I was flipping through the Pottery Barn catalog recently and came across these beach buoys. I thought they would make super cute lake house or beach house decor.
And then I got to thinking ... I could make some buoys for next to nothing.
You see, in our new neighborhood, people are always setting out their old, unused junk the night before trash day. And I *might* be one of those people who stops to dig through other people's trash. Don't judge.
A few weeks ago I was driving home and saw some perfectly beat-up 4x4s sitting next to the trash in a neighbor's yard. So I did what any smart, frugal, woodworking woman would do and called my husband to meet me at the top of the driveway in a couple of minutes. I got him to help me rescue my new 4x4s. (Note: The neighbor was outside, and we did ask before we took the wood.)
I didn't really know what I'd make with them, and for the record, my hubby thinks I'm crazy. But it turns out they make beautiful wooden buoys.
See what I mean?
How to go from this ... to this ...
First I cut the 4x4 into different lengths and cut the tops at an angle using my miter saw. A circular saw would have been much easier, but I don't own one ... yet. I didn't measure the angled tops. I just eyeballed it and cut.
Then I drilled holes through the tops.
I painted them.
Next I printed numbers on my computer and traced them onto the buoys, then painted the numbers directly on. I sanded them to give them a little weathered look, and then I threaded sisal rope through the holes in the top. (You can find this rope at any home improvement store. I got mine at Lowe's.)
And there you have it! Your very own weathered beach buoys. Mine cost a total of $11 instead of $60 at Pottery Barn. I only bought the pink paint and the rope, and there's plenty of rope left for other DIY projects. I already had all the other paint left over from painting the house or from crafts.
Paint colors:
Pink - Hint of Cherry by Valspar
Light turquoise - Wythe Blue by Benjamin Moore
Darker turquoise on the large buoy - Stratton Blue by Benjamin Moore
Yellow - Butter from Restoration Hardware
Brown - some brown craft paint I have lying around the house
What do you think of my homemade buoys?
