By Your Hands: May 27, 2013

Monday, May 27, 2013

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Floral Bottle Board

Decorative signs ride current craft trends- but just because one style passes doesn't mean the sign needs to hit the trash pile. Looking at an object for it's shape instead of the message can often lead to new life for would-be castaways.

This floral bottle board is a good example of "one person's trash is another person's treasure".

Believe it or not, what lies beneath this sign was so outdated, even the cashier at the thrift store gave me a cross-eyed look. But for just $1, I knew I couldn't pass it up.

Despite the hot-glued bugs, this wood sign is in excellent shape and already has a whimsical wire hanger. Bugs are easily picked off (and set free into the wilds of my patio plants) and a good coat of paint with primer will cover this sign's current message. Add some vintage bottles I scored for $3 at auction last week and I would have my own custom floral board.

What you will need for this project:

* Wooden Sign * Small Glass Bottles * Sandpaper * Paintbrush * Foam Brush * Spare Paint * Mod Podge * Scrapbook Paper * 22 Gauge Wire * Wire Cutter * Ruler * Pencil * Upholstery Tacks * Small Hammer

Start by sanding the entire sign, front, back, and sides.

Apply one coat of neutral paint with primer. I used some leftover interior paint from the garage.

Paint that gets on the wire can be scraped off with a damp towel, or use sandpaper if the paint has dried.

Choose scrapbook paper to embellish the sign. For this project I used paper from My Mind's Eye's Lost and Found collection. Once the paper has been cut to suit the sign shape, apply Mod Podge to the back of the paper and adhere paper to the sign.

Sand edges of paper to decrease the harsh line where the paper ends.

Apply a second coat of Mod Podge over paper and entire front of sign.

Using a ruler, mark the center point of the sign. From there, make a mark every two inches on either side.

With a small hammer, pound in upholstery tacks at each pencil dot. Leave about 1/4 inch open to wrap wire. Add some distressing by randomly hammering the board to leave strike marks.

Using 22 gauge wire (or stronger, depending on bottle size), cut 12 inch strips. Place bottle neck in center of the cut wire, wrap wire twice and twist until the wire is secure and the bottle can't slip through.