Hi, it's Tracey here to share a shabby bird house I decorated featuring a crackle paint technique using Helmar Craft & Hobby PVA Glue. You might be surprised that I haven't used paper on this project! I've gone back to my roots as a crafter. I've been wanting to try this technique out for some time now and am delighted with the results. Of course this technique would work on chipboard or heavy weight paper as well.
Shabby Bird House
Tips and Techniqes
First I painted and crackled the house. Instructions are included below in my tutorial.
Next, I adhered tree bark to the roof using Helmar 450 Quick dry Adhesive. I cut it a little larger than needed, then trimmed after it was adhered to the roof. The bark came on a roll in the floral department of our craft store.
Finally, adhere Spanish moss and flowers around the base of the bird house, then a tiny bird on the perch using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.
Helmar Craft & Hobby PVA Glue Crackle Paint Tutorial
Supplies
Two colors of contrasting craft paint
An object to paint
Heat Tool
Step 1
Paint your object with a base color. I've cut pieces of chipboard to demonstrate. The chipboard only required one coat of paint to cover, but the wood bird house needed two coats to cover since it had not been primed. You can paint the base coat on the entire project before beginning the crackle process.
Step 2
Brush a medium layer of Helmar Craft & Hobby PVA Glue across the painted area. Work in small areas at a time. I worked with one wall of the bird house at a time, then went back and crackled the roof and base details a bit at a time.
I kept all my brush strokes going in the same direction resulting in a linear crackle pattern. If you swirl on the glue, it would change the pattern of the top coat crackle.
Step 3
Allow the glue to dry a little. It should still be white, but should lose the shiny, wet look. You can let it sit about 8 to 10 minutes, or use your heat tool briefly. If using a heat tool, heat just until the glue loses it's shine.
Brush a thin layer of contrasting color of paint across the tacky Helmar Craft & Hobby PVA Glue. Be careful not to brush over an area a second time as that portion will not crackle. It's OK if you don't get complete coverage as you are looking for a distressed crackled look. I brushed on the paint with strokes going in the same direction as the glue strokes.
Step 4
Allow to dry or speed up the drying process with a heat tool. The paint will crackle as it dries.
If you use a heat tool, keep it moving and don't put too close to the surface as this will cause the paint to bubble.
You can see where the paint is thinner, there is more of a crackle effect than where it went on thicker. After the paint is completely dry and set, you can sand the edges lightly to further distress if desired.
You could even paint projects like furniture with this technique if you finish with a coat or two of sealant.
Here's one more view from another angle.
Thanks for stopping by today!
~ Blessings ~
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