Painting Glasses / Wine Charms today --I took pics along the way...

After reading this blog on how to do glass painting, if you would like to learn more also view: http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-paint-glass-for-gifts-or-for.html

How to Paint Glass:

Painting Glasses and wine charms today and I took pics along the way. ;-)

You will need:

• Glasses
• Glass Paint
• Surface prep
• Brushes and/ or a sponge
• Sealant
• Etching paint (optional)

First purchase some inexpensive glasses or make something with glass that you would like to paint (I did some wine glass charms today too).

Use glass paints that you can find at any craft store. In the photo are brushes, surface conditioner, sealant, glasses, charms, and a magazine or newspaper to protect your work surface. I love to recycle grocery trays for all kinds of craft work.

Close up of just the paints. I see no need to buy a larger supply of paint; these glass painting kits work great and are less money to buy than the paints in the individual bottles, --unless you will be doing hundreds of glasses. ;-)

Surface condition your glasswear with a sponge or paintbrush. The conditioner is in the clear bottle sitting on the tray.(click on image to enlarge to see it close up).

Surface condition Wine Charms, or any other glass project too. (On a later blog I will show how to make these type of charms --but that is another project and blog). ;0)

Start painting your glass. You can begin with something simple like poka-dots. First I fosted the glasses (with a frost or etching paint and then just applied dots). Very simple and they make great rock glasses for drinks. ;-)

You can also use the etching paint to write words, like I did on the back of this one. ;-)

You can also do crystal steamwear, like these. I did sea-life on them. Just paint your favorite things. ;-)

On the left is a Frog in a Cup and a red crab is in the back right; poka dots are in the front.

A mix of painted glasses.

Here is a tea-pot. It is cute to paint something that goes around the glass, so that you have to turn it to view the entire image.

Tea pot spout above:

Tea pot handle bellow:

Close up of steamwear:

Close up of Coffee cup and tea pot handle:

Close up of Frog in a cup (note: turning the fish so you can see how it goes around the glass), and Fish in a cup:

Collection of today's glasswear:

Finished Wine Charms:

Pile of wine charms, ready to go:

--And some new necklaces:

But a how to on these will be in another blog. ;-0_

Enjoy Glass Painting!

To see another blog on painting glass, see: http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-paint-glass-for-gifts-or-for.html

For a gift idea, How about making Ocean Candles in a Spa Basket?

Ocean Candles, a how to guide.
I did an earlier post on using seashells to make creative items for the home: http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/2011/05/seashells-turn-ordinary-household-item.html.
This was one of the ideas presented in that blog from which a reader asked me to elaborate on the "how to" part of the candle. Since I use this blog to stay inline with my everyday life, I wanted to do this post once I actually was making one for someone.

Recently we were invited to a retirement party and I wanted to come up something more personal than a cheap basket full of unwanted items for this "spa theme" party.
So, here goes...

The handmade candles:

The Gift Basket:

Items you will need to make the basket:
1. Spa Items that you would use (like lotions, foot soak, bath items like sea salts, or go the pedicure /manicure path)
2. A basket that you have or purchase an inexpensive one like the one I bought (see below). Since this gift was for a teacher, I thought a plastic green office file box would be different and fun. I even inserted her name on the file label slot.
3. Tissue paper to put inside the box.
4. Shrink wrap.
5. Ribbon to make a bow, or buy one already made.
6. Sissors or shears.

 The windex is to shine the finger prints off the glass candle holders:

What You will need to make the ocean candles:

1. Two glass candle holders (the dollar store has these for one dollar each).

2. Some shells (this basket of shells was a dollar).

3. Sand, it can be free if you gather it from outside, or you can find inexpensive sand (like I did).

4. Two candles small enough to fit into your glass holders.

BASKET:

First stage of BASKET:  I assembled my basket first, making it attractive and pretty; Then I put it aside. (I added the handmade candles at the end).

1. Tissue paper on bottom.

2. Arrange your goodies in the basket.

The shrink wrap and bow will come later.

