Natural Homemade Wall Hangings

Driftwood

• Oceans, lakes and streams carry weather- and water-beaten branches that make interesting, natural wall hangings. Normally, driftwood’s bark has long since degraded, revealing the smooth wood inside. If any bark remains, peel it off to help reduce the possibility of introducing insects into your home. If the wood is not as aged as you would like, soak it in a mild bleach and water solution and lay it in the sun to hasten the aging. If you prefer a fresher look, sand the wood by hand with ultra-fine sandpaper to reveal a newer-looking layer and seal it by rubbing tung oil into the branch. Fasten several pieces of driftwood together with discreetly placed screws or tie them together with rope. Twist eye hooks into the back of the piece to hang it on your wall.

Sea Collection

• Beach-themed wall hangings can incorporate numerous shells, sea glass and dried sea creatures, such as starfish. Tie a knotted fishing net, or buy one ready-made, for the base of your wall hanging. Arrange shells and other items on the net in any pattern you like. Drill a small hole through each item with a rotary tool equipped with a diamond bit, which helps avoid breakage. String fishing line through the holes and tie the items to the fishing net. Twist small C-hooks into the wall and drape the net over them to hold the wall hanging in place.

Wool

• Purchase a heavy skein of raw wool or wool that is colored with natural dyes. Wrap the yarn around a wooden embroidery hoop to completely cover the frame. Cut a few long sections of wool and brush them using a new dog slicker brush with fine metal teeth. Separate the fibers and fluff out the wool. Tie the ends of the wool to the frame at different areas and let the long strands hang down. Cut more pieces of yarn and string on large beads made from wood, glass, bone or any other natural material. Knot the yarn under the beads to hold them and tie the beaded sections to the frame at any location that is pleasing to your eye. Tie feathers, small totems, figurines or any other decorative items to yarn strands and braid some strands for even more visual interest. Tie a narrow leather strap into a loop at the top of the hoop to hang your creation on the wall.

Copper

• Sheet copper is available in rolls from sheet-metal suppliers and in small squares from home improvement stores. Find a template or draw a design on the copper freehand, such as a large sun or geometric shapes. Cut out the design using metal shears or a rotary tool with a metal cutting wheel. The edges will be very sharp, so use a rotary grinding wheel to polish them. Use a small propane torch to heat the metal, which causes vivid color variations, or rub the metal with a solution of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water to accelerate green oxidation. Attach a metal hanger to the back of your copper wall hanging with a soldering iron.