Metal Makeover: Metal Staples Crafts & Tutorial
Hello Wonderful Crafters,
Thank you for stopping by today! It's going to be a very exciting day of craft inspiration. We've got absolutely stunning creations by Laura Denison and Gloria Stengel. Today's crafts focus on some amazing ways to use our beautiful Metal Staples. Gloria has even prepared a fun tutorial that shares some brilliant techniques for working with out Metal Flower Staples! So get ready for heaps of enjoyment because today is going to be amazing! First up is this spectacular alarm clock by Laura Denison. Not only is it a completely gorgeous work of art, but it contains a special surprise inside! Check it out!
"I love clocks...maybe it is because I am always looking for more time! Clocks have been a common theme in my work ever since I started paper crafting. I have had the idea to make an alarm clock out of an old flower tin for quite some time. The hold up was what to use for the the domed "bell" things on top. When I saw the knobs for the Graphic 45 Door Plates, I knew they were the perfect solution. As I eyed the plates themselves, I thought to myself: "How easy are these to bend?". They were quite easy! and they became the perfect wrap for the outside of the Alarm Clock. A friend has said I will put a mini album in anything, so of course the clock needed a mini album to go inside! Paper covered coasters were the perfect size for the pages and, of course, the Graphic 45 "Steampunk Debutante" paper was the perfect paper!" -Laura Denison
Supplies:
Metal embellishments, such as Graphic45 Metal Flowers, Metal Buttons, Geometric Metal Door Plate and Knob
Making Memories Acrylic Paint - Shopping Bag
Cosmic Shimmer Iridescent Mica Pigments - Dark Bronze
Aqua-net hairspray (used as a fixative)
Foam brush
Soft paint brush
Pliers (to shape the flowers)
1. If you are altering the Graphic45 Metal Flowers, you may first shape the flowers using pliers to bend the metal. Do this before altering.
2. Paint a thin layer of acrylic paint over the metal. Work quickly as you do not want the paint to dry. You may want to allow some of the original metal to show through.
3. While the paint is still wet, dust mica powder over the paint. The powder will stick to the paint, giving a metal shimmer.
4. Once the paint is dry, set the mica powder with a fixative. I use Aqua-net hairspray. It's cheap and works great!
Here is an altered flower next to one that is not altered. You can see the difference that bending the petals and adding the mica powder makes! You are limited to only the colors of paint and powder you use!
Here is a close-up view of some of the flowers and a meal button, all altered with paint and mica powder. To alter the mulberry paper flowers, mist with water, then dust on Pearlescent Mica Powder.
Huge thanks to Laura Denison and Gloria Stengel for today's beautiful crafts. We are so happy to have their wonderful talents on our design team. We hope you will all join us tomorrow as we bring you more craft inspiration. And remember to share your Graphic 45 creations with us. You can post your latest crafts on our Facebook page, Ning site, or website gallery. We'd love to see what you are making with our papers and embellishments! Have a terrific day, crafters!
Happy Papercrafting!
Team Graphic 45
WOW! Ladies you have out done yourselves...Love the clock and all of it's intricacies and Gloria's flowers are amazing!
Posted by: Mike and Lesley | June 29, 2011 at 08:11 AM
oh this is fabulous ! I love the clock !
Posted by: cat lacigale | June 29, 2011 at 09:06 AM
What wonderful inspiration !!!!! Just love the ideas for the door plates... AWESOME
Posted by: Toni | June 29, 2011 at 09:14 AM
Beautiful projects! That clock is just amazing!
Posted by: jengd | June 29, 2011 at 09:22 AM
wow, what a great idea this clock! :) I love it!
Posted by: gybogi | June 29, 2011 at 09:23 AM
Wow!!!
Posted by: Laurie Olivas | June 29, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Oh my word, you girls have done it again! Absolutely gorgeous works of art.
Posted by: Nancy Wethington | June 29, 2011 at 09:41 AM
Holy cow, I love how those flowers were made. These projects are just outstanding. This blog really inspires and enables me.
