Aren't cassette tapes the coolest? They bring back some fabulous childhood memories. Making mixed tapes of all the best songs by recording the radio. Rewinding, untangling that tape, and the inevitable glitches mid-song from a snagged tape. My children will never understand the wonders of the cassette tape. Did you ever use cassettes? Do you still have some hanging around? They are the perfect recycled craft medium for this fun planter. I got a bunch from my church when they were getting rid of the antiquated technology.
Supplies
- 4 cassette tapes
- Gold leaf sheets
- Silver leaf sheets
- Metal leaf adhesive
- 2 Paintbrushes
- Piece of wood for base (around 4.25" square)
- Hot glue and hot glue gun
- Styrofoam ball
- Gravel
- Faux succulents
Some of the links above may be affiliate links where a purchase made after clicking will support this website without costing you extra!
Directions
STEP 1: Paint on Adhesive
These cassette tapes are great colors, but they could be spray painted for a totally different look. I decided to keep the colors but cover some of the text on them using gold leaf. Gold leafing is so much fun. Use a small paintbrush to paint some gold leaf adhesive in random (or not so random) places on your cassettes. Let the adhesive dry.
STEP 2: Apply Gold and Silver Leaf
Tear off a small piece of the silver or gold leaf and gently set it on the cassette where you painted the adhesive. If your fingers are tacky at all, it will stick to them too!
STEP 3: Dust Off Excess
Layer the gold and silver leaf all over the adhesive and press it firmly on the cassette. Then use a fluffier paintbrush to dust off the leafing. This will leave only what is completely adhered to the cassette.
STEP 4: Admire!
The two-toned metallic and pops of color give this project such a fun feel.
STEP 5: Hot Glue Time
Now use the hot glue gun to glue the cassette tapes together in a square.
STEP 6: Glue to the Base
Next put a row of glue all around the edge of your piece of wood for the base. If you don't have wood, a CD jewel case is just about the right size and would give this a fun finish too!
Once it's all glued together it is ready to fill. Take a look at that--it would make a fun candle holder, a goodie bowl, a pencil/office supply stash or organizer box. So many options with a 4 cassette tape box!
STEP 7: Plant Succulents
I prefer faux succulents because I kill plants, but either will work great. Fill the base and sides of the planter with small rocks and then a small Styrofoam ball. Stick the succulent picks in the ball and then fill around it with more rocks.For those of you that have a green thumb, you can also use this to plant live succulents. Fill the base and edges with small rocks for drainage. Then add dirt and succulents, then fill the top with more small pebbles. Spray with a spray bottle of water once a week until damp. Succulents need water, but they don't need to soak in it, so the wood base will be fine for quite a while.
That's it!
Like, pin, share, follow, comment and save for later!
About the Author:
Natalie Shaw is a Craft/DIY blogger at Doodle Craft. She loves sci-fi, fantasy and video game geekery and that comes out in many of her projects. She posts budget conscious DIY’s, crafts, jewelry, kid friendly projects, upcycled treasures and other fun on her blog 5 days a week.You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Do you like this post? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
When you subscribe you can download our FREE Recycled Crafts E-book!
No comments
Post a Comment
I love comments! I welcome your comments and questions about this article here!