Tag: rock

Update on rock painting durability

On By CarynIn Craft

In August 2023 I painted several rocks using a line painting tool, then finished them with a clear UV spray coat. One of the rocks I put out in the garden with a collection of other painted rocks. A year and a half later, this is the only rock that looks as good as new. The others’ designs cracked and flaked off since they had layers of paint, sometimes quite thick.

Photo description: dark rock painted with thin white lines with floral designs and the words “Find joy and meaning where you can.”

My takeaway for this is that if you make or find a rock completely covered in paint, keep it inside. If you want to be super clever and hide your rock in a place it might take someone years to find, apply the paint sparingly. I think some of my planted painted rocks may have returned to their natural color waiting to be found. Those freeze thaw cycles and UV rays are hard on paint.

Now I’m dangerous

On By CarynIn Craft

My folks gave me a laser engraver, because I spent so much time at their house playing with their laser. My level of craft ability has now reached dangerous (on a scale of “beginner”, “how cute”, “nice”, “wow”, “dangerous”, “how?”, “mastery”). I started with my business logo on rock, painted brass, and a thin slice of purple heart wood that I sliced on my band saw.

Photo description: smooth river rock with a white mottled tree and roots logo for Caryn’s Creations

The rock ended up with a mottled white design that does not wash off. It has a pleasant texture but probably won’t survive a sealant (testing on that later).

Photo description: circle of purple heart wood engraved with the same burned logo.

I’m still experimenting with settings. The purple heart with logo was a little too intense and the burn carried outside the design.

Photo description: black painted brass with the paint burned away for the logo

I tried a circle of brass (I used a jeweler’s saw to cut it, the blue diode laser won’t cut brass). I originally did clean brass, but it only made a ghost image, so I spray painted the blank with black primer paint, let it dry, and ran it again. I quite like the result.

My head is swimming with all the possibilities.

Chicken rock

On By CarynIn art, chickens

One of my friends enjoys painting and has quite a flair for it. She had painted rocks at the chorus craft fair and I just had to buy the one that looked like Wing Ding! And then take a picture of Wing Ding with her effigy.

Photo description: Wing Ding the Black Star hen in molt standing behind the painted rock with a black chicken that I’m holding. Painting by Corinna Standlee.

Rock painting

On By CarynIn Craft

We hid all our painted rocks at a local park, so we came home and painted some more. I’d seen some face rocks on Pinterest that were painted with just shades of black and white, using the natural rock as the skin tone. I tried one, but I like painting eyes better. I may try the whole face again if the right rock rolls in. I will coat these in Helmsman before we hide them.

Painted rocks

Rock painting

On By CarynIn Craft

Here is a nice social distancing but still connecting activity: rock painting. The idea is that you paint a rock and leave it for others to find, in hopes that it brightens their day. The finder can keep the rock or hide it for someone else to find. There are groups all over participating, but if you don’t have one in your area, The Kindess Rocks Project has tips and instructions.

Washed rocks laying out to dry

We paint in flurries. I’ll wash a bunch of rocks (I usually buy a bag of decorative rock at the hardware store), let them dry, and my eldest and I will paint one or two, and my youngest will paint 10. I’ll then go back and on the rocks that she painted a near solid color, I’ll add some inspirational (hopefully) words. Doing our part to reach out, but not touch anyone!

Rocks painted with acrylic, one on right sealed with Helmsman Spar Urethane

I like painting eyes on rocks, especially using the color of the rock as the skin tone. I’m not sure why I seem to only paint left eyes. Default setting maybe. Hmm. Maybe as the social distancing continues I will use my time to paint more right eyes.