn't justify the price. Check out my DIY project with mason jars at http://www.adodsons.net (blog post: redneck revolution)
Love Love it! I want some! Yet another for my long list of to dos!
Melissa @juiceboxdreams.com
Thanks for entering the Knock It Off contest – don't forget to add a button so you don't get disqualified!
These are AMAZING! Thanks for auditioning for American Crafter- good luck:)
Love the make your own basket!! Saw your post on Sunday and made them on Sunday!!! Fun & easy. Thanks!
Stopping by via "That's My Letter". They are so cool and I will be making some ASAP to hide the mulitple GI Joes and barbies that live all around my home.
Cheers!
Lisa
That's very, very clever. My husband has some leftovers from his previous project and I sure hope I get the time to make some of these. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Adin B
Love this!! you go girl the liners… OOOOH YA! you quite the DIY Diva!!
lovely and clever……!!!!!!!!!!
Pinning this! Thanks so much for sharing! We just moved and this is ideal for several things. Great tutorial.
Great! And customizable. Are there any sharp edges, especially along the corners?
YOU ROCK!!!!! Thank you!
just curious. How are these holding their shape?
How would I work out dimensions for oblong baskets I'm a newbie to DIY lol thx
How would I work out dimensions for oblong baskets I'm a newbie to DIY lol thx
I was wondering what to do with all my plastic, paper and gift bags. I decided I wanted to store them on the wall in my laundrey area, so I searched the net. Everything is so expensive, but I found your page, so awesome! I will be making these this weekend. Thanks!
amazing post