DIY Upcycled Croquet Art
What can you do with an old croquet game? Upcycle it into charming, unique DIY croquet art. Here’s how to.
Croquet is a classic yard game that’s been enjoyed by many for decades. It’s been manufactured in many different versions through the years, all with the classic primary-colored stripes. The years of playing outdoors can weather the game pieces and often games are less than complete. If you’ve come across partial versions of these old games, today’s project will inspire you to get creative with the random pieces. If you’ve been tempted to throw out your game, this DIY Upcycled Croquet Art will show you the trash to treasure potential!
The Back Story
A while back I got an email from someone asking if they could purchase my Croquet Mallet Head Wreath. She worked for St John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, and they were planning their Annapolis Cup, an annual croquet match against The Naval Academy. 2024 was their 40th year celebration and they wanted to add some croquet-themed art to their school walls, in honor of the tradition.
You can learn more about the St. John’s College’s Annapolis Cup HERE. The event is filled with vintage attire and competitive comradery. Such a fun, nostalgic idea; I was intrigued. But I explained that my Croquet Mallet Head wreath had been hanging on the garage door for a couple of years and looked less than “fresh”. I offered to make her another, if I had enough pieces in my stash;)
Luckily, I’ve been picking up random croquet game pieces for about 20 years. I’ve upcycled many croquet themed projects through the years. Our family grew up playing croquet at the cabin and I’ve always loved seeing all the varieties of different styled games out there.
I had enough mallet heads for Mr. Fix-it and I to make two wreaths for them. (You can get the full printed tutorial in my Insider’s Resource Library; simply sign up to become an Insider)
Each wreath is unique, made from a variety of different mallet heads. I scrub each piece, touch up the paint and poly to bring out the character of the old wood.
We’ve also made Croquet Candlesticks and used to sell them at my former store. They were featured in Country Sampler magazine also.
But I still had a lot of croquet pieces, and wanted to come up with something special for their school. That’s the back story of how this DIY Upcycled Croquet Art came to be! Here’s the how to:
DIY Upcycled Croquet Art
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Clean and Refresh Old Croquet Game Pieces
These partial old games have all been found curbside. They’ve been stored in dirty garages for years. I start by giving them all a good scrub and dry in the sun. Then I brush on a coat of poly to seal them and bring out the beauty. (you can find my favorite products HERE)
Yes, Mr. Fix-it figured out how to cut the balls in 1/2 for this project. Luckily he didn’t lose a finger; it was not easy.
How to Craft Upcycled Croquet Art
We started with a large piece of wood. I stained it brown and brushed on a coat of poly to seal. Next, I cut a strip of faux grass to go across the bottom. I also cut a rainbow shape of grass to add to the middle. Here is how I was picturing it to turn out:
I hot glued and stapled the grass to the bottom. Then it was time to attach the sticks with Mr. Fix-it. We anchored the middle stick first and then worked our way out on either side. I held the sticks firmly in place on the front side, while he drilled them in from the back. Yes, it was kind of stressful! FYI- he hates doing things only once; he would much rather make the same thing over and over-we are total opposites in that way! I’m bored when I’ve made something; time to come up with a new idea;)
It worked best to stand the whole board vertically, each on one side. I didn’t measure between each stick; totally went on the visual spacing of each.
Adding the Croquet Balls
Once we attached all the sticks, it was time to finish off the upcycled art with whole and half croquet balls. I wanted them to cover the ends of the sticks for a more finished look.
We also added wickets and a couple more balls to each side of the sunrise.
Adding the Frame to the Upcycled Art
To finish off the board, we crafted a frame from old boards and attached them with the nailer. I liked the rustic touch of these old garage roof rafters around the nicer wood backdrop.
The Finished DIY Croquet Art
Ready for the big reveal? Yes, this project was a lot of work, but it was fun creating something totally unique, and transforming trash into treasure! We were happy with how it turned out. I hope the school will enjoy it for many years!
I’m guessing not many of you will be thinking you want to make one of these for yourselves. But maybe you have partial game pieces around that you could repurpose in a smaller way? I love enjoying the old balls in a bowl or basket as easy summer decor on the porch. {“A Patriotic Porch, Full of Vintage Finds”}
Yes, I still have a couple more upcycled croquet game ideas up my sleeve. We actually figured out how to make a pretty cool star that I’ll be sharing soon. And I think a wreath with the balls would be pretty cute; stay tuned! There are just so many fun ways to repurpose these charming old game pieces! And they make for sentimental, nostalgic decor, too.
