How to Paint Stained Glass Style

When we moved into our home, the top half of the front door had plain glass panes to allow in light. The previous owners had hung translucent curtains for privacy. I didn't like the curtain idea but with so many projects on the house taking precedence, a new door or replacement glass was not on the cards for a few years.

Then, on one of my many visits to the local craft store I came across the glass paint section! So I thought painting the window would give privacy, allow light in and do away with the unwanted curtains. All I had to do was decide what design or style I wanted.

Paint and Design
There were several types of glass paint to choose from. Some could be baked on for permanency, useful for small items such as stemware. Some paints were opaque, others transparent. I chose transparent stained glass style paints and stick-on strips of "leading".

I thought it would be nice to have a window that reflected my interest in nature and the environment we were in. Having been a "twitcher" in my native Britain - that's a bird watcher to the uninitiated! I decided I would like to decorate the windows with some of the beautiful American birds that visit my backyard.

Drawing the Pattern
The first step was to draw a design to fit the windows. Each door had the rectangular glass pane divided into diamonds with wooden frames. So I took two pieces of drawing paper the same size as each rectangle, then drew lines where the wooden bars divided it into the diamonds.

I wanted the birds in an overall design rather than a bird isolated in each space. So I drew tree branches that would reach across the whole pane with birds resting on them and the outline of a tree trunk down the length of one outer edge. The birds I drew were simple outlines with simplified line details of wings, tails, etc.

Transferring the Design to the Window
Next, I needed to secure my design to the back of the glass I wanted to paint. As my panes were divided into diamond shapes I cut out each diamond from the pattern and loosely taped each one, using the wooden cross bars, so the paper was flat onto the back of the glass. Making sure the diamonds were placed in the right order.

I could have taped my pattern as one big rectangle but the paper would not have been flat on the glass. I needed the lines flush to the glass surface to accurately trace the pattern with my leading strips.

In my next post I will talk about leading and painting my "stained glass" window.

Kathy

How to Paint a Wooden Decorative Box in 6 Easy Steps - Part 3

5 Painting the Wooden Box
Having chosen my colours and squeezed a little of each onto my palette and with a supply of clean water and brushes ready I can start painting. My "palette" when painting small projects often consists of an old white plastic lid from a large, used yoghurt pot or such. My water container is nothing more than the clean used yoghurt pot itself. I'm in to recycling - and saving pennies of course! Look for when your local craft stores has offers on soft synthetic or bristle brushes. I tend to use a flat or large round for big areas of wash and smaller size brushes for finer detail.

It is important to not let acrylic paint dry on your brushes as it will ruin them. When putting brushes down rinse thoroughly first or stand in the water between brush changes. If you get acrylic paint on your clothes rinse it out immediately. Once dry, you won't get it off. Better still protect your clothes first.

I like some of the wood grain to show through the colour so I apply the paint in several thin layers or glazes; gradually building up to the depth of colour I want. I do this working on all the surfaces so each is at the same stage. As each surface of the box dries I apply more colour. These are transparent washes. If I were to add white to the colour I would have an opaque layer which I didn't want in this instant.

Eventually I have a box with the design painted to the depth of hue I am happy with. When the box has dried completely I either spray or brush on an acrylic lacquer to protect the box. I usually apply at least four coats before very lightly sanding the box again with fine grade paper to smooth the finish. Then I apply another two coats minimum.


6 Finishing Touches
Whether you choose to paint or spray, make sure there is adequate ventilation where you are working. Follow the manufacturer's directions and cautions. Almost finished, I fix a small length of gold coloured chain to the inside of the box lid and inside base close to the top edge to protect the hinges. I use tiny gold screws available from my local craft stores. Make sure the screw is small enough that it won't screw right through the wood.

I first gently pierce a hole with a bradawl or similar sharp point where I want the screw to hold the chain in position on the lower part of the box, this makes it easier to start the screw off. Then I take the screw and screw it into the wood about halfway. I remove the screw and repeat the process for the inner lid of the box.

