Don’t you love the look of an old wishing well out in the yard? Did you know you could make one yourself? Well, maybe not a huge outdoor wishing well, but you could easily make an indoor model that you can display on a shelf, a mantle or even in the kitchen. The wishing wells can be made in various sizes and with various materials. One thing you’ll definitely need, though, is some picture frames.
The type of picture frames that make a great wishing well would be ones that are unadorned, wooden and flat. Although it doesn’t matter what size the frames are they all must be identical in size and style. The frames themselves will be used but not the glass or other parts. Remove any glass, cardboard or paper from each of the frames.
Start stacking the frames and using hot glue – or a different adhesive – to attach them. There is no set number of frames to use, since frames are all so different, so you’ll decide when you’ve stacked enough frames to create the wishing well. Obviously, when using large frames, you will need more to get the stack to the size you want it. Smaller frames will require fewer frames.
The wishing well doesn’t absolutely have to have a bottom, but if you want it to have one, use a piece of cardboard. Glue the cardboard on the underside of the bottom frame. If you have a piece of wood you can use it instead of the cardboard. When the bottom is on, and all the frames have been glued together, it’s time to make the roof for the wishing well.
There are several different ways to make the roof. Thick cardboard, wooden slats or even thick paper will work. Since the picture frames are wooden the slats would work best. The slats can be stapled, nailed or glued. Position them to where they make an “A” frame. Two dowels, one on each side, will serve to hold the roof up over the wishing well. The wooden dowels can be found at any craft store. Instead of the dowels you can use two of the slats, if you have extra.
No slats or wooden pieces at your house? Use thick cardboard to make the roof. Scrapbook paper offers many choices for covering the cardboard and making it look more like a roof. You can support the roof with painted pencils, tightly rolled paper, or other objects from around the house. Hot glue works well for most any materials you use.
The wishing well can be set out just as it is or you can create a bucket and rope on a dowel. The dowel should stretch between the two roof supports. Glue the twine or roping around the dowel several times. Allow the excess twine to fall down inside the well. Attach a tiny bucket, made from a medicine cup or something similar, to the end of the twine if you want.
Large picture frames work fine for making a wishing well that can set on the floor or a large shelf. Smaller frames make wishing wells to set on a mantle, a shelf or even a dresser. The finished well can be painted or left the color of the frames. Other decorative touches can be added to create the wishing well you desire. For example, instead of adding the last dowel, and making a bucket, fill the well with artificial flowers. The well will have the appearance of one that’s dried up and is now sprouting plants.
Wooden shapes make it easy for you to personalize the wishing well. Paint the shape, and glue it onto the front of the well, to make a monogram. Or, use tiny wooden shapes and glue them all over the well. The final look is completely up to you. The wishing wells look great sitting around your house but they also make great gifts. See if you have any extra picture frames around your house so you can make your own well. Now, what will you wish for?
Reference:
- Purchase wooden shapes here: www.orientaltrading.com
