Sometimes its all in the deatils. Ever heard that expression? Well, it's true. Painting on soap is one of those inexpensive things that painters and crafters can do for quick sales and quick gifts.
Decorative artists have a saying. If it moves - we'll paint it! You'd be surprised at what you can paint on, if you look at it long enough! Below, are directions on how to prep and paint one of my favorite surfaces found around the house.
INSTRUCTIONS
Buying unscented is best . I buy large bars at the local Dollar Store - 3 for a 1.00.
Unpack the soap, lay it out on a paper towel. Clean the topside with a cotton ball and alcohol, wiping the tops of the smooth side. Be careful not to handle the top or get prints or oil on it.
Air dry one day. Smooth side up.
Brush on 1 coat of Jo Sonja All Purpose Sealer on the smooth side while still in tray.
Let dry 1 day.
Use regular Acrylic paints, paint your pattern.
Let dry in tray 1 day.
Spray top coat of Krylon 1311 matte or gloss finish if you prefer on painted top of soap.
Spray lite coats, letting each coat dry before applying another.
Let dry 1 day.
Soap is now ready to pack in baggies, plastic wrap, or boxes for protection. Ready to be given as gifts or used.
The pattern will remain on the soap, as you use the soap from the bottom on your wash cloth, and pattern remains on top till soap is gone.
Painted soap is great to give in seasonal sets, put in gift baskets or sell at craft fairs for quick sales. However you give them or sell them - have fun painting them.
Happy Painting!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Decorative Painting and Trash to Treasure
Looking for a way to bring new life to something? Give it a fresh coat of paint and it becomes brand new again.
Look around your home - you will see plenty of great surfaces. Trash cans, clay pots, even old lamps have the potential to become tomorrows treasure. Even beginners can make manage to take what is old and make it new again. Getting started isn't as hard as you may think. There are many great paints out there to give you various looks and to help you get started.
Plastics
Krylon Paint manufactures a line of spray paints for plastic called Fusion paints. These paints go on wonderfully smooth and can either be left alone, or applied as a basecoat. Regular acrylic paints go on beautifully. Finish with a brush on sealer, and you have something fabulous.
Look around your home - trash cans, light switches, flower pots ... they all have the potential to be painted and used as a wonderful decorative accessory.
Wood
This surface is always fun. If you have a piece that is already painted or varnished, you'll have to rough up the surface before painting. This is to give *tooth* and something for the paint to adhere to. You can use sandpaper, or even liquid sandpaper (go to your local hardware store). After you have sanded your piece, apply a water based primer such as Kilz - let dry - and apply the color of your choice.
For wood pieces that will be outside, remember to apply at least 3 to 5 coats of an exterior varnish to protect your piece from the elements.
Glass and Mirrors
My favorite surface is glass. There are wonderful glass paints out there such as Folkart Enamels, Decoart Glossies, Liquitex Glossies and Pebeo paints. All 3 brands make painting on glass and even mirrors a lot of fun. What a wonderfully inexpensive way to make a boring plain surface new again.
So look around your home and before you toss something out into the trash consider adding a fresh coat of paint - you never now - you may get hooked on painting trash to treasures!
Look around your home - you will see plenty of great surfaces. Trash cans, clay pots, even old lamps have the potential to become tomorrows treasure. Even beginners can make manage to take what is old and make it new again. Getting started isn't as hard as you may think. There are many great paints out there to give you various looks and to help you get started.
Plastics
Krylon Paint manufactures a line of spray paints for plastic called Fusion paints. These paints go on wonderfully smooth and can either be left alone, or applied as a basecoat. Regular acrylic paints go on beautifully. Finish with a brush on sealer, and you have something fabulous.
Look around your home - trash cans, light switches, flower pots ... they all have the potential to be painted and used as a wonderful decorative accessory.
Wood
This surface is always fun. If you have a piece that is already painted or varnished, you'll have to rough up the surface before painting. This is to give *tooth* and something for the paint to adhere to. You can use sandpaper, or even liquid sandpaper (go to your local hardware store). After you have sanded your piece, apply a water based primer such as Kilz - let dry - and apply the color of your choice.
For wood pieces that will be outside, remember to apply at least 3 to 5 coats of an exterior varnish to protect your piece from the elements.
Glass and Mirrors
My favorite surface is glass. There are wonderful glass paints out there such as Folkart Enamels, Decoart Glossies, Liquitex Glossies and Pebeo paints. All 3 brands make painting on glass and even mirrors a lot of fun. What a wonderfully inexpensive way to make a boring plain surface new again.
So look around your home and before you toss something out into the trash consider adding a fresh coat of paint - you never now - you may get hooked on painting trash to treasures!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Save It For A Rainy Day ... NOT!!
How many times have I put off basecoating a surface? Prepping a piece? Taking pictures of my pieces to send to my webmaster? Too many times to count.
So today, I decided to organize my painting time like I organize my days - the way I used to .
I carved out 2 hours today to put all of my loose patterns and line drawings into file folders that I bought at the clearance rack at TARGET. TWO HOURS resulted in 4 years of cluttered stacks going away and lo' and behold...I discovered extra space where junk used to be!! LOL
Who knows - maybe this time next month I will actually have cleaned up more clutter and given myself much needed space.
So today, I decided to organize my painting time like I organize my days - the way I used to .
I carved out 2 hours today to put all of my loose patterns and line drawings into file folders that I bought at the clearance rack at TARGET. TWO HOURS resulted in 4 years of cluttered stacks going away and lo' and behold...I discovered extra space where junk used to be!! LOL
Who knows - maybe this time next month I will actually have cleaned up more clutter and given myself much needed space.
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