I take the length of gold chain that I need, most chain can be cut with side cutters available from the craft store. I then take one end of the chain and holding it against the previously made hole in the box. I place my screw through the end link and tighten the screw home, taking care not to screw too tightly that it breaks the link. Again I repeat this for the other end of chain.

Finally, I lined the inner base of the box with some felt. I used a spray fixative on the inner base of the box and glued the cut to size felt in place. There are many types of glue available, it doesn't have to be the spray type, I have used brush on glue at other times.

There you have it - a stunningly stylish box in six steps! If you found this article fun or of help tell me - or your friends. If you feel inspired to paint your own box, let me know I would love to see some pictures of your work. Let those creative juices flow.

Don't think you are up to drawing your own design? Then find one you like from a copyright-free source and trace that. Local libraries usually have such pattern books available on their shelves for loan.

If you would like to see more of this bear box visit the black bear box page on my website. For those of you who would rather shop for finished boxes and other hand painted gifts visit the home page at Art by KC and find links to all kinds of original items. I am always up for designing a custom box for you or that one of a kind gift for that special someone!

Kathy

How to Paint a Wooden Decorative Box in 6 Easy Steps - Part 2

4 Wood Burning the Design - Pyrography
Once I have the design transferred to my wooden box I am ready to permanently burn in the design. For this I use a wood burning pen with interchangeable tips. Each tip has a different shape or fineness.

For this box I used the cone tip. Of course the pen must be allowed to cool completely before changing tips. The pen is basically a metal rod fitted into an insulated holder. When plugged in and switched on the metal pen heats to a very high temperature to burn the wood.

Make sure you are burning in a well ventilated space as you don't want to breathe in the fumes! Use untreated wood to avoid any toxic fumes from chemicals used.

Care must be taken to keep fingers away from the hot pen when using and sufficient time allowed for it to cool before storing. Also make sure you place the pen on its stand between burning and the stand is on a suitable heatproof surface.

The type I have used here has an on/off switch, there are more sophisticated pens with a control unit for changing the temperature. Controlling the temperature is a method for changing the contrast in your design. But for the style of burning for this box a basic pen will do.

If you haven't burned wood before it is a good idea to practice on some scrap wood of a similar type to your chosen box. Each type of wood burns differently eg. pine vs basswood. When burning keep the pen moving and your strokes light. You can always go back and burn again if the burn isn't as deep or dark as desired.


When you are satisfied with your burned design use a putty eraser/pencil eraser to remove any graphite lines left from your pencil or the transfer paper. The box is now ready to have paint applied.
I used acrylic artists paint on this box but if you have acrylic craft paints they will do too. It may be a good idea to paint colours on a sketch of your design first to try out colour schemes. The colour may appear darker, warmer or greyed on the actual box depending on the shade of your wood.

How I paint and finish my box follows in my next post. Happy burning!

Kathy

How to Paint a Decorative Wooden Box in 6 Easy Steps

This post shows how I take a plain wooden box and make a one of a kind box. Using original artwork some paint, varnish and a little wood burning (pyrography), you too can make a beautiful and functional piece for your home or a truly special gift. Just follow the simple steps below and in the next post.

1 Find and Prepare your Wooden Box
Wooden boxes of various shapes and sizes are available from most local craft stores. Different types of wood available can range from the lighter pine type to the better quality and more expensive basswood.

Whichever box you choose, look for an even grain and that the lid lines up with the base when closed. Avoid boxes with knots in as the wood can shrink unevenly. Also if you are allowing most of the wood to show in your design, look for boxes that are not pieced together with wood pieces of widely different shades. Unless of course the contrast is to be part of your finished look.

When you get your box home lightly sand your box, in the direction of the grain, with fine grade paper to make sure you have a smooth even surface to work on. Pay attention to edges of lid and base where they touch for splinters. The inside of the box should be smoothed as well whether it is to be painted or left unfinished. Wipe off any dust with a soft cloth when satisfied with the finish.

2 Taking your Idea and Choosing a Subject
Now you have a box ready to become a work of art! I love animals and most of my boxes have .... well animals on them. Some I paint in a realistic style directly on the wood with no pyrography involved. Others, like my examples here, are in a decorative style influenced by early Arts and Crafts block prints. The designs have outlines and details burned into the wood then the colour is added.

