Hello everyone, and welcome back to The Venue House! Today I’m excited to share an extremely fun DIY with you. Don’t you hate it when you’re browsing around online and find something you love, only to glance at the price tag and realize it's just not in the budget right now? Same. One day, while browsing the Anthropologie website I found a sconce that I absolutely loved, but I had no real need for it, I certainly couldn’t justify paying $178 to get it - but with some creative thinking I knew I could make a sconce just as impressive for much, much, much, much, much, much less ($128 less to be exact).
I have to give myself some props here because I really like how this DIY turned out. I think I actually like my DIY better than the Anthropologie version, for a couple of reasons. One, obviously the coin I saved. Two, I do not have to plug this in or hard wire it into my wall. Three, the orb light I used has 12 different color option settings! When you’re done with your DIY sconce you’ll have a super chic rechargeable sconce that you can place anywhere you like with no restrictions!
Supplies:
White Sculpey clay - I used a whole block of 1.75 lb white clay. I couldn't find that one online to link, but the one linked is 3.75 lbs for a good price so you could make more than one or use the leftovers for other projects!
Exacto knife
Paintbrush
Wire for hanging
Step 1:
Take your clay and start kneading and rolling it to get it soft. Once soft, separate into two balls. Take those balls and roll them into long logs. One for the outer circle and one for the inner circle. The outer circle is going to be in the back/on the bottom and you'll want it a little bit thicker. The inner circle will be in the front/top with the head of the snake.
Step 2
Use your orb to measure your back/bottom circle. You don't want it to be snug against the orb, that will be the front/top circle. Once you have the right spacing, place the back/bottom circle on your baking sheet lined with foil. Take your flexible floral stamps and start pressing them into your clay all over. You want them to be deep enough but don't use too much force because it will cause your ring to warp.
Step 3
Once you're done with your back/bottom circle. Start on your front/top circle. Place your orb in the middle of your back/bottom circle, take your long clay log for the front/top circle, and place the end on one side tucked between the back/bottom circle and the orb, this section will be covered by the snake head. Make sure the clay log is long enough to wrap around the orb and hang down below the bottom. You want it to look something like the image below.
Step 4
Once you have the length correct, remove the front/top circle and form the snake face. This does not need to be detailed since we are going to be stamping it with florals, but you will want to shape it and add eyes.
Step 5
Once you have the face done, form it back into the front/top circle and stamp it. When you're done stamping place the front/top circle on top of the back/bottom circle exactly how you would like them to be placed when the piece is done and gently press them together. We're going to be baking them and they will solidify together, if they need any help sticking together once dry you can add some glue. Preheat your oven and bake depending on your clay instructions. (I forgot to take pictures of this step I'm so sorry!)
Step 6
When done baking remove from the oven and allow to cool. When fully cooled, you can start applying your rub n buff. I had to do two coats on mine. I allowed it to dry for 30 minutes between coats, and when the last coat was dry I sprayed the whole piece with the matte clear acrylic spray. I would suggest applying the rub n buff and the clear coating outside, they both have a strong odor!
Step 7
Once the top coat is fully dry simply secure your orb in the middle of your snakes with the E600. Allow the glue to fully dry before you hang it! I added a wire on the back for hanging, but you can hang them however works best for you! Voila!
Extra:
I took some extra photos just to show off all of the colors of the orb light! I linked the exact one I bought on Amazon above in the supplies section!
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