DecoArt Media Mystery Box Challenge - Mother's Day Bangles

Hello mixed media friends!  Are you on the lookout for something beautiful and handmade to give as a gift for Mother's Day?  There is plenty of time to get one of these DIY wooden bracelets and turn it into a special work of art customized specifically for her.  I am going for a vintage feel with this one.

Here is what you are going to need:

Unfinished wooden bangle bracelet from DIY Bangles
Americana Decou-Page Matte Sealer-Glue-Finish
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Titan Buff
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Quinacridone Violet
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Phthalo Turquoise
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Raw Sienna
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics  Burnt Sienna
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Quinacridone Gold
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Transparent Red Iron Oxide
DecoArt Media Ultra-Matte Varnish
DecoArt Triple Thick Brillian Brush-On Gloss Glaze
Printed paper napkins
Script and Music Notes rubber stamps
Black archival ink

Seal bracelet with DecoArt Media Ultra Matte Varnish using a soft brush.

Paint the bangle, inside and out, with two coats of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Titan Buff.  Let dry thoroughly between coats.

Carefully fussy cut or tear images from paper napkins.  Use Americana Decou-Page Matte Sealer-Glue-Finish to adhere and seal napkin pieces to the bangle.  Allow to dry thoroughly.

Use a baby wipe to color the outside of the bangle with DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide.

Add a wash of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Phthalo Turquoise over the background.  Paint over the dragonfly image with a wash of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Quinacridone Violet and add Phthalo Turquoise along the bottom edges of the wings.

Wet your finger with water and pick up a small amount of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Quinacridone Gold, wiping this wash of color over bracelet.  Dab excess with a dry paper towel.  You will get a cool mottled effect. Use a brush to get into the indentation of the bracelet.

Stamp script and music stamps over the bracelet with Black archival ink.

Use your finger to tap DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Quinacridone Gold along top and bottom edges of bracelet.  (I am only using the jar of varnish to prop the bracelet up for the photo.)

Brush a coat of DecoArt Triple Thick Brilliant Brush-On Gloss Glaze with a nice, soft brush.  This product is amazing. It is self-leveling, so you will not see brush strokes.

Let the glaze dry really well before painting the inside of the bracelet with a couple of coats if DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Burnt Sienna.  Again, let the paint dry thoroughly between coats.

Apply a coat of DecoArt Media Ultra-Matte Varnish to the inside to protect it and give it a silky smooth feel against the skin.  In the photo, you may be able to see a slight milky film inside because the varnish is not dry yet.

There, now, wasn't that easy.  I hope I have inspired you to give this a go.   It would surely make a unique gift for your mother, or anyone, for that matter. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and stay crafty, my friends!

xo Barbara