CANDLESTICKS IN RUST LOOK

As a general rule: Anything goes—as long as you like it. As we all know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder ?

1. Clean the bottles thoroughly.
2. Dixie Belle Bonding Boss Apply the primer. Allow the first coat to dry—about 1–2 hours, depending on temperature and humidity. Allow the second coat to dry for 24 hours or at least overnight.
3. (optional) Fill the bottles halfway with plaster or a similar material to weigh them down.
4. (optional) Apply leftover plaster or another texturing material to the outside of the bottle to create a textured look.
5. A) Cut the cork to size and insert it firmly into the bottle neck. Use a very thin drill bit to drill a hole in the center of the cork so that the Advent arrangement candle holder can be inserted more easily. Of course, it should fit snugly.
   B) If you don’t have a cork, insert paper or something similar about 3–5 cm into the neck of the bottle and fill the gap with hot glue or two-part adhesive. Insert the Advent wreath candle holder and let it dry.
6. Rust-effect paints come in various forms, such as:
   A) in spray cans
   B) as water-based paint pastes that, when applied in layers, create the desired look
   C) paints with real metal pigments (iron, copper, bronze), which, when an activating liquid is applied over them, trigger corrosion and create rust or patina effects.
7. In this example, we’ll use Option B) with water-based color pastes.
   Before applying, each color must be mixed thoroughly, as they contain a texturing medium.
8. We’ll start with the base color—an egg-yolk yellow—and cover the entire bottle—or the areas that are supposed to look rusty afterward—with it. A worn-out natural-bristle brush works well for this, as it creates additional texture. Dabbing or stippling the paint creates even more texture. Let this coat dry thoroughly (about 1 hour, depending on room temperature and humidity).
9. Now it’s time for the second color, a rusty red. Mix this well, too, and apply it to the yellow using a dabbing or stippling motion so that some yellow areas are still visible. Let this layer dry thoroughly as well.
10. Dab the third color, as well as the second shade, over the first two layers of paint until you’re satisfied with the result. The full effect will really become visible once it’s dry.
11. Finally, you can seal the whole thing with a clear coat —preferably matte.
12. Last but not least, put the candle on it and enjoy ❤️ the ambience

Have fun crafