Wednesday, April 25, 2012

How to reuse old hardware to make a Steampunk vase

Project Difficulty: medium
Possible injuries:  two or three blisters (if using a hot glue gun)  You can also use E6000, but then you run the risk of getting a little loopy from the fumes or possibly gluing your fingers together a few times.
Time:  approximately 3 hours

Items needed:
an old vase
old hardware (I raided my parents basement for this, and also bought some from the Restore for about 25 cents a pound)
spray paint (in keeping with the mixed metal theme of this project, I chose a metallic copper spray paint)
masking tape
hot glue gun and sticks

1. Be sure to wash your vase first to remove any residue.  Dry Thoroughly.  Use the masking tape to tape off the rim of the vase all the way around.  It doesn't have to be perfect, this just prevents the spray paint from seeping into the inside of the vase when it is drying.
2.  Unless you have a ventilated spray booth in your house, you need to go outside.  And preferably on a non-windy day (yes, I have made the mistake of spray painting INTO the wind before, it's not fun).  Turn the vase upside down and spray a couple coats with the spray paint.  Let dry.
Don't worry about drips for this project.  They will get covered up by the hardware.

3.  When the vase is dry, remove the masking tape.  Lay your vase down on its side and start gluing on your hardware.  Be sure to vary the different metals and sizes evenly throughout the vase.
This will take a while, but don't give up. 

When you're finished, add some flowers and enjoy your feeling of accomplishment.

I made this project in about three hours and escaped with only a few second degree burns.


All in all, I'd say that's pretty good for a days work.

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