Coastal elites
DIY project: Paint ‘seaglass’ jars for an ocean feel
There’s something soothing about being by the sea. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore, the soft sand and the birds soaring above remind us of beach vacations, weekend getaways and family picnics. And with coastal chic entering the interior decorating world, bold stripes, weathered wood and antiques are making their way into living spaces.
Seaglass begins as bottles and glass that get tossed on the shore, get broken, and are then tumbled smooth by the waves and currents. High-end furniture companies and DIYers alike love repurposing
What you’ll need
Fusion™ Mineral Paint in Renfrew Blue and Casement* Fusion™ Ultra Grip™ Shop towels/rags Glass jars or vases Plastic mixing container and stir stick *Disclaimer: Fusion™ colours are non-toxic, lead free, virtually odourless and zero volatile organic compounds (VOC), contain no ammonia or formaldehyde. seaglass into tables, chandeliers and even outdoor walkways. The soothing and sophisticated colours pair beautifully with nearly any decor and you can work them into geometric pieces to give a coastal feel.
This week’s DIY project is all about recreating the seaglass effect with paint. It’s fun, affordable and can be done in groups or alone. This particular project was led by Erin Rocher, owner of Bluebird Upcycled Style, as part of her monthly Creative Ladies workshop. You can check out her other workshops at: bluebirdupcycledstyle.ca/ workshops. Prepare the glass Find a glass jar or vase whose shape you like and clean it thoroughly. Paint a light coat of Fusion™ Ultra Grip™ on the surface which you will be painting. Set aside to dry for 12 hours. Prepare your pastel colour Pour a small amount of Fusion™ Mineral Paint in Renfrew Blue and Casement into a plastic mixing container. Mix thoroughly. Keep adding Casement and mixing until you achieve a pastel blue that you like. Apply the base colour Take two shop rags — one for applying paint and the other for removing excess paint. Squash the rag between your fingers and get a good grip on it: you will be applying the paint in layers and this will help you achieve an interesting texture. Dip the squashed shop rag into the paint and wipe off the excess on the other rag. Gently apply to the outside of the jar. You don’t want a lot of paint because it’ll create the wrong type of texture for the piece. By the time you reach the place you started dabbing, the rest of the paint should be dry and you can continue going over it until it’s completely coated. Creating the seaglass effect Grab a new shop rag and squash it in the same way as before. Dip it into Fusion™ Mineral Paint in Casement and wipe off the excess on the other rag. You’ll be using this to create a seaglass effect on the jar. Start by concentrating the white around the ends — the top and the bottom of the jar. Seaglass tends to have a frosted appearance on the edges and very little in the centre; a successful jar will keep with the natural look. If you make a mistake, cover it up with the pastel mixture. Show it off After it dries, place your new jar or vase in a special place where all can see.