Baskets with buzz

Hands-on time: Less than two hours.
Total time: Add drying time for the paint.
Skill: Easy.
Project cost: Less than $10 for the supplies (excluding the baskets).

Materials and Tools

• 3 wicker baskets in assorted sizes
• Fusion paint for plastic by Krylon (#2332 Sun Dried Tomato)
• Wire in assorted colours, 22-26 gauge
• Assorted decorative beads (see below for more details)
• Assorted charms
• Wire cutters and pliers
• A screw, nail or pencil
• Plastic container, potting soil and assorted flowering plants

Revive plain wicker baskets with style and make them look even better than new with Fusion paints by Krylon. This revolutionary paint for plastic also achieves amazing results on other surfaces, including wood and, as we see today, wicker. The paint's special formula creates a spectacular weather-resistant finish.

The best way to paint wicker baskets is by spray-painting them. Unlike using a paintbrush, spraying gets the paint into all the nooks and grooves evenly. The EZ Touch Fan spray nozzle really makes it easy. The colourful baskets are embellished with bejeweled collars and bead-and-wire bugs, bees and dragonflies.

To begin, make sure the baskets are clean and free of dust, dirt and greasy residues. In a well ventilated area, apply two coats of Fusion paint onto the clean baskets, letting them dry after each coat. Fusion paint dries in about 15 minutes and no top coat is needed. Wait a few hours before decorating the baskets to allow time for the paint to cure.

To make dragonflies: Each dragonfly is made with one small, round, wooden bead, three to four wooden, ribbed barrel-shaped beads, a piece of wire 40 centimetres long for the wings and a piece of wire for the body that is 25 centimetres long.

Thread a barrel bead onto the centre of the short wire and fold the wire in half. Bring the two wire ends close together and thread the remaining beads and head over them. (Use different colours for the head.)

Loop the ends of the wire back around through the head hole to secure it, and curl the wire ends to create the antennae.

Using the longer wire, make the wings in a large figure-eight shape. Twist the figure-eight at the centre to secure it, and then twist again to wrap it around the body. I used combinations of yellow, red and orange beads and coloured wires, alternating the colours for each new creature.

To make bumblebees: Cut a 25-centimetre length of gold wire for the wings. Wrap the length around two fingers to create a figure-eight shape, leaving a two-centimetre end free in the middle of the figure-eight that you'll attach to the bee's body. Make the body using a three-centimetre length of wire onto which you loop a small, round golden glass bead for the head and a ribbed barrel-shaped iridescent bead for the body. Secure each end of the wire with a loop and attach the wings to the body.

Bejeweled basket collars: For the collar itself, cut a length of wire five centimetres longer than the circumference of the basket's rim. Then, make several corkscrews by wrapping a 25-centimetre-long wire around a screw, nail or pencil. Thread assorted beads, corkscrews and charms onto the collar wire. Make a small hook at each end of the now-bejeweled collar wire. Wrap it tightly around the basket's rim (or handle), then hook the two ends together.

Once your beaded critters are completed, secure them to the baskets with short wire lengths.

In plastic containers that fit nicely inside the wicker baskets, add your potting soil and flowers. Place the containers in the baskets. Groupings of blooming baskets in assorted sizes will make quite a welcoming impact on a front porch, steps or deck.

Tips

• Fusion paint can be applied to ceramic, glass, hard vinyl, metal, paper, papier maché, wicker, plaster and wood. And with so many wonderful colours available, the possibilities are endless.

Variations

• Don't discard weathered watering cans, patio furniture or other outdoor items, including children's play sets. Simply revive them with a new coat of Fusion paint. Add lettering and stencil designs for extra panache. I even revamped my metal patio lanterns with the graphite Fusion colour.