How to make the candles:

1. Take your empty glass candle holders:

2. Add sand one third of the way up, making them equal if you are making two.

3. Arrange your shells:

4. Add water. Take your arrangement with or without it's candle to your faucet. If it is not a gift, I add water before placing the candle. However, it does not matter the order.

At faucet take care to gently pour in the water, so you do not disrupt your shells:

*Note: If you are giving it as a gift, it will look like this without water. You simply let them know that they will need to put water in to make the candle float. ;-)

These candles cost $2.50 to make each; $5.00 for two.

5. After water is added. The sand particles (cloudy water) will settle. Simply lay your candle on top of the water.

6. If it is for you and not a gift, light it. ;-)

BASKET:

Second stage of BASKET: Add your newly made candles to your basket.

For me, things got a little crowded, so I had to wiggle things around to fit. It went from this:

To This:

Third stage of BASKET: Now it it time to put your shrink wrap bag around your basket. (When you are purchasing your bag, make sure the measurement of the bag is large enough to go around the basket you will be using).
I suck the air out of the bag and then twist it into a knot to hold the air out before I shrink wrap my basket. Use your blow dryer to make the bag shrink around your gift. The heat will shrink (or kinda melt it a bit).

Fourth stage of BASKET: Make your ribbon and tie it on your shrunk bag.

I made my ribbon, and used the shears to curl some of the extra ribbon. But, you can buy a bow too.

The finished gift:

 Now ready to give to a friend. ;-)

Seashells turn an ordinary Household item into Fabulous!

I like to think up frugal ways to decorate. I especially like using nature. I find Mother Nature's items are better than the imagination. I used to live in FL; this is where my love of seashells started. They were abundant and free! You can also find them very cheap at such sites as: http://www.qualityshells.com/shell-mix.html. That was a random one I simply goggled, "Cheap sea shells." So you may want to shop via your Google engine for a super savings buy.
With shells, you can cover just about anything.

You have seen picture frames and jewelry. How about taking bleached starfish and use your hot glue gun to decorate a large mirror? Drift wood makes a mirror just as dramatic.

Just make sure you take out the smell by bleaching first. I learned that lesson the hard way. ;-)

I wanted to include this vase because I use this idea all the time. You can put just about anything of nature in a glass vase and fill it with water. Find a very attractive large shell and do the same thing.

 A second mirror idea. You can mix paint with shells too:

Just what can we do with all those free shells?

You can go more elaborate, like with this chandelier:

Or simple, like with these candles:

You can see that sand was also a medium used in these. They make great gifts! Simply roll your spray glued candle in dry sand, you can spray a sealant if you want, but it is not necessary. Tie some jute or twine around the sea shell. Ideally, you can drill a hole in the shell first. I have also used a hot glue gun. ;-)

Pour sand on the bottom of the glass container/ candle holder, a few shells, water and a floating candle is as easy as it gets. It looks like you spent hours making it!

A totally elaborate idea, but if you have the hours to glue these cute babies on, wow... a conversation piece floor lamp! Or you can simply just do a lampshade on a table lamp to add interest. ;-)

How easy is this? Soap shells in an apothecary jar? Place this in your bath areas.

A bit more difficult, but worth the work. Decorate with shells strung upon thin wire. Shop antique or junk shops for old lighting fixtures, or take the form of what used to be a lighting fixture and add candles instead of the electric lights.

Again, candles can be used instead of electric lights. You can also simply use white Christmas lights.

You have heard of a dream catcher; this is the same idea, but with shells. ;-)

This is my favorite creation! Instead of a drum shade, use shells. They would look wonderful outdoors around a deck or patio area. Talk about a mood setter! Or you can make a simple wind charm.

Several simple ideas: To make an easy centerpiece, take three simple jars (canning jars) and fill half way with sand, place shells or starfish on top. Leave the top half empty and screw the lid on.
Or just take a pretty shell in the shape of a open dish and use it for a soap dish! ;-)

Or just make a simple shell tube. Collect shells from wherever you travel and place them in a tall glass vase. ;-) Memories in one place!

It is amazing what one can do with a simple shell!