A Little Texture Please

Friday, May 28th, 2010 by Alyice

I really love the “ancient ruins” look I give some of my jars—so much so that it’s often hard to part with them—and those that I have parted with have become my “signature gift”. In the past, I kept to more traditional colors like greens, browns, and tans. But lately I’ve been playing with colors and adding subtle imagery and/or words to the smooth areas.

In the jar below, I applied joint compound, then I ripped pieces of old napkins that were once used to clean paintbrushes and placed them into the wet compound. Once dried, I applied several layers of paint, then I applied another coat of joint compound and let dry. Once dried, I painted the new layer. Then when the last coat of paint dried, I applied a high gloss glaze.

On other jars, I’ve included smaller birds, branches, and beads. On one jar, I even wrote out the word “Love”. And the cool part is that at first glance, you only see the texture. Then as you look closer, you can read each letter. Going from left to right, you can then make out the word. It was so much fun!

Keep Creating

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How To Create A Recycled Bird Planter

Thursday, May 27th, 2010 by Alyice

Supplies:

Recycled Metal Can
Fake Silk Flower Bouquet
Paper cutouts: tree, bird, leaves or flowers
Miniature flowers: silk or paper
Wiggle eyes
Buttons
Moss or fake grass
Shredded paper
Wallboard Joint Compound
Acrylic paints
Paint brush
Sponge brush
Artist’s spatula
Wire cutter
Krylon black outdoor spray paint
Elmer’s glue
Aleene’s Jewel-It Embellishing Glue
DecorArt Triple Thick Glaze
Clear Acrylic Sealer

Directions:

Draw a tree, leaves or flowers, and a bird on a sheet of acid-free copy paper. Cut out images.
Paint can with black spray paint: inside and out. Let dry.
Use spatula to spread joint compound over entire surface of can.
While joint compound is still wet, gently press cutouts into joint compound. Let dry for 48 to 72 hours. (Avoid putting any compound inside or on the bottom of the can.)
Paint the outer surface with acrylic paints. Let dry.
Sign the bottom of the can. Let dry.
Spray the painted surface with clear acrylic sealer. Let dry for 24 hours.
Use sponge brush to paint a thin layer of glaze on the entire outer surface. Repeat, after first coat dries for 1 hour, if necessary. Let dry for 24 hours.
Use Jewel-It to adhere miniature flowers on tree, then adhere buttons in center of flowers. Add a wiggle eye on the bird.
Use wire cutter to cut individual flowers from the silk flower bouquet.
Fill the can with shredded paper.
Pour Elmer’s glue on top of shredded paper.
Place moss on top of shredded paper while the glue is still wet. Gently press the moss into the glue so that it adheres properly.
While the glue is still wet, push the individual flower stems through the moss and shredded paper. Let dry.
Spray the moss and flowers with acrylic sealer. Let dry.

Keep Creating

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Modeling Paste or Joint Compound

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 by Alyice

Back in 2008, I came up with the idea of using modeling (or molding) paste as a non-bake alternative to clay and instantly fell in love with how easy it was to use and how versatile it was. I, however, was not too keen on the cost. A 32 ounce jar cost $25.99.

Then one day in 2009, I decided to seek out a cheaper alternative. After a little visit to the hardware store, I saw a container of joint compound and thought, “That looks like the same consistency of modeling paste, I should give it a try.”

At first, I bought a name-brand version, a small 32 ounce jar, for just $4.99. I tested the compound on a few jars and discovered that there was virtually no difference between the joint compound and the modeling paste.

A few months later, I looked over the completed jars and saw that the hardened compound had held up well. It had not fallen apart, it had not cracked, and it had not yellowed.

I was impressed. I went back to the hardware store for another jar. Unfortunately, they were all out. The clerk assured me that the “Wel-Cote All-Purpose Joint Compound” would work exactly the same as the pricier version. And the best part was that I would be able to get 12 pounds for just $5!

Again, I was skeptical. Would it tarnish? Would it yellow? Would it fall apart? Yet I couldn’t help but think of the cost savings so I jumped on that deal.

A few months later, I am still pulling compound out of that container and I can tell you that I have not had a single problem.

I still prefer modeling (or molding) paste for canvases, but I love—and I do mean love—joint compound for my art jars.

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AlyiceEdrich.com
I'm a freelance writer, mixed media artist, SMVA, and the owner of The Dabbling Mum.

Copyrights

All material on this blog belongs to Alyice Edrich, unless otherwise noted. No project, artwork, or text may be reproduced or displayed elsewhere without the consent of the creator. That includes making derivative works for resale. Please use project tutorials for personal use and/or gifts only.