Copper Dipped Pots and Jars

Thank you all so much for your suggestions for badger related gifts, especially the t-shirts. You amaze me with your kindness and goodwill. I've looked at all the links but decided in the end to buy some good quality plain t-shirts and applique on my own version of a badger. I wanted something in the style of Boden or Joules, something bright, graphic and colurful. I will share my results with you; I sense a badger themed post coming up, not a subject I ever thought I'd be blogging about! 

Thanks also for the bird feeder advice. You lot know everything! After standing outside and looking in I thought the big, shiny tap slap bang in the middle of the kitchen window might be a deterrent so I moved the feeder to spot a little further away, but where we can still watch activity (if we ever get any) from the dining room. Nothing to report yet. I think it's been too windy, I've hardly seen any birds over the last few days. But we did find a nest in a large bush in the garden. We've left it well alone as even I know not to disturb a nest, but the kids were very excited. It's empty but we saw a blackbird flying in and out with bits of dried grass at the weekend, so maybe there will be something in it soon? Actually, I'm a bit excited too. 

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Anyway, to today's subject. Don't you just love it when you come across a little crafty project that is cheap, quick, very easy and satisfying too? Sometimes you just need instant gratification, and I found that today in the form of a can of copper spray paint. But first, let me warn you: spray painting stuff is very addictive.* I have been wandering around the house looking for things to spray but luckily for everyone found most of my targets in our recycling bin. 

You will need:

• A can of spray paint. I chose this brand** and liked it very much - it went on smoothly, no runs, good coverage. They do other metallic colours too but I love the pink tones of copper.
• Various pots, jam jars and cans, or perhaps vases or pots that have seen better days.
• Masking tape.
• Clingfilm.

Use the masking tape to create your line between sprayed and unsprayed areas, covering the bits you want to stay clear with clingfilm. 

With this brand you can re-coat in half an hour so it's quite fast drying. Then, when it's dry and you're happy with it, peel off the masking tape and be dazzled. I'm not sure what kind of heavy duty use these would stand up to, but I spilled water all over the sprayed jars while filling them for the flowers and can report that nothing ran.

I found an old mason jar that was missing a lid and, with the centrally placed logo, decided to spray the whole thing.

Here is a white ceramic pot, bought in the bargain bin in M&S years ago, which I was using to keep cotton buds in on my dressing table. It was going to go to the charity shop - now it's my new favourite thing. I love the contrast between the copper and the white.

This is just a plain jam jar.

And these glass dishes are the ones that come free with GU puddings. They make excellent tea light holders, but small metal cans would work well too, providing you filed off the sharp edges well first. Imagine how good lots and lots of those would look grouped together.

This is a coffee jar, one of the Douwe Egberts reusable ones with the glass lids. (Speaking of which, have you seen their limited edition Orla Kiely jars?? Exciting! Not that I'm looking out for them or anything...)

 

The scent of the sweet pea has earned it a place on my bedside table.

Happy spraying!

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* It's also nasty stuff, so read the safety guidelines on the can and make sure you use it in a well ventilated area. 

** This is not a sponsored post, it's just that B&Q happens to be our nearest DIY store, and I know people like links to things.