Spark Some Creativity Saturday @ The Kraaft Shaak

Hello Friends :)

Yay!!!!! It is my first ever Kraaft Shaak Design Team post! I have been waiting all of April to show you the first item I have created with my Kraaft Shaak Mixed Media Kit exclusively from the Kraaft Shaak Shop :) When you order a Mixed Media Kit from the shop, you get a choice of a 'alterable item' and my kit included an adorable 5" X 9" wooden tray. So for this 'Spark Some Kreativity Saturday' feature I will show you how I altered my tray. I chose to make it into a jewelry catcher for when I take off my rings and bracelets for washing up. You could also use it as a valet on your dresser or a keys and change catcher by the door. Really, just a cute little catch all to store those items you don't want to lose, but are too tired to put away right then :)



To begin with, my wooden tray came painted in off white with a floral design in the center. A interesting thing I noticed immediately was that the beautiful napkin that also came in the kit was a perfect fit for the inside of the tray. So I knew I would be using a panel of it as part of my altering for sure!


So, the first thing I did to my tray was to lightly sand off the raised part of the design as well as peel the sticker off the bottom. Then I give it a good coat of black gesso over the whole tray. I used black gesso because it gives a good foundation for however I wanted to alter the tray. In addition, it is very opaque and I knew it would completely cover the former painted design. 


Next, I decided to use the Art Extravagance Copper Crackle Paste from Finabair. This is one of the samples I chose for my kit. I applied the paste with a palette knife on the edges of the tray. Then I had to let this dry overnight.  


The next day, I decided to paint the inside portions of the tray with the other sample I had chosen. 
The Prima Chalk Board Paint in Charcoal. I was amazed how opaque and matte this paint is and how little I used. Basically, just the paint that was on the lid of the sample container covered it all. I left the bottom inside part of the tray unpainted as I was planning to collage over it anyway.


Now I decided I wanted a design on the inner sides of the tray, so I used a stencil from Mr. Hueys and a small stencil brush to apply a repeating pattern using the Copper Crackle Paste. And...more drying time!


Next, it was time to start the collage I had planned for the inside bottom of the tray. I cut apart one of the six panels of the napkin and peeled away the extra blank layers in preparation to apply it. But when I laid it into the tray, the black gesso peeked through the thin napkin and made it seem dark and dingy. So I first painted a layer of Art Basics Heavy Gesso in White. Then I applied the napkin using Art Basics 3D Matte Gel as a glue. I smoothed the napkin using a old plastic keycard to remove any bubbles.


After a short dry time,  I then laid out my collage using items that came in the Mixed Media kit, as well as a few from my stash. The kit comes with a random assortment of lots of different paper samples, metal findings, and ephemera..from book pages to die cuts to maps & sheet music . The fun is you never know what cool stuff you will get! A good tip to remember is to lay out your collage until it pleases you, and then take a photo with your phone camera so you can remember what it looked like as you do the gluing. I attached all my pieces using the 3D Matte gel in a heavy layer.


Now for some BLING. Another fun feature of the Kraaft Shaak Mixed Media kit is the samples of the different types of Finabair add ins like glass glitter, mica flakes, and mini beads. I can't get enough of the sparkle factor! So, I used a few of my samples in places where my 3D Matte Gel was thick. In some cases I added more gel in places where I needed it. Then of course, more drying time!


Once my collage was dry, I really felt my repeating pattern with the Copper crackle paste wasn't showing up enough, so I decided to outline it using a Black Posca paint pen. I did this by placing the stencil over the areas and drawing through the holes. This added a bit more drama to the design.


Now, I decided if I was going to place my wooden try next to the sink to catch my rings and bracelets, I really didn't want the bottom sitting in water. So, I thought I should add some feet to give it height. For these feet I used 1/2" wooden beads. I first painted them with black gesso while keeping them on skewers. Then I dipped them into the crackle paste and smoothed off the excess. Finally, I heated them with my heat tool for speed drying. Then I used E6000 glue to attached them in each corner of the bottom of the tray. 


