Swamp Lamps: Alluring Illumination

With containment comes time.  Lots and lots of time.  I worry what the future is going to look like.  When October comes, will we feel safe and comfortable going from house to house, drawing close to each other, hands diving into a shared bucket of candy, without fear of deadly germs?  I know it seems silly to think about but it's the normalcy of traditions like Halloween night I miss.  Heck I miss even the freedom of thinking about silly things.

I figured the best therapy would be to plug forward as if all were going to be the same and get to prop making.  I have a long list of stuff I want to try and managed to somehow start 3 all at the same time.  The first to completion (or near completion at least) are these gobsmacking swamp lamps I found via Pinterest & the Halloween Forum.

You can find the instructions here.  They're well written and clear; I pretty much followed them to a tee.  What I posted here are actually the 2nd and 3rd pass at the project.  I kinda messed up the first one when I got to the painting step and I could kick myself.  It's vitally important to use a wash or water down your paint.  It's what gives it the more natural look vs just some craft paint on CelluClay.  And take your time, layer the paint.  You can always add more but you can't take it away.

This was my first time using CelluClay and I LOVE it.  What a fantastic product!  If you haven't used it before, I suggest starting at the base of your lamp where you can experiment and hide "mistakes."  I decided to go over the CelluClay with water using either my finger or a paint brush to smooth it out in an effort to match the smoother texture of driftwood.  I used the CelluClay to bulk up areas, built "bridges" between the bamboo - anything to hide the distinctive look of a tiki torch.

Be patient with the paint, slowly building up the color
for greater realism. 

My daughter and I gathered the wood and some of the shells on a beach trip, the rest was stuff from my stash.  Shark teeth, shells, beach glass....honestly I had a hard time stopping, I just kept thinking of fun things to add.

The shark teeth were found "panning" at a pumpkin festival.
My daughter did gems, I wanted fossils. We both were happy.

Like the "seaweed!"  At first I was going to add moss but then started to worry it would just dry and eventually fall off.   Switching course, I dyed some cheesecloth green (I did two pieces, soaking one longer than the other to get different shades) and then cut small squares.  After pulling at it a bit, stretching it out, I used matte Modge Podge to adhere it to the sides.  I gently brushed more Modge Podge in other areas of the cheesecloth to give it a wet look.  The result is somewhere between seaweed and fishnet, either of which works just fine for me!

Seaweed clings to the outside as light illuminates the creepy
interior of the lamp base

Last note, I realized too late on my first one so remedied it here - it's really incredible when the light is able to find it's way DOWN through the bottom of the jar.  It illuminates the space adding even more visual interest.  I try to keep the tape and CelluClay to a minimum on the underside of the jar.  To cast light both up and down, I taped two LED votive candles end to end.  

This is not an afternoon project.  I worked on mine over days, if not more.  It takes time for things to dry.  And if you're like me, you'll keep thinking of new ways to make it cool thus drawing it out longer.  But man is it worth it.  I still can't believe I made something so cool!

Be safe, we'll be haunting together soon...I feel it.

211 days till Halloween...

My daughter knocked this one over, snapping all the sticks
above the lip of the jar.  After a cry, I got some wood glue and
got to work.  You would have never known, would you?

Pantry Potion: Rusted Metal

I love the romantic decay of rusted metal.  The colors and shapes speak to years of use, storms passed and time gone by.  In a haunt, a rusty bucket can hint at neglect, abandonment or perhaps even a nefarious use.  Here's how to get a perfect patina that doesn't require years of patience, just some pantry staples.  

I'm going to show you how to do a galvanized metal object.  If you're using a tin or unsealed object, you can skip Step 3 as noted below.

What you'll need:

• Metal Object
• Lemon Juice (for galvanized objects only)
• Distilled White Vinegar
• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
• Salt
• Paper Towels
• Plastic Tray or cardboard box (optional)
• Gloves
• Clean BBQ Brush
• Degreaser (Goof-off)
• 2x Spray Bottles
• Matte clear Polyurethane spray

I picked up the bucket at a favorite supply source - the kitchen store - for a mere $5.99.  They're great for Hydrogen Peroxide, gloves, BBQ brush & spray bottles on the cheap as well.  The rest you can find at your grocery store.  Look for store brands and "pantry staple" sales year round.

Wear gloves to prevent oil from your hands from getting on the metal and interfering with the rusting solution.

Step 1: Degrease the metal with the degreaser to remove any dirt, oils or finish that will prevent the rusting solution to work.  

Step 1 - Degreased and ready to go

Step 2: Use the BBQ brush to distress the metal, taking care to brush in various directions as you go (I like alternating circles and X's).  I find this helps expose the metal to the rusting solution effects.

