Welcome to the 395th Metamorphosis Monday!
Greetings this beautiful summer day!
Before we get into this week’s Met Monday, thanks to Buzzfeed for featuring a previous DIY project of mine in this fun roundup at their website: 5 Insanely Clever DIYs That You’ll Actually Want To Try. Check out the post if you have a moment, lots of fun ideas for the DIY enthusiast!
For this week’s Met Monday, my before and after is the continuation of the second set of shell and sea glass chargers I began a while back. I’m finally making myself sit down and finish them. They’ve been patiently waiting here on the end of my desk in the office for the last few months. It’s time to get them finished so I can actually use them before summer is over.
Briefly, for those who may be new to reading BNOTP, I came across these Pottery Barn Shell Chargers several years ago on eBay and had planned to bid on them but the bidding quickly escalated beyond what I was willing to pay. Ultimately the six PB shell chargers sold for $233.49 including shipping. Yikes! That was definitely more than I wanted to spend.
I loved them, though…so what to do?!
I ended up making my own using the Pottery Barn chargers as my inspiration. You’ll find that previous tutorial here: Shell Chargers
I’ve used them many times over the last few years for dinners here on the porch. When I initially made these chargers, I chose shells that were soft, neutral colors so they would work with almost any dish pattern. But during the time I was making them, I kept wondering how they would look with a bit of colored sea glass mixed in.
Making these chargers is a huge time commitment. Last time I made them, I counted all the shells in one charger and it was well over 230+ shells. It’s also a bit hard on the fingers between the hot glue (I’m a klutz!) and the sharp, pointy shells. lol (Tablescape below can be viewed in full here: Nautical Tablescape with Shell Chargers and Fish Flatware)
But the results are so rewarding, I decided to make them again, this time including a bit of blue “sea glass” I found in Marshall’s seen on the left in the photo below.
I doubt the glass I purchased in Marshall’s is real sea glass since it would probably be hard to find it in bulk, but it’s close enough. Here’s how the first sea glass/shell charger turned out. I shared this one in a previous post earlier in the spring. (See that post here: Shell & Sea Glass Chargers for Beach Inspired Dining
I started a bit late in the day yesterday but I managed to get one more made. I brought them out onto the porch this morning where the lighting is better for pictures.
The new one is the one on the right. With the second charger, I tried to incorporate more of the sea glass around the outer edge of the charger since I realized after the first one was finished that once a plate is in place, the outer edge is mostly all you see.
I seemed to have covered up a bit more of the sea glass in the second charger, may have to go back and pop a shell or two off and move them over. I don’t want to cover up too much of the blue glass.
Wonder if I can get them all made in time to use them in a table setting this week for Tablescape Thursday. Umm, I think I’ll try, but that may be pushing it a bit. I may have to shoot for the following Tablescape Thursday.
Update: I did a little burning of the midnight oil and got them finished in time to use them for this week’s Tablescape Thursday. You’ll find that table here: Sailing with Mermaids
So that’s my progress, two chargers down, four to go!
Looking forward to seeing what you’ve been working on for this Metamorphosis Monday!
Metamorphosis Monday
Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. If you are participating in Met Monday, please link up using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address.
To get your permalink, click on your post name, then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top of your blog, into the “url” box for InLinkz.
In order to link up, you’ll need to include a link in your MM post back to the party so the other participants will have an opportunity to receive visits from your wonderful blog readers.
Please observe these few rules:
Only link up Before and After posts that are home, gardening, crafting, painting, sewing, cooking or DIY related.
Do not link up to the party if you’re doing so to promote a website or sell a product.
Do not link up a post that was just linked up last week since readers would have already seen that post.
WOW! Lovely chargers! And speaking of being featured, I see that your front entry is back up on the HB.com site for fall porch ideas. I think it is the same feature that they ran last fall too. Anyway, fun to see it there!
Thanks for letting me know, Rose…I’ll stop by and check that out!
Your chargers are absolutely gorgeous! They look better than the Pottery Barn ones. Thanks so much for hosting Metamorphis Monday! I hope that you have a wonderful day!!!
