Upcycle

From Plastic to Nautical: Upcycling an Obsolete Ring Extender into Ocean-Themed Decor 

Transforming an obsolete plastic ring extender into a stunning nautical sailboat decor item for our entryway.  Dive into the world of upcycling and bring the calming essence of the ocean to your home with this unique DIY project.  Get inspired and create a coastal atmosphere that will greet your guests with a touch of seaside charm.  Join us as we repurpose and reimagine, turning everyday objects into works of art. 

Are you longing for the soothing presence of the ocean but can't quite get close enough?  How about bringing the essence of the sea right into your home?  Get ready, because this week's upcycle project is going to leave you puzzled and wondering what exactly goes on in my creative mind.  Don't worry, you're not alone - my family often wonders the very same thing.  

If you've been following our journey from the beginning, you might remember a review on the Nuwave oven a few years ago.  Unfortunately, the replacement part didn't stand the test of time, and we decided to part ways with the appliance.  However, when it came time to toss out the plastic extender piece, I had a different idea in mind.  

Imagine my husband's surprise when I insisted on keeping it!  He couldn't help but ask, with a mix of curiosity and amusement, what in the world I had planned for that seemingly insignificant item.  My response was simple: "I'm not entirely sure yet, but I'll definitely come up with something spectacular.  Of course, he shook his head, muttering about the growing collection of odds and ends in our basement.  I just laughed and reassured him, "Don't worry, never fear, Cara is here!" 

You would think that by now, he would be accustomed to my creative shenanigans, but sometimes, even he finds himself questioning my thought process.  Well, today is the day you get to witness the transformation of that humble extender, as I give it an enchanting ocean-themed makeover.  I am beyond excited to share this unique project with you, and I can't wait to see your reactions.  So let's dive right in and embark on on this imaginative journey together!  

While it's true that not everyone will have the exact plastic extender piece I'm working with, my goal is to ignite your creative spirit and inspire you to bring a touch of the ocean into your own space.  Whether it's through repurposing items you already have or finding alternative materials, the key is to unleash your imagination and embrace the beauty of the sea in your own unique way.  

By sharing my upcycle project with an ocean theme, I hope to spark ideas and encourage you to explore the endless possibilities of creating a coastal ambiance right at your doorstep.  Perhaps you'll be inspired to craft ocean-inspired artwork, incorporate seashells into your decor, or even design a relaxing coastal nook to unwind and let your worries wash away.  

You know how much I love upcycling cardboard so we will begin by tracing the smaller side of the extender onto the cardboard. 

Once you have cut out the circle, you will want to place it on top of the sailboat shopping bag and again, trace a circle.

Cut out the circle and set it aside. 

When I initially picked up this sailboat bag from Big Lots, I thought for sure I would cut out and frame the sailboats, but this ended up so much better than a simple frame filled with sailboats, or at least that is my opinion.  

I picked up that extender and went right to work in wrapping it in nautical rope.  How fitting for our nautical themed foyer, Ahoy Matey!  

I had really wanted the rope to stay in tact with one flowing wrap, but I kind of got myself all knotted up.  Teehee...

Kind of a mess huh?  That is exactly what I was thinking about right now.  Despite my efforts in not cutting the rope, I had to and sort my way through the mess of nautical rope, not once, but twice and make two cuts in the rope.  

You can see, this rope is kind of a messy affair... I had bits and pieces everywhere by the time it was all said and done.  

I kept pulling the rope taut against the plastic ring until I made my way completely around.  Can you believe that it took me exactly 100 feet of rope to complete this project?  It was exactly what I had on hand.  Imagine my surprise, because I was getting nervous at the end thinking I would run out.

I went back to my cardboard and sailboat cut out and decided I would cover the cardboard in Mod Podge.  Talk about a fun time... reminded me of grade school.  Some days you just need to get in there and make a mess, and make a mess I did!

I let it sit for 24 hours to ensure the glue was dried and the sailboats were sticking to the cardboard.  

Do you see where I am going with this?  I ended up hot gluing the round to the nautical rope on the back.  

Don't you think our sailboat inspired artwork turned out pretty cute?  From Nuwave extender ring to nautical decor for our foyer.  I was happy to keep another item from the landfill, and a new use for something otherwise obsolete.

I added it to our bench with our vintage inspired lantern we picked up from a barn sale.  We have a tassel bead garland mixed in with blue hydrangeas, one of my favorite flowers, and a few candles sprinkled inside the lantern.  I do love my milk glass hobnail vase with the ruffled top.  It took me a while to get used to styling flowers inside it.  The opening is very small, but the bottom is quite large in comparison, but I love it none the less, curves and all. 

Then I decided to add a vintage beach scene to our bench, something I would like to find a frame for, while also adding a collapsible cup.  I had one similar to it once upon a time when I was a Brownie!  I can never pass up those vintage finds when I see them while antiquing.  

I decided to bring in a bit of Rhode Island into our entryway by gathering up some of the rocks I found on the shore of Narragansett on our last trip.  Some gather seashells, I gather rocks.  For some reason, I love them, those smooth surfaces worn down over time from the lapping of the water...  sorry, I just went to the ocean in my mind for a few.  

With a little ingenuity and a commitment to upcycling, we've successfully transformed an obsolete plastic ring extender into a striking nautical sailboat decor item for our entryway.  Embrace the beauty of repurposing and let your creativity sail the seas of imagination.  This charming piece will greet guests with a warm coastal ambiance, setting the tone for a delightful and welcoming home. 

What do you think?  Would you try rescuing something like this from the landfill to see what you could create?  I have found on my rescue missions, I find more creativity lurking around each twist and turn.  

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Ciao,

Cara