Chicken Wire Cloche

Unleash your creativity and elevate your home decor with these charming, budget-friendly cloches!

Transform Dollar Tree Wire Baskets into Stylish Chicken Wire-Inspired Cloches

Welcome to an exciting DIY journey where we transform humble Dollar Tree baskets into beautiful, vintage-inspired wire cloches. This project proves that stunning home decor doesn’t have to break the bank!

Inspired by ingenious crafting, such as The Gathering Place’s fantastic version, we’re diving into our unique take on these delightful decorative pieces. Get ready to add a touch of farmhouse charm or rustic elegance to your living space with minimal effort and cost.

Cloches, traditionally bell-shaped glass covers used to protect plants, have evolved into beloved decorative accents. They effortlessly elevate everyday objects into captivating displays, adding a layer of sophistication and intrigue. While store-bought cloches can be pricey, our DIY version offers the same aesthetic appeal for a fraction of the cost, utilizing readily available items from your local Dollar Tree.

Gathering Your Budget-Friendly Materials

The beauty of this project lies in its simplicity and affordability. For our primary materials, we’re looking no further than Dollar Tree’s aisles. You’ll need:

Wire Baskets: We specifically used a taller wire trash can and a smaller wire basket that originally came with a handle. Look for baskets with an open-weave or “chicken wire-like” pattern to achieve that desirable rustic look. Different sizes allow for varied display options, creating an appealing vignette when grouped together.
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in “Old White”: This paint is fantastic for achieving an aged, matte finish without extensive prep work. “Old White” provides a classic, versatile base that complements nearly any decor style.
Drawer Pulls: These will serve as the elegant “handle” for the top of your cloches. We found ours at Hobby Lobby, but any craft store or even online retailers will offer a wide selection. Choose a style that complements your desired aesthetic – vintage, modern, or whimsical.

Essential Tools for Your DIY Project

A few basic tools will make this project smooth and enjoyable:

Wire Cutters: Absolutely essential for modifying the baskets. If your small basket has a handle, wire cutters will help you remove it cleanly. They’re also useful for any minor adjustments to the wire structure.
Dremel Tool (Optional, but Recommended): This handy rotary tool is perfect for trimming any excess screw length from your drawer pulls, ensuring a flush and secure attachment to the basket. If you don’t have one, sturdy pliers or a hacksaw might work, but exercise caution.
Small Paintbrush: For dry brushing the chalk paint. A natural bristle brush works well for creating texture.
Protective Surface: A drop cloth or old newspaper to protect your work area from paint.
Safety Glasses: Always recommended when working with wire cutters or power tools.

Step-by-Step Cloche Transformation

Let’s get started on transforming these everyday items into captivating decor!

Step 1: Preparing Your Wire Baskets

First, inspect your Dollar Tree baskets. The tall one we used was a simple wire trash can, perfectly sized for larger displays. The smaller one was a basket that came with a built-in handle. For the small basket, the handle needs to be removed to create a clean, cloche-like dome. Using your wire cutters, carefully snip away the points where the handle attaches to the basket. Work slowly and precisely to avoid bending the main structure of the basket. Ensure all sharp edges are smoothed or tucked away for safety.

Step 2: Dry Brushing for an Aged Aesthetic

Now for the fun part – painting! We chose Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in “Old White” for its ability to create a beautiful, aged, and slightly distressed finish. The dry brushing technique is key here:

Dip your paintbrush into the chalk paint, then wipe off almost all the excess paint onto a paper towel or scrap piece of cardboard. You want very little paint on the brush – just enough to leave a subtle trace.
Lightly drag the brush over the wire baskets and the handle you just removed. The goal is not to achieve full, opaque coverage, but to create a “kissed” effect, allowing some of the original metal to show through. This technique mimics the look of naturally weathered and aged metal, giving your cloches that sought-after vintage charm.
Apply multiple thin layers if desired, allowing each layer to dry slightly before adding more. This builds depth and texture. The result will be a beautiful, almost ethereal white wash that highlights the wire’s intricate pattern, making it truly resemble antique chicken wire. Let the paint dry completely, which usually takes about 20-30 minutes for chalk paint.

Step 3: Attaching Decorative Drawer Pulls

The drawer pull will serve as the elegant finial or handle for your cloche, making it easy to lift and adding a refined touch. Position the drawer pull at the very top center of your inverted basket. Most drawer pulls come with a screw that extends quite far. Since the wire basket is thin, you’ll likely have excess screw length. This is where the Dremel tool comes in handy. Carefully use the Dremel to cut off the excess part of the screw, ensuring it doesn’t protrude too much into the cloche, which could scratch items placed underneath. Secure the drawer pull tightly. If the wire mesh is too large for the screw, you can use a small washer on the inside to provide a more stable base.