Thanks, Shannon! Have an awesome week!
Beautiful, Susan! Thanks for hosting.
Thanks, Laurie!
Susan, for klutz – you do pretty darn well!
🙂 lol
Do you eat off of those?
Love them
Thanks! Not directly off the chargers themselves. They just go under the dinner plate.
The chargers look gorgeous!! You have so much patience! Thanks for hosting too!!!
Thanks, Pinky! I will be doing a lot of movie watching over the next few days, I think. lol
I love those chargers. I collect sea glass. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing. Thelma..
Thanks, Thelma!
Love the chargers, Susan! So pretty! Thanks for hosting! Hugs…Debbie
Hi Susan! Not that you would need to, but can those chargers be hand washed? Luke warm water or maybe just wiped off I’m guessing?
If something spilled on one, you could wash it, but in the past I’ve just wiped them off with a damp cloth.
Hi Susan, the sea glass in the chargers is just lovely! For a “klutz” your projects always turn out so nice…thanks for sharing them with us. Thanks also for hosting:) Christine
lol Thanks, Christine!
Love these chargers, Susan! The sea glass is a lovely touch, definitely evokes the ocean vibe. I am still unpacking and settling from my recent move but hope to have all my dishes and lovely tablewares accessible again soon. A pretty setting is refreshing to the spirit, I think. Have a great week!
LUV, LUV, LUV!!! franki
Thanks!
The chargers are gorgeous, Susan! Thanks for hosting! Pam @ Everyday Living
Susan, I can imagine how tedious this is. You are doing a fabulous job! I like the blue sea glass in the mix, and you can easily mix the two chargers on the same table. Good luck with getting the others completed.
Thanks, Sarah! That’s a good point! Would be pretty to make some with different colors of sea glass and mix them all on one table. 🙂
The chargers are beautiful with the sea glass. Love them.
Thanks, Carolyn!
How beautiful, Susan! Your chargers look amazing. Thanks so much for hosting!
Thanks, Shenita!
I love those chargers! We winter in Florida so this will be a perfect idea for our table! Thanks so much
Hi Susan, your chargers are much prettier than the ones from PB!!!! xoxoxo Christine from Little Brags
Thanks, Christine!
Oh Susan, you’ve out done yourself again. They are BEAUTIFUL! I think that by adding those few pieces of blue sea glass, that it brought out the colors in the shells even more. Maybe you can just do a Tablescape for two this week, so we don’t have to wait till next week. Ha ha Take care of those fingers of yours.
Thanks so much, Sandy! I think you’re right. I love how the blue looks with the soft colors of the other shells. I was thinking about that, too…maybe just doing one on the little bistro table on the deck. Or maybe at the small oval table on the porch. I’ve done that once or twice before on the porch.
Sometimes you just need a “sit and use your hands” project. I LOVE your new chargers! Thanks for sharing and hosting each week. Take care, Cynthia
Yup, good way to look at it! 🙂
Smart to place more of the sea glass to the outside. It makes them seem more of a peeking out look too.
Wonderful chargers, Susan!
Thanks, Jan! xx
OOOOOOOOO dear. I’m thinking matching napkin rings might be in your future too. Wouldn’t those be beautiful together? Just saying… Sorry, I’m a napkin ring fanatic.
lol I’ve made very easy shell napkin rings before by gluing a single large shell to a simple white wooden napkin ring. Does that count? 🙂 You can see those in this setting: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/dreaming-of-the-beach-welcome-to-the-153rd-tablescape-thursday/
Your chargers look incredible! Awesome job as always!! Is there anything you can’t do??????
Those are really pretty, I do like the addition of the sea glass. I know they are time consuming. I saw an idea I really liked on a blog that linked up to one of your Tablescape Thursdays (I thought I had bookmarked it but can’t find it now…will go back and look) where someone had made fabric covers for chargers. Part of my issue is lack of storage space, so that idea appealed to me. But I might have to make some of these, too, and find a place to put them!
