Project 17: Photo Transfer onto Canvas

This project yields some fun results. It's not always predictable but that's the fun in it.  I scored this project idea from this website. Click this for the tutorial.


Supplies used:
8 x 10 canvas
Laser printer
Black and white image
Gel medium
Brush

The instructions say to put the gel medium on thick - I highly advise this!

I found other tutorial variations that seem to be a lot simpler and only use Mod Podge (which is WAY cheaper).  I will try that out soon. Check that tutorial out!

Project 16: Airplant in a Votive

Okay - I do believe this is my last air plant project! At least for a while. :0)

This project is super simple.  I bought an inexpensive votive candle holder at Pier One. I took a small amount of decorative moss and placed in the bottom of the votive so that the air plant would sit higher when I glued it down. There you have it folks.  A project completed in 5 minutes!

Supplies used:
Air plant
Votive holder
Decorative moss
Hot glue gun

Project 15: Air Plant in a Light Bulb

This project wasn't exactly what I was planning. I wanted to make a light bulb terrarium and the light bulb was just too fragile.  When I was working with the light bulb the top of it broke off.  I didn't know what I would do - then I remembered that I had a mini propane torch.   With all my manly might, I sparked the flame and melted the jagged edges of the bulb.

Once the bulb cooled off I noticed that I had an air plant that could fit into the opening.  I put a bit of hot glue on the bottom of the plant and slid it into the bulb and adhering it to the center of the inside.  I added some decorative rocks to hide the gluing. :0)

Air plants that little care - just a submersion in water once a week.  The only problem I foresee is the need to make sure no excess water is inside the bulb. You can follow the instructions for this project here: Etsy Tutorials.

Supplies used:
Light bulb
Needle nose pliers
Gloves
Small stones
Protective eye wear
Air plant
Propane torch (if necessary) hahaha

Project 14: Air Plant Hanging Jars

I've seen this item a few times online.  I've always thought it looked cool and thought I'd give it a shot.  The toughest part was finding the jar to use that would hang from a string.  I already had the air plants and now I just had to figure out how to get a hole drilled into the ceramic glazed jar. You definitely need a high powered drill and a drill bit equipped for masonry. It takes some time to drill through the ceramic - be warned!

Supplies Used:
Air plants
Hot glue gun
Cord
Small Container/jar
Power drill

 

I drilled through the bottom of the jar slowly - it took about 10 - 15 minutes to finally get through it.  I had to put water  on the center of the jar to help keep the drill bit cool as I worked to drill the hole.  The key is taking your time!

 I tied a knot on one end once I pulled the cord through the jar to allow it to hang.  I then hot glued the air plant to the cord.  I'm sure there is a more sophisticated way to do that. hahaha

Project 13: Stylish Terrarium

An air plant was hot glued into this jar to create this terrarium.
Only the white rock and the plant are secured.

Building a terrarium is something I've always wanted to try.  It seemed pretty easy and it was.  I just needed to find a jar I liked to get started.

Supplies used:
Jar (open or with a lid)
Activated charcoal (can be purchased at a pet shop in the aquarium section)
Potting soil
Moss
Small stones
Succulents or air plant

When using a succulent in the terrarium, you will use all supplies that are listed.  Air plants don't use soil. 

The air plant terrarium will never be enclosed in the jar. It needs as much moisture as it can get without sitting in water.

I used this tutorial on how to make a terrarium.  ETSY Tutorial.  I did start off trying to use a light bulb and it is pretty difficult.  I guess the light bulbs I bought were cheap because the glass was so thin. hahaha

This terrarium used moss that was found in my backyard.  It'll be interesting to see how it grows.

A succulent is used in this terrarium.

Project 5: 45 RPM Wall Clock

This is a throwback!  I went to Eastern Market in Washington, D.C. Last winter (yes, it's been nearly a year) and bought a bunch of cool records.  Once of which was Madonna's Lucky Star.  I believe I only paid $1 for the record.  I also got the following 45s Barbra Streisand (The Way We Were), The Jackson 5 (Sugar Daddy), Billy Paul (Me and Mrs. Jones), and Mike Post (Theme from Rockford Files). I also scored John Denver's Greatest Hits LP and a Tom Jones LP - both in their original cardboard sleeve!

With all this goodness I wasn't exactly sure how I'd use them.  I just knew I would figure something out.  Then it dawned on me. I would make clocks out of them.  Every time I went to look at clock parts they were always more expensive than what I wanted to spend.  On Thursday, I found the bargain I needed! A clock making kit meant for kids. It was on clearance for $5.99. I can stand behind that! With my supplies in hand, I chose to go with the Madonna 45 because that's one of my favorite songs in the bunch AND it's Madonna!

Supplies Used:
45 RPM Record
Clock Parts
Hot Glue Gun
Spray Paint

The clock kit came complete with a wooden base that just do happened to work nicely with the 45 record. The dilemma was that I didn't want to look at the wood base - so I used white spray paint to cover the wood.  Once it was dry, I began to put it together.  I used the hot glue gun to secure the record to the wood base.