Monday, January 28, 2013

Up-Cycled Valentine's Day Project

How fun is it to take something you find for next to nothing and turn it into something brand new and priceless?!  (after all, it is a one-of-a-kind piece of art!)  A few weeks ago I created a Valentine ornament using this silver plated coaster I picked up at the thrift shop for just fifteen cents!
I used alcohol inks and gold patina to turn the silver into a lush gilded golden color.  I knew from my painting lessons that gold paint is always more beautiful with red under it, so I wanted to see if the theory applied with inks.   I think it worked great!
 Using PhotoShop, I sized and printed out the Victorian image three times.  I wanted dimension so I cut out various elements and lifted with foam tape. (Remember the decoupage days?)  Stickles was added to the angel's wings and rose petal centers.  A silver braided cord (looks gold here--keep reading to find out why) was added around the inside rim with Glossy Accents.  Once everything was dry, I poured on a good layer of melted clear UTEE.  The heated UTEE has a golden color and turned the silver cord gold!
To finish, I glued on pearls colored with red alcohol ink and stamped, cut and distressed the banner.  Using my Vintaj hole puncher, I punched the hole at the top, added a jump ring and then threaded through gold ribbon and a bead.  Looks pretty rich for 15 cents, don't you think?!

Entered Into the Following Challenges:
SUGAR CREEK HALLOW--LOTS OF LAYERS
ORDER OF THE OPUS-GLUEI--GLITZ, GLAMOUR, BLING
MY TIME TO CRAFT--THINGS WITH WINGS
SIMON SAYS STAMPS--PAPER PIECING
THROUGH THE CRAFT ROOM DOOR--ANYTHING GOES

13 comments:

Glennis F said...

It looks gorgeous

Judith said...

This is so pretty - I just love the colours - what a gret idea - thank you for playing along at MTTC this week hugs Judith x

Scrappin' Stacy said...

Very pretty! Isn't it nice to turn "nothing" into a wonderful piece of art.

Unknown said...

STUNNING! Great job upcycling!

julie case said...

It's beautiful! Nice job!

krcmasterpiece said...

Very cool! Love upcycling!
Made a great ornament.

Lisa H said...

that's really nice! Great job upcycling. =)

Melissa Bove said...

Wow! This is just gorgeous!! Love thrift store finds turned into pieces of art!! Fabulous work!!

Thank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog!

Hugs...
Melissa

Jana said...

Gorgeous. I love that you used a coaster. And thank you so much for telling us how you did it. It's amazing. Very LOVE inspiring. Thanks so much for playing along with us at OPUS GLUEI.

Paper Squirrel said...

Very cool! Bet it looks even better in person!

Daniele said...

what a fabbie project so glad you joined us at SCG
hugs

Heather said...

This is Gorgeous! I love that you did the multi layers...and UTEE is FABULOUS!! What a treasure!!
Thank you for joining us at Sugar Creek Hollow!
Hugs
Heather

Rosemary said...

Beautifully rich for your fifteen cents! This is gorgeous! I love love love how you've taken this coaster and made such a beautiful piece of art, it is really lovely. I love Utee and have never thought of coloring silver to make it look like a patina'ed old gold. Romantic, blingy, and one of a (fantastic) kind. Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Opus Gluei, I love it when someone takes the theme to a whole new level! Please come back for more fun with us!