OK, maybe I’m the oddball here, but how many of you have contemplated whether or not COVID-19 is going to have an impact on gardens this year? I keep thinking that people have so much time on their hands that their gardens are going to be spectacular this season. Gardening is one activity that is mostly COVID safe. There aren’t that many activities that feel safe these days, so we may as well work in the garden, right?
It will be interesting to see whether or not we notice a difference as the season progresses.
But in the meantime, I’ve been breaking out the re.design with prima moulds and the Dixie Belle patina paint and creating a few treasures for my own garden.
I started by digging out some clay pots and other garden ornaments.
All of them had been used, so before I got started I washed them in soapy water and made sure they were completely dry.
Next I pulled out one of the newest moulds from re.design with prima called Ancient Findings.
Aren’t they fun? Sort of like coins and medallions.
I used prima’s Modeling Material to make up a few to glue to my pots (you can read more detailed instructions on how to make the mould here).
When applying a mould to a curved surface, be sure to glue it in place before it dries. The molds are pliable at first and can be manipulated, but once dry they are quite hard. I used regular Elmer’s wood glue to attach these.
I let the moulds dry for a couple of days to make sure they were fully dry before moving on to the next step.
Then I pulled out all of my Dixie Belle patina paints and sprays.
I just realized my photo above doesn’t include the Copper paint, and I used that one as well. I thought it would be fun to try a few different combinations of the paint and spray.
I hadn’t used the blue spray yet, and I was wondering how much of a difference it made to use green spray v. blue spray. To test that I pulled out a resin acorn finial that I had on hand. I painted it using the Bronze paint, then sprayed one side with green …
and one side with blue …
Yep, you definitely can see the difference between the spray colors. In this case, I prefer the green … but that’s going to totally be a matter of personal preference.
Next I moved on to my pots. I first painted them all using the Prime Start. Technically, the Prime Start is only required if you are painting over metal. With other materials like wood, or clay in this instance, you can just prime your piece with any Dixie Belle paint. I often just use a coat of Midnight Sky because it creates a nice blank canvas for the patina. But this time I used the Prime Start.
Next I painted a couple of pots with the Iron paint, one with the Bronze paint and one with the Copper paint.
The combination of Iron paint and green spray creates a rusty finish.
These pots aren’t looking terribly rusty yet though. I find that the rusty finish in particular takes more time to develop.
The candlesticks I shared back in March are a good example of that. Here’s a comparison showing how much rustier they are after six weeks.
So keep this in mind if you are disappointed with the initial results of your rusty finish. You have to give it some time to develop.
The combination of the Bronze paint and the green spray gives you a gorgeous verdigris patina, and this develops much more quickly than the rust.
I think this is my favorite look overall for the pots.
The Copper paint with the green spray lends itself to a tad more dramatic look.
If you’re going for that classic verdigrised copper look, this will give it to you.
You’ve probably already noticed this, but I just can’t get enough of the Patina Paints. It’s so much fun taking an old, tacky thing and making it look like a genuine ‘ancient finding’.
How about you? Have you tried any of the Patina Paints?
As always, thank you to Dixie Belle Paint Co for providing the Patina Paint products, and to re.design with prima for providing the Ancient Findings mould and Modeling Material used for today’s project.
If you’re looking for Dixie Belle products you can find them here.
If you’re looking for re.design with prima products you can find local retailers here, or online sources here.
q is for quandie 
Love your posts! You inspire me! I agree with you regarding predicting that gardens are going to be epic. Friends and neighbors are growing larger vegetable gardens – so that they can share their yield with local food pantries. Many friends have started virtual garden clubs – again to support their communities while having fun. Wishing everyone all the best as we work together for a resolution. Love, Lauren
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Thanks so much Lauren, and what a great idea to expand vegetable gardens! Love that idea 🙂
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I just got a bunch of clay pots and this is very inspiring! I do have some mold and I’ll have to try and figure out if any of them will work with my clay pots. Fun pieces!
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It’s a fun crafty project, hope you enjoy it!
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I have some large pots I think would look great using this type of treatment. Do you know if the “rust” finish have any “rusty” runoff that may stain a concrete patio that the pots sit on like a real rusty metal item would do?
Thank you for all the wonderful inspiring projects you post.
Jill
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Well, this process is creating real rust so that’s certainly a possibility. I have a pair of pots that I ‘rusted up’ last summer, and I placed them on flagstone and never noticed them leaving a mark. I also had those pots on my deck for the winter, so I’ll try to remember to take a look under them and get back to you on whether or not they’ve left a mark on the deck. Stay tuned.
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Thank you, I think I’m going to try it. I love the look.
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Nope, no marks of rust on the deck either!
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I agree that gardening may become a new family activity, getting everyone out of the house. Embellishing some of my pots is the perfect activity to do while waiting for the weather to allow bringing them out to the patio. Great idea!
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With our cold snap over the weekend, it felt a little like putting plants outdoors was still a ways off. But I think we’re going to warm up soon. So get those pots ready!
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Hey Miss Quandie (-; I haven’t used any of the Patina Paints and I love seeing your resuts……..thanks!
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You betcha!
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Everything I’ve ever planted has died. You sure do have some pretty pots though!! And while I still have you on the line I want to give you a little heads up on what’s happening with this country’s meat suppliers if you haven’t already been reading about it. I live in the OK panhandle amid large pork and beef producers and processors. This state is sending in inspectors to check these plants as there is a high volume of virus among the workers although none of them isexhibiting any signs of being infected. One large beef plant in Greeley, CO h already been shut down for decontamination of the plant. As a result a shortage of meat is happening for restaurants and grocery stores. Two big name grocery stores are limiting amounts. (This to me is a good thing as it will shut down hoarding). Keep in mind it’s not the meat being contaminated but the workers. If there is no one to work the plants for even two weeks it will “trickle down” and become scarce for a while. This will also play havoc with prices. Now I’m not saying this to scare anyone but the next time you shop you might throw in an extra pkg. of bacon or an extra chicken (daughter-in-love says the same thing is happening at Smithfield in Va and other plants). An extra pack of ground beef or hot dogs. If you think this should not be posted it will not hurt my feelings. Take care and stay healthy.
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I always appreciate getting info from people who are actually in the thick of things. I have been hearing various news stories about the meat plants. Also, we subscribe to Blue Apron and their menu choices have been getting more and more limited because they can’t get ingredients. Based on what you’re telling me, I am expecting that to be even more of a problem going forward. Next time Mr. Q shops I’ll have him be sure to grab some bacon!
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Linda, i just love your ‘rusty’ pots! Every time i read your blog, my wish list keeps growing 🙂
The new re.design molds are super cute. Wouldn’t they look adorable as a xmas tree decoration?
Definitely adding it to my list – thank you for inspiration!
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What a great idea! I’ll have to remember that for December!
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Hi there! I use all of Dixie Belle products except this one. I don’t know why so many people like to create rust. Im not a fan. Now, if I find a genuine old rusty piece? Maybe. It is a personal preference of course. I love all of your work though.
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I don’t know what it is, but I do love a good rusty finish. But it has to be real rust, not those faux ‘rust looking’ paint jobs. What I like about this product is that it creates real rust, and whatever you put it on continues to get rustier over time, just like the real McCoy 🙂
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I love the rust created with iron paint & green spray!
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