DIY Network

Wall Art With Shelf Go high-concept with this artsy wall installation. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-114

Show off your own inspirations with this clever canvas.

Michele Beschen believes everyone is an artist at heart and should have a chance to show off their creativity. This fun project—a painted canvas with wire sculpture and a built-in shelf—can adapt to showcase just about anything you create. It's a wonderful way to B. Original while you display your projects.

The wired hoop in this project is the same design as those in Michele Beschen's fireplace screen project. You can find plenty of other decorative uses for this versatile piece; B. Original about where you put it in your home!

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Materials:

artist's canvas
gesso primer
paint
macramé hoop
22-gauge wire
24-gauge wire
rigid foam block
silicon glue
plaster casting material

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Prime your canvas and paint it however you choose. Michele Beschen picked neutral colors and abstract patterns to better show off the additional pieces.

• Use silicon glue to adhere a sturdy foam block in one corner of the canvas. Make sure you use a glue that won't eat through the plastic foam.

• Cut the casting material (available at art supply stores) to different lengths. Dip the lengths in water and play over the foam block (figure A). The material will stick to the canvas as it dries.

• Wrap the macramé hoop with 22-gauge wire in a random pattern. This hoop follows the same process as those used in Michele Beschen's project on building a wire fire screen.

• Place the wired hoop on the canvas and wire it to the canvas with 24-gauge wire (figure B). Wrap the wire around the hoop, then poke the wire ends through the canvas and wrap them together at the back. You may need to use a needle if you have trouble poking the wire through the painted canvas.

• Add other elements to the canvas as desired. You may want to paint additional designs on the canvas, paint the shelf or even attach additional objects.

Remember, you can always add to this fun 3-D collage (figure C). It's an ever-changing gallery for your original ideas.