Swirl Water Paintings

These paintings are great they are pretty simple to do and look awesome!

Supplies

Canvas

Bucket of water (the canvas must fit all the way into it)

Enamel paints (like what is used to paint model kits, I got mine at Michaels)

                         -- it will take about one jar of each color you want to use

Swirl sticks (ex:wooden paint stirrers)

droppers (one for each color)

Newspaper

Rubber gloves

Example of the type of enamel paints you want to buy.

What to do:

First make sure you have a space outside to do this it gets kind of messy near the end of the process. Also make sure you have a place and a way to hang these to dry, they do drip so you will need to put a drop cloth or something down. Make sure your canvas will be able to be completely submerged in the bucket you have chosen (see picture below of what happens if it doesn't). You may also want to watch some videos of how this technique is applied to making guitars it may provide inspiration (I have attached some links for YouTube videos at the end). After preparations have been made then you can continue on.

- Fill your bucket with water.

- Then using the droppers start adding in the paint.

- Once the entire area of the water is covered take the swirl stick and slowly swirl the paints together (the more you mix the more blended your paints will become, sometimes less is better).

- Once you have swirled your paints you are ready to dip your canvas (this would be a good time to wear a rubber glove if not it is a pain to get all the paint off your hands!). Slowly lower the canvas into the water (to get the wavy effect seen in the picture above gently move your canvas side to side as you lower it).

- Once the canvas is completely submerged wipe the excess paint off the top of the water with the newspaper, then remover your canvas and allow to dry.

With that you are finished and have an unique piece of art to hang!

Here is what happens if your bucket isn't big enough. The line at the top is from where I had to remove the canvas and then turn it over to do the last little bit with not very much paint left.

YouTube videos:

http://youtu.be/J4d_t5-OFps

http://youtu.be/tCCVzkhWvy0


The original idea came from http://www.shineyourlightblog.com/2012/10/swirl-painting-with-enamel-paints-and.html

Sequin Accent Bowl

Sequin Accent Bowl

This bowl is super cute and was fun and pretty easy to make! I made this as a gift for my roommate she was super excited and is using it as a key holder by the door.

Supplies

One large bag of confetti (shape and color up to you, although I would suggest using a rounder

                                           confetti the points on the stars in this were hard to work with)

Mod Podge

sponge brush

balloon

What you do:

- Blow up the balloon so the largest part represents the size of the bowl you are wanting.

- Apply a layer of mod podge followed by sequins around the portion of the balloon acting as the shape for the bowl, I suggest about a third of the way up the balloon.

- Allow this layer to dry. Then repeat adding layers until the entire balloon around the area is covered and the desired thickness is reached. The more layers you add the stronger your bowl will be.

- Once your final layer has dried, prick the balloon and allow the air to run out slowly and your bowl will peel right off the deflated balloon.

- Trim the edges or leave them how they come off that is up to you.

In the original post they show a glass vase the purpose of this is to keep the balloon from rolling all over the place while you are working on it. A glass cup will also work just as well if you need to you can even tape the balloon to the cup.

(Caution: this bowl will bend and change shape so be careful with storage or you may end up with a misshapen bowl.)

The original post for this idea was in another language but it provided great pictures for what the steps were. Here is the original post I used:  http://www.muyingenioso.com/bol-de-confeti/

Cake Plate: Stained Glass

This is super cute, individualized, and EASY to make! I gave this to my boyfriends sister for her birthday and it was a huge hit.

Supplies

12" metal cake pan ( I found mine at Walmart in the wedding aisle for about $5)

Pony Beads (container of approx. 500)

Candle stick holder

E6000 Glue

What to do:

- Place the pony beads into the cake pan. Try to make sure that the layer is even, you don't want your cake sliding off.

- Place in the oven at 425 for 25-30 minutes (Caution: this step will smell terrible as the beads are melting).

- Remove from the oven and allow the pan to cool. Once it has cool flip the pan over and it will slide right out (No joke this is really what happens!)

- HERE IS WHERE THINGS GOT TRICKY! When the top came out of the pan there where pieces of plastic sticking up from where the beads stuck to the side of the pan as it was melting. Use a dremel tool to smooth out the edges (or you can also use sandpaper it will just take longer to smooth it all out).

- Attach the candle stick holder on the bottom in the center.

Closer view of the top of the plate

Here is the link for where I got the idea for this project: http://www.texasbooklady.blogspot.com/