Are you enchanted by those stunning giant wood nutcrackers from Arhaus but found the price tag a bit daunting? Well, here’s the good news – you can recreate the same look at home for a fraction of the cost! Arhaus might be charging $150 each for their colossal nutcrackers, but with this simple and beginner-friendly DIY, you can have your own faux brass nutcrackers in less than 30 minutes, and all at an affordable price.
Believe it or not, I managed to make various sizes of these eye-catching nutcrackers for under $60, and if you opt for the giant ones alone, it could cost you less than $50 for all the necessary supplies. I can’t even begin to tell you how shook you will be with how they look once you do them for yourself!
Now, you might be wondering about the black nutcrackers in the photo. Full disclosure: those are from last year’s DIY project. I initially aimed for an all-black matte finish but never quite fell in love with the result. That’s why I decided to give them a makeover this year, and the process worked like a charm on both the previously painted black and raw wood nutcrackers. So, whether you’re upcycling like I did or starting from scratch, you’re sure to adore the final result!
Supplies
Rustoleum Metalic Gold Spray Paint
Small Wood Nutcrackers (set of 5)
Small wood Nutcrackers (set of 6)
Large Nutcracker Christmas Tree
How to Make Your Own DIY Faux Brass Nutcrackers
- Prepare the Surface: Lightly sand any rough wood grain edges or angles, with a particular focus on the bases. This step ensures a smooth and polished final look.
- Dust Off Loose Particles: After sanding, use a tack cloth to remove all loose sawdust before moving on to painting.
- Apply Zinser Shellac: Spray your nutcrackers with two light coats of Zinser Shellac. While it’s recommended to wait for each coat to dry completely, if you’re a bit impatient (like me), waiting just one minute between coats can suffice.
- Spray with Metallic Gold Paint: Following the shellac coats, apply two light coats of gold metallic spray paint in the same order. Allow a 30-minute drying period before handling.
- Let Them Cure: To ensure the paint cures completely, let your nutcrackers dry overnight.
- Adorn Your Home: Now comes the fun part! Decorate your home with these fabulous brass nutcrackers that look as good as the store-bought ones.
As always, we’d love to hear about your experiences with our “DIY Faux Brass Nutcrackers” tutorial and how it brought a touch of elegance to your home. For more gift ideas and seasonal inspiration, explore our other blogs. And don’t forget to visit our social channels, where we share videos of various DIY projects for your home. Happy crafting!
Stay updated by joining our newsletter, offering a monthly dose of new recipes and a first look at upcoming projects.
MORE COZY KITCHEN RECIPES:
If you’re hungry for more, explore our collection of Cozy Kitchen Recipes. Another healthy favorite is the “Sausage Potato Veggie Bake.” Find these recipes and more here.
DIY RESOURCES:
For additional resources, check out our DIY Tutorials, offering a wealth of information to enhance your home improvement skills.
I love these. My grandkids will live them too!
Thanks for the inspiration
yay, they are definitely going to love playing with them!