By L. K. on Dec 19, 2017 at 4:08 am in Modern
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And if you’ve been bitten by the DIY bug, it’s also the craftiest time of the year. Get into the merry-making spirit with this fun and festive little project from
Chelsea Foy. A bit industrial, a bit delicate, and a whole lot chic, these gilded cement letter ornaments will help you deck your tree modernly.
“Quick-dry cement is one of our favorite materials for creating sturdy, surprisingly beautiful handcrafted pieces,” Chelsea says. “It’s incredibly easy to work with and will definitely charm your guests! Use these alphabet letters as ornament favors or place cards at a winter wedding. You can also just spell out Christmassy words and put them on display at a holiday party or reception. The sky’s the limit!”
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Supplies Needed
♦ Disposable mixing cups
♦ Disposable spoons
♦ Measuring cups
♦ Water
♦ Silicone alphabet molds
♦ Sanding block
♦ Painter’s tape
♦ Liquid gilding
♦ Craft paintbrush
♦ Ribbon
♦ Scissors
Step 1
Mix your cement according to the directions on the package. Our package recommends a cement-water ratio of 4:1, but we find that for craft projects a little extra splash of water works well. So start with the recommended ratio and add a little water until your mixture is the consistency of a thick milkshake.
Step 2
Working quickly, pour the cement into your molds. Once the cement is poured in, give the sides of your mold a tap to flatten out the surface of the cement.
Step 3
Allow the cement to harden (which usually takes about one hour). You’ll feel the cement get warm as the chemical reaction of hardening takes place. Once it starts to feel cooler again, the cement should be ready.
Step 4
Remove all letters from the molds. If necessary, use the sanding block to gently sand the bottoms of the letters to remove any sharp edges.
Step 5
Apply painter’s tape at angles to each letter to mask off a portion of the letter.
Step 6
Paint the unmasked portion of the front of the letters with liquid gilding. Allow to dry (this should just take a few minutes),and remove the tape carefully.
Step 7
If you don’t wish to hang the letters on a tree, you’re all done! But if you do wish to hang them, flip the letters over to the back side and place two dots of E-6000 at the top of each letter.
Step 8
Cut a length of ribbon and adhere either end of the ribbon to the dots of glue. Allow to dry thoroughly and give the beribboned letters to your guests to enjoy!
