Tuesday, December 07, 2010

recycled paint brush wreath tutorial

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This year I decided that instead of going with a typical holiday themed wreath I would just come up with something totally off the wall and unique!


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I am notorious for treating my paint brushes bad, I typically end up forgetting to wash them and the paint dries onto the bristles. But for some reason I just can't manage to throw them out- I have tons of cans full of old brushes. Each brush represents a memory, a project, a painting and a moment in my creative process. I decided to put some of these brushes to good use!


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I started by wrapping a wreath form with fabric.


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And collected all of my favorite old brushes in a variety of sizes.


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I layered and stacked the brushes onto the surface of the wreath, using glue to secure them as I layered.


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I alternated color and size


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until the entire surface was filled with brushes.



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Just about the easiest wreath I have yet to make.


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And this one will be staying up all year!

23 comments:

Claire Kiefer said...

An artist's wreath! I love it!

biyasimadahagirdim said...

interesting ;)

andrea creates said...

very cool!

longredthread said...

What an awesome idea! You are a very creative person!

Bonita Rose said...

love it!!!

Tracie said...

Freakin' adorable!

Jane LaFazio said...

omg. gotta say I LOVE this!!

Katie said...

i love it!

mizdarlin said...

This is Wreath of the Year in my estimation..great idea, totally green and recycling, fabulous and unique looking..makes me wish I'd kept my old nasty paintbrushes and given them new life!

JillB said...

That truly is unique! I love it.

pigwidget said...

Awesome! And as you say, definately one for keeping up all year! Love it and thanks for sharing...

*fingers crossed* I am hoping for some $$ this holiday for one/two of your classes in the new year :)

She Who Doodles said...

very unique, great recycled wreath.

Jennifer Blevins said...

Love it! I can't wait to make a wreath inspired by this one. Great idea!

Kittyj said...

Well now you make me wish I WAS hard on my brushes! I am a slob but I have always been good about my brushes! Ha! LOVE it!

Lisa Rydin Erickson said...

Soo awesome! Love the dried brushes of art. Bringing art *full circle*

MODERN Prairie Girl said...

cutest thing EVER.
I'm totally making this for my artist pal.
Thanks for teaching how to do it.

NW hugs-
Lara

Unknown said...

I too find this to be an awesome display of brillance!!! hehehhe!!!

cindy shake said...

What a GREAT idea! I even have a stash of wonderful used up brushes that I've been saving! Thanks for sharing :o)

Kristin Dudish said...

Oh how I wish I had seen this tutorial yesterday!

I was cleaning my studio and came across a bag of old mistreated brushes that I have been hanging on to for years (because I couldn't bear to throw them out!)
Wouldn't you know I finally threw them out yesterday!!!

I'll definitely keep this in mind for next time ;)

xo
Kristin

Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor said...

Brilliant as usual! Now I won't feel guilty about wrecking my brushes... I'll do it on purpose!

jill C. said...

These destroyed brushes just make me hurt since I am a poor art student. I will come and be your assistant and wash all your brushes and prime canvases etc. if you pay my way! (Hey, if you can afford so many new brushes...) I can cook and clean AND give ultra-long back scratches/massages to make it even more worthwhile. :-)

I think maybe you could also cover the bare spots of the wreath with dried paint chips and that could also have a very interesting texture. I just finished making a sculpture this semester with a bunch of dried paint chips that I used to mimic water and it was awesome.

Crazy RAvens Studio said...

I will never throw out an old paintbrush again!

Daniele Valois said...

I love using my old brushes for art, but never thought to make a wreath! You're genus!

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