Oh, that sounds really pretty!
Thanks so much for the party!
Hugs,
Debbie
LOVE the addition of sea glass Susan! I’ve always loved your clock plates, they are much better than the other DIYs in that Buzzfeed article, 🙂 Thanks for the party!
I love these and they are a perfect way to hold on to summer for just a little bit longer!! 🙂 Gorgeous!
Susan I have to say this project is one of my favorites! I think your version beats out PB!
Thanks so much, Pamela! Time consuming but worth it in the end. 🙂
I love the addition of the blue sea glass! I just bought 4 plain chargers like the Pottery Barn ones (minus the shells) from a caterer who was having a garage sale. I only spent $3 for all four chargers! I may start collecting shells on my weekend beach walk so that I can decorate my own set of these shell chargers. You are an inspiration, Susan!
Melinda, that’s a great idea! If you need to supplement your finds, check Marshall’s, HomeGoods and Big Lots. I’ve purchased shells (or seen them) in those places to fill in as needed.
Great projects – both the fabric and seashells on the plates. You must have the patience of Job. 😉 Thanks for having us share today, Susan. I’m lightening up my sunroom with a switch in a piece of furniture that will allow for more dish storage – yay!
Rita
If it weren’t for watching movies while I’m doing this, I’d never make it through them. Gradually getting there! I will not be defeated! 😉
I have always loved these chargers and now with the aqua sea glass…{sigh}. I swear one day I will make a set (probably just 4) of them. Thanks for hosting another great party.
Oh, Susan, those new chargers are absolutely works of art! I can’t believe how beautifully the shells’ colors are accentuated with the addition of the sea glass. How in the world did you ever remove the old shells and still have the energy to start re-applying again?! You should put these on a wall for a decoration. It will be sad to see them stay hidden until you’re serving a meal with a the appropriate theme. You are something else!!!! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch
Thanks so much, Rosie! Appreciate that so much! I have quite a few plastic, inexpensive chargers that I never use anymore, so I’ve been able to use those to make both sets of shell chargers. Fortunately, I didn’t have take the others apart because I have so many shells from a week spent on Sanibel and Captiva Islands back in the 1980. I filled in as needed with shells I found in Marshall’s.
So lovely and what an ambitious project.
These chargers are absolutely beautiful! Since I’m a lakefront dweller as opposed to an ocean dweller I’ve got jars full of colorful rocks, Petoskey stones and what not found on the shores of the Great Lakes. I see a stone version of these in my future. Thanks for the inspiration!
The chargers are gorgeous! Congrats on your Buzzfeed feature! Going to check it out right now!
The chargers are fabulous! I may have to borrow this beautiful idea! Thanks for hosting! ~Rhonda
I love the seashell chargers with wnd without the sea glass! You are very creative and talented!
Gorgeous! I live a half mile from the ocean, so I’m very inspired!
Love your chargers. Living in Florida, my home has mostly coastal colors. I’m going to have to try making chargers. I am a klutz so I am sure to end up with shells attached to my fingers!
lol Just watch out for that hot glue when gluing on the small shells! It hurts!
love the chargers! they came out great. i can see that it would be a ton of work but so worth it. can’t wait to see the entire tablescape. thanks for another great party. xo- maryjo
Thanks, Maryjo!
Hi Susan. I clicked on the link, thinking the DIY web site would show your shell charger DIY instructions, but I actually ended up at that site, looking at your clock plates DIY instructions(?). I must say, I loved/love your clock plates also.
In fact, your clock plate tutorial inspired me to make my own clock charger plates for a Mad Hatter Tea Party a couple of years ago. You have the best DIY tutorials!
Have a wonderful day!
Thanks, Elena! I think they linked to the tutorial in their post but if you need it again, let me know and I’ll grab that for you. I would love to do a Mad Hatter Tea Party, that would be such a blast! lol
I think the closest I’ve come to creating one was this table: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/whimsical-valentines-day-tablescape-alice-in-wonderland-style/
Love it, love the playing card theme, it’s just perfect! :0)