Thursday, September 13, 2012

How to DIY 2 Pottery Barn Skull Vases for under $15!

Love the PB Skull Vases but not the price? Are you bummed you missed out on them and they're no longer available? No worries!! We're going to make our own! Read on and you'll be displaying these fantastic vases in no time!

 
All supplies were purchased at Michaels and cost a grand total of $13!! (I had the spray paint on hand but I'm including the Michaels price for the same spray paint I used)
 
First a look at Pottery Barns version:
 

 
 
These are no longer available on their website but that's okay because we're about to make our own!!
 
At a fraction of the price too!
 
Now a little look at my version:
 

 
 Ready to make your own??
 
First let's take a look at what you'll need
 
 
 
2 glass vases are on sale this week at Michaels for 2.99 each
2 styrofoam skulls are $1.04  ($1.49 + 30% off)
Krylon spray paint is on sale for $4.99 this week at Michaels. (I thought I'd like more of a tonal color and tried 2 different colors but the final coat was all Ivory as I just liked it better)
 
If you're lucky and your Michaels happens to be right next door to a Home Depot, Lowes or Walmart you might want to run in and get the paint from one of those stores as they run about a $1 cheaper.
 
 Okay so we've got all we'll need (oops forgot the glue!!) Use what you have on hand, that's what I did and why I forgot it, sorry!
 
Take the glass vases and give them a quick, light coat of spray paint
 
 
This was the greyish color and I just didn't love it but that was okay because it's just a base coat :)
 
 Let the vases dry.
 
While they're drying, grab a knife to cut the face off of each skull (that sentence just sounds really really wrong LOL)
 
 
You'll end up with 2 creepy faces staring at you...
 
 
Now an extra little step I took that I'm not sure made one iota of a difference, was to sort of scoop some of the styrofoam out of the center of the face like so:
 
 
After your vases have completely dried, (or if you're impatient like me, *mostly* dry) grab your glue to attach the foam skulls to the vases.
 
 
Allow the glue to dry
 
Almost DONE and it's been so easy thus far. Guess what? The last step is just as easy!
 
 
Bring the vases back out to your painting area and give them another light coat. That's it!
 
You now have your very own skull vases for a fraction of the cost and all the satisfaction of making them with your super savvy DIY skills. Go on with your bad self :)
 
 
See that blob in the left skull eye? That's where I scooped out just a little too much foam and the glue poured out. No biggie, I think he looks just a little creepier that way. He's our very own 'One Eyed Willy' We may or may not be "Goonies" fans in this house ;)
 
 
 
They certainly steal the show and I just love how they turned out!
 
I debated with myself about adding some depth with a brown or black paint watered down and dabbed on but decided to leave them as is. For now.
 
 
I hope this tutorial was helpful
 
Remember you can always keep costs even lower by using a paint you have on hand or vase/ceramics you already own.
 
-Danielle
 
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26 comments:

  1. whoa. that is awesome, and beyond my diy skill set and even my diy vision (b/c that's super limited). i love that you saw the pb one's and knew you could diy them. love the whole vignette!

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    1. Thanks so much!! They are really super easy, definitely a great DIY project!

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  2. I'm so glad you shared this on Show and Tell Saturday. Coolest Halloween vases ever. I love it! Thanks for posting:)

    Katie
    www.funhomethings.com

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  3. SOME people are so clever. They'r perfect! Popping over to your great blog from Home Stories A2Z.

    Warmly, Michelle

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    1. Aww thanks so much! so glad you stopped by!!

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    1. Thanks Gail for hosting such wonderful linky parties ;)

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  5. I am sure that I am not the first, but I had to "pin" these. They are so cute...I will be hitting the Goodwill today to find some vases! Thanks for sharing your tutorial!

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    1. Awesome Terri! Please share if you make some, I'd love to see :)

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  6. That is so clever! Love your idea so much that I'm going to follow you!!! Visiting from Knock-Off Decor.

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  7. That is pretty darn genius! I like your versions better than the PB ones!

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    1. Thanks Bettsi that sure is the greatest compliment!!

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  8. so cute! and you can even lower the vase price a bit by grabbing some at the dollar store. hey, $1 is $1..

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    1. Exactly! Or who doesn't have atleast one random vase lying around? I however was being lazy and was doing my one stop shopping. I'll think of it as saving gas LOL

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  9. love these! i spied those PB vases a couple weeks ago and have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to re-create them. now i can give my brain a rest. :) totally going to do this, yours turned out great!
    -marie

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  10. Hi Danielle,

    I was so inspired by your PB skull post. I decided to try it. Please visit my fashion and lifestyle blog - Styleenvy.com to see my DIY version. I have links back to your blog. If you could put in a contact/email for your blog that would be great.

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    1. Lorraine, your vase is fan-freaking-tastic! I love it! Now I want to go add some hand painted texture in a slightly darker color. I added my email to my blog now, sorry this whole blog world is still so brand new to me I didn't even realize I hadn't added it! Thanks for sharing!!

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  11. I have some glass vases from thrift stores that would be perfect for this. I can usually find them for about 50 cents, up to a dollar, even for nicer big ones. Can't wait to try this!

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    1. Gotta love when you have the supplies on hand already! Have fun making your vase/s!!

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  12. These are awesome. Very clever. I just might have to make one or two.

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    1. Thanks Jana! I still get such a kick out of seeing them each time I walk through the front door

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  13. Super idea! I love how you sliced the skull heads to get the look you wanted. Very clever.

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