I have been working on a project with some vintage brass, and I realized I really wanted some eggs – but no such luck.
So, I decided to DIY a faux vintage brass look and share how I did it with you.
)
I remember in college taking a marketing class talking about “early adopters” – they are the people who stand in line at the Apple Store the night new technology comes out. Or, they start wearing a fashion trend long before I understand what it is all about.
I am not an early adopter.
I was slow to switch from gold jewelry to silver. And now I am struggling with switching back to gold.
But when I started to see vintage brass making its way back into decor, I warmed up pretty quickly.
I am working on a tablescape for Easter, and as I said, I needed some brass eggs. So I decided to make some. And it was super easy.
This is what I used:
-Raw Wooden Egg (with a tack in the bottom to hold it during painting)
– Inexpensive black ink
– Liquid Gold leaf paint
– Martha Stewart gold metallic paint.
Step 1 – I painted the wooden egg with the liquid gold leaf paint.
Step 2 – I then rolled the egg (the gold leaf dries quickly) in the ink while the gold paint is slightly damp. Using a dry brush to blend and “smoosh” it in. If you are painting something that can’t be rolled, use a dry brush to brush on the ink.
Step 3 – Using the brush from the gold paint, I added a little more back in where the black got too heavy.
Step 4 – Then, using a foam brush, I dabbed on the gold metallic paint to brighten it a little bit.
Step 5– Using the dry brush from the ink, I blended it all together.
The reality is vintage brass ends up in a whole lot of different colors, so this technique works well as an “in-between” tone without being too “gold”.
I also tried the technique on a wooden number five and on this one I let it go a little bit darker and more “vintage” with darker areas.
If this was going to be used somewhere it was touched or moved often, I would probably seal it with a clear sealer.
So, what do you think – can you get on the brass bandwagon? Or are you holding out for avocado green appliances to make their way back?
Thanks so much for reading!
They turned out beautifully! Love these for Easter decor. Yes, I love brass too, so glad it’s back in. I already had some pieces, and I’ve been picking up a few more at the thrift store lately…including the cutest little egg cup.
Debbie 🙂
Laura…great technique…and not waiting for the Avocado Green Comeback…waiting for the Harvest Gold Comeback!!…Love the eggs and letter…they turned out wonderful…and I am really loving that “silhouette”….
I’ve been playing with gold paint lately too! Seems like it was just yesterday that I was painting everything gold with brushed silver paint!
🙂 Linda
I’m not sure I’m ready for TOO much brass but I can handle a little , like these cute eggs! Great job!
I love it! Thanks for the tutorial! I’m just like you. I’m slowly switching to gold too.
Love these! It turned out great! I personally love the softer more vintage looking brass trend…I love how warm it is! Great tips.
Heather
Looks wonderful! I especially like the “5”. Great job on all! I can roll with the brass…just not the Avocado green or Harvest Gold shag carpet! 🙂
Pat
I’m always drawn to metallic paints but never go for it. Have to try it now!
Love this technique Laura! Turned out lovely!
I love brass, and I love your brass painting technique! 🙂
Love this! Can’t wait to see the tablescape, and I’m holding out for orange shag carpeting to come around again 🙂
Love this! Can’t wait to see what you put together!!
That looks really great … I love the blending you did. And holding it with a pin is a great idea … I have to paint something small today and I’m definitely using that tip!
Love the brass….but my heart is with the silver (or realy with that sihouette)!
Have a great day rock star!
karianne
Joining the crew with LOVING the silhouette and your vintage brass and stating, for the record, that an Avocado green comeback is highly unlikely…at least in my house in the near future….emerald, however, may be a different story!
Great tutorial! I pinned it for future reference. 🙂
<3 Christina @ I Gotta Create!
Wildly Original linky party is open.
Great job on the painting! But I am loving the silhouette! Would you be willing to share where you got it?