Rustic Frame

This is a copy cat frame from Hallmark that I stole (shhh!)  ...stole the idea, not the frame ;)  Anyway, I hate, and I mean HATE tracking down old, used, banged up barn wood and therefore I am a huge HUGE fan of this method to antique wood (called oxidizing) using these two simple products.  Black Tea and steel wool dissolved in vinegar (takes about 3 days, but like many things, you can store it and it just gets better with time).  I won't go into details on the method, instead just refer to the link.

But here are a few pictures of the process.  On the right, it's brushed with tea (I actually put my tea in a spray bottle and sprayed the wood).  The one on the left is with the steel wool/ vinegar solution painted on after the tea has dried.  It's pretty dark as you can see but it gets lighter as you sand.  Don't pay attention to the rosettes at the top, that's for another project.

 Here is after a very light sanding.  I used Cedar fencing planks because they are very light weight.  They are pretty rough but I wasn't going for a smooth surface this time since it would only be for looks and no one would be touching it.

I used wood glue and screws to piece it all together.  You don't have to stain the back but you will have to make sure to stain the sides.

 

Finished product.

$6 Twine Lamp

 What you will need:  4-5 spools of your favorite color twine ($1.29 a piece). I used 4.  A candle light or a suspended light.  I found mine at the Thrift store for a buck a piece. I also found a bouncy ball there as well for 20 cents.  You will also need a glue of your choice.  Any glue that dries clear is fine.  I used half modge podge and half Elmers mixed together (helps save on cost).

 There are a lot of methods for getting the glue on the twine.  #1 you can put some glue in your hand and run the twine through as you go.  #2 you can unravel the twine into a bowl and pour the glue over it.  Try not to mix it too much though otherwise it will knot.  #3 The best method I found was to use option #1 for the first spool of twine just to make sure you get an even base layer.  Then every spool after that I would simply wrap the twine on the ball and then pour a generous amount of glue on my hands and rub it all over the ball.  Do this after each spool of twine.  Messy, but it seemed to go faster this way.

 

 Let it dry 2 days.

 Cut a hole in the twine large enough to get your hand through.  Poke a hole in the ball and pull it out.  If you plan on doing more than one you could use a ball pump needle to deflate the ball instead.

 

 Place the sphere over the candle light or suspend it with your suspension light.