Upcycled Bronze Bread Basket

Upcycled Bronze Bread Basket

Posted by DecoArt on Sep 27th 2017

This yard sale find, and a little Americana Decor® Metallics™, will add elegance to your home décor.

SUPPLIES

    • water container
    • paper towels
    • sandpaper
    • soft cloth
    • basket
    • 1" painter's tape
    • palette knife
    • MDF

    INSTRUCTIONS

    NOTES:

    There is a misconception that textures need to be thick to be effective when, in fact, the opposite is true. A thin layer will provide all the dimension required and will be a more durable finish that will wear well over time.

    1. Cut a piece of 1/4" plywood or MDF board to fit the bottom of the basket or tray. Sand it to smooth out any rough edges. Wipe with a soft cloth. Seal the wood with two coats of Stain Blocker/Sealer. Let dry well and then sand lightly to remove any raised wood grain. Wipe with a soft cloth.
    2. Position the French Living Stencil on the wooden surface and tape it securely in place using painter's tape.
    3. Instruction #2
    4. Apply Clear Modeling Paste over the stencil in a thin, even coat, just enough to fill the stencil. (You should still be able to see the image through the paste.) Gently scrape away any excess paste and return it to the jar. (Try not to apply too much pressure; it will force the Clear Modeling Paste under the stencil.)
    5. Instruction #3
    6. Allow the Clear Modeling Paste to dry thoroughly. Sand lightly to soften the tops of the raised images and remove any sharp edges or loose material. Wipe with a damp cloth to remove the dust.
    7. Instruction #4
    8. Apply two coats of Antique Bronze to the entire surface, allowing it to dry well between coats. (The resulting finish should be a smooth, even sheen, with relatively few brush marks showing, if any.)
    9. Instruction #5
    10. Apply Carbon Black Antiquing Cream with a soft damp cloth, working in a circular fashion and changing directions frequently, to allow the color to get down into all of the lower areas of the texture and enhance the lettering. (You can re-apply if the color is not dark enough to suit you.) Let dry.
    11. Apply Bahama Blue in the same fashion, but use it sparingly. (You will use it all over, but it will remain intense in some areas and weak in others. Allow it to catch around the textured letters in a few places.) Let it dry and then re-apply if you find the color is not strong enough to suit you. Let it sit for a few minutes.
    12. Use a clean damp cloth to remove some of the color from the tops of the letters. Do this gently and in a circular fashion much like what you did when you applied the color. (This will give the piece a slightly worn appearance and soften the overall effect.) Let dry completely.
    13. Instruction #8
    14. When dry completely, apply two light coats of Soft-Touch Varnish, letting each coat dry thoroughly before applying the next. Let dry thoroughly.