To finish off my tray project and make it truly functional I needed to really seal up the collaged and 'blinged up" inside bottom of the tray. To do this I used a resin product called Envirotex. It is a pouring resin that gives a hard thick coat. I carefully measured and mixed it as directed and filled up the bottom of the tray. Then as any bubbles arose I popped them by blowing on them with a straw. Then I placed the whole tray under a plastic box for over 24 hours to harden. I think this step really makes for a professional looking finished altered item!


I hope you enjoyed my project for Spark Some Creativity Saturday from the Kraaft Shaak!
Leave me some blog hugs in the comments if you liked it :)
<3 Shel

Comments

  1. Great project Shel. Love the gloss finish to seal it all in. Cute, cute tray.

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    1. Thanks so much Peg. I agree that the resin coat really makes it look professional :)

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  2. Well done, Shel. I like the fact that the carefully planned, colorful collage is sealed with resin. The wooden bead feet is a great idea. Your altered tray is a keeper. Nice job! <3

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  3. My great grandson Dillian said, She is a great artist." I have to agree!

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  4. So pretty. I think the bead feet on the try are the perfect touch! I love how you had the patience to go around and outline all those shapes, and how well you got them to go onto that slanted surface. I might have said some WORDS then. Also I've never used that enamel stuff - I want to, though. A straw gets rid of bubbles, doesn't add more. bubbles? Really? You are going to have to video chat me through it. I love how your tray turned out and they way you used the kit!

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    1. Thank you Dana :) Yeah it is pretty amazing how you just blow on the bubbles lightly and they go away! I love Envirotex...and Ice Resin as well... The Envirotex smells a little less stinky though. I's be happy to talk you through it :)

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  5. Darn all that drying time! lol Great job. It turned out beautifully!

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    1. Oh yes...drying time is the bane of my existence! Thank for you comment Sheri :)

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    2. I was thinking the same thing. Every time you said, and of course . . . more drying time. I had to giggle a little :-) Really fantastic project Shel. I like it a lot!! You really hit your mark. Great job!!
      Big Hugs!!
      Reeah.

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    3. Thank you Reeah. I think all of us are impatient to get on to the next step...it is an artist thing!

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  6. Wow, where to begin!! Great use of the Mixed Media Kit and all it has to offer. It's a brilliant little tray that would make me smile every time I placed an article in it. I love how you sealed it too, now it can be used anywhere.

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    1. Thanks Sylvia :) There is so much stuff in this kit...I will have fun continuing to use it!

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  7. Very nice looking and very useful. The perfect combination. Great job on your first design project. Cyn

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    1. Thanks Cyn :) It is on my computer desk still I just threw my phone in it lol

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  8. what an excellent write up! You are such a great artist and fabulous tutorial maker. I am so thankful you took the time to tell us all about how you did each step. I truly love it all.
    WOW! Great job Shel!!!

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    1. Thanks Heather for a great kit of things to play with. I am having fun planning my next DT project already :)

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  9. Hi Shel,
    VERY cool! The advantage of being so late for WOYWW posts is that I get to see newer ones too!

    Happy Saturday,
    Kay

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    1. Thanks for stopping by the desk Kay :) It is never to late and you never know what you will see lol :)

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  10. SHELL I LOVE this!!! You are just the perfect person for the Kraaft Shaak's Design Team and I love your very first reveal... STUNNING Girl!

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    1. Thanks so much Lynn :) I am having a great time being on a team. Once this term is over..I think I will feel brave enough to apply for another one somewhere!

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  11. Wonderful job, Shel - love the rich visual you've created!

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  12. So glad to know someone else has to take pictures with their phone to remember how things go!!! I thought it was just old age!!! Your project is wonderful Shei. You are a patient gal - that's for sure! You put everything together beautifully. And SUCH a wonderful tutorial. Great asset to the DT - for sure. j.

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    1. Thank you Joi :) I do have to take photos and it might be old age..lol

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  13. This is a wonderful tutorial and your project is lovely. Congrats on the DT position.
    hugs

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  14. Absolutely gorgeous Shel!!
    What a fabulous makeover on that tray- Iove the colors you used- they really give attention to the details and the cool use of the resin- clever idea!! Well done Shel- looks like they picked the perfect gal for the team!! xo

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    1. Thank you so much Jackie :) I was a bit out of my color comfort zone on this one but I had a great time making it :)

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