Posted by: Beth White | June 29, 2011 at 09:49 AM
Laura and Gloria are two very creative ladies! Laura clock and mini are stunning and she never fails to inspire. Gloria's frame with the metal flowers and how she decorated them are amazing and unique! Thank you both for another amazing day of inspiration!
Posted by: Carol | June 29, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Your projects are just...AMAZING! Every single time I look at your blog, I'm amazed!!!
Posted by: Sharon Gullikson | June 29, 2011 at 11:24 AM
once again Laura has shown us her amazing talents. love love love the clock!
Posted by: linda w. | June 29, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Gloria is an amazing artist, love the frame
Posted by: linda w. | June 29, 2011 at 11:27 AM
great clock laura!!
But this mini looks complete, where is there room for pictures?
Posted by: bryna | June 29, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Love love love Lauras clock!!! Amazing! The frame looks stunning too...
Posted by: Terés | June 29, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Just when I think the last projects can't be topped, they are! Fabulous!!
Posted by: Chris Dring | June 29, 2011 at 12:55 PM
I Adore the clock, it's so amazing. I totally want to make one of those. And the frame is simply beautiful. Oh if I could only come up with stuff like that in my little brain!!!
Posted by: Tammy Hall | June 29, 2011 at 03:48 PM
So beautiful, don't know what else to say!! :)
Posted by: Susiescrapper | June 29, 2011 at 04:20 PM
Gorgeous designs today ladies! The clock is outstanding and LOVE all the flowers on Gloria's Frame!
Posted by: Nicole Eccles | June 29, 2011 at 04:41 PM
You are the best ladys, gorgeous creation, bravo!
Posted by: Ephémère13 | June 29, 2011 at 04:50 PM
The clock book is just fabulous! And the flowers on Gloria's frame are wonderful! Beautiful projects.
Posted by: Noreen | June 29, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Audible oohs & ahs. Brilliant!!
Posted by: Lin | June 29, 2011 at 09:58 PM
Beautiful projects ladies! Laura Denison I know and I'm very familiar with her style and just love all she does. Such a talented, gifted lady.
Gloria I don't know but so glad to be introduced to her work. Your techniques and execution is just wonderful!!
Posted by: Tracey Johnson | June 30, 2011 at 03:18 AM
Alarm clock is ALARMINGLY beautiful. HA Loved the flower tutorial also!
Posted by: Mary Werner | June 30, 2011 at 05:31 AM
Oh waaw, the clock is really amazing!!!
Hugs, Ghanya
Posted by: Ghanya | June 30, 2011 at 05:57 AM
Laura Denison is just amazing. Thanks for sharing this project!
Posted by: Jan B. | June 30, 2011 at 07:24 AM
Very, very cool. Love it.
Posted by: rose christopher | June 30, 2011 at 08:01 AM
I think my favorite fairy tale has to be Little Red Riding Hood.
Posted by: rose christopher | June 30, 2011 at 08:11 AM
Wow! The clock and that frame are just beyond gorgeous! Love them. TFS and thanx for the inspiration.
Posted by: KimMJ | June 30, 2011 at 01:00 PM
I think I can do it!! I've been looking for a way to use the doorknobs and Gloria's frame is gorgeous and simple enough to inspire me to get it done!
Posted by: giathompson0082@gmail.com | July 01, 2011 at 09:50 AM
Wow.. Amazing tutorial about Metal Staples Crafts. I love to collect such type of metal crafts. I never found such a great tutorial.
Posted by: מאפרת | September 15, 2011 at 08:31 AM
Awesome metal collection. I like metal flowers, metal buttons, geometric metal door plate and knob. It is really beautiful.
Posted by: קעקועים גלריה | September 21, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Alright! That metal clock is very beautiful. It never entered my mind that I can make something like this myself. Thanks for sharing the tutorial!
Posted by: mining equipment | January 19, 2012 at 12:44 AM