Monday, January 9, 2012

$450 Sea Fan Project


I want to thank everyone that left such kind notes on the post where I 
mentioned my health issues.  I have faith that 2012 will be a good year!

I have been trying to get a start on my long list of projects to complete in 2012.  Today I wanted
to paint a small table and make a new chalkboard but the weather is not cooperating. 

You may have seen the picture in my sidebar of the Dyed Sea Fans I have for sale on
Etsy.  I have framed four of the blue sea fans in clear illusion frames and they now
hang in our family room.  With the illusion frames the color of the wall becomes
the background.


Last year while visiting the beach I wandered into a very high end decor shop. This
was the kind of shop where I rarely buy anything but I do get some great ideas for projects. 
The shop had a wall of blue framed sea fans that I fell in love with.

Are you sitting down?  You had better be sitting when I tell you the price was $450 each!. 
No, that is not a typo...$450 for ONE  framed sea fan.

If you have been reading my blog for any time you know I love a challenge and this
project had my name all over it.  As soon as I got home I ordered several sea fans
and bought Rit dye,  thinking this would recreate the beauties I saw in the shop.

Strike one. 
 The Rit dye barely changed the color of the fans and left it really blotchy.
There was very little color change even after soaking overnight.

Strike two
Back to the craft store to buy two other brands of dye.  No better results.

Strike three
The dye didn't work so lets try spray paint.  Not good,  the paint clumps
up in the holes and the fan gets stiff and brittle.  

Not a person to give up, I tried many methods, finally making my own dye.
The fans you see below were dyed using a three step process I developed.

After much trial and error I am thrilled with the results you see below.
 
Etsy

Here are some other photos I found of dyed sea fans.

Karen Robertson 

Pinterest

 Karen Robertson

Pinterest

The fans look beautiful sitting in a vignette or displayed inside a clear glass lamp.


Houzz

Sally Lee By The Sea

Pinterest
 Love the white fans on the blue bead board wall.

Pinterest

My fans sell unframed for $31.00 each on Etsy.  The illusion frames are from Michaels and 
using a 40% off coupon cost around $21.00.  The total cost of this project is
 $52.00...sure beats $450!

This is just one of the many projects I have planned for my Etsy shop in 2012.  I am
now working on creating other colors for the fans
Any Suggestions?

Thanks for visiting and I would love to hear your feedback.

Hugs,
Sherry

Partying this week at;
Between Naps On The Porch
Thrifty decor Chick
Coastal Charm
Todays Creative Blog
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Savvy Southern Style
The Shabby Chic Cottage
Home Is Where My Story Begins
Potpourri Friday @ 2805
 French Country Cottage
At The Picket Fence



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