Did you know that coconuts make great storage units? They can easily be transformed into any sort of cup/tray/organiser to hold everything from make up or jewellery to paint brushes and candy. I actually got this idea from my boyfriend; I said I didn’t like coconut water and so he got some whole coconuts to prove me wrong. I still don’t like the taste of them but I did get the idea of using the shell for a quick DIY project :). I experimented a bit with different colours and techniques, and I prefer to decorate just the rim of the shell and leave the rest, I think the coconut skin (?) looks pretty cool as it is. Here are two coconutty jewellery holders I made and now use to store bracelets/bigger rings and earrings. See below for a tutorial.
DIY
The messy part is opening the coconut. There are two ways to do this. One is to cut it with a saw; this leaves an even and straight edge. The other way is to break it with a hammer and a wrench; this results in a somewhat more natural, frayed edge. Either way, watch out for the coconut water! Then all you have to do is eat or remove the actual coconut fruit so you are left with only the shell.
Here are two options for prettifying the shell: For the first option you need some wooden beads, glue and acrylic paints in a few coordinating colours. I used a shallow coconut shell with an even edge and the end result turned out to be a great earring holder. First paint the beads and let them dry. Then glue them onto the edge of the shell.
For the second option I painted the edge of a coconut with three coats of yellow paint. I think this technique looks best if the edge is frayed.
Of course you don’t have to use these to organise jewellery, they also make pretty candy dishes :)
Love this idea! I’m going to try it tonight :)
This is so cute.will try it out soon
This is the cutest idea! I am so trying this and painting the trim pink (of course!)
I’ve been to Surinam last year and they do this there too! They use empty squash shells, which is nice because they’re very thin and you can carve patterns in the shell. Because they’ve been doing this since forever ago they’re really good at it and they look awesome as well – if you want I can send you a picture :) This is easier though, which is nice because I only got one, and have more jewelry than actually fits :P and I like the coconutty look of this ^^
Pretty cool! You have a brilliant mind – Like it so much!
Reblogged this on From Javeriya's Perspective.
reblogging this on http://javeriyasayeed.wordpress.com/ :)
I have about 6 shells – thank for sharing this idea with us, I can finally use them for some good purpose!
this is so freakin awesomel! that is really such a creative idea, I love it, its funky, its earthy and its useful:)
Love this!
love it!
Reblogged this on lifeinhandbags and commented:
Just saw this post and think its a pretty awesome and really sweet idea, one i will be trying out, hopefully mine look as good as these!
Peace, Love and Handbags xoxo
Love it! I do the same thing with my earrings, only I use an old teacup instead. You’ve got me thinking of a luau-themed party now!
xo
Very creative and practical!
I really want to do a pingback on my site on this idea.
Could anyone tell me how we do that on WordPress? I’ve done two hours of research and still can’t figure it out. (Not the most computer literate). I did do a link to this site, but I don’t think it then comes back to let you know I did that.
How funny! I’ve had a coconut half on my bathroom counter since high school holding lile odds and ends, bobby pins, hair tyes, necklaces, and so forth.
Great idea, I am sharing this!
This is so very cool!! thanks for sharing the idea!
Reblogged this on Teenage Storm and commented:
Into-Mind is a fantastic blog, with great creative DIY ideas :) Its light, smart and I’ve made sure I’m following it. Make sure you do too. :)
vERY, VERY CUTE.
Oh, by the way, I went to the health food store because I wanted to try coconut water. I bought it, took a big gulp of it and wanted to spit it out. Sorry for the visual, but it tasted like oily water to me. Am I missing something? maybe I just got a bad batch?lol. I guess it’s healthy tho?
this is so adorable!
LOVE the idea
xxx
Daria, the Fashionsurfer
My daughter is going to LOVE this one!
I love this!
Awesome!!!
Am really liking this idea. I need one for my earrings and I think I may do a cocnut scented candle in another. I now, I’m totally original!! :)
i LOVE it! I know what i’m doing next weekend :)
very creative!
this is totally GENIUS!!!!! i really want to try this, if i do i’ll let you know okay?! love the bright paint lining the rim as well!!
xo, k
So cute!
I love this idea!
Incredibly creative, love it.
What a great idea! Gives me some great ideas for beach-themed weddings!
I am not into marshmallows, but your last image almost makes me wish I was! Great post.
Also, to enjoy coconut water you really need to be on the beach in Brazil :-)
This is so practical and gorgeous at the same time! Both methods are pretty, but I think I like the second one better. The yellow paint suits it perfectly :)
Fantastic idea.
You have a very great blog.
Maybe you would take a look at mine.
– http://vickie-schmidt.blogspot.com/.
//Vickie
What a great idea. Very clever :) Nice photos too.
Very Creative and artistic!
Gorgeous.
These are amazing! The yellow looks fantastic!
What a great idea… Would love to use this at a party for serving/decorating!
These are beautiful. Great idea, thanks for sharing!
this is a seriously cool idea! totes trying when i get my hands on a coconut! haha
http://www.dragonnfruit.com
lovely! I have a coconut I brought from back Thailand on holiday and this will be a great way to keep it as a happy reminder.
veri good idea
Cool idea.
love this idea …. so simple yet amazing!
What a fun project! I like the natural look of the shells.
How clever are you? This a very cute idea.
Jess
Cool idea.
cute!
I love this post!!! What a great idea. Now I need to get a coconut.
Did you make these & Shoot you do the photography too? Very Cute!…And your crafts aren’t bad either…
this is Great.!! thanks, this has been the practice in my country ever since.. there was an argument that coconut should be our national tree and not the mango..