For more vintage-inspired DIY crafting projects, see HERE.
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This is amazing Lora! I am so jealous that you have found so many croquet pieces!!! I’ve been looking all last year and this year and I just found a complete set. So of course, a complete set means we actually want to play it. Now I still need two find some bits and pieces for an upcycle I want to make.
PLUS I am also very familiar with the croquet tournament you made this art for!!! Our daughter went to the Naval Academy. I have pictures of her team at the tournament — the only tine she wore pearls at an Academy sanctioned event!!! That tournament is such a fun time-honored tradition and much anticipated by the midshipmen!!!
I have a full set and never played it.
You should give it a try!
What a small world, Diane! How fun that you know all about it:) It sounds like a very special tradition, indeed!
Lora
What creative ideas. Love every one.
Thanks, Rachel! And thanks for including them in your weekly newsletter:)
This is amazing! I love it so much. I don’t play croquet, but have always love the equipment and how it reminds me of sweet summers. I wish I had a crafty bone in my body, but I do not! Beautifully done.
Thank you; so glad you enjoyed it!
Just popping back in to say I’m featuring this fantastical post tomorrow on Farmhouse Friday 357. You are seriously amazing! Thank you for always linking up. pinned again!
Aw, thanks, friend! That’s wonderful:)
WOW!! You and your very handy hubby are an unbeatable team- you guys knocked it outta the park with this one !
Per usual I’m so impressed not only by your creativity, but by the wonderful execution of your idea. Thanks for sharing 😊
Thanks so much, Shelly:) Love it when something in your head actually turns out like you’re thinking!
I have a partial set that my grandkids have taken turns playing with, even when it was cold outside they would hit the balls then, I would have to help find them under furniture. What you created was so cute, can’t wait to see what else you come up with.
Glad your game is being used for fun, Marlene!
I love all your creativity, and have even tried my own version of a couple of the projects. A while back you showed a chair cushion you made to cover an antique chair. I have the exact same chair which belonged to my father-in-law. He recaned it, but it has a really old, and not my taste chair pad. I had bookmarked your post, but now can’t find it. Could you point me in the right direction to find it again? It was yellow with ruffles. Many thanks for all the inspiration.
Valeri
Thanks, Valeri. You can find the DIY Scalloped Chair seat here: https://lorabloomquist.com/diy-chair-seat-scallop-edge/
Wowza, you both are so creative and that new piece is amazing!!! Did I ever send you the photo of the giant clock made of croquet pieces? I took the photo thinking of you but I can’t remember sending it. Love the new wreaths too. Seriously fantastic!
I don’t think I’ve seen that; sounds awesome! I’m creative with the ideas; he’s creative with executing them;) Thanks, Cindy!
THAT is amazing!!!! And so beautiful! What a creative, unique and beautiful way to honor a hobby! The school is so lucky to get this!
Thanks! I hope many will enjoy it for years to come:)
Amazing, Lora!! Your creative brain never ceases to amaze me. How COOL that it’s going to a school that will enjoy it for many years. That’s so neat!!
It was a fun opportunity to be a part of:)
Croquet has long been the yard game of choice for our family despite having so many other games to pick from. I also have fond memories of playing croquet with my cousins whenever we gathered at our grandparents home. I always pick up the colorful balls at the flea market to add to my collection. Love your ideas for recycling croquet sets!
So glad you enjoyed it, Patricia:)
Lora, how fabulous! You and your husband created something truly special for the school! They must be thrilled!
Thanks, Linda! Fun to create something totally unique.
I love it!!
I don’t think I have actually ever played croquet but have been obsessed with the colorful sets forever!
I stop myself from buying them…. because my craft supplies have filled their allotted space! But next set I see….mmmmm😁
Glad you enjoyed it, Margie!
What a neat story! I loved playing croquet as a kid and then we had a set for a while but living on the water with a tiny front yard and giving a 3 year old grandson a mallet, it didn’t go so well. I gave our set away. I may break down and buy another now that we’re moving again. But I do have another 3 year grandson again so….It’s hard to believe how many you found at curbside. I’ve hardly known anyone around here who even play. How in the world did you ship that art?
Shipping it was a challenge, Pam! But we DIY’d it through, and it got there safely!