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Mosaic Sunglasses – oversized wall art

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I don’t have a link for you today. No tutorial to send you to, no blog post or artist gallery. The pictures I’m showing you here are off of my cruddy cell phone. A couple of months ago my oldest son had an appointment, and that meant I had some time to kill. So I called a friend who was familiar with the neighboring town of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. It was cold, snowy and slushy, and the town wasn’t really hopping the way it might have been in the summer months. So I asked my friend if there were any thrift stores or consignment shops I could kill some time in. She mentioned a cool store she had always wanted to go in called Uncle Hunk’s Junk. That sounded like my kind of place!

Unfortunately for me Uncle Hunk’s Junk closed some time ago. The building is still there as are some of the decorations and props. It’s now home to the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce. There’s still a mannequin torso and legs suspended from the ceiling and these awesome mosaic sunglasses.

The sunglasses were probably four feet across, I only wish I had my actual camera with me instead of my phone. There’s not much information available about the old store online. There’s a great photo here of the outside of the building from a few years ago. The photo above is from the chamber’s website. See the amazing mural? It’s still there, no one painted over it. How could they? It’s too cool. Be sure to visit that link too, more amazing mural on the other side! The murals were painted by Florida artist, Christopher Burlini.

So if you are ever in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, make sure you stop by the chamber in the old Uncle Hunk’s Junk building. They’ll even give you a card for a local coffee shop good for a free cup of coffee. 🙂 Heck, if you’re even in Elkhorn, look me up, I’ll go with you!

In closing, here’s a couple of cruddy close ups (sorry, cell phone yuk) of the mosaic sunglasses. These were so fun.

Comments

  1. I LOVE this photo of the Mosaic Sunglasses! My husband is the Operations Manager of the largest eyeglass recycling centere in the world. We volunteer 60 hours a week to help provide donated eyeglasses to those in need around the world…it’s an awesome experience. This is gorgeous!!!!! Wish I’d thought of it!!
    Thanks for sharing this photo.

Have you read?

DIY Farmhouse Christmas Bells Review – An Easy Rustic Ornament You Can Make on a Budget

There is something very satisfying about a Christmas craft that looks far more expensive than it actually is, and these DIY Farmhouse Christmas Bells definitely fall into that category. This project takes a very simple base, a large plastic cup, and transforms it with nautical rope, ribbon, small silver bells, and boxwood sprigs into a rustic hanging decoration with lovely farmhouse charm. It is a clever upcycling-style project that feels festive without being fussy.

What I really like about this one is that it gives that high-end holiday decor look without asking you to buy anything too complicated. If you have ever spotted oversized rustic bell decorations in stores and thought, “That is cute, but I am not paying that much for it,” this is exactly the kind of craft that scratches that itch. The tutorial wraps rope around the outside of the cup, leaves extra rope for hanging, then finishes the piece with a simple bow and bits of greenery.

It is also the sort of project that suits a lot of decorating styles. Even though it is called farmhouse, it would work just as nicely in a coastal Christmas theme, a neutral holiday scheme, or even tucked into a wreath or entryway display. The rope gives it texture, the ribbon softens it, and the little bells add just enough festive detail without making it feel overdone.

Another thing I appreciate is that this is not an intimidating holiday craft. You do not need special cutting machines, sewing skills, or a giant stash of supplies to make it work. The materials list is short, and the method is straightforward enough for a relaxed afternoon craft session. It is very beginner friendly, which is always a win during the busy holiday season when patience can be in a bit short supply and glitter somehow ends up on absolutely everything.

This would be a lovely project for:

  • front door decor
  • Christmas tree ornaments
  • mantel styling
  • gift toppers for oversized presents
  • rustic holiday centerpieces

I can also see these working beautifully in a pair or trio, especially since the tutorial suggests repeating the process for a second bell and even mentions making a third. Grouped together, they would have much more visual impact and give that styled, boutique-look finish people love at Christmas.

For crafters who enjoy budget Christmas decorating ideas, DIY farmhouse ornaments, or easy rustic Christmas crafts, this one is worth a look. It is creative, achievable, and has that nice balance of homemade charm and polished finish.

My take? This is a sweet and practical holiday project that turns humble supplies into something festive and display-worthy. It is especially appealing if you love neutral Christmas decor, rope accents, and crafts that look good without costing a fortune.