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easy craft idea {driftwood fish}

May 16, 2013

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Who’s planning to spend some time at the beach this summer?

Would you believe it if I told you that we moved to Key West in January and I haven’t been to the beach once? True story.

That could have something to do with the fact that we moved here from a Caribbean island with the most beautiful water on earth.
cas-abou-beach-curacao

Or, more accurately, that I’m not really the lay on the beach type … I’m more of a scour-the-beach-for-seaglass-and-driftwood girl so I can whip them into easy craft ideas.
driftwood craft ideas

And this easy craft project is proof that there are projects that can take less than 15 minutes and have a huge presence in a room.

I’m super excited to be participating in a series called Craft Lightning, where a group of bloggers is putting together a great resource of beautiful craft projects that can be completed in 15 minutes or less.

Now, if you count the time I spent meandering the beaches of Curacao, this project doesn’t qualify. But if you are a driftwood collector and have a backdrop and a glue gun and a spare 15 minutes, this is the project for you. 🙂
driftwood craft project

The first step is picking a backdrop for your craft. It could be a frame with craft paper in the back or a painted piece of wood or anything, really, that fits with your style and is flat.

I had just the perfect thing for us … another piece of driftwood. 🙂  It started as a 16 foot long board I found at the beach in Curacao and last year made into a desktop. After a quick chop down to size I had the perfect backdrop for my easy little craft project.
driftwood fish craft project backdropPlease just ignore everything else in that picture, this side of the house hasn’t gotten much attention since we moved in. 🙂

And I’ll take this opportunity to apologize to our neighbors who have no idea I have a blog for whipping out the circular saw after 9pm. My bad. 🙂

Once you have your backdrop, plug-in your hot glue gun and layout your pieces of driftwood in the shape you desire.

I knew I wanted a fish shape, but how about a tree shape for Christmas or a heart for a child’s bedroom or even a monogram would be fun! You’re really only limited by the sizes and shapes of your driftwood.
easy craft projectThen just glue each piece one at a time.
driftwood craft project And hang.
driftwood fish craft ideaWe just screwed eye hooks into the back of the wood and secured a heavy gauge hanging wire, then screwed a heavy-duty hook into the wall … we have wood slat walls, but depending on the weight of your project you should probably look for studs. 🙂

Super easy, right?!?!
simple craft projectAnd this piece is 37 inches wide and 25 inches high, not only is it the perfect statement piece for our new board and batten wall, but I love that we can create something so unique and meaningful to us in less than 15 minutes and for nothing more than the cost of the hot glue.

And if you’re wondering exactly what ‘statement’ this piece is making I think it’s “I love driftwood, and fishes and chippy wood and pizza” … or something like that. 😉

Update:  I finally discovered the art of whitebalance. Sorry for all of the yellow-ey pics above. Geesh!

easy diy driftwood fish

If you, too, love driftwood check out how you can make your own driftwood Christmas tree, driftwood and seaglass Christmas craft or other random driftwood craft ideas.

And be sure to check in with Angie of Country Chic Cottage and Carolina of 30 Minute Crafts to find so many more easy craft ideas that you can do in 15 minutes or less.

Do you craft with beach finds? Or would you rather just lay on a comfy beach chair soaking up the sun?

« how to pick paint colors
when life hands you a wood slat wall {paint stripping tips VIDEO included} »

Comments

  1. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says

    May 16, 2013 at

    One one hand, I’d love to live next door so you would make me one of these as a housewarming gift. One the other hand, the circular saw at 9pm would have me putting out my for sale sign!
    Kelly

    • Karah says

      May 16, 2013 at

      hahaha, it was just once … and I’d bring you wine as an apology!

  2. Kim Sand&Sisal (@SandandSisal) says

    May 16, 2013 at

    I love this fish Karah! Now I just need to find enough drift wood!

    • Karah says

      May 16, 2013 at

      Thank you Kim!

  3. Kristy says

    May 16, 2013 at

    I’d never mind the after 9 saw…do it myself…not often but yes I do! I’m so happy to finally get the tutorial…I have limited amounts of driftwood…being landlocked…but i can take some old wood pieces, beat them up, distress them and get almost the same effect (I think) 🙂 Gonna try. Love to the furry babies!!
    Kristy

    • Karah says

      May 16, 2013 at

      Yes!! And I think the different colors on the wood are fun, too!! The girls are doing great! Although not really a fan of all of the power tools. Nothing a few extra treats can’t cure. 🙂

  4. Anne@DesignDreams (@ddreamsbyanne) says

    May 16, 2013 at

    So copying this!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE it. You are brilliant!

  5. Angie says

    May 16, 2013 at

    I love this. So simple and so beachy. Now I just need a trip to the beach so I can collect enough driftwood to do this for myself! Thanks for sharing. ~ Angie

  6. lynn cockrell says

    May 16, 2013 at

    I love the way you used the driftwood here to make your fish sign, Karah. I checked out the other, too, the tree is great and the signs, wreath, all of it!

  7. Debbie says

    May 16, 2013 at

    Love it love it love it! I saw you on Sand & Sissal’s FB page and I’m so glad I did. This is such a cute project! Thanks so much for sharing with us.

    Debbie

    • Karah says

      May 16, 2013 at

      Yay!! Thank you so much Debbie, I so appreciate you stopping by and leaving such a great comment!

    • Karah says

      May 16, 2013 at

      I just tried to comment on your blog and got this message: Spam Free WordPress could not retrieve the password from the server. It may be necessary to do one, or all, of the following. Turn on the Old Password Fields option, turn off Nonce Security, or to turn on Generate Comment Form.

      I have no idea what it means so I will tell you here that your son’s half bath is awesome and that planked wall is perfect. Great tutorial on accomplished that look!!

