Last weekend I got inspired after visiting a friend's beach house—everything was so cozy and coastal-themed, you know, shells, driftwood, rope accents, the whole deal. Came home determined to recreate that vibe without spending a fortune. Ended up making this cute driftwood mirror frame and some rope-wrapped candle holders. Turned out pretty decent actually, though my glue gun skills could use some work, lol. Curious if anyone else has tried making their own beach-inspired decor and how it turned out?
Nice job on the driftwood mirror frame! I've done something similar before, but instead of driftwood, I used weathered pallet wood to make a rustic coastal shelf. It turned out pretty decent, though sanding it down took way longer than expected...lesson learned there.
"though my glue gun skills could use some work, lol."
Haha, totally relate—hot glue always seems easy until you're peeling it off your fingers for days afterward.
Have you considered skipping the glue gun altogether? I mean, it's quick and convenient, but I've found wood glue or construction adhesive holds up way better long-term, especially if your decor will be exposed to humidity (like in a bathroom or near a window). Yeah, it takes longer to dry, but it saves you from the finger-peeling drama later...maybe worth the extra drying time?
I've had mixed results with glue guns myself. They're great for quick fixes, but yeah, humidity is their kryptonite. I tried making some driftwood frames once for our bathroom (trying for that beach cottage vibe without spending a ton), and after a few weeks, pieces started popping off from the steam. Switched to wood glue after sanding down the surfaces a bit, and they've stayed solid ever since.
If you're worried about drying time, you might wanna try a faster-setting wood glue. Titebond has a "Quick & Thick" version that sets up pretty fast. It's pricier than regular wood glue but still cheaper overall than construction adhesive tubes, especially if you're only doing smaller decor projects. Plus, one bottle lasts forever if you store it right. Just clamp or tape your pieces together tightly during drying, and you're good to go.
Another trick I've used is clear silicone caulk—it's cheap, waterproof, and holds up surprisingly well in humid spots. It's more flexible than wood glue too, so if your decor is lightweight or has uneven surfaces (like shells or rough driftwood), it can actually work better. Just be careful applying it—stuff can get messy quick.
Anyway, totally agree about skipping the glue gun for anything near moisture. Learned that one the hard way...
Good call on silicone caulk—used it myself for a shell mosaic backsplash in our guest bath. Held up great even with daily showers. One tip though: wear disposable gloves when applying. Learned that after spending forever scrubbing dried silicone off my fingers. Wood glue's solid too, but silicone's flexibility is handy for uneven surfaces like shells or driftwood.
