Hello! Here's our regular feature where we share tips, tools & techniques that have caught our eye, things we have Pinned, and things we have tried. These are probably not going to change your life(!) but might make it a bit easier...
Patina is "a thin layer that forms on the surface of stone; copper, bronze and similar metals (tarnish produced by oxidation or other chemical processes)". It is also a great technique to give pennies a pretty colour!!
Looking on Pinterest, it seems like there are various ways of achieving a patina finish. I used the vinegar and salt method, taken from this great tutorial by
Rena Klingenberg.
To start, I raided the coin jar for about 40 pennies.
I mixed equal measures of vinegar and salt (approx. 3 tablespoons), then stirred to help some of the salt dissolve. (If you wanted shiny pennies, this would be a good mixture to use and then rinse off straight away.)
I left the pennies soaking for about an hour. (You could probably leave for less time, but I got distracted by watching the tennis and forgot about them!). I spread them out on paper towel and left in the sun to dry, being careful not to wipe any of the vinegar/salt mixture off.
Gradually, the pennies started to become tarnished.
Once they were dry, I gently brushed any obvious bits of salt and admired all the pretty colours! Each penny gave a different result and there were a wide range of blues and golds.
I really like the final results and now just need to think of a project to use them for! Any ideas?!
I was thinking of decorating a plant pot with them, but I guess they may need to be 'sealed' first. Or perhaps mount them and display in a frame? What do you reckon?!
Update: 10th July 14 - this post has been featured
here by Craftgawker
They look great, who would have thought? (well you, I suppose!) I think they would look great in a box frame, maybe in a grid or making a shape like a heart or tree or perhaps a letter - like a monogram. Or could you stick them all over a box or one of those brown papermache shapes you can get, make a piece of art. Can't wait to see what you end up doing.
ReplyDeleteWe were actually surprised at how they turned out too!! Ooh great ideas on how to use them - a monogram could be interesting.... Might have to make some more to use ;) x
Deleteoooh great results : )
ReplyDeleteyes they'd need sealing with a matt sealant or maybe Paverpol?
They'd be interesting stitched shisha mirror style too?
Thanks! Great tips - will defo try using a sealant x
DeleteLovely idea i must try it out
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris! x
DeleteI like the idea of them in a box frame too arranging them in a geometrical pattern maybe all facing the same way with just one odd one out ;)
ReplyDeleteLove that idea Mecki! Could mix it up with just one really shiny penny.... x
DeleteWhat a great idea....pity I couldn't say I only have notes!!!!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Certainly wouldn't be soaking notes in vinegar & salt ;) x
DeleteThanks for sharing this its a great idea. They would look great in a deep edge frame displayed with old shhetmusic, hymn book pages and other old collectibles.
ReplyDeleteUsing some old/distressed paper would make a really nice background - thanks for the ideas! x
DeleteWhat great colors! I think I would also display them in some sort of mandala/geometric patters.
ReplyDeleteThanks Clarissa! I think some sort of pattern layout is a winner! x
DeleteWhat a fab idea Leida, we'd love to hear how you get on! I'm sure I've got some squashed pennies somewhere too :) x
ReplyDeletePennies are getting rarer and rarer in my neck of the woods these days. Since we eliminate the use of the penny last spring, you hardly ever get them. I saved a roll of them, but I don't think I could bear to patina them up!
ReplyDeleteCan see why you wouldn't want to patina your last roll of pennies! Perhaps you'll have to find something else to patina instead ;) x
DeleteThis is a great effect. Thanks for the tute :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Janine! x
DeleteHow lovely! Thanks for linking up to New to Me too.
ReplyDeleteThank you! x
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