• Make
  • Cook
  • Read
  • Think
  • My Story

created for joy

~ make today

created for joy

Tag Archives: decoupage

Easy-Peasy Friday: Jam Jar Luminaries

08 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Easy-Peasy, Make

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

candle, craft, decoupage, easy-peasy, gel medium, gift, holder, housewarming, jam jar, luminary, make, mason jar, paper, paper tape, quick, wedding

papertapecandles02

Time for another Easy-Peasy Friday! This week’s quick and simple project is an homage to three of my favorite things: glass jars, candles, and paper tape. These Jam Jar Luminaries take just a few minutes to make, and their candlelit glow produces instant ambience. I couldn’t resist the romantic twilight photo above, but others taken during more reasonable daylight hours are below so that you can better view the construction. I have already decided my pair will need a few more partners, then take their place under a glass cloche as a centerpiece on my dining room table. (And for you science geeks out there, don’t worry — I’m using flameless battery-operated votives, so no oxygen required. ;)

The real star of the show here is paper tape: self-adhesive rolls of either tissue or craft paper, available in myriad prints, colors, and sizes. I’ve been just a wee bit obsessed with the stuff ever since I used about 90 yards of Tim Holtz vintage tissue paper tape to cover a printer’s tray. Paper tape made a second appearance in my valentines this year, and I was officially hooked.

There are quite a few varieties of paper tape on the market now, sold in stores specializing in everything from crafts, to paper goods, to containers and gift wrap. My only caveat would be that, with the exception of one Japanese brand I purchased from the Container Store, all of them seem to be lacking in the adhesive department. Just think of it as temporary glue, meant to hold the tape in place long enough for you to seal it with a coat of decoupage or gel medium.

luminaries04

To make a luminary, you will need:
a clean jam or mason jar, no lid required
paper tape (mine used about 24″ each)
decoupage or gel medium (I like Mod-Podge or Golden)
embellishments of your choice
a sponge brush or paintbrush to apply decoupage or gel medium

1) Wrap the center section of your jar with strips of paper tape. I found it easiest to wrap only the area of the jar that was symmetrical and without a raised pattern.
2) Apply a coat or two of decoupage or gel medium to the tape and allow to dry completely.
3) Embellish the wrapped area as desired. On one, I used hand-dyed ribbon and a transparent, beaded sticker. The other is decorated with twine on which I threaded tiny flower-shaped beads made of wood and stone.

Other ideas for embellishments include wire, paper tags, glass beads, metal charms, paper shapes, ribbon, bottle caps, snippets of vintage greeting cards — you are limited only by your imagination here.

luminaries03

I am already making another set of these as a housewarming gift for dear friends who are moving this week. Any June weddings coming up out there? I think a series of tabletops scattered with tiny tealight luminaries would make for a nighttime wonderland — all you need is a passel of baby food jars and some paper tape. What do you think? How will you decorate yours and where will you put them?

Advertisement

Truth Rocks

18 Sunday Dec 2011

Posted by createdforjoy in Make, Think

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

art, Brave Girls Club, daughters, decoupage, glass pebbles, honest, make, mothers, polymer clay, retreat, think, truth

truthrocks1

Art represents both communication and restoration for me. It helps me revel in the joy of every beautiful, blessed breath I take today. It also allows me to explore and share the hardest parts of yesterday, so that I can grieve my losses and discover the goodness that will undoubtedly come from them.

To me, art is also about relationships, about voicing the feelings and truths that might otherwise go unexpressed. I love that both my children are artistically inclined in their own ways, and I treasure the artwork they share with me; every piece is like a little window into how they feel, what they think, and who they are. Kids are complicated, always changing and questioning and becoming, and I value the glimpses of clarity their art provides.

truthrocks2

A few months ago I wandered on to an art site called Brave Girls Club, and the name alone was enough to win me over. It is run by a pair of sisters whose main focus is art classes that give girls and women opportunity for creative fun while encouraging some real soul-searching, honest reflection. When I saw they were hosting a three-week on-line art retreat for mothers and daughters, I knew it was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss. My daughter was equally excited about the prospect of making art and memories together, so we signed up and gathered our supplies.

truthrocks3

Each week there are new projects with how-to videos, detailed directions, and pdf’s to print out. Last week, we made Truth Rocks. Brave Girls Club provided gorgeous little inspirational phrases, which we printed and cut out, then decoupaged on to the backs of large glass pebbles. The last step was to cover each one with polymer clay; I also stamped mine for texture and brushed on metallic mica dust to give them a little shine.

truthrocks4

I love the sentiments the Truth Rocks express, and there is something so special about reading them, about holding a small piece of something real and beautiful in your hand. It has been touching and more than a little revealing to discover how my daughter perceives me, what needs she senses and what strengths she values.

I appreciate this kind of focused quality time with her, and it also gives me a bit of peace to know she is carrying away something concrete to show her how I feel. An 11-year-old girl’s memory might get hazy with time, and I won’t always be around to tell her how greatly she is valued and loved; but I know the art projects we’ve made in the last few weeks will keep on echoing those important truths.

Follow created for joy on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search

Recent Posts

  • Almond Butter and Jam Cookie Sandwiches
  • Bacon and Egg Breakfast Muffins
  • Loving the Kitchen
  • Creamy Chicken Noodles
  • Double Chip Molasses Oatmeal Cookies

Categories

  • Cook (48)
  • Easy-Peasy (3)
  • Make (37)
  • Read (24)
  • Think (20)

Archives

  • October 2013 (1)
  • March 2013 (1)
  • October 2012 (1)
  • August 2012 (6)
  • July 2012 (4)
  • June 2012 (7)
  • May 2012 (4)
  • April 2012 (6)
  • March 2012 (6)
  • February 2012 (9)
  • January 2012 (14)
  • December 2011 (15)
  • November 2011 (17)
  • October 2011 (6)

All original content © Spring Barnickle, Create Joy LLC, & createdforjoy.com, 2011-2014.

Feel free to link to createdforjoy.com or provide excerpts with clear credit and directions to original content; please ask before copying posts or pictures to your site or publication.

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • created for joy
    • Join 96 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • created for joy
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar