Altered Eclectics - April Challenge

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Welcome to another month of fun at Altered Eclectics!

As always the theme is anything goes but has to be altered/upcycled/recycled/mixed media. Cards and ATC's are not accepted on this blog but may fit in with our challenges over at Eclectic Ellapu (sister blog)

I am back with another altered bottle project.  I fell in love with the shape of this bottle.  It made me think of Greco-Roman Architectural design.  I tried to capture the essence of the patina that occurs over time and leaves little bits of gold and copper peeking through.   I also wanted to incorporate a nod to the great libraries and archives of those cultures, so I used a roller-graph to add text to the design.   Hope you like this one.  I hope you like them all!  HUGZ!

I found this fabulous cigar label in my ephemera stash. It was a perfect match for the Prima Vintage Trinket.  These two pieces really pulled the project together and completed the visual interest! 

I saw a great video on creating interesting crackle effect by mixing your brush strokes.  This technique works very well and creates very dramatic cracks in the project!

Try altering some bottles.  It is a very inexpensive way to create interesting conversation home decor pieces!  Let those creative juices flow!  See you next time!

Hugz,

Chana

Altered Eclectics - March Challenge - Cigar Box Upcycle

Hello, Crafters!

Welcome to another crafty month at Altered Eclectics!  

As always the theme is anything goes but has to be altered/upcycled/recycled/mixed media.  Cards and ATC's are not accepted on this blog but may fit in with our challenges over at Eclectic Ellapu (sister blog)

For this month's challenge, I wanted to repurpose/upcycle a beautiful black lacquered wood cigar box.  I have had this for almost four years and really wanted to leave the wood alone.  Repurposing this into a stationery box seemed the simplest and easiest path to take.  Every item used in this project came from my stash!  Another successful stash reduction!

BEFORE

AFTER

I have fallen completely in love with these little snap latches.  They are wonderful elevating elements on a CAS repurposing project! 

Inside Before

Inside After

I used Tattered Angels Plain Jane Baseboard "Bittersweet" and "Clay" Glimmer Mist to stain the wood.  The original wood color was too light for my paper palette so mixing two mist produced just the right tone for this project!  This finish has a deep rich luster and complements the black lacquered wood and burgundy and gold paint on the lip trim!

I used leftover papers from my Graphic 45® French Country Collection to decorate both the interior and exterior of my box.  The lip trim was painted using Earth Safe Finishes® Razzleberry Tart Chalk Paint!  The gold trim is Rub N' Buff "Gold Leaf" Metallic wax!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana

Altered Eclectics - Altered Beverage Bottles

Hello, Crafty Peeples!
It's time to get back to work at Altered Eclectics.  We are mixed media, upcycling fanatics who enjoy being inspired by like-minded crafters.  So stop by and leave your project in our challenge.  While you are there, we hope you will be able to draw inspiration from our DT makes.

I continue the quest to increase my crafting skills and enlarge my comfort zone (or perhaps create new ones.)  Mastering the use of crackle medium is my newest quest and I was super stoked by the way these turned out! I was inspired by our fearless leader, Elaine. Her crackle bottles are just fabulous!

The short-necked brown bottle usually holds my favorite probiotic drink.  I have tons of these to create bud vases.  I want to give them to my S-I-L to sell at her church fundraising event!

The Grecian 

The Roman

The Spartan

IRL this is such a beautiful bud vase.  I keep this one on my dressing table.  I will attempt to create a vase close to this for the fundraiser!
Flora and Fauna

The fun part of upcycling these bottles is playing around with the paints, glue and crackle mediums.   I usually create my first layer of crackle using Elmer's glue.  After that, I add layers of paint and various crackle medium until I get the result that matches what I see in my mind's eye.   I like stamping on the bottles, as well.  The labels are usually scraps of design paper leftover from other projects.

Thanks for stopping by and we would love to see your altered projects in our challenge!

Hugz,

Chana

Jewelry Box Makeover - Altered Eclectics - December

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

So happy to be crafting again.  This is my December project for the challenge over at Altered Eclectics.  

Mixed Media projects only(Altered Art, Upcycling, Recycling.) 

Cards, ATCs, etc., will  be Deleted!

Upcycled Jewelry Cabinet

Recovering this Jewelry Cabinet was great fun and just the right project to get me back into the rhythm of crafting!

 The Cabinet is another Hubster Goodwill Store find.

I do so appreciate his faith in my restorative abilities!

He decided that I could alter it and use it for storage in my studio.  I may just do that!  It also works as a great accent piece for a dressing table or a bathroom vanity!   I thought the ring holder was a nice touch!

Products Used
DecoArts - Chalk Paint - Yesteryear
Earth Safe Finishes - Chalk Paint - Snickerdoodle
Rub n' Buff - Metallic Wax (Handles and Decorative Door insert)
Prima Papers - Epiphany
Ranger Distress Ink - Vintage Photo

Thanks for stopping by!  Check out your local Goodwill Store!
HUGZ
Chana Malkah Harris