DIY Brass Jewelry Holder

 Today we have a super simple DIY project for a chic and modern jewelry holder.  I'm a sucker for dark wood & brass so for me this is the best of both worlds.  It can be hung as a single piece to display your favorite baubles or you can make multiple and scatter them to show off all your jewelry in one place.  Here's what you'll need:

1. 12' brass dowel
2. Cheap paintbrush
3. 1" x 1" flush mounts
4. 2" x 2" x 3" block
5. Medium grit sandpaper
6. Gorilla super glue
7. Wood stain (the color we used is Minwax's red mahogany 225)
8. Lint free rag

Begin by lightly sanding your block to remove any rough edges.  Wipe clean with a lint free cloth.

Stain the block with 3-4 coats of stain (depending on your desired color) allowing the block to dry for 10 minutes between coats.

Attach the brass dowel with the gorilla glue.  Allow to dry for 20 minutes.

Attach one half of the flush mount to the back of the block using a screwdriver and level, if needed.

Attach the other half of the flush mount to the wall like this:

Hang your jewelry holder by interlocking the brackets with those on the wall.  Style and enjoy!

City Map Coasters DIY

 

Today we are making some adorable drink coasters.  These are extremely easy to make and would be a great gift for any world traveler. The best part is that they are totally customizable- you can use any map you find to personalize them to your liking.

You'll need:

• 4 untextured tiles (rectangular or hexagonal)
• City Map (we used this Paris Monument map that's available at Baller Artware)
• Mod Podge
• Cheap paintbrush or foam brush
• Self-adhering felt pads

Remove any dirt from the surface of the tiles by wiping with a damp, lint-free rag.  Dry thoroughly.

Place your tiles face-down on the map and trace the areas you want to use.  Cut out the shapes 1/16 inch inside your traced lines so that the cutouts are just slightly smaller than the surfaces of the tiles.

Paint a thin layer of mod podge on the cutout and adhere to the smooth side of the tile.  Using the handle of your paintbrush, gently smooth over the surface of the cutout to remove any air bubbles.

 

 Once the cutout is adhered to the tile paint an even layer of mod podge over the top of the cutout, paying special attention to the edges.  Paint in one direction only.  Allow to dry for 1 hour, then repeat.  Allow to dry for 12 hours.

Once the tiles are completely dry adhere a felt pad to each corner.

 

 

These are waterproof and can be washed with water and a gentle dish washing liquid.  Enjoy your new coasters! 

How to Choose a Frame

It's no secret that getting artwork professionally framed is an investment.  Not only will framing enhance the beauty of your pieces, it will also protect them for years to come.  Good framing is in and of itself an art form, and thus the decision about where/ how/ with what to frame your art should be well thought out.  Professional framers often have an intuition about what will look good on a piece, but ultimately the decision is yours to make.  Here are some things to think about when you go in to a frame shop.

Know your budget: Frame shops typically carry hundreds of selections for frames, so knowing your budget ahead of time will help the framer narrow down the selections to those that will fit within your budget.  Frames can range anywhere from $4 per square foot to $30 per square foot, and there are beautiful options within every price range.

Think about the style of your home or office: Is it earthy? Modern? Classic?  You will want your piece to match the decor of the room that it will be in, so make a mental note of the overall feel of the surrounding area.

Decide on a mood for the piece: Would you like this piece to look ornate or simple? Do you want it to blend in with other art work or "pop" as the focal point of a room?  Communicate these intentions with the framer.

Know the environment: If your piece will be in a room that gets a lot of light you will want to have glass that offers UV protection.

Don't forget about matting: If a fancy colorful frame is simply not in your budget, fear not.  Adding a colored mat to your piece can contribute to the "wow" factor without severely jacking up the price.

Still have questions? Stop by Baller Artware and let our friendly and knowledgeable associates help you with every step of the process.  We offer custom framing options for every style and budget!

September Bargains of the Month

As the end of Summer (and the oppressive heat wave plaguing Southern California) draws near, we are stocking up for Fall projects.  Check out this month's awesome bargains that are sure to motivate you to finish up that project you promised yourself would be completed by the end of the year...

3 Piece Paintbrush Set, $9.99

2 Pack Multi-Purpose Tarp, $9.97

Fall Lawn Fertilizer, $9.99

Bathroom Faucet Roundup

Giving your bathroom a fresh look can be as simple as installing a new faucet.  For less than $150 you can change the entire feel of your bathroom- without having to install a single tile.  Here are some of our favorite faucet choices for all types of decor.

Classic

Hi Arc Peerless Chrome, $67.99

Elegant

Baypointe Vintage Bronze, $147.00

Modern

Moen Verese Collection, $82.79

Simple

Baypointe Chrome, $83.99

Budget Friendly

Peerless Chrome Faucet, $39.99

Thursday Tips- Get Rid of Fruit Flies

To quickly and safely get rid of fruit flies, mix 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar with 1 tsp dish soap in a mason jar.  Place near the infested area- flies should be gone within a day.

Image via curbly

DIY Mercury Glass

Today we are going to turn a plain old glass vase into beautiful faux mercury glass:

This project is super easy and can be done in about an hour.   Here's what you'll need:

1. Looking Glass Paint (this is different than reflective silver paint.)

2. Vinegar

3. A clear glass vase (this one was from good will and cost 99 cents!)

4. A spray bottle

5. A lint-free rag.

Begin by mixing one cup of vinegar with one cup of water in the spray bottle.  Spray the entire vase with the mixture.  It's best to use a heavier spray rather than a fine mist so that the droplets are larger.  While the vase is still wet spray one coat of the looking glass paint over the entire surface. (Remember to shake well before spraying!) Let it sit for 5 minutes.

After the paint has partially dried wipe down the vase with the rag, using light pressure on some spots and heavy pressure on others.

Repeat this process for a total of 3-4 coats on the outside of the vase.  Then repeat the process with 3-4 coats on the inside of the vase.  The reason for painting both sides is that the mirror paint dries with a dull silver on one side and a reflective finish on the other.  By incorporating both elements you give your vase the multi-dimensional look of real mercury glass.

Voila!