Faux Metal Weather Vane (for interior decor)

Jolie Rouge

Create a look-of-Metal Weathervane for just pennies with this
whimsical project by Heidi Borchers. This technique of burnt brown
bag was discovered over 30-years ago and still remains a time tested
favorite.
http://www.myfree.com/r/ALE/ALE0117.asp


Would you believe that this whimsical weathervane can be created for just pennies! It may look like expensive hand-forged metal but the secret to this penny-pincher is that it is created with brown paper bags!


Materials Needed:
Brown grocery bags
Cardboard (to use as a squeegee for applying glue)
Scissors
Pencil
Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue
Wood skewer, 12"
Candle (Plumbers type work best because of large flame)
Paper plate (for palette)
Cosmetic sponges (one for each color)
Aleene's® Premium Coat™ Acrylic Paint - Gold, Copper, Dusty Spruce, True Green, White
Aleene's® Enhancers™ #EN113 Verdigris
Drill
Wood base, 2" x 4" x 5" (drill a hole for wood skewer)

Instructions:
1. Cut off the bottom section of the paper bag and cut up back seam. Trace patterns onto the inside (unprinted side) of the bag.
http://www.inspiredathome.com/MyFree/My%20Free72P.htm
Cut out patterns leaving approximately 1/2" along all sides. (You will be gluing and layering this pattern piece over other layers of brown bag and then cutting out along the pattern line in step 2.)

2. Apply glue onto the printed side of the bag. Repeat gluing process until 4 to 5 layers are glued together. Note for the rooster body, place wood skewer between the last layers as noted on pattern. Let dry. Cut out with scissors along pattern line. Repeat procedure for the rooster head, wing and arrow. (Note: the head and wing will be burned before attaching to the rooster body. The arrow should be glued to the stick before burning the glue.)

3. To create the metal look on the rooster body, apply wet glue to one side with your finger. While the glue is still wet, immediately hold closely over candle flame, being sure not to snuff out the candle. Move the design around over the flame until all of the glue becomes black and sooty. Note that the burning process takes about 1-1/2 to 2 minutes and will produce a little smoke. Using a scrap of soft fabric or paper towel, gently wipe away soot. If you wipe too firmly you may break through the burned skin of the glue to reveal the wet glue below. If this occurs, return the wet glue area to the candle flame until the soot reappears. To create a textured surface, repeat burning process and use the scrap of fabric to gently press and mold the soft burned glue, slightly ruffling the surface as you wipe away the soot. Repeat with the rooster head, body and arrow. Let dry overnight.

4. For a metal look, apply Gold acrylic with the tip of your finger, rub excess paint off on paper towel, then lightly rub over the surface so that the paint lightly catches on the ridges of the dried glue. Repeat until desired antiqued look is achieved.

5. Or, for a patina/verdigris look, dab a small amount of Copper onto design with sponge. Repeat using Dusty Spruce or Verdigris. For highlights, lightly sponge True Green and White in a random pattern.

6. Paint wood base with Copper. Sponge on acrylic paints following step 5 to match rooster. Let dry.

7. Drill hole into center top of base. Insert skewer in base.

__________________
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.** a 4 day work week & sex slaves ~ I say Tyt for PRESIDENT! Not to be taken internally, literally or seriously ....Suki ebaynni IS THAT BETTER ?