Stray Dog Designs Knock Off Cactus Set

Add a pop of color and some “sharp”decorative accessories to your space this summer with this Knock-Off Stray Dog Designs cactus set! 

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Please tell me that you have heard of Stray Dog Designs!? They are a little bit funky and a lot of fun! This company is known for its colorful and wacky furniture and accessory design. Every item boasts a gamut of colors and is handmade, which you can’t say very often these days.

I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home on any budget! However, sometimes I come across things I love that are WAY out of my budget. That is where I have to roll up my sleeves and get a little bit crafty!

Decorating with pieces from Stray Dog Designs might be overwhelming to many of us, but using their pieces minimally in a room, can add such a fun and whimsical vibe to a space!

Since summer is in full swing, I have been thinking a lot about outdoor entertaining and accessories that would add some fun and funk to an outdoor space.

Enter…the cactus! This summer is all about cacti and there are a million craft projects on Pinterest to prove it!

I came across the Papier Mache Potted Cactus Set from Stray Dog Designs and fell IN LOVE! But with a whopping price tag of $335, there’s no way I could bring those adorable paper mache cacti home! (Yes, it’s supposed to be papier in the name of the set.)

I thought that my cacti dreams were over until my “weekly” trip to Michaels. Stocked on the shelves were cacti in all different shapes and sizes! And better yet, they were 60% off! I picked up eight cacti in a couple of different shapes and sizes. I used a can of color max Krylon satin spray paint in the color sea glass, because I already had it and love the color. It is a little lighter than the aqua color seen on Stray Dog Designs, but I actually like it better.

DETAILS to DIY the cactus set:

Materials Needed:

1. Large cacti

2. Small assorted cacti (similar ones here and here)

3. Krylon Colormax sea glass spray paint 

4.  Model Air Clay

5.  Glue gun

STEP 1

I sprayed the cacti with one coat of color max Krylon sea glass spray paint. I placed the cacti on a 2×4 to raise them up a little bit and made sure to spray from every angle (front, right, back, and left). Then I let them dry for the recommended amount of time. (Make sure to hold your spray can several inches away from the object you are spraying. Otherwise you will get drip marks.)

STEP 2

After the first coat was dry I checked each cactus for any unpainted areas and other defected areas. I realized that the fake dirt in a couple of the cacti had sunk into the pot. In order to remedy this, I placed some air hardening clay around the base of the cacti to build the dirt back up. I also added some glue from a hot glue gun to level the uneveness. Next, I sprayed a second coat of spray paint and allowed it to dry.

Finished Cactus Set

This project ended up being super easy and worth the effort.  I think they turned out perfect for outdoor or indoor summer accessories!   My cactus set only cost me $22 and a little time compared to $335! I’m digging the color and like it even more than the aqua seen on Stray Dog Designs. I think my cactus set turned out pretty “sharp!” Wink. Wink.

Next week, in a sneak peek of my daughter’s nursery, you can check out which of these three fantastic pendant lights I chose from Stray Dog Designs for her room!  (See which light I chose and the sneak peek here.)

 

 

Safety note: Always wear eye protection, and spray in a well ventilated area…preferably outside. (You might accidentally spray yourself in the eye and face with the spray paint like I did! Who does that!? Clearly I need more sleep!) If you can’t spray outside, use a respirator mask and open a window.