Thursday, August 19, 2010

Making Atomic-Era Inspired Wood Crafts!

This is one my latest craft projects! An atomic-era step stool for my kitchen! Being only 5'3, I often have trouble reaching the higher shelves in my cabinets so I decided to go to Michaels Craft Store to get supplies to make my own 50s creation! Not only is the finished product functional, it looks perfect in my atomic kitchen.

As I was browsing the wood craft section of the store, I found an unfinished wood stool. It is about 11-12 inches long and about 7-8 inches wide. It stands about 6 inches tall.

I went over to the paint section and got a can of indoor/outdoor Krylon Acrylic Spray Paint in the color "Blue Ocean Breeze." It retails for $5.99 USD. Then I went over to the decals, stickers, and transfers aisle and I picked up a sheet of atomic-looking rub-on transfers for $2.99 USD.

I bought my goods and I went home. I went outside to my back deck and I set down a huge layer of newspaper to protect my work space. I shook the can of aqua blue paint and I sprayed the stool in sections, allowing time to dry between each section/coat. When the stool was dry, I cut out one of the rub-on transfers and I placed the sticky side of the transfer onto the stool's surface. Using the small popsicle-like stick provided, I rubbed the transfer until it completely pulled away from the sheet. After the transfer was on, I gently pressed it down with my fingers to ensure all of the design adhered correctly and completely.

I took the stool back outside to the work area and I sprayed a coat of Krylon Crystal Clear Coat ($5.99 USD) to seal the paint and the transfer. The stool was left to completely cure/dry overnight and presto! My atomic stool was done!

8 comments:

  1. You are so clever, fabulous! I am just under 5ft so I could do with one of these too!

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  2. thats a super duper great idea..your so creative..you can stick those decals to loads of other furniture too.

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  3. Straight Talking Mama,

    It is so easy! All you need is an unfinished wood stool, spray paint, and the transfers and viola; a useful stool that looks vintage!

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  4. La Dama,

    Thanks! The transfers work on wood, ceramic, glass, and plastic. I have put a few on my microwave door and my white, modern coffeemaker. Once they are on, they are on.

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  5. That looks awesome! I love those transfers. Im soo going to look for some!

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  6. Atomic Mama,

    I found mine at Michael's and the transfer sheet has atomic symbols, curvy designs, a few starbursts with little balls on the ends, and the mutli-colored squares as seen in the picture! The transfer can be a bit picky when it comes to lifting the sheet off the design, but using a hair dryer on low as you rub really helps.

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  7. we sadly don't have a Michaels in the UK either! Another shop I always visit when in the US, love the transfers!

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  8. That's so cute! I love it. =] I'm 5'3, too.
    -Andi x

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