So I decide what animal(s) I want on my box and how many surfaces are to be decorated. Where do I begin? First I need a subject to work from. Sometimes they are right in my backyard - the squirrels or foxes that visit, or bears at the zoo, horses down country roads. I use my camera to take photos for my source if I can't sketch there and then. There are lots of books on animals and pictures on the web for reference.

3 Sketching a Design and Transferring it

Having looked at books and photos I start to sketch bears in different poses and think about the scene I want to paint. For scenery I looked through photos taken on a family road trip south two years ago.


I didn't get to photograph any bears in the wild - much to my disappointment I might add. But I did photograph the beautiful mountains and rivers winding through the valleys in Tennessee and Virginia.


Now I have a few sketches and photos I draw a rectangle the size of the box front in my sketch book. I then draw my bear in the pose I want and add the background. So I now have a design that can be transferred directly to the box front.

Next I take a piece of tracing paper and trace the design. I place the tracing paper over a sheet of transfer paper on the box surface that I want the design drawn on. I draw over the design using a pencil or toothpick. The reason for this extra step is that the tracing paper is easier to place in position and draw through than the thicker art paper.

Be careful to hold the paper still while transferring your drawing. Oh, and make sure the transfer paper is the right way up. I can't tell you how many times I have drawn over the design to find I had the paper the wrong way up and have had to start again! When I have finished the transfer I look at the design and see if I want to add to the drawing directly with a soft pencil.

Transfer paper is readily available from your local art or crafts store in a wide range of colours. Choose one that is not too light, I usually choose a grey that shows up well on the light wood as on this box.


I repeat the process for each surface I wish decorated. Once I have transferred my designs to all the surfaces - the fun can start! The actual burning of the design into the wood and adding colour. How I do this is in tomorrow's post.

Kathy

Charlie

In January we said goodbye to our best friend of nearly thirteen years. Finally old age took over any help we could give him.


Thank you Charlie for all the wonderful years of companionship. You were the best shepherd one could ever wish for.

Kathy

Election Celebrations

As well as electing a new president of the United States a couple of propositions were passed that are worth celebrating. November 4th not only heralded in a new political party but a better existence for animals in certain states.

Proposition 2 in California was passed allowing the phasing out of gestation crates, battery cages and veal crates. In Masachusetts the Greyhound Protection Act will phase out commercial racing by 2010. To read more of this good news visit WSPA or the blog of Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States.

I personally would like to see an end to all factory farming. I am not against people eating meat but there is a better way of animal husbandry. No animal should be confined its whole life in a crate/iron pen with no room to turn around. Animals should not be so closely enclosed like an engine in a car thats only function is to work until expiration. Farm animals are sentient beings. For us to treat them otherwise de-humanizes us.

President-elect Barack Obama previously announced they would adopt the puppy they promised their daughters. A Big Thank You to Obama for highlighting all the deserving pets in need of a new home. I would ask you all to think of your local shelters when looking to buy a pet. Please don't buy from pet stores that get their animals from puppy mills, let's put them out of business and end the misery.

I have always bought my dogs from reputable breeders or an animal shelter. I have had "Heinz 57" or mongrel dogs too. One we rescued off the streets where I lived in a particular rough area of Liverpool. We named him Fred, a great character loved by everyone and he lived to the ripe old age of sixteen - plus!

Our beloved German Shepherd Charlie, who came with us from England, we had bought from the Liverpool branch of the RSPCA a few years before. He had been abandoned and tied up at the side of the road. It took a long while to win his trust. He had obviously been badly beaten by his previous owner(s), he cringed every time someone raised their arm. Plus other types of behaviour that pointed to that fact. Despite his shaky start in life he has turned out to be one of the best shepherds ever. A real family dog, so loving - and lovable! Sadly for us, he is near the end of his life. We have had the privilege of his companionship for over twelve years, a good age for a shepherd. He is definitely very wobbly on his pins now, due to a lifetime of severe hip dysplacia. We are preparing ourselves to say goodbye when we cannot ensure his comfort any longer. Something that is never easy, but necessary for Charlie's sake.

