Ivy Violoncello






These plant shelves were made with a broken cello that was not worth repairing. I took the front of the rest of the instrument, attached two boards inside it, on which I placed two ivy plants.
Opening the Cello.



First you want to take the front off the cello, using a parting/opening knife, that you will insert and slide through the joint. Mine was made of an old english butter knife, of which I thinned the blade. The front and body of the instrument are glued all around but it is a narrow joint (only a few millimeters wide) that should easily come apart. If needed you may carefully feed the blade with a drop of spirit/alcohol, that will help crack the glue open. Be very careful not to let it run over the varnish, as it will dissolve it.
Cutting Two Boards for the Shelves


Then you want to cut two shelves that will fit inside the body : in the case of this instrument these were 14 inches and 8 inches long, and 4 inches wide.
Once these are cut, you place them : the shape of the body's ribs will make them hold in place but for safety you can glue a wooden stud under each side, like you can see on the photos. Then you hang the head of the cello to a hook on the wall, place your plants and decoration onto the shelves and have a nice new plant shelf !
Once these are cut, you place them : the shape of the body's ribs will make them hold in place but for safety you can glue a wooden stud under each side, like you can see on the photos. Then you hang the head of the cello to a hook on the wall, place your plants and decoration onto the shelves and have a nice new plant shelf !