Retro tea box

I have to say I cannot resist that special "retro" charm of old wooden boxes. But flea markets are not the only way to get them. There is so much more fun if you create your own and decorate it with your favourite motif, lettering or whatever you want. You can also add a hint of shabby chic to make it look even more retro :)

RETRO TEA BOX - MY TUTORIAL

MATERIALS:
- wooden box
- decoupage paper or tissue napkins
- decoupage glue
- acrylic paints
- water based varnish
- dye for wood (or just acrylic paint)
- sand paper fine
- a candle

INSTRUCTION:
1. Sand the box and remove dust carefully
2. Paint the main part of the box with dye. Remeber to protect the surface you work on as dye stains everything around. One coat should be enough. Let it dry for about half an hour.
3. Paint the lid with white acrylic paint. Let dry.
4. Paint edges of the lid in brown and when dry apply a bit of wax from the candle.
5. Apply another coat of white paint and let dry again.
6. Glue your motif and let dry.
7. Rub the edges in a few places with sanding paper to achieve some shabby-chic effect. Don't do it in too many places.
5. Paint some background that goes with your theme or add some shading to create depth of your picture. Let dry.
6. Apply several coats of varnish.
TIP: To achieve some antique effect add a drop of brown paint to the varnish.

Stop the clock with decoupage :)

Clocks are on the top of my favourite decoupage items list. The surface is usually flat so it's easy to work on it. Also, there is actually nothing to limit you in choosing style or motifs: you need clocks everywhere: in the kitchen, bedroom or children's room.
Your friends need them too :) So hand-decorated clock would be a great gift idea!
There are some clocks I've made recently. I used decoupage paper and printed tissue napkins.
Time flies - but with decoupage you can stop it for a moment :)

Decoupaged furniture - a trunk again...

I decorated it thinking of my future living room and its light whites... Well, it seems I'll need to make another piece as I sold this one on the craft show.
But at the moment I think I need some break from my trunks, so this one is going to be the last... For now of course :)

Decoupage - a new life of chest of drawers

I guess many people own some old pieces of furniture that look plain but cannot afford to buy something brand new. I was fed up with my pine chest of drawers. I wanted to leave it in front of the house and let somebody take it. But I've found another solution. It took me two hours to create a new piece of furniture. My daughter loves it, my friends as well. Decoupage is a great way to give a new life to old furniture and household items.

Before:

After:

Thanks :)

I'd like to say thank you so much to all my friends visited us during the craft fair :) Also, I'm so pleased of great people I've met there. I hope to see you again shortly. A special warmest regards to Clare, Carey and Mike, Nikki, Megan and Patricia. Thanks for your support and your company!