Old World Candlesticks

First of all, let me apologize in advance for the HORRIBLE pictures.  My (almost 3 year old) curious son got a hold of our digital camera to partake in some wildlife photography of some cheerful birds out on the front lawn.  Well he got a little overzealous and dropped it right on the lens.  Needless to say it took a $*!% and now I'm in need of a new one.  My husband (the handyman) did the best he could to try and fix it, not knowing a thing about camera lens repair.  So now in order to use it, I have to manually pull the lens out every time I turn it on.... and it sure doesn't want to focus in on anything.  Anyway, I'll work on getting a new one.... GRRRRRR!  But for now here's a little project I just finished up.

If you saw my Thrifty Finds post from a few days ago, you saw these little $4 beauties just waiting for some painting love.

If you've seen any of my previous glazing techniques, you know I'm all about layering.  It's pretty simple really... I started with a base coat of pure white.  Actually I sprayed some white primer on and left it as is.  I didn't have any white spray paint, and I'm too cheap (and lazy) to go and get some. 

Anyway, once the primer was dry, I applied some Valspar color glaze in Raw Umber using a brush and just working it into the crevices.  I let dry overnight. 

Next I used some plain black paint and took my sons water color paint brush and applied small amounts in the cracks and crevices working in sections.  Before each section dried, I took a dry brush and dabbed, dabbed, dabbed the paint around.  (Notice there are no pictures of this process!)..... (hmmmm, wonder why?)  Anyway, then I just wiped off a few areas to allow some of the white to show through.

Here you go.... Old World Candlesticks!

I still need to spray some satin poly sealer on them to give a protective coat.  But that will have to wait til the weather cooperates and the wind stops blowing.  (That's another saga!) :)

Again, I'm sorry about the blurry pics.  If anyone has a suggestion on what brand/type of camera to purchase, I'd greatly appreciate it.  I'm not too savvy on the technical stuff.  Just as long as it works good and is toddler proof.  Okay that might be too much to ask for.  I'll just be more careful of putting it up and out of arms reach!

And as always, I was born to party.  Click here to link back to all the FANTASTIC parties I join each week.