Step 2 - already looking less shiny

Step 3: Soak the metal in a bath of 90% vinegar to 10% lemon juice.  For larger objects, wrap metal in paper towels soaked in the solution. Ensure as much contact between the object and towels as possible and try your best to keep the towels wet.  A spray bottle of the solution is handy for this step and can even be used to apply the paper towels (spray object, apply towel, spray towel).  Let soak overnight. (Skip this step if your not using galvanized metal).

Tip: This is a messy project so I highly recommend using something to protect your work area.  A plastic tray can act as a catch basin and the paper towels as wicks, their ends soaking solution pooled below.  Mixing tubs and Plastic planter saucers are great for this.

Step 3 - Bath time!

After just a few hours the shine is gone

16 hours or so later.  Already some rust forming. Upper inside
didn't have a nice contact with the formula soaked towel leaving
it somewhat shiny.  Grr.

16 hour mark, other side

Step 4: Mix the following in a spray bottle: 4 parts vinegar to 2 parts 3% hydrogen peroxide to 1/2 part table salt.  Mix VERY WELL, dissolving all salt crystals before using.

Tip: This next step works best with a little heat so if possible, work in direct sunlight, allowing the metal to warm up.  The heat acts as both a catalyst to the reaction in addition to causing it to dry quickly.

Step 5: Lightly spray the metal with the solution from Step 4.  Allow to dry and repeat until you reach the desired effect.  Be mindful of using too much solution as it can drip and run, leaving the rust in the plastic tray below rather than on the metal where we want it.  This process can take just a few hours or days, it's up to you.  I find leaving things out exposed to the elements at night and spraying during the day for a couple days works best.

Step 5: After first 10-12 sprays..

About another 20+ sprays later...

40+ sprays, a night out, hit by the sprinklers...

Step 6: Seal object with Polyurethane spray.  The rust is powdery and can come off on your hands so it's a good idea to fix the patina in place.  Especially if you're doing a beverage bucket and plan to have ice/water inside.  For beverage buckets, I'd suggest either skipping Step 3 on the inside or, in addition to sealing, use a plastic liner/bag that can be held in place with magnets so that the beverages don't wind up swimming in rusty water.

Step 6: Sealed

A slight change in angle and colors shift, so cool!

Finished product in disguise as a cool way to chill beverages...

262 days till Halloween...

Pantry Potion: Stained Glass Jars

Officially my new favorite DIY project, these stained glass jars are easy, cheap and full of opportunities to personalize.  I'm in the middle of making a new Halloween prop that calls for a lantern type jar.  I wanted something a little different than my Witch's Jars, something a bit more Enchanted Forest Fairy and less bloody & muck.  YouTube proffered a fantastic & short how-to on staining glass that seemed perfect and everything you need is likely already in your pantry.

Here's what you need:
Glass jars - Mason or rinsed spaghetti, salsa, jelly, etc.  Use Goo Gone to remove any label glue
Modge Podge
Food Coloring
(Bake at 215° for 1-2 hours, until all glue is clear)

I followed the YouTube instructions for my first 2 jars and while I think the overall, consistent color is cool (see the green jars below), it wasn't quite right for my project.   Rather than pre-mixing the food coloring & Modge Podge, I decided to coat the jar with MP first and then add drops of food coloring, working the color around by rolling and tipping the jar.  I also upped the cooking temp to 215° as I felt it cooked a little faster without "burning" the glue.

So far the results are killer.  I think it could still use a bit of tweaking, getting the glue to food coloring ratio just right changes the results.  For now though, I'm in love with my new Fairy Jars.

***Bloody Valentine Votive seekers, scroll down to the end of the post for more details!***

Tips:

• The food coloring will almost run right over the Modge Podge at first, different densities and all.  Eventually they will combine, something you may or may not desire.  The more you work the MP around, the more it will mix.  Too many colors & swirling, the more muddled it will get.  Get it just right and combine two complimentary colors for a fabulous 3 color finish (ie., red & yellow swirls with orange, red & blue with purple, etc.)

• Start with the lightest color.  The darker colors dominate and you don't need nearly as much so add a little at a time.

• Try to avoid excess Modge Podge.  It collects in the bottom and takes forever to dry.  Adding the food coloring adds liquid so you can go a bit light on the MP, even leaving blank areas.  Once you add to food coloring,  you'll have enough to cover the blanks.  (Or leave them clear, up to you.)

• If you do wind up with a pool of Modge Podge, don't despair! You can coat the jar with it again to expedite the drying process.  Using hot pads, take the jar out of the oven and tilt it slightly to one side.  Tilt & roll the jar around, working the VERY HOT, lava-like colored MP around the sides.  Please note this will tend to cause a more even, constant color.  So if you have some good swirly whirly areas, you may want to dodge them as you work the VERY HOT MP around.  BE VERY CAREFUL.  Make sure to keep your eyes peeled, random globs of VERY HOT MP may gather and fall if you're not paying attention.

• You can avoid the previous tip by just using as little Modge Podge as possible.  I wish I could tell you a perfect MP to food coloring ratio but it's really all trial and error and what sort of look you want.  Dig into your Haunt Hoard of glass jars to experiment with color combinations and MP.  It's endlessly fun.

Finally, like most of my projects that involve candles, I recommend using flameless LED. Safety first and it adds to the longevity of your art.

Share your Fairy Jars in the comments!

311 days till Halloween...

Even and light coating of Modge Podge with
6 drops of yellow food coloring

Swirled and whirled yellow food coloring

4 drops of green, swirled and whirled

Few drops of blue. Mid jar you can see where
the color and MP have begun to mix

Last looks before putting it in the oven

Drum roll...

While not my favorite it's a nice view of how the colors work with Modge Podge - mixing, not mixing, etc.  More results from the craft laboratory below...

Yellow, Green & Red food coloring

Blue & Purple food coloring

Yellow, green, blue & red food coloring

This was my first attempt at the new technique. It's muddled a bit but also pretty cool & will work well in my new prop.

I followed the YouTube video for these, using green & yellow food coloring and pre-mixing it in the Modge Podge

MY BLOODY VALENTINE:

For these bad boys, I premixed the food coloring (red) and MP, put a small amount in the bottom and coated just the lower inch or so.  I then carefully dripped the mixture along the upper rim of the jar, varying quantity for different drip lengths.  I used the same knife I had used for mixing color and MP like a spatula for the drips - scooping up a bit and pouring it gently over the rim.

After it baked for about 15 minutes, I swirled the hot lava MP around the bottom for another coating and also added more drips, laying the color in some places and creating new drips in others.  Repeat this process until you get the color and look you like and finish baking until all the MP is dry.  Bloody great candle holders for Valentine's day...

Antlers: A Budding Romance

I have a new crush: Antlers.

Good looking, useful in so many settings, unique, natural.  What's not to love!?!

Halloween I add them to displays and mobiles, their twists and points seemingly sinister.  For Fall, they add some sculpture and nature to a wreath.  And for Christmas, stockings get a new place to hang.

They're so universal!  If you're antler-crazy like me, bookmark this post.  I expect this post to grow as I discover new ways to integrate these stunners into holiday decor for EVERY season.   I walk around my house holding antlers now, looking for places to add points.

Get started with your own antler obsession by picking some up on eBay.  There are lots of sellers - antlers make great chew toys for dogs - so there's options at nearly every price points.  Here's my favorite seller - they'll accommodate your needs quantity and quality wise.  Just let them know what you'll be using them for and they'll hook you up.

Can't wait to dress this up for
Halloween next year.

Antler Candle Holder goes from Halloween...

...to Thanksgiving...

...and right into Christmas.

Fall-ing Forward from Goblins to Gobble Gobble

Don't toss those uncarved gourds just yet!  Keep the festivities going by gathering them together and adding corn cobs for a festive Thanksgiving display.  These corn cobs were on my cornstalks from Halloween which was an extra bonus.

Or...add some succulents.  This nifty project my mom just finished and I think it's fantastic.  She hot glued some clippings directly to the pumpkin.  The succulents will grow through the skin of the pumpkin and as the pumpkin decomposes, it provides nutrients the plants.  The more deformed the pumpkin the better, tucking the clippings into their twists and turns.  What a great Thanksgiving table centerpiece option.  Can't wait to try this myself.

Antler Shed Wreath - I'm actually not much of a wreath person but I do adore how they can mark the passing of a year through the holidays.  I took my antlers (eBay) and feathers (craft store/found) from my haunt set up and picked up this grapevine wreath at Joann Fabrics ($6.99 minus a 60% off regular price coupon).  A silver cuff bracelet adds a nice touch of metal along with some rusted bell stems I found on 70% clearance last year.   Moose ribbon a result of years of hoarding gift wrap ribbon to the point of embarrassment.

Pumpkin Bush into Turkey Topiary - My first year doing these so need to tweak but I'm already all about these silly and amazing turkey topiaries.  Left the pumpkin bush part as is and added a shepherd's hook, old trellis and some tomato cages.

Above the Cabinets - The antler candle holders were a Christmas purchase that goes from Halloween, to Thanksgiving and right into Christmas.  Owls transition from "Boo" back to "Who" when nestled among the fall harvest.  My mother was amazing at marking the year through the holidays with window & door decals and decorations.   Bringing the cheer to the space above the cabinets is my way of carrying the tradition on.

From Halloween spooky...

To Thanksgiving toasty.