DIY Tribal Wood Bowl Makeover
It's the second edition of the Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge for 2017. As a quick reminder, we each take a secondhand item, and upcycle into something new and fresh for the home. You can really find so many treasures in a thrift store -- and the affordable price point gives you freedom to be creative! This month, I'm showing you how to give a basic wood bowl a custom look. There are 30 bloggers participating, so you will have plenty of inspiration for your next visit to a thrift store.

The Rules:
- Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
- There's no monthly theme.
- There's no budget to stick to.
Meet the Hosts
Amanda | The Kolb Corner Maureen | Red Cottage Chronicles Kim | Made in a Day
Dru | Polka Dot Poplars Erlene | My Pinterventures Colleen | Life on Kaydeross Creek
Shirley | Intelligent Domestications Debra | Shoppe No. 5 Marie | DIY Adulation
Chelsea | The Johnsons Plus Dog Jes | My DIY Envy Lindsay | Crazy Organized
Molly | Just a Little Creativity Ashley | 3 Little Greenwoods Kimm | Reinvented
Jeannee | Shepherds and Chardonnay Sue | A Purdy Little House Sara | Twelve on Main
Claire | Pillar Box Blue Chelc | Inside the Fox Den Kim | Farmhouse Made
Victoria | Dazzle While Frazzled Michelle | Our Crafty Mom Pili | Sweet Things
Sherry | Savvy Apron Jennifer and Vicki | 2 Bees in a Pod Lora | Craftivity Designs
Megan | C'mon Get Crafty Denise | My Thrifty House Toni | Small Home Soul
Ann | Duct Tape and Denim
Make sure you follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!
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What are your favorite items to collect at a thrift store? I'm a sucker for baskets, vintage art, and decorative bowls -- to name a few. This black wooden bowl was one of those finds -- and it has been handy to hold crayons, puzzle pieces, and more. It doesn't have much personality, though, and I was ready to give it a more custom look.

**Affiliate links are included in this post.
Supplies: DIY Tribal Wood Bowl
Wood Bowl {similar}
Chalk Marker
Clear Coat Spray

Instructions: DIY Tribal Wood Bowl
Step 1: Start by giving the bowl a quick wipe-down, making sure to remove dust and residue from the surface of the bowl.

Step 2: Settle on the tribal, or geometric design, you want to create. I liked a mix of lines, angles, and circles. My camera broke in the middle of this project, so I don't have in-process shots, but I'll do my best to explain.

Step 3: Begin by drawing lines with a chalk marker. I love Super Chalk Markers and have used them for several projects including an Aztec Console Table and a Prayer Chalkboard. I drew lines from the base of the bowl to the top edge, each approximately 1.5" apart. I did not measure. To me, the imperfection of a hand drawn tribal design is part of the appeal.
Step 4: After I completed each line, I drew the angles to create a "fishbone" effect on the line.
Step 5: Next, I added rows of circles between each "fishbone" line. They looked busy, so I colored them in and made solid circles.

Step 6: At the end of each circle row, I added either a plus sign or solid triangle.
I should note, I was really making this up as I went. There is no reason to overthink a craft project, like this tribal bowl. Be creative!
Step 7: To highlight the shape of the bowl, I outlined the upper rim and the pedestal base.

Step 8: Finally, to accent the pedestal, I added alternating arrows and dots on the base.
Step 9: In order to protect the chalk lines, apply a light coat of Clear Spray onto the finished bowl.
[Tweet "How to makeover a wood bowl with a tribal style. #RepurposeIt @CraftivityD "]
And now for more thrifty goodness!
Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!






Cute fun upcycle!
Thanks!
Lora - this tribal bowl is fantastic! Love your creativity!
Thanks!!
At first glance, it did not look like chalk paint! Great job. Visiting from Thrift Store Challenge.
Fun way to update a boring pedestal bowl! It looks great.
I have a weakness for thrifted baskets, lamps, and bowls. I love what you did to this bowl. I would love to try something like this on my bowls. Great job!
Me, too! So fun to buy them 🙂
How creative! At a first glance it didn't seem painted, it's an nice way to spruce up a plain object. Love the combo of arrows and dots
Yes, simple, too!
Wow, what a great and easy project that really elevated that little bowl to something elegant and display worthy.
Thanks, Toni!
That is a great idea! I see bowls all the time at thrift stores and have never thought of adding a pattern like that. Maybe words? Thanks for the inspiration because now my wheels are spinning with possibilities! 🙂
Words would be cool! It could be a poem, lyrics, scripture, all kinds of things!
What a fun little upcycle! I love it! 🙂
XO! Vanessa
Thanks!
Cute idea!
Thanks!
Oh I would of snagged that bowl! Love this idea too. Great upcyle!
Kim
Thanks, Kim!
It definitely looks tribal! great idea and nice repurpose! I also learned that they make chalk markers! Thanks!
Jeannee
Chalk markers are great 🙂 You'll have to try them!
Very creative. Love this project.
Thanks, Denise!
Wow, I love the look of this! Great job!
Thanks, Chelc!
So cute Lora! I love that you free-handed the design ... let that creativity flow 🙂
Haha, yep!