Monday, May 20, 2013

Befores, Afters and WWYD with Gold Leaf Frames?



Last week was another of those weeks where I felt like I was painting everything that did not move.

I had a new can of Krylon Looking Glass paint, and had been saving up projects on which I could use it for months.

Several vintage footed glass candle holders were among my stash of items. 



Each had different metal finishes and two were dated gold and brown tinted glass. 


I don't usually prefer tinted glass...unless it's for making faux mercury glass!  It really shows up the treatment very well.



I painted all the bases in faux chalk paint, using a Plaster of Paris recipe. 

Well, really, I don't use much of a recipe. I put some Plaster of Paris in a container and add warm water to make a thin paste or thick paint consistency, then add about an equal amount of flat latex paint. I don't measure, unless I'm baking!


I almost didn't paint the green base on this one, but in the end, the paint won. I like to sit and watch Netflix and paint things. If something is still on, I keep painting. So the green went away, except for tiny little bits of it peeking out.

The clear glass is not nearly as interesting as the tinted, in my opinion. I will probably spray some gray or bronze inside to give this piece a bit more depth.


I almost didn't paint this one...it had a faux rusty finish - it wasn't bad, but it didn't go well with anything I had. Faux rust and real rust fight with each other. My rusty things are AUTHENTIC! 

All the while I was painting this little piece, I was thinking of Rosemary at Villa Barnes, and her cool crowns and wonderful finishes!

These pieces may end up on Etsy, or I may stash them until Christmas, when I bring out other Mercury glass pieces. I love the look of it at Christmas!

Now, what would YOU do?


I found these lovely gilded French frames for a steal. 
They're not plastic, but the real deal.


One has a small chip...but I have gold leaf.


As cute as the needlepoint pieces are, they are going far away from these frames forever.

Question: Would you leave these gilded frames gold, or paint them white, with bits of gold peeking through? I promise I won't let Netflix decide this one!

Word for the Day:
Matthew 6:19-20
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Linking With

Sunday

Thrifty Treasures
Sunday Show-off Link Party
Monday

Masterpiece Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Mod Mix Monday
Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
The Scoop
The Scoop
Inspire Me Tuesday
Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday
Blissfully White Wednesday
What’s it Wednesday
Primp Your Stuff Wed
Thursday

Thursday Open House Party
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Friday

Feathered Nest Friday
Frugal Friday
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Rustic Restorations Weekend
Weekend
Saturday

Saturday Nite Special
Get Schooled Saturday

11 comments:

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Ooooh! I don't know. That is hard to decide.
I like them gilded...but the technique you described sounds pretty too!
I'm so indecisive, you know.
I do love the footed cups. The mercury glass is so wonderful.
You're so talented!

I'm sure you'll show us once it's decided... who ever decides, it will be fabulous.

Pat

Jana@Transformations From the Heart said...

Seems as though I'm painting anything that doesn't move so I would op to paint the frames and do the Rosemary make-over/technique. I've done several pieces that way lately and have loved how they turned out in the end.
BTW-you're footed glassware turned out wonderful. Love the new look!

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

First of all, the mercury glass painted candle holders are so cool with the chalk painted bases, and you're right, that tinted glass works wonders under the mercury glass paint. Really cool. As for these frames, let me just tell you how great they would be painted with the white showing through. As if you don't know. But, my friend found a huge mirror like this and we chalk painted and rubbed it off in places and the gold leaf showing through looks amazing. Way more intriguing than other fake gold or bronze or whatever would. We just love how her mirror turned out. I bet your frames would have the same effect.

Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) said...

Great makeover!
Beautiful shots.
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)

Greetings from Singapore...

Unknown said...

Those candle holders are just gorgeous - and the frames? Paint Paint Paint !!!
Especially seeing how the candle holders turned out!
Hugs,
Suzan

Jamie-So Much Better With Age said...

Wow! Unbelievable! Best "faux" I've seen. I’d love it if you could link this up to our party, Give Me The Goods Monday! {1 party, 4 blogs}
http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/2013/05/give-me-goods-party-9.html
Have a great week!
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh wow, I am on a gold kick, so I would probably leave them gold. I love your faux mercury glass creations. The footed pieces are all stunning. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

Love their new look :)

Marsha said...

I like what you can do with your paint brush. I have some glass spray paint, but haven't tried it yet.

Unknown said...

Thanks for liking up to "Thrifty & Vintage Finds" Link Party! I'd like to feature this post, could you add a link to my post so I can include you?

I will run my party on Mondays from now on, and you can link up for a week. Thanks!

Dagmar ~ Dagmar's Home
http://dagmarbleasdale.com/2013/05/new-on-dagmars-home-thrifty-vintage-finds-link-party/

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Love all of your stemmed pieces Revi. The tinted glass really looks wonderful! I am not a gold person so I would go with the white. I am laughing at this because I ended up with gold light fixtures in our basement bath. Really kind of bronze. lol! I bought a couple old framed cameos that I am going to paint the frames white for my bath. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann