Filigree Verdigris Baubles - by Alison

Hello all, Alison here with some weathered Christmas decorations.  I've been playing with some of the new Christmas Calico Craft Parts - but I'm never one to go for new when I can create something a bit older!  There's a wealth of new Christmas designs available, and today I've got some of the 3D Baubles and Decorations for you.

My camera decided to steal most of my process photos, so I can really only show you the finished results, but if you want a "before" you can see the baubles in their unaltered state by visiting the shop.  Just click on any of the links in the post and you'll go straight there.

I had a lovely time altering the filigree pieces with DecoArt Media products.  One word of warning - you need to make sure you keep the intersections relatively clear of paint and mediums.  If you have too many layers, the pieces won't join together any longer.  (And yes, that's the voice of mildly bitter experience talking!)

First off I applied some DecoArt Texture Sand Paste quite randomly to the Craft Parts - I didn't want all over texture, just some weathered areas.  Below is the lovely Snowflake Bauble Style 4 (and mine are all in the Medium size).

Once that was dry, I gesso'd over the whole lot and then started applying Antiquing Creams and Media Fluid Acrylics.

With the Antiquing Creams you let them dry, then wipe back with a damp cloth.  This leaves great depth of colour around the textured areas.  There's Patina Green and English Red Oxide somewhere in the layers.

The paint colours include Cobalt Turquoise Hue, Cerulean Blue and Green Gold.  Above is the Snowflake Bauble Style 3.

The coppery areas were done by mixing Quinacridone Gold with Metallic Gold - layered over the areas which had formerly had some of the English Red Oxide Antiquing Cream on.

In between layers, I spritzed with the White Shimmer Mister...

... and at the very end I gave the whole lot a wash of Translucent White, which helped to dull the brighter colours and remove some of the glamour of the Metallic Gold!

I did have to sand back in the places where the pieces needed to slot together, but once that was done I added some rusty wire (but of course) to hang them up by.  In the photo below you can see Snowflake Bauble Style 2.

You'll see that I hung them in last year's Christmas tree for a couple of the photos - it's still standing out in the drive and has turned a beautifully burnished shade of rust... perfect!

I hope you like my Filigree Verdigris Baubles, and I hope you'll be inspired to check out the Christmas Craft Parts now available, with more arriving every day it seems, so keep checking the Latest Products page too.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you again soon.  Have fun playing!

Alison x
Words and Pictures