Today I’m going to show you how easy it is to paint a Rustic Chicken Wire Heart! You can get a distressed look with basic craft paints and a washcloth. This is a super easy-peasy DIY — trust me!

Have you seen the rustic farmhouse chicken wire trend? Maybe it isn’t a trend, but many frames and home decor items have chicken wire as part of the decoration. It’s a rustic, farmhouse style that I really like!

FTC Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. I explain more here.

Instead of paying good money for something similar that’s already painted — buy an unfinished chicken wire heart and paint it in the colors that you want to match your own farmhouse decor.

Helpful tip: Simply purchase a ready-made home decor item and customize it with craft paint to match your own color scheme!

Here’s a picture of a rustic chicken wire heart, made by Darice Crafts. 

You can buy this on Amazon here for under $10.

The size of the heart is approximately 14 inches by 16 inches, and there is a twine loop at the top for easy hanging.

The wood has a very light rustic white paint finish, so you could display it as is.

I can imagine using these as wedding decor, painted to match the wedding colors, with ribbon or flowers wound through the chicken wire.

So pretty!

I decided to paint mine and embellish it with some of my own ribbons and vintage lace seam binding.

PAINTING WITH A WASHCLOTH??

The paint technique I used to get a weathered-wood finish consists of two paint colors and a wet washcloth.

A wet washcloth?

Yes, and it’s very easy to do!

RUSTIC CHICKEN WIRE HEART

Supplies:

• Chicken wire wood framed heart — Darice Crafts
• Craft paint in yellow and grey — Americana by DecoArt
• Paintbrush
• Plastic lids to hold paint
• Washcloth
• Water
• Ribbons, trims
• Scissors

Tutorial:

First I applied two coats of yellow craft paint onto the wood frame of the heart.

I did these coats quickly and if my paint brush missed a few spots here and there, I wasn’t worried about it. I’m going for a rustic look!

Next I painted on Grey Storm, waited just a few seconds, then wiped off the paint here and there – in the direction of the heart shape – with an old wet washcloth.

• Make sure your washcloth is wet but not dripping wet. 
• Keep painting on the Grey Storm and then wiping back until you love how it looks.
• This is one of those quick paint crafts where there’s no right or wrong way!
• Let dry and you’re all set!

This paint finish looks weathered and distressed — yet no sanding was involved!

I’m always adding ribbons and trims to my projects, and this one was no exception!

First I gathered up everything I thought matched the color scheme and style . . . 

Then I played with everything until I was happy.

I ended up choosing one grey ribbon, some vintage seam binding and twine, cutting them the same length, and making a simple bow.

Hang the chicken wire heart as is, or add something special to it, like a treasured photo or greeting card.

The chicken wire also makes this heart handy as a jewelry hanger for earrings.

I’m displaying a vintage birthday postcard in mine.

I love how this DIY came together so quickly! And I’m sure you will too!

Gotta love easy-peasy DIY ideas!

Happy crafting!

~Laura

An older version of this tutorial first appeared on Deja Vue Designs, when I was a craft contributor there. This tutorial has been completely updated for you here!