Beach wreaths
10.07.2008 01:00
Home
- Source: Home Envy
Hands-on time: 30 minutes.
Total time: 1 day (depending on the artwork).
Skill: Easy and kid-friendly.
Cost estimate: Less than $18.00. Materials & Tools- Drawing or watercolor art paper
- Assorted coloured pencils, watercolour paints, pastels, charcoal, or finger paints
- Matte or gloss fixative
- Circular or oval wreath sized to fit final artwork (available at craft stores)
- Matting board (available at picture-frame and some craft stores)
- Craft knife
- Glue gun and sticks
- Regular glue stick
- Seashells in assorted sizes
- Sea sponges in assorted sizes (available at craft or hobby stores)
- Raffia ribbon in natural or colour, pebbles, fishing net (optional)
Here's a new way to frame your summer-vacation art and mementos. Beach wreaths add a whimsical touch to treasure and display the spirit of your summer around your home or cottage. First, draw (or have your children draw) or paint a picture with the medium of your choice, be it coloured pencils, pastels, watercolors, charcoal or even finger paints. Spray your artwork with a quality fixative to protect it, or substitute with a light spray varnish. Then, find a wreath and matting-board in a shape and size that can fit over the artwork. Once you have determined the proper size, trim around the matting-board exterior with the craft knife to fit it at the back of the wreath. Trim the artwork to fit under the matting board. Put some glue at the back of the matting board, then apply the board over the artwork. With the glue gun, apply glue to the back of the wreath and affix the matted art into place. Position pieces of dried sea moss or sponges and assorted seashells around the frame. Once in place, glue them on. Adorn the wreath with raffia accents, pebbles, or even fishing net for an even more authentic ocean theme. Don't be shy to bring your art to a framing store to find the proper matt size. You can usually find something that will be very close to the proportions you need. Adhesive spray can be substituted instead of the glue stick to affix the image onto the mat. My basic rule of thumb for any project is, "keep it simple". Use materials that you already have, and use the right tools for the right results. "Recycle and reuse" is also part of my motto. For example, you can easily recycle an old wreath that you may have just sitting in the garage for this project instead of going out to buy a new one, or matting board leftover from pictures you may have framed a year ago. My favorite supply stores are: nature, my garage, garage sales (other people's garages), and flea markets. For most basic art supplies, from watercolor paper to coloring pencils, fixative and other mediums check out www.staples.com, www.matshop.ca or www.loomisartstore.com - they even deliver art supplies right to your home.
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