DIY WALL FISH TANK
Hello, hello!! And happy APRIL! I feel like I was just writing a life lately update, and that was over a month ago. But we're back, and today with what may be the best (and easiest) "DIY" of all time.
Preface/edit: PLEASE note that I am not a fish care expert and I am not posting this as a fish care expert. I've owned many fish in the past, and I personally sought advice from an experienced fish caretaker and my local pet store before moving forward with this project, and you should too! With any situation, do your own research and ask questions first. Also, I'd like to make it clear that I am monitoring Scotch very closely, as I am here every day, and all signs point to him being happy and healthy in his home. Should that change at any point, I will handle it promptly! Scotch is family!
Everyone, meet Scotch. (Scotch as in scotch bonnet, because he is spicy!) I've seen this style of tank a few times in the last few years, and after my recent studio cleanup and design, I decided to finally make it happen!
SUPPLIES:
- 11.2" wall-mount fish tank or larger
- 1, 18x24" piece of watercolor paper OR 12x12" watermelon printout (see below)
- paintbrush and acrylic paint
- scissors, pencil, craft knife
- screw or long nail
- coordinating tool- either a drill with matching bit or hammer
- tap water + water conditioner
- colored aquarium rocks
- tank prop- here's mine!
- fish tank thermometer
- 1 moss ball, 2 tank snails, and a betta fish, and fish food
I am so thrilled with this little project. It's so easy. Order your fish tank and supplies, and then go to your local pet store to pick up the living pieces- fish, moss ball, and snails. For our size of tank, it was recommended that we get one fish, one moss ball (a natural tank cleaner and filter), and two small snails (also a tank cleaner). I linked to a similar fish tank and my exact contents, but obviously you can make it a different color scheme! I got a half-moon betta because he was gorgeous and he had been there for awhile. I wanted to get him out of there!
When you get your tank, the back will have a brown paper sticker to protect it. Peel that off! (This step took me FOREVER. It was really on there.) After you have that paper off, lay it back down on the watercolor paper and trace around the tank and hanging hole with the pencil. Using the craft knife, go ahead and cut out the hole that matches up to the hanging hole on the tank.
At this point, get creative! Use your acrylic paint and brushes to make a little painting that will go behind your tank. You can use splatters, stripes, or try your hand at an abstract painting. I went with an abstract with some rainbows thrown in! I'm attaching a jpg below with one of my watermelon prints, if you'd like to skip this step and have it printed anywhere you print posters! (FedEx, Kinkos, Staples...you get it!)
If you paint it, allow your painting to dry overnight, and then cut it out.
My 18x24" paper + cut out circle for the tank. I made the mistake of not cutting my nail hole first, so I had to do it after!
Choose where you will hang your tank. It's gonna be heavy, so try to find an area with a stud! I have wood paneling, so this made this step very easy for me, and I was also able to use a long nail for mine. Using either your screw or nail (a screw is going to hold better), choose your spot and screw or hammer it in! Hang your tank art on it, and then hank your wall mounted tank over it and make sure it lines up.
Load your rocks, water, thermometer, and props in the tank! Use around 12-14* drops (*Read the back of your water conditioner carefully and calculate) and let the water condition for 24 hours. Acclimate your fish for a couple of hours in the room your tank is in, and then bombs away! Add him, the moss ball, and the snails to the party.
Done! You've got a crazy cool wall decoration! I've heard you can put a water plant in, but do check with your pet provider and make sure it's safe first!
Don't feel like painting? Heres an image you can print at home and collage or have printed at your local poster-printing store! You'll need a 12x12" printout. (***NOTE*** This image is for personal, private use. Please do not recreate, resell, or sell items with this image on it. With questions, reach out at hello@megancarn.com.)
Tag me if you decide to try it out! I'm excited to see everyone's fish tanks!!
xx
Art Crush: WillaHeart
It has been SUCH a long time since I've posted an Art Crush on this blog. Don't get me wrong, I've had a few in the last year and a half! But, I've never really committed to sitting down and making the post. Today, I'm back on the #artcrush wagon, and for good reason: Aly Harris, artist and owner of Willa Heart!
Last fall? winter? (it was sometime last year), I taught a class in Columbia, and I met a few people-- some from way out of town, some who ended up reselling their paintings from the class and copying and selling others of mine (yikes), and the star of this show, Alyssa Jill Harris. Aly lived about an hour away and told me she was thinking of putting her art "out there", and was the sweetest thing. I liked her even without her art! I commissioned her to make an amazing piece for a good friend of mine that Christmas, and it was fate from there.
We exchanged numbers, and over the course of the last almost year, we have become close friends. I commissioned her to make an amazing piece for a good friend of mine that Christmas, and it was fate from there! She's originally from Boston and has a LIT eye for style and design, a great business sense, and has really helped me in a ton of ways over the last few months! Don't be jealous, but we definitely text. And also go to sushi, so.
Not only does Aly paint fabulous chinoiserie creatures and plant-life, she also prints fabric and is an excellent seamstress. She has a full range of prints and pillows on her site, and recently, she painted a full set of original fancy dogs for her first original release! (they've gone really quickly, but there are still a few left: find them here!) I love her sense of color, I love that multiple pieces can be hung together, I love that they are well-priced... I love everything about it! The prints at Willa Heart are awesome too- Aly has done a great job of creating multiple pieces that can go together or separately, and they come in multiple sizes. I love the two below very much and I also love "Tao and Fang"! (It's one of Andrew's faves too.)
Aly and I are planning some cool things and will be announcing those at some point-- if not this year, next! If you're on Instagram, follow her @willaheart and drop a comment saying hi! I'm sure she would love that. Enjoy your weekend, everyone! (And if you're in SC, good luck not melting.)
xx