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How to Make a Faux Terracotta Clay Beaded Garland

In: DECORATING, DIY Decorating Projects, Fall Decorating Ideas & Projects, High End Dupes

This faux terracotta clay beaded garland was inspired by a set that I saw at Pottery Barn. This DIY uses large wood beads and paint to recreate the look of clay.

This Fall I am on a Pottery Barn lookalike kick! I just love so many of the new Fall items and have been figuring out ways that I can DIY them…then share the tutorials with you!!

Today I am going to show you how I just made a faux terracotta clay beaded garland out of a bag of big wood beads from Amazon.


Fall Decor on a $25 Budget

Today I’m doing an under $25 Fall decor challenge with a few of my blogging friends hosted by Heidi of Eleanor Rose Home. Wait until you see all of the creative ways they decorate on a budget!! If you are coming over from my girl Kelly at The Tattered Pew,,.welcome! I’m Jennifer a life-long New Englander who loves to teach readers how to create high-end looks on a low-end budget!!


This post may include affiliate links; you can read my disclosure policy here.

DIY Faux Clay Bead Garland

Here is my inspiration garland from Pottery Barn.


Spray Paint the wood beads

wood beads and spray paint

To make this beaded garland I started with 20 beads from a bag of 30mm wood beads from Amazon. The bag of 30mm wood beads was under $15 when I purchased them.

In all honestly, I had ordered 50mm beads and they were mislabeled but I decided to just go with it (50mm beads are around 2 inches and the 30mm are a little over an inch each)…so either size works great for a beaded garland (you can check out the faux sea glass beaded garland I made this Summer

To cover the unfinished wood beads I grabbed a can of clay shade spray paint. Looking back on the project I definitely think you could use a can of brown paint too.

wood beads on a dowel

My easy trick for painting the wood beads is to string them onto a dowel and rest it over a box, in this case, an old recycle bin. This way I can turn it and get all the sides of the beads as I spray paint them.

basket of beads painted clay

Once the paint was dry on the beads it was time to move inside to my workshop.

add textured paint

box of plaster of paris

To recreate the textured look of real terracotta clay I mixed together acrylic mocha craft paint with Plaster of Paris. Use any orange-brown craft or chalk paint to recreate this project.

Baking soda would be a perfect substitute and will work just as well as the Plaster of Paris but I had a box handy to use (really you don’t need to run out and buy it for this project).

mixing paint and plaster of paris

What I am trying to create is a chunky mixture of the paint and plaster powder.

painting wood bease

Using a big rounded paintbrush I dipped the brush tips into the paint mixture, tapped off the excess on a paper towel, then dabbed the paintbrush around the wood bead.

painted wood beads

I did let some of the base color peek through, it is going to help the wood beads look more like terracotta clay by building variations in color.

Off track…but don’t they remind you of cinnamon sugar munchkins???

dark wax

brush painting wood bead

After the paint was completely dry I dabbed a small amount of antique wax (Waverly) onto each of the beads. So as not to overdo it with the wax I poured a small amount of wax onto a paper towel, dipped the tip of the brush bristles into the wax, and then tapped my paintbrush on the paper towel to remove most of the wax.

A dark brown acrylic paint would get you the same look

Stringing the bead garland

wood beads and rope

To make the bead garland I used a length of jute rope and wrapped the end with a piece of Scotch tape. That way the rope will pass easily and quickly through the wood beads without the fray ends giving me a hassle.

For this beaded rope garland I did not tie knots between each bead and just strung the beads on so they are touching.

Once I had the 20 beads strung onto the rope I tied a simple knot on each end leaving the loop open so I can attach a tassel.

Adding a tassel

To finish off the bead garland I added a tassel by cutting 40 pieces of thin jute string (20 for each end of the garland). You will want to cut the string to about 8 inches long.

I gathered one of the bunches and ran 19 of the strings through the open loop of the rope and then tightened the rope around them.

With that last jute string, I wrapped it around the bunch and tied a knot.

Then took a pair of scissors to even out the ends of the tassel and repeated the process for the other end of the beaded garland.


Faux Terracotta Clay Beaded Garland

What do you think?? My faux version of the Pottery Barn terracotta clay beads cost me under $15 for 30 beads (I only used 20 so I have some leftover for another project too) and I had the other supplies. The PB version is almost $100.

Fall vignette with beads, vases, and natural elements.

The clay bead garland fits in perfectly with my natural vibe this Fall!

To complete this corner of my console cabinet I added the beads to a $1 thrift store basket, added a couple of the pinecone pumpkins that I made last Fall, and another Pottery Barn knockoff vase that I just made (you can check that out here tomorrow!), vintage books, and a Magnolia jug with my Fall crush…Target’s preserved burgundy eucalyptus stems.