      • Debbie says

        May 16, 2013 at

        Hi Karah, thanks so much for letting me know! One of my plugins needed to be updated, so hopefully that will take care of it. 🙂

  8. Kelly @ View Along the Way says

    May 16, 2013 at

    Beaaaaautiful! I love this so much. So simple, but gorgeous. Now, we need to get you to the beach, stat!

  9. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    May 16, 2013 at

    Love this! It’s so pretty! I love the different colors of wood!

  10. Kelly @ Corner of Main says

    May 16, 2013 at

    So cool. All the pieces fit perfectly! Nice work =)

  11. Susan says

    May 16, 2013 at

    Karah I soooo love that fish! I live near the water and collect driftwood all the time… I am loving your driftwood fish!
    Susan

    • Karah says

      May 16, 2013 at

      Thank you so much Susan!!

  12. Krista @thehappyhousie says

    May 17, 2013 at

    I love this!! We have tons of driftwood on our lake beach in front of our house… I have collected a ton already with my little boys but I am going back out this weekend looking for more!! Thanks for the tutorial. I am pretty strictly a fast craft gal too.

    • Karah says

      May 20, 2013 at

      Yay, this would be the perfect fast craft for you driftwood!! So glad you like the idea, thank you so much for visiting. 🙂

  13. karen@somewhatquirky says

    May 17, 2013 at

    Well I already told you how much I love the fish but I will tell you again. I LOVE this fish. I think I could live with driftwood art alone and that’s saying a lot because I have a lot of art.

  14. Midsommarflicka says

    May 17, 2013 at

    That fish is a sweet idea! I have some driftwood/maritime decoration in my bathroom, so it would fit perfectly there! …and I have still some driftwood, maybe it’s enough for a fish, I’m going to try it 🙂

    Love, Midsommarflicka

    • Karah says

      May 20, 2013 at

      I’m so glad you like it … I think it would be perfect with maritime decor in the bathroom!

  15. Claire says

    May 18, 2013 at

    What a beautiful piece! I love ‘found’ items.

    • Karah says

      May 20, 2013 at

      Found items are the best!

  16. Jessica @ Stay at Home-ista says

    May 18, 2013 at

    No beach for us this summer (more mountains), but I adore the fish. Plus, you already lived by the beach before, so maybe you just needed a beach break?

    🙂 Jessica

  17. Katja @ Shift Ctrl ART says

    May 20, 2013 at

    What a beautiful project. I love it! The drift wood pieces you found are so unique and different. Love how it all looks together. Now I want to go “fish” – ha – my bag of drift wood out of the garage 🙂

    • Karah says

      May 21, 2013 at

      hahahaha, thank you so much, I’m so glad you like it.

  18. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    May 22, 2013 at

    I just love that art! Does the trip to a tropical island to gather driftwood fit within that craft lightening time frame?

    🙂 Linda

  19. Katie from Katie's Cucina says

    May 22, 2013 at

    love this simple project!!! what a brilliant idea!

    • Karah says

      May 24, 2013 at

      Thank you so much Katie!!

  20. Katie says

    May 22, 2013 at

    I Love, Love, LOVE this!!! The colors and different shapes of the wood is so cool.
    ~Katie

    • Karah says

      May 24, 2013 at

      Thank you so much Katie!

  21. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    May 30, 2013 at

    Love, love, love this project, Karah!! It’s perfect for your space… and so very YOU! 🙂
    xo Heidi

    • Karah says

      May 31, 2013 at

      Thank you so much, Heidi!! It makes us smile every time we see it!

  22. Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says

    June 2, 2013 at

    Karah, I’ve seen this all over. I’ve pinned it. I’ve thought it was darling. Just getting over to say how flipping cute (and YOU!) this is. Thanks for showing it off at Simply The Best! You have just been diy’ing your little heart out. Hope the Summer is treating you well so far 🙂 Shannon

  23. Katie Goldsworthy says

    June 5, 2013 at

    That is so cool!!! I’m sharing it on Twitter. Thanks for linking it up to Monday Funday!

  24. Melissa@TheHappierHomemaker says

    June 7, 2013 at

    I love this-I should make one for my mom, she lives on the Chesapeake Bay and would adore it!! Thanks so much for linking it up to the Summer Inspiration Party!

  25. melissa says

    July 22, 2013 at

    Love it love it. Thanks for the fun idea

  26. Velibor says

    September 13, 2013 at

    Odlično…prelepa ideja i hvala za to. Puno pozdrava iz Srbije (Serbia)

    • Karah says

      September 13, 2013 at

      How fun that someone in Serbia saw my pumpkin! I had to get your comment translated but that you, I’m so glad you like it!!

  27. Tammy says

    November 13, 2013 at

    Divine, cant wait to make my own – I just made a Christmas tree out of drift wood, Fish ” nxt ” 🙂

  28. Jodee Weiland says

    December 1, 2013 at

    Love this idea! I may try it!

  29. John says

    February 20, 2014 at

    Love driftwood art. Just want to touch it’s weather softness, as will kids. Please remove or bend over the sharp nail sticking out of the largest piece of blue wood.

    • Karah says

      February 20, 2014 at

      Hahaha, I hear you, luckily I have my piece hung 5 feet high. I’m one to love the rusty nails and will keep them whenever possible, for me they just add to the individual character of the piece. Good reminder to keep these pieces hung high, thank you for that!

  30. Nancy says

    September 14, 2016 at

    Love your fish!! Just found so much wood on the beach after a storm passed! Trying to make a turtle, but I may make this instead! Love the variation in color!!

    • Karah says

      September 19, 2016 at

      Thank you so much! I love the turtle idea, too!!

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