Repainted Beaded Fruit for Spring

Who else has seen these pretty Pottery Barn pears? They are sold as vase filler, and are only $16 for a set of six. But how about an easy way to copy these without going to Pottery Barn, and for free?

 

 

You'll need some old, unused plastic fruit. We all have these beaded fruit hanging around, don't we? I actually didn't, because I foolishly gave mine away, but one of my neighbors put hers in a big box on the curb last month, so I snagged them! 

Paint your fruit with some bright green spray paint (you could also use craft paint). This is Key Lime from Rustoleum. Wowza. Kinda hurts your eyes, doesn't it? We'll fix this!

 

They sort of look like horse apples right now. Love those, but that's not the look we are going for today. 

Mix 1 part Burnt Umber craft paint with 2 parts glazing medium. Brush it over the whole pear, then wipe off with a paper towel. The paint mixture will settle into the space between the beads and tone the color way down. 

Instant improvement!

Add more of the paint/glaze mixture at the top and bottom, to make the pear look a little more realistic. They will be really imperfect, which is totally OK! Nature isn't perfect, which is part of its beauty :)

I had a little fun recreating the Pottery Barn photo, too.

So dig in those Christmas boxes, find some old fruit, break out the craft paint, and make yourself a little bit of spring today! 

I'm joining:

Kim's Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Judy's Winter Blues Wednesday at DIY By Design

Gina's Spring Craft Party at Random Thoughts

Roeshel's Project Parade at DIY Showoff

Stephanie Lynn's Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming

Susan's Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

It's A Cinch Party at Thistlewood Farm

Comments

[kim]

You did a great job on those. I have a ton of pears put away. May have to pull them back out.

[Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane]

Great idea...thanks for the tutorial! Now I just have to find me some old fruit!!

[Pat@Back Porch Musings]

These look great.

You've given me an idea! I have some of those beaded pears with the Christmas stuff, in the basement.:-)

[shelia]

I love these! What a beautiful job you did and it is easy!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

[Gina]

What a a super idea! They turned out fantastic too. My mom has tons of that beaded fruit. I would have never thought to paint it. Thanks for sharing this at my party!

[Kim @ vintagepretties]

You always come up with the cutest ideas! And, I think that I saw faux fruit at Dollar Tree recently, if any readers don't happen to have old stuff sitting around at home.

[Rondell]

Wow, they look just like PB's! Now I have to find the pears!

[Jessica]

Awesome job!! Found you from Savvy Southern style!!

[Manuela@A Cultivated Nest]

Great idea! I have a ton of that beaded fruit in storage.

[Dee]

The pears look terrific.

Dee

[Sunday Burquest]

Too cute!! I see those sparkly fruit at the GW all the time :) Great job!

[code promo]

Such a great job.It look so different and beautiful.I really impress by this kind of project.SO nice idea.

[Ricki Jill Treleaven]

Such a great idea. Your pears look great!

I also like how you copied the PB photo :D

xo,
Ricki Jill

[Susan]

Nice job! I'm glad I'm not the only one digging in my neighbors trash!
Susan
Homeroad

[Karen - The Graphics Fairy]

These turned out great! Love the photo too!!
Visiting from Met Monday.

[Ginger]

These are great! Great use for the beaded fruit. Love the fact that they were free.

[Jeanine Okio B Designs]

They look wonderful! I'm kicking myself now because I sold some of my old pears at a garage sale. Ack! Coming over from Between Naps on the Porch and so glad I did!

Jeanine

[Amy at The Red Chair Blog]

These are fantastic! Love them!

[Judy]

Great job and it is inspiring me to redo some old fruit. Thanks for sharing.

[Michelle @ Sweet Something]

Now that is what I call upcycling! Great idea and they look great!

[Sanghamitra]

Awesome idea and I love your job!
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)

[West Furniture Revival]

the pears are so cute! They look even better than the potterybarn ones.

[Linda @ it all started with paint]

This is such a great project! I love it's simplicity. In fact, it's downright cinchy ... and would be perfect at our "It's a Cinch" multi-blog link party. The link stays open until midnight Friday and when you link at one blog, you're automatically linked up to the party's five co-hosts ...

http://www.itallstartedwithpaint.com/2012/03/its-cinch-link-party.html

Hope to see you at the party!

:)
Linda
www.itallstartedwithpaint.com

[thistle]

I think this just proves that EVERYTHING looks better with paint! I am on the hunt for some beaded fruit now!

Thanks for linking to our party!

blessings,
karianne

[Linda @ it all started with paint]

Thanks so much for linking it up at our "It's a Cinch" party!

:)

Linda
www.itallstartedwithpaint.com

[andrea cammarata]

LOVE THESE!!!!!! thanks for linking up with us at It's a Cinch...hugs...andrea

[Karah @ thespacebetweenblog]

You're right, that is so cinchy and so beautiful! Great upgrade!! Thanks so much for linking up to our party!
Karah

[Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage]

What a great idea - I have a ton of beaded fruit in my Christmas bin - time to use it year round!

Thanks for joining our cinch party.
Kelly

[iphone spy]

I love your blog! You will be in our prayers and thoughts! Nice and informative post on this topic thanks for sharing with us. Thank you!

[Mac keylogger]

Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright....lol.......