My cat Willow, we brought over with Charlie, is at least thirteen years old and definitely a Moggy (not pedigree). I bought him from a cat rescue in N. Wales. He had been thrown from a moving car driven through a busy town in N.Wales. Fortunately the driver in the car behind saw what happened, stopped and picked up Willow from the road. My previous cat was also from a cat shelter.

Hope you have a great week and go celebrate for our fur and feathered friends!

Kathy

One of those days

Ever had one of those days when plans go awry? Turn out a little disappointing or we don't find what we expect or are looking for? Well Saturday was a little like that for me.

It started with a trip downtown with my daughter just checking out small, local businesses. One store selling home decor gifts and furnishings did at one time have more of those items. But now has clothing at the back of the store. More candles and decorative notebooks and not much of anything that you could say was the focus or point for visiting.

A stop at a new store in the adjoining town looked more promising. It had a name and exterior that shouted craft or "prim craft" store. This home decor store too, had more of the same as seen at numerous department stores. All the ornaments and the storage tins printed with "old label" designs, that I picked up, were made in China, mass produced.

I was a little disappointed nothing seemed to stand out from any other large store home decor department. I would have thought that small business people would promote other small businesses. These days most big stores are within easy travel distance and have more choice. Stocking one of a kind collections by local crafters/artists/artisans, etc., would make more sense I would have thought. Giving out of town customers a reason to visit smaller towns, as that is surely necessary for small town commerce to flourish.

Maybe it's naive of me to ignore the bigger profit margin to be had with mass produced goods. But in the long term encouragement and co-operation between local businesses can only be a positive force for the economy. In these bad economic times I would rather buy from "home grown" businesses if I can.

Certainly, there are plenty of small business people out there trying to make a living that offer one of a kind or customized items competitively priced. I am sure there are some in the phone book but the internet has enabled many small business people the chance to work from home when the overheads for a "bricks and mortar store" would cripple them. One online network Qflea.com promotes such small businesses.

I am a member of Qflea and if you are looking for a "web mall" to promote a small business I can recommend it. Qflea is the brainchild of Charley who works hard on our behalf - no charge. Yes you read that right! It is also a superb support group for business owners, everyone giving help and advice through the Qflea Yahoo group. Definitely a quality group of vendors. So I think I will be looking there for gift ideas this season - and you can too.

Well, this post didn't start off to promote Qflea but I am happy to do so! After failing to find any gifts to buy, I looked forward to an evening with my husband. With the children entertained elsewhere, I suggested a dinner date. After dismissing a forty minute drive, to a brew pub not previously visited, on the search for cask conditioned ale with our dinner (can't you tell we're Brits!) we decided to go local. A bit like my earlier shopping trip it seemed - doomed to failure.

Our first stop was the local Indian restaurant only to find it closed for a private banquet! So we set off through a couple more townships looking for a likely place. The problem being Michigan is big on meat, I mean huntin', shootin' and fishin' big. OK for my better half but I am a vegetarian. Most restaurants offer a very limited non-meat menu. I tend to go Mexican - lots of beans for protein, or Indian as they offer a better selection. Or Chinese of course, though as a tofu hating vegetarian there isn't much down for me!

Our next stop was the local brew pub (not cask conditioned, but decent ale never the less!) to pick up a growler of IPA. After getting lost, cutting through a not so great area, trying to find it from the towns we had been cruising, guess what? They had run out of growlers - to the uninitiated they're flasks/jars to take home ale from the pump. Well! Off we set again searching for a take out pizza place or the like, resigned to a night in after all.

Then driving along the last road before turning for home we came across a Chinese/Thai restaurant we hadn't seen before. So we went in and yes! a few vegetarian dishes to choose from. Humm, the obligatory tofu but some dishes without. The waiter also suggested a particular mixed vegetable dish that had tofu, but it would be swapped for mushrooms. Both our meals veggie and meat lover's were great. So maybe if our other usual watering holes had been open we wouldn't have found an alternative. There you go - not such a bad day after all!

Kathy