Glowing Mermaid Lanterns DIY

Just like Ariel, I have gizmos and gadgets aplenty.  I'm talking beads, glass chips, rhinestones, seashells, pearls and sea glass in piles in drawers just waiting for a project.  These mermaid lanterns were the perfect project to make use of that stash of crafty treasure AND to give me a tiny taste of summer which is just a few months away!  Print out some mermaid images and grab a few 99c store frames and you're ready to get started.  I used a twinkly, battery operated tea light in the back to give it that magical, watery glow and they look absolutely beautiful when the sun goes down.  Create your own magical environment and don't forget to

Make Your Mark!

A trio of mermaid lanterns to light up the night

 They look just as pretty during the day

Watch how to make them here!

STUFF I USED

E6000 PLUS (no odor)

Americana Decoupage

Mermaid Images

Glass Candle Holders

Beads, Seashells, Pearls, Glass Chips, Tiny Glass Cabochons

Craft Twinkles in Crystal & Americana Acrylics in Sea Breeze

Fish Scale Stencil

 HERE'S HOW

1.  Remove the glass and stencil the frame with Americana Acrylics in Sea Breeze

2.  Add a layer of Craft Twinkles over the stenciled frame

3.  Decoupage a mermaid image on the back of the glass

4.  Glue the glass inside the frame with E6000 PLUS

5. - 6.  Glue seashells, pearls, rhinestones, glass cabochons & glass chips on the front

of the frame around the mermaid image

7.  Add a layer of Craft Twinkles in Crystal over the seashells

8.  Glue a small glass candle holder to the back of the frame

9.  Add a battery operated tea light inside the candle holder

Look at this stuff!  Isn't it neat?

I can't wait for summer!

Mermaid Chimes

  Lately I've been rummaging through boxes and boxes of jewelry findings, chain, pearls and beads and trying to decide whether to donate them OR use them.  I feel a tad bit guilty about how much room they're taking up!  Let's face it, I have whose its and whatsits galore!  I decided to go nuts and make these sparkly mermaid chimes first, though I didn't really make a dent in my stash.  Still, I had fun, and that's all that counts, right?  I mean, if it's not fun, why do it?  Remember to use up all your thing-a-ma-bobs and always Make Your Mark!

These sort of clank more than jingle! 

They definitely sparkle when the sun hits them!

  

Watch how to make them here!

STUFF I USED

Images of mermaids

E-6000 Glue

Chandelier crystals

Pearl beads

Americana Decoupage in matte

Jewelry pieces

Brass chain and cup chain

Drill or drill press

Seashells

 HERE'S HOW

1. & 2.   Drill 3 holes at the base of your large, flat shell

3. Trace around the shell on  your printed mermaid image adding an extra 1/4" all the way around

4.  Cut out the image and add 1 1/2" slits every 1" around the edge

5. Mist the front and back with water and then spread a generous amount of Americana Decoupage on the back of the image

6.  Carefully adhere it to the top of the shell and let dry

*Trim the edges when dry if you have to

7.  Add a large jewelry piece at the top and edge the shell with rhinestone cup chain

8.  Embellish the top of the shell with tiny shells and pearls

9.  Cut three 12" lengths of brass chain (or whatever you want to use)

*If you don't have chain, use yarn or heavy string

10.  Attach keys, jewelry pieces, chandelier crystals and doodads to the chain

11.  Hang the embellished chains from the 3 holes at the bottom of the shel

12.  Add some string at the top and hang 

Enjoy!

You want thingamabobs? I got plenty!

Mer-mazing!