Golden Geodes

Ok, they're more like inside out geodes, but they still look amazing.  Lately I've been obsessed with growing crystals in the kitchen and I seriously cannot stop!  Last week I decided to paint some basic stones with my beautiful metallic gold Americana Multi-Surface and then see if they could withstand the heat and borax solution.  Guess what....They did!  I absolutely love the way these look and people can't stop playing with them.  Put them around some 

candles and you'll have an amazing centerpiece.  

Glue one on top of a box and you'll have something truly special.

Have fun!  xo, Mark

Photographed on my favorite tree stump 

Watch the short video tutorial here

YOU'LL NEED

Borax

Food Coloring

Rocks

Americana Multi-Surface Satin in Gold 

Pipe cleaners

Thread

Chopsticks

Large glass jars

Paintbrushes

 Wash and paint several stones in metallic gold

*The bigger the stone, the larger the end result

Wrap the stones in pipe cleaners and secure in place

Tie a string to the stone and secure it to a pipe cleaner so that it hangs inside of the glass jar

Fill the jar with boiling water and food coloring 

 Add 3 tablespoons of borax per cup of boiling water

*You can use more if you want to

Submerge the stone into the water and let set for at least 6 hours

The longer you leave it, the larger it will grow

Remove and let dry

Kraft Paper Feathers DIY

I love a huge arrangement in the middle of a table but it's not always easy to get fresh flowers AND they can be expensive.  For my annual New Year's Eve party I decided to update my paper feather project from The Big Ass Book of Crafts.  This time instead of leaving them plain, I painted the ends with a beautiful Americana Multi-Surface Metallic Gold.  They look even better than the original project and the best part is that I never have to change the water!

Careful with your candle placement! 

I love how they pick up the light.

Watch the video tutorial!

YOU'LL NEED

Kraft paper

Scissors

Americana Multi-Surface Metallic in Gold

White glue

Paintbrush

18 gage (or similar) wire

Wire cutters

 Cut several wire pieces about 25" to 28" long

Cut several sheets of kraft paper 22" x 12"

Slightly water down the white glue so it's easy to spread

Paint it on half of the kraft paper

Sandwich the wire inside of the kraft paper

 Cut into a feather shape

Paint the ends in metallic gold

Roll a 12" x 6" sheet of kraft paper into a thin tube

Cut the sides of the feather at an angle 

Glue the paper tube over the wire and let dry

*You can use hot glue for this if you want 

 Add shiny Christmas bulbs to your table. 

Paint a basic glass vase to match your table.