A Basket-Making Struggle...

After the 4th burn, I was really questioning my sanity!  WHY and HOW do I get myself into these things?!

Thank you all so much for joining me today.  I'm so glad to be a part of June DIY challenge, hosted by Terrie at Decorate and More With Tip.  While this challenge was difficult, I'm glad I pushed myself.

Our inspiration was this beautiful basket from Anthropologie.


I can't speak for anyone else, but I really struggled with this project! Sometimes, even though it's intimidating, we just have to put ourselves out there...for the good, the bad and the ugly...the latter describes my first attempt at basket making.

I decided to start small for this project because I had no idea what I was doing. My supplies included: plastic cup for my mold, plastic wrap, hot glue gun and cord purchased at Hobby Lobby.


See those words "plastic wrap"??!! That was my huge mistake.  I thought I was being clever by using Saran wrap around my plastic cup.  I thought, "this will peel off easily and not stick to the glue."  HA HA HA...wrong!!  The Saran wrap wouldn't come off the plastic cup, the hubster had to smash the cup and then try to get the "basket" away from the Saran wrap.  By the time that was all said and done, I had nothing but a pile of rope.  Since I immediately threw it in the trash, there is no photo.

Take 2.  I used parchment paper...


...and kept moving the mold around every couple of turns.  It worked and this was my result...


I would take the cup out, glue a few spins without the mold, then put it back in and continue.  I decided to stop halfway up the cup mold, created a handle and added some paint on the bottom...


Note to self...paint causes smaller woven cord to shrink.  I was ready to give up at this point and just settle for what I ended up with.

Take 3.  I decided to go back and purchase the larger cord to see if I could actually do this challenge.  I was going to use a rectangular mold...


...but couldn't get it started properly, so I changed to a round pot.  I didn't have to use parchment paper to protect the pot.


The cord was much sturdier and the glue rarely stuck to the pot along the way.  Why would it?  Most of it was stuck to my fingers...thus, 3rd degree burns on my fingers. pfft...

Finally, I could see a basket taking shape.


I did the same as with the cup, I would remove the pot, glue a few turns without the mold, then put it back inside the basket for shape.  I created my handles and finished with this...


I wasn't sure how to keep the indention from happening after I pulled out the cord for the shape of the handle.  Soooo, it dips down on each side.


The handles seem too large for my basket but once it is glued there is no going back without unraveling the cord when you pull it apart.

There you have it!  Basket making 101...burned fingers, lopsided handles and shrinkage!


Before you go, please be sure to check out the other projects from bloggers who participated in this challenge!









Decorate and More with Tip ¦ Pandora's box ¦LeCultivateur


This Full Life 5 ¦K's Olympic Nest¦Barnhousemess



Uncommon Designs¦Savvy in the Suburbs¦Chasing Quaintness



Sweet Southern Grace¦Bluesky at Home¦Through a Vintage Door





Jessica Simmons

44 comments

  1. This is fabulous Benita. I love your sweet basket. It looks wonderful. Glad you hung in there even with the mishaps. This came out really nice. Happy Wednesday. Just think if we ever want to rob banks some day with all our hot glue gun burns we will not leave finger prints on the heists lol!
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Thank you so much sweet friend! I think it became a power struggle after a bit…LOL I was determined to beat the basket! 😊 LMAO…don’t you know…we have definitely burned off our prints…LOL I still have a blister scar…UGH! Love and hugs sweet friend! Have a great evening!

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  2. well done! kudos to you for keeping on. not being a DIY'er I wouldn't have after the first burned fingers! :)
    it's seems very nautical which I love... and just simply lovely. xo

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    1. Thank you so much! I was ready to be a stellar quitter after that first catastrophe! DIY is not my thing but I keep trying hoping to run across that thing that is my “niche”…LOL I have a fierce love/hate relationship with the glue gun, let me tell ya! That thing haunts me in my sleep! LOL Thank you again so much! Love and hugs sweet friend! ❤

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  3. Benita - You are the winner!! This came out great and I love the color of the rope you used - well done!!

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    1. Thank you so much Patti! I loved your rope as well, it was so pretty and so interesting! Very creative! Hugs!

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  4. WOW! Girl, you better than me because I would have not attempted it! It turned out awesome!! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Thank you so much Cindy! I was so ready to give up and was so frustrated, but decided to give it another try. I’ve got tons of rope left, so there may be another attempt! 😊 Love and hugs sweet friend!

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    1. Thank you so much Penny! I appreciate it! Hugs!

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  6. I love it Benita...and that you used white rope, as I like that look.
    I hear ya on the burnt fingers, which is why I don't attempt a project like that.
    You see, many years ago, I sat at my kitchen table "trying" to do the same affect/technique, only using small ropes of pearls and putting them...are you ready for this? around, on top of and in and out of, antlers and body and legs on a 10 inch tall deer!!!!!
    Yes, I know...right?
    Needless to say, I NEVER finished that project, although I do still have the deer around in a Christmas box somewhere....only to remind me, that tI am NOT a craft DIY-er! :(
    Great job my friend.
    Hugs

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    1. Thank you so much Kari! I loved the white rope...I have enough brown-ish baskets. Those glues guns are lethal...I don't care what anyone says about them. I did see one that had a temp setting on it and I should have bought that one. But regardless of the heat temp, it will still burn the fire out of you. And just kept sticking my fingers in the wrong place...LOL Now that project I would love to see! Thank you again! Love and hugs!

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  7. 👏👏👏you deserve a huge applause. You ended up with a great basket. I would have been so frustrated and wouldn't have finished I think. It looks very soft and I like that.

    Hope your fingers heal poor thing. I have been there many times.

    Cindy

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    1. Cindy, Thank you so much! I was determined to get a full-size basket...LOL I was very frustrated after the first one fell apart on me. I almost quit then, but decided if I keep quitting when projects are difficult then I will never accomplish anything...LOL Thank you again! Hugs!

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  8. Benita!!!! Girl you created not one but two lovely basket. I like the little one. That would be so cute on a desk with a plant or as a pencil holder. Great idea! I might have to make one for my desk here at work! And the larger one.....I am in LOVE! I love the larger rope look and droopy handles I don't see. You are so talented. Love them both!

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    1. Thank you so much Terrie and thank you for coming up with this challenge. I get intimidated very easily with projects like this and normally just don’t participate. I’m glad I did, it was a true learning experience. I’ve got quite a bit of rope left (both sizes) so I may try 2 more to see what happens. 😊 I think I might try your idea of painting the rope a different color. I wonder if Ritz dye would work? Worth a try, right?! 😊 Thank you so much for your sweet words, I appreciate it greatly! Hugs!

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  9. I love your dedication and perseverance, Benita!! Great job, my daughter would love your basket for her new house!!

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    1. Thank you! I think it was just pure stubbornness...LOL I was determined to get a proper basket, even if it killed me...it was a close call..LOL Love and hugs!

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  10. Love the white thick rope and third time was a charm, right?😉 It's really beautiful and this is so my style of a basket!!! Good job.

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    1. Thank you so much and YES, 3rd time is the charm! I have quite a bit of rope left, I may give it another go to see what happens. Have a great one and thank you again! Hugs!

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  11. Well, it sure turned out pretty anyway. I don't do projects much anymore.
    Brenda

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    1. Thank you Brenda. I don't do a lot of projects but I am forcing myself to try more of them just to see what I can/can't do. Love and hugs!

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  12. I'm liking the color and size of your final basket.

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    1. Thank you! I had plenty of brown-ish baskets which is why I chose the white cord...I liked the color better! Love and hugs!

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  13. That is totally fabulous, Benita! I have to say when I saw the title of your post in my feed, I was like, "Wait, she made a basket?" and indeed you did!! Color me impressed!!

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    1. Thank you so much! I can’t believe I did it either…really stepping out of my comfort zone with this one! Thank you again! Love and hugs!

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  14. Feel your pain with burnt fingers and frustration. This certainly was a challenge. Here's the thing. I love the drooping side and all the tiny imperfections you see. It makes it...I don't know...perfect. Especially like the white cord you went with. Where did you get that?

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    1. Kelli, thank you so much! Those glue guns are great for something quick, but when you have to do a lot of gluing like this, they are a nightmare! I always seem to stick my fingers in the wrong place and the wrong time...LOL Thank you so much! I got the cord at Hobby Lobby! Hugs!

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  15. Oh my gosh i just love it! and I love the white.. In my opinion the handles look just perfect and if i were to make this basket id want my handles to turn out just the way yours has.. Great job and well done!!

    Teresa

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    1. Thank you so much! I really struggled with those handles...I thought they looked more like a pair of floppy ears, but thank you so much! Hugs!

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  16. I think it looks fantastic! Oh but I feel your hot glue gun pain!! Those things are both a blessing and a curse! I admire your determination, I would have just gone to Anthro and bought one :)
    Jenna

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    1. Thank you so much Jenna! They are most definitely that, I hate them more than I love them though...LOL I was ready to go buy one and paint an initial on it and call it done! LOL Hugs!

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  17. It looks great Benita! I love the white!

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    1. Thank you so much Danya! I liked the white rope better as well! Hugs!

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  18. Benita it's SO cute! Way to persevere! I love where you positioned the handles and the white looks so fresh and clean!

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    1. Thank you so much! It was a mess at first but then I finally got the hang of it! :-) Hugs!

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  19. My dear friend, I think you did fantastic.
    My mom crochet me a few baskets in different sizes a couple years ago. I really like them.

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    1. Thank you very much! I have some rope left over and am trying to decide if I want to give it another go or give the rope away…LOL It was a tough project for me! 😊 Love and hugs!

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  20. Wow, your basket is stunning! Love that you shared a behind-the-scenes story of how it came to be and how you've endured through all of the challenges to create something truly beautiful and unique. I'm sure this gorgeous basket adds warmth, coziness and inviting vibe to your home.

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    1. Thank you so very much! It was definitely a hard-earned project! :-) Have a great one! Hugs!

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  21. You are much braver than me!!! I don't think I would ever undertake this, but your basket turned out absolutely wonderful!!!! I love it. Makes me want to try my own...but I'll pass:)

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    1. Thank you so much! I really wanted to give up, but something just kept prodding me along. I am trying to decide if I want to make another one with the leftover rope or just donate it to someone much craftier than me! :-) Hugs!

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  22. I love your basket, Benita! It has personality, just like you, and I detest perfection in crafting. And you didn't quit, so brownie points. It made me wonder how Anthropologie made theirs, it doesn't look machine made from you photo.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thank you so much Amalia! I wondered about theirs also, but I think it is stitched. If I had a machine, I could have probably used thinner cord for the larger basket and stitched it together for strength! Thank you again! Love and hugs!

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