WHite Jug and Bead garland
More High-End Dupes

Budget- Friendly & Beautiful Spring Vases & Planters

moss branches in vase

Easy to Make Moss Branches

New McGee & Co. vs Copycat Budget Finds

How to Paint a Gingerbread House Doormat

Now please go check out Heidi’s cool DIY pumpkin idea that you have to try this Fall! She is a fellow New Englander too so you know I love her just because of that!!


More Fall Décor on a Budget Inspiration
Kitchen Counter Fall Decor
Dried Lavender Wreath
Amazon Fall Favorites
Pumpkin & Books
Fall Décor on a Budget

Eleanor Rose Home | The Country Peony | Green Valley Gable | Stilettos & Shiplap | Cottage In The Mitten

Foraged & Free Fall Décor
Pumpkin Luminary
Pumpkin Tablescape
Pinecones
Faux Terracotta Clay Beads

Le Cultivateur | Midwest Life & Style | Robyn’s French Nest | The Tattered Pew | Cottage on Bunker Hill


Jennifer Howard

cottage on bunker hill

Thanks for stopping by today! Being able to share my projects, DIYs, and decorating ideas with you is amazing. Leave a comment below; I love hearing from you! Feel free to drop me a note here if you have any questions.

Get to know Jennifer.

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group photo from influencer retreat

get to know me

here are a few fun facts…

  1. I’ve lived in New England my entire life! This is good because the beach is my favorite place to be…even in the winter, I love to go breathe in the salt air.
  2. I am an EARLY BIRD!!! I rarely sleep past 4…it’s my favorite time of day and those wee hours are my most productive. (plus, I LOVE coffee!!)
  3. The Gilmore Girls is my favorite all-time TV show…I’ve seen every episode at least 20 times!! “You jump, I jump, Jack” is my #1 favorite. (I.Y.K.Y.K.)

By: Jennifer Howard · In: DECORATING, DIY Decorating Projects, Fall Decorating Ideas & Projects, High End Dupes · Tagged: diy decor, fall decor, home decor

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennie says

    September 26, 2022 at 12:43 pm

    I entered my name and email address and I get a message that says I need a required email. I did enter one.

    Jennie

    Reply
  2. Wendy McMonigle says

    September 20, 2022 at 12:51 pm

    You are so amazing! I love all of the fun DIY projects you make. Would you like to share this one with me on “Meet me in the She shed one day? or is there something else you would be willing to share?

    Reply
  3. Tammy says

    September 19, 2022 at 11:46 am

    Oh my goodness! You know we have been talking about these beads. They turned out amazing and without the big $99 price tag. Love them!!!!

    Reply
  4. Tara @ Stilettos and Shiplap says

    September 11, 2022 at 10:29 pm

    Love this idea. I like anything that looks old, chippy and just a little bit rough around the edges so this is definitely for me! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  5. Rachel Harper says

    September 11, 2022 at 9:11 am

    Jennifer,
    I love those beads! I keep saying I’m going to make some. You’ve inspired me.

    Reply
  6. Kim Hume says

    September 9, 2022 at 10:37 am

    Jennifer, these are fabulous!! I’m sharing them this weekend on my Saturday roundup!!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Howard says

      September 10, 2022 at 7:16 am

      You are the best! Thanks so much, Kim!!

      Reply
  7. Elizabeth Jones says

    September 6, 2022 at 10:34 pm

    I love this DIY! So brilliant. Thank you so much for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Howard says

      September 7, 2022 at 6:07 pm

      Thank you, Elizabeth!!

      Reply
  8. Stacey of Green Valley Gable says

    September 6, 2022 at 9:12 pm

    I am so in love with this DIY! I can’t wait to try it! Pinning for later!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Howard says

      September 7, 2022 at 6:07 pm

      Thanks so much Stacey!!

      Reply
  9. Amy says

    September 6, 2022 at 6:34 pm

    You’re so clever!!! I love these!!

    Reply
  10. Robyn Huff says

    September 6, 2022 at 3:25 pm

    I love a good Pottery Barn dupe! These look amazing!!!

    Reply
  11. Jen says

    September 6, 2022 at 12:28 pm

    Your beads turned out beautifully, Jennifer. You truly are the queen of DIY dupes. I can’t believe what they are charging for the PB version. That is just insane! Pinned so I can try to make my own! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  12. Heidi says

    September 6, 2022 at 10:43 am

    Oh my gosh, I love this Jennifer!!! What a great idea and what a great way to save money! You are creating the most fabulous dupes!

    Reply
  13. Kim says

    September 6, 2022 at 9:57 am

    Is there anything you can’t dupe?! You’re amazing and the beads of course look beautiful! I’ll take a dark blue set! 💙

    Reply
  14. Renae says

    September 6, 2022 at 9:29 am

    This turned out super cute! Great idea. Happy Fall, my friend.

    Reply
  15. Cindy says

    September 6, 2022 at 9:24 am

    These turned out to be so pretty. You are the Queen of PB dupes. Pinned!

    Reply

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