I think with some planning, I will be able to reuse or upcycle many items for the decor. I'll use candles and simple items like apples for impact.
Do you decorate for Halloween?
Showing posts with label candle holder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label candle holder. Show all posts
Friday, September 20, 2013
Inspiration - Halloween Decorating and Party Ideas
For years now, {msL} and I have thought about hosting a Halloween party. It never seemed to work out, due to schedules or other obligations. This year we have worked things out early and we'll be hosting a small evening. I've already started thinking about my costume but I want to have some great decorations. A spooky, Gothic, Victorian vibe will be the aesthetic.
While shopping at Target the other day, I found bleeding skull candles. They will be the perfect compliment to candelabras and candle holders. I'm planning to repaint some of the candle holders I've used in my holiday decor from years past. I have black glitter skulls that I used in decor last year and cake stands from our wedding that can be used for decor and to display food. I love the idea of using cleavers and large knives to accent and cut food. I could create some vintage looking labels for bottles. I'll also be checking local thrift stores for bird cages.
I think with some planning, I will be able to reuse or upcycle many items for the decor. I'll use candles and simple items like apples for impact.
Do you decorate for Halloween?
I think with some planning, I will be able to reuse or upcycle many items for the decor. I'll use candles and simple items like apples for impact.
Do you decorate for Halloween?
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
DIY Wedding Weekend
This weekend we did tons of DIY projects for our wedding. We had lots of help from family but there is still a ton to do. I don't want to give everything away, so these are just teaser photos. I promise to post photos of all of the decorations, after the wedding.
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| 300 Peacock Feathers and We Need More |
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| A Close Up of our Ceremony Decorations |
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| Faux Mercury Glass Table Décor, Glasses from Goodwill |
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| Rock n' Roll Button Favors |
We survived the weekend and my family still loves me. We have another DIY weekend planned soon. Another small victory is that my soon to be sister-in-law loves her Bridesmaid dress. Small victories!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
DIY - Mercury Glass
I've been collecting tons of DIY ideas on Pinterest for our upcoming wedding but one of the projects I'm planning would be great for our everyday home as well. Vintage mercury glass is beautiful and timeless. Holiday ornaments are pretty easy to find on ebay and etsy but mercury glass vessels are more elusive. Even reproduction mercury glass is out of our budget. We are going to have long tables and I envision placing mismatched sizes of mercury glass vessels with candles all along the tables.
At a cost of $5 to over $100 per candle holder, purchasing the 100 or so mercury glass vessels I want to use would blow our whole budget. I'm never one to shy away from DIY and I knew someone out there had created mercury glass at home. I went searching for a tutorial and found this great one on "Take the Side Street". I followed Anna's guidance. I also found a few tricks of my own along the way.
Supplies
glass vessels - I used rocks glasses and a hurricane from Goodwill - $4.50 (1 hurricane and 4 glasses)
Krylon Looking Glass spray paint (it must be this type) - $7.99
rubbing alcohol
painters tape or masking tape
newspaper
spray bottle filled with 50/50 vinegar and water
paper towels
I prepped and covered the glassware. I wiped the inside of each vessel with rubbing alcohol to make sure the paint would stick well. Then I covered each one with paper and tape.
Then I painted the inside of each glass with short bursts, moving the glass to get even coverage. Make sure to use Krylon Looking Glass spray paint. Other types of silver paint don't give the same mirror effect. I found it at Wal-Mart for $7.99 a can but it's also available on-line at retailers like Amazon.com.
The paint dries very fast but you should ensure each coat is dry before the next. This is the most thin and runny paint I've ever used. That is the reason you need very thin coats. If you don't use thin coats, it will run.
If you do see drips and runs, don't worry, future coats will create an even finish. When I had runs, I'd tip the glass the ensure coverage to the edge.
It took about 5 - 7 thin coats to get full coverage. You can go for more if you want a thick finish. Hold your glass up to the light to make sure the coverage is solid. The newspaper can make you think that you have full coverage but as you can see by the glass above, that's not always the case. If this happens to you, don't worry. Since you are going to distress the glass, this uneven coverage won't be an issue.
Once the painting is finished, you'll begin the distressing process. Using a spray bottle (I got mine at the dollar store) with a mixture of 50% water and 50% vinegar lightly spray the inside of the vessels. You'll see the mixture bead up on top of the paint. Let it sit for a few minutes. Spray a paper towel with the same mixture. Using your finger pads, rub in a circular motion on painted and treated glass. You'll see the paint start to flake off.
You can create the effect that you like best depending on how much paint you remove. After they sit for about 24 hours you can use candles in the holders.
I'm thrilled that this DIY turned out so well. I spent about $13 on supplies. I created one hurricane and four votives. I still have lots of paint left over for more glassware. I know that I'll be able to create these for our wedding. They'll be affordable and they'll look beautiful.
At a cost of $5 to over $100 per candle holder, purchasing the 100 or so mercury glass vessels I want to use would blow our whole budget. I'm never one to shy away from DIY and I knew someone out there had created mercury glass at home. I went searching for a tutorial and found this great one on "Take the Side Street". I followed Anna's guidance. I also found a few tricks of my own along the way.
 |
| Vintage Mercury Glass |
Supplies
glass vessels - I used rocks glasses and a hurricane from Goodwill - $4.50 (1 hurricane and 4 glasses)
Krylon Looking Glass spray paint (it must be this type) - $7.99
rubbing alcohol
painters tape or masking tape
newspaper
spray bottle filled with 50/50 vinegar and water
paper towels
I prepped and covered the glassware. I wiped the inside of each vessel with rubbing alcohol to make sure the paint would stick well. Then I covered each one with paper and tape.
Then I painted the inside of each glass with short bursts, moving the glass to get even coverage. Make sure to use Krylon Looking Glass spray paint. Other types of silver paint don't give the same mirror effect. I found it at Wal-Mart for $7.99 a can but it's also available on-line at retailers like Amazon.com.
The paint dries very fast but you should ensure each coat is dry before the next. This is the most thin and runny paint I've ever used. That is the reason you need very thin coats. If you don't use thin coats, it will run.
If you do see drips and runs, don't worry, future coats will create an even finish. When I had runs, I'd tip the glass the ensure coverage to the edge.
It took about 5 - 7 thin coats to get full coverage. You can go for more if you want a thick finish. Hold your glass up to the light to make sure the coverage is solid. The newspaper can make you think that you have full coverage but as you can see by the glass above, that's not always the case. If this happens to you, don't worry. Since you are going to distress the glass, this uneven coverage won't be an issue.
Once the painting is finished, you'll begin the distressing process. Using a spray bottle (I got mine at the dollar store) with a mixture of 50% water and 50% vinegar lightly spray the inside of the vessels. You'll see the mixture bead up on top of the paint. Let it sit for a few minutes. Spray a paper towel with the same mixture. Using your finger pads, rub in a circular motion on painted and treated glass. You'll see the paint start to flake off.
You can create the effect that you like best depending on how much paint you remove. After they sit for about 24 hours you can use candles in the holders.
I'm thrilled that this DIY turned out so well. I spent about $13 on supplies. I created one hurricane and four votives. I still have lots of paint left over for more glassware. I know that I'll be able to create these for our wedding. They'll be affordable and they'll look beautiful.
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