Step 4: Repurposing the Removed Handle

Sustainability and creative repurposing are at the heart of many DIY projects. Instead of discarding the handle you removed from the small basket, let’s give it a new life! While we forgot to snap a “before” picture of the original handle on the basket, the dry-brushed finish has transformed it beautifully. Consider these ideas for its new purpose:

Miniature Display Stand: Place it horizontally and use it to elevate a small candle or a delicate figurine.
Tiered Tray Accent: Incorporate it into a tiered tray display for added height and texture.
Jewelry Holder: With a little bending, it could become a rustic ring holder or a perch for small earrings.
Label Holder: Attach a small tag to it and use it to label containers in your pantry or craft room.

This commitment to using every part of a repurposed item not only reduces waste but also sparks further creativity. Do you find yourself constantly thinking of new ways to repurpose items? It’s a satisfying challenge!

The Allure of the Cloche: Why Everything Looks Better Underneath

There’s an undeniable magic about cloches. They create a focal point, drawing the eye to whatever is placed beneath their protective dome. Our finished cloches, with their delicate wire mesh and aged white finish, subtly mimic the timeless appeal of mini chicken wire, adding texture and interest without overpowering the item displayed.

The eternal question lingers: Why do things look better under cloches? It’s a combination of several factors:

Protection and Preservation: Historically, cloches protected plants. This association translates into a sense of care and preservation for the items displayed within, making them seem more precious.
Framing and Isolation: A cloche acts like a frame, isolating the object from its surroundings and giving it individual importance. It transforms an ordinary item into a curated display.
Added Dimension and Height: It literally elevates the object, adding visual interest and varying heights to your decor arrangements.
Curiosity and Intrigue: The transparent (or semi-transparent, in our wire version) barrier creates a sense of curiosity, inviting closer inspection.
Vintage Charm: The very form of a cloche often evokes a sense of nostalgia, bringing vintage or farmhouse charm to any setting.

Styling Your New Cloches

Now that you’ve crafted your beautiful cloches, it’s time to unleash their decorative power. Here are some ideas for what to place underneath and how to style them:

Faux Fruit & Vegetables: As the playful “I’m a plastic pear, look at me!” suggests, even simple artificial fruits are instantly elevated. A single piece or a small cluster becomes a sophisticated statement.
Seasonal Decor: Change out the items to match the season. Think miniature pumpkins or gourds for fall, sparkly ornaments for winter, tiny nests and eggs for spring, or seashells for summer.
Candles & Fairy Lights: Place a flameless candle or a strand of delicate fairy lights under a cloche for a magical glow.
Small Plants & Succulents: If your cloche is wire, it allows for airflow. Small potted plants or succulents look charming.
Treasured Keepsakes: Display a beloved figurine, a vintage teacup, or a special souvenir. The cloche protects it while showcasing its beauty.
Collections: Group small, similar items like antique keys, buttons, or thimbles under a cloche to create a curated collection display.

“I’m a plastic pear, look at me!” — Under the cloche, even everyday objects gain a spotlight.

And when there’s a group of us, we really impress! Multiple cloches create a dynamic and rich display.

If you have something screaming for attention, put it under a cloche. It’s the ultimate spotlight for your cherished items!

Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Cloches

Q: Can I use different colors of chalk paint?: A: Absolutely! While “Old White” gives a classic farmhouse look, feel free to experiment with other colors like graphite for a dramatic look, or softer pastels for a shabby chic vibe. The dry brushing technique will work beautifully with any color.
Q: What if my Dollar Tree doesn’t have these exact baskets?: A: Don’t worry! Look for any wire baskets or even small waste bins that have a similar mesh structure. The key is to find something that can be inverted to form a dome and is made of a material that can be painted.
Q: Do I need to seal the chalk paint?: A: For items that won’t see heavy wear and tear, sealing isn’t strictly necessary with chalk paint, especially on wire. However, if you want added durability or a slightly different finish, you could apply a clear wax or a matte polycrylic topcoat.
Q: Are these cloches safe for food?: A: These are intended for decorative purposes only. The paint is not food-safe, and the wire baskets themselves are not designed for direct food contact. Please use them for display items only.

Conclusion: Your Next Budget-Friendly Decor Project Awaits!

Creating these chicken wire-like cloches from Dollar Tree baskets is a wonderfully rewarding DIY project. It’s an opportunity to exercise your creativity, save money, and add truly unique, personalized touches to your home. The aged finish, combined with the subtle texture of the wire, brings a timeless elegance that belies their humble origins. So, head to your nearest Dollar Tree, grab a few baskets, and start transforming your space today. We can’t wait to see what beautiful displays you create!

Sharing Inspiration

We love to share and be inspired by the creative community. Check out these fantastic sources for more DIY ideas and inspiration:

Addicted to Decorating
Chatty Chicks
The Southern Product Queen
Uncommon Designs
Redoux
A Stroll Thru Life
DIY Designs