2.27.2012

DIY Curtain Rod with Clay Finials

Happy Monday!

We are excited to share our DIY curtain rod & clay finials with you today:
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This was not a quick project but it turned out pretty well!
Let's start from the beginning, though, shall we? :)

After removing shabby blinds from every.single.window in the home we recently moved into and now having zilch for window treatments, I decided to make my own curtain rods to save a buck or two.  I found an awesome tutorial by House of Hepworths, {thanks Allison!} and got to work.  Since I had purged most of my "clutter" from the move and didn't have extra brackets, I picked some up at Home Depot for $5/set, {which was cheaper than Lowe's, which were $5/bracket.}  Score!  After snagging some eclipse panels at Walmart for just $9/each, I was set:



{Note: The picture on the left was taken before my hubby sawed the ends of the rods to window size.}  

Yes, they're up but bare!  
{And please ignore my plain boring walls -rental! boo!- and the solid curtains are actually a print now but I can't reveal everything in one day, can I? *wink*}
Aaah!  What am I missing?
Finials!
 
Kelli was making clay jewelry when I called her to ask where to get inexpensive finials and all I heard was "clay" so I headed right to Joann's to pick up a box of clay.  Random? Yes.  

And you read that right: clay.
I figured this would be a major blogging hit or miss but what the heck?  At 10# of modeling clay for $5, {I had a 50% coupon,} I had to try!

I don't have much experience in working with clay but just shaped each piece as best I could:

I decided a ball was the easiest shape to create and played around with another few shapes.


1. I eventually decided on a simple design: circle, square and a ring-ish shape in between to join them.  All sizes were completely random and I matched them by set as best I could, eyeballing and comparing along the way.
2. While the clay is wet, press your square shape into the end of the curtain rod. Important: Use a slight rocking motion to create an indentation*; the clay will shrink once dry and you won't want the finial to fit too snugly onto the rod.  Scoop out the middle of the clay using a utility or butter knife.
3. Use a shish-kabob stick to hold the clay pieces together when drying. 


4. Once completely dry, glue pieces together.  I used Loctite Epoxy... this stuff STINKS like a perm and is uber sticky but, it worked wonders.  
5. Turn upside down to dry. Note: It says 20 minutes dry time but for clay-on-clay I discovered it was best to wait another full 6-12 hours.  Also, a light coat goes a long way ;)
6. All done drying, stuck together nice 'n snug, and ready for a makeover! 


 I then gave the whole set a fresh coat of bronze metallic spray paint:




 Once it was completely dry, I reassembled the curtain rod, added the new finials*...

*I made my finials so they fit snugly onto the curtain rod by simply "screwing" it on.  However, you can add a dab of hot glue to the inner edge of the finial to the rod for extra durability.  I may do this since I have a busy little one that likes to play with the curtains ;) 


....then hung my drapes:



I think I will add some curtain rings to finish it off but right now I am pretty happy with it as the finials really look like a professional bronzed metal- gotta  that metallic spray paint!   



PS: The panels are now a print....  
stay tuned later this week for the final curtain reveal! ;)

[We'll be linking to these fun parties this week]



18 comments:

  1. amazing! What a clever idea and it looks wonderful!!

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  2. No way! Brilliant! It's amazing the things you can build with imagination ;) Thanks for the tut!

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  3. clever clever, girls! definitely inspired to make something with clay now- whodathunk it? ;-)

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  4. Holy cow you MADE those?! Wow! Pretty cool! :)

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  5. PS: Just pinned under my "to try" board! Thanks! :)

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  6. This is great! I've been wanting to make curtain rods for our master bedroom, but was not sure what to do for the finials. Thanks for the inspiration and ideas!

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  7. I made my own a few months ago- but used glass finials from Ikea. The clay was an interesting idea- I really like how they turned out.
    Becca

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  8. Wow, very cool! They look really great and I would have never known they were made from clay!

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  9. That's such a good idea, and so easy! I love the imperfect look of it! They look great!!

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  10. You guys are so cool and creative! I love anything that has to do with saving cash on the dumb stuff like curtain rods! Great idea!!! Sooo did you hear that Maggie and I got to get together this past weekend?! I think it made us both realize how much we wish we could meet you girls too!!!! Yayyy! I heart blog friends!
    Jaime :o)

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  11. Seriously?! Who knew you could make finials out of clay? Definitely not me! Great tutorial girls! XOXO

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  12. Wow! I am doing a make over in my boy's room with a pirate theme. May use this idea to put some kind of pirate decor on the curtain rod (hook, hat, something....) I need to think this one through a little, but I may steal your idea to save a few bucks! THANKS for the tutorial!

    Rene

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  13. You're a freakin' genius. These are so cool. :)

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  14. Anonymous3/01/2012

    You guys are so clever!! I love this idea! Your rod turned out so cute!

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  15. Awesome Idea!!! I so am gonna do this!Very clever!!

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  16. Wow I can't believe you made those! Awesome! My sister and I blog together too (except we're not twins...). :)

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  17. Those are amazing. I can't believe you made them! Love this idea - my boys have air-dry clay sitting upstairs right now. I may have to do this...thanks for the inspiration!

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