PB Mobile Hack

I really, really procrastinated doing this project, but it turned out so much cuter than I thought it would. The pictures really don't do it justice. The Pottery Barn versions are not that cute, their colors don't do anything for me, but this is super cute! (not to toot my own horn or anything) You can see the PB one here http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/daisy-paper-chandelier/?pkey=bnursery-mobiles

Ok, so step one gather your supplies. I ran out of these crimp beads halfway through and had to wait till the next day to finish, which means I had to protect it from my 19 month old! So I suggest making sure you have enough supplies to start with.

You will need:

crimp beads (200 - you won't need that many but they come in bags of 100 and you definitely need more than that)

fishing line (you could use the jewelry line, but I had this already)

needle nose pliers

cardstock (about 16 sheets)

something round to hang your flowers from (I used an old lamp shade and wired the small top and bigger bottom together, then spray painted it all white)

STEP 1 .   GET YOUR FLOWERS READY

Cut your flowers (or whatever shape you choose). Mine were 3 1/4 on my cricut. I used 134 of them, if my math is right, which usually it's not.

Then poke holes in the center. I used a needle, but I know they have special paper piercing tools. I do recommend using a thimble if you use a needle, not that I stabbed the needle all the way through the side of my thumb or anything! Ok, I did. At least the worst of it went through the section that is numb from a box cutter accident a few years ago. (I'm highly accident prone)

Then I stacked them the way that I wanted them on the fishing line. I figured I was preventing at least one way to mess it up and I really like making nice neat stacks of things. 

STEP 2.   CUT FISHING LINE

I cut them about 3ft each. There were 25.

STEP 3.   PUT FLOWERS ON FISHING LINE

First I put one crimp bead on the bottom of the line.

Then put one flower on the line. My cardstock was textured so I put the textured side facing down.  Next slide a crimp bead on and measure up from the first flower where you want the next one to be and crimp your crimp bead.  I used this highly technical bottle of paint to measure the distance between flowers. Then slide the next flower on. Repeat until you have the number of flowers you want on the line, then set aside and do 24 more! Psych yourself up for this part because it is super fun and not tedious and boring at all! (Too bad there isn't a font for sarcasm) 

I did 6 flowers on each line for the center and the first ring, which totaled 7 lines.  The rest I did 5 each and I alternated the starting colors so they wouldn't all be the same when I hung them.

STEP 4.   HANG FLOWERS

I didn't take a picture of this, but it's pretty easy.  I tied some fishing line to the center to hang the mobile from while I hung lines on.  I hung it from my dining room light fixture low enough that my arms wouldn't get too tired of reaching up.

I hung 1 line in the center, then 6 around the first loop, 6 around the center loop and then 12 around the outer loop, alternating colors. I hung them progressively shorter, so the longest in the center, then a little shorter, then a little shorter on the next loop and shortest on the outside.

To hang the line, place a crimp bead on the line then bring it over the loop and then back down through the crimp bead.  Adjust it to the length you want it then crimp the bead with your pliers as close to your loop as you can. Trim the excess line and go to the next.

STEP 5.   HANG MOBILE

I used the fishing line to make a loop for the mobile to hang from, then used the crimp beads to attach the outer loop to the fishing line.  It wasn't the prettiest and I'm sure there are better ways to do it, but it worked!

STEP 6.   ADMIRE YOUR WORK

My favorite part of the process!  My daughter even threw in a "Oh Mommy, that is beautiful." Which it totally is! (Toot toot)

One more thing, this wasn't my idea.  A friend asked me to make it for her baby girl's room. It was a great idea!