Handpainted Bookmark DIY

Those that have been following my Snowywinds art journey may have noticed that I like to paint on found or repurposed objects: clothespins, seashells, bricks, and denim.  Last year I did a DIY blog post on magnetic, clothespin chip clips. Today I’m going to share a few ideas for bookmarks made using tongue depressor sized craft sticks.

In addition to painting and hiking, I also love to read.  My interest in books led me to search Pinterest for DIY bookmark ideas.  I came across this Quick Craft from the blog DIY Home.  I decided to adapt this craft to my own artistic style.  Below are the materials and steps to create your own.

Supplies:

Jumbo Wood Craft Sticks 6" x 3/4"

Acrylic paint

Acrylic varnish

Paintbrushes and a stencil brush

Mini Stencils

Paint pallet

Wax paper

   

Step 1:

Paint the solid color. I use wax paper to prevent the sticks from sticking to my painting surface. *Depending on the age of the craft sticks, you may want to apply a multi-purpose sealer prior to painting the solid color.

Step 2:

Paint your design on the wooden piece you have chosen to be the front.  For the pineapple, banana, and strawberry designs, I used a mini stencil that I made myself.  A stencil brush helps prevent bleed through underneath the stencil.  

                  

Step 3:

Once the base designs are stenciled on, next comes adding the detail.  I use a collection of very small paint brushes (I like to paint tiny.) Dots are added for extra color and pop.

                                    

Step 4:

Coat each wood piece with a clear varnish. 

*All photos taken and owned by me 

Paw Print Clothespin Magnet DIY

Of the many household tools, one that is starting to go obsolete is the clothespin.  Not as many people hang wet clothes outside to dry on a clothesline anymore.  So what can you do with that basket full of clothespins just sitting in the laundry room?  Clothespins are finding new life with other purposes like a chip-clip or to hold papers on the fridge.

In this blog post, I will be providing you with instructions to DIY your own clothespin magnets. I was inspired to make these by one of my favorite Etsy shops: Sugar and Paint. The style I am making today is pet inspired; paw prints!  I am looking forward to featuring these at my Snowywinds Booth on August 26 at Dog’s Day in the Park.

Supplies:

Clothespins

Acrylic paint

Acrylic varnish

Paintbrushes and paint-sponge

Paint pallet

Wax paper

Round magnets

Hot glue gun

Step 1:

Make sure the clothespins are clean. Separate the spring from the two wood pieces. Make sure to keep the springs lined up with their wooden pieces. Early on I forgot to do this; when I went to put the clothespins back together they didn’t all line up correctly! :(

Step 2:

Paint the solid color. I use wax paper to prevent newsprint from sticking or transferring to the clothespin. *Depending on the age of the clothespins, you may want to apply a multi purpose sealer prior to painting the solid color.

Step 3:

Paint your design on the wooden piece you have chosen to be the front. To make a paw print, paint an upside-down heart, round off the top point, and add four toes. *Remember, dogs & cats have 4 toes!

          

Step 4:

Coat each wood piece with a clear varnish. Let sit overnight. This is important.  You do not want the varnish to be tacky when putting the clothespin pieces back together. If so, the mouth of the clothespin will stick shut.

Step 5:

Get the hot glue gun warming up. Assemble the clothespins making sure to use the correct spring for each wooden set. Using the hot glue gun, attach the magnet to the back of the clothespin about level with the spring. Remove any glue strings.  And voila! You have your clothespin magnet!

*All photos taken by myself

Painted Seashells - Garden Decor - How To DIY

For as long as I can remember, my family has gone to the ocean for vacation and relaxation.  One of my favorite activities as a girl was collecting seashells.  I had my seashell guidebook to help me identify each type of shell.

In fact, I still collect seashells when I'm on the beach.  Back then, I would show off my collection while the young entrepreneur in me was trying to think of a way to sell them; oyster shells with a natural hole were strung on yarn to be worn as a 'necklace.'  In more recent years, I have brainstormed ways that I can turn shells into home decor.

After researching and testing, I narrowed in on three ways to feature seashells; ornaments, magnets, and now garden decor.  I found that due to their light weight, seashells make ideal canvases for hand painted Christmas ornaments. With the aid of gorillatough Gorilla Glue®, I turned smaller seashells into magnets; seashell beach magnets Etsy listing.  And most recently, I am using larger shells to make garden decor.

In this week's blog, I am providing a tutorial on how to make hand painted seashell garden decor. For this DIY, you will need:

• seashells - I prefer clam shells for their round shape.
• small paint brushes - size 2 and smaller
• medium flat paint brush
• acrylic craft paint
• Mod Podge
• paper towels

Step 1: Clean the shells with a damp paper towel to remove excess sand or sea salt.

Step 2: After planning and sketching out your design, begin to apply the acrylic paint.  For this design, I painted the black first on the shells with lettering and I painted the orange first for the Oriole Bird shell.  Once that was dry, I painted orange over top of the black lettering.  Then I sketched in the Oriole Bird design with a small brush.  Last, I filled in the black sections of the bird, making sure to put extra coats where needed.  

Step 3: The final step is to coat the shell with Mod Podge.  This seals the acrylic paint design and protects it from the elements.

These painted shells will make their way to my brother's house.  He is a lifelong Baltimore Orioles fan.  But you can paint any team motto and mascot on your garden decor shells!!

Let me know how this goes for you!  Leave a comment below or send me a message.