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Projects don't always go according to plan, but for this particular DIY, that actually ended up being a good thing. Even though the photos and video I took make it seem like this succulent art idea turned out the way I'd intended, the truth is, I almost gave up on it.
Initially, what I wanted to do was replicate a piece of art I'd seen while wandering the aisles of one of my favourite stores: HomeSense. My goal was to recreate something that was similar, but less expensive, which, in my mind, seemed like a pretty simple thing to accomplish. Boy, was I wrong.
That being said, I could have done a couple things differently that would have led to my initial idea being a success. However, I can be pretty stubborn when it comes to certain things, especially the designs of my DIY projects.
Anyway, I'll show you what I was trying to accomplish, and then you can see where I eventually landed!
Materials
Square picture frame
Textured scrapbooking paper
Hot glue gun + glue sticks or E6000
Here is the piece I came across at HomeSense that inspired me. It's a simple shadowbox that has three fake succulents on display inside of it. Pretty simple, right?
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b617_32f3a892fbb94058a0b6cf428b7c84c1~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b2b617_32f3a892fbb94058a0b6cf428b7c84c1~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg)
Because I've worked on a shadowbox-inspired project before, I figured I'd be able to use the same concepts and materials from it to replicate this HomeSense find.
However, the problem I ran in to (and where my stubbornness kicked in) had to do with the size and shape of the frame I wanted to use.
If you take a quick peek at the original inspiration piece, you'll notice it's square, and I wanted to maintain that shape. I didn't have any issues finding a frame at the dollar store that was square, but I realized the wooden artist panel I was planning on using to turn it into a shadowbox only came in various rectangular sizes!
Since I was set of having my succulent artwork displayed in a square frame, I had to come up with an alternative solution that would allow me to add more depth to it without the help of my go-to artist panel.
I tried a few things, but I'm not going to bore you with the details. All you need to know is that none of my ideas worked, lol. I was about ready to scrap the project entirely, but as I was walking away from my square frame and the succulents I'd placed on top of it, the perfect solution came to me.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b617_799f3ccbab3a4037908f2a27382fafa6~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b2b617_799f3ccbab3a4037908f2a27382fafa6~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg)
Rather than turning the frame I wanted to use into a shadowbox, I decided to use it to create 3D artwork!
I started off by placing a piece of woven scrapbook paper inside my frame. This created a textured, neutral backdrop that resembled the burlap from the HomeSense piece.
Next, I loaded up my hot glue gun with a glue stick capable of bonding items to glass, and began adhering my faux succulents to the front of my frame. I thought about filling it in completely, but I quickly realized I much preferred how the piece looked when I focused on placing the succulents in the centre.
Tip: If you can't get your hands on this type of hot glue gun stick, a sturdy adhesive like E6000 will also work.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b617_7cab66501d95497d9346013fba8a193d~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b2b617_7cab66501d95497d9346013fba8a193d~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
Once the glue had set, my 3D artwork was ready for its closeup!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b617_9f8b40b6e0ce4c1bb3b8f7c2d9683833~mv2_d_2914_3918_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_198,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b2b617_9f8b40b6e0ce4c1bb3b8f7c2d9683833~mv2_d_2914_3918_s_4_2.jpg)
Homemade artwork doesn't get easier than this, guys. And the best part is that this a project that's totally customizable. You can experiment with different shapes, sizes, colours, and layouts — and I guarantee whatever design you choose will look amazing.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b617_dd34c66e76b04508894663c77334a68d~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b2b617_dd34c66e76b04508894663c77334a68d~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg)
If this project inspires you to get crafty, let me know by sharing your creations with me! Leave a comment or use #katiesaracreates on social media. And don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss out on future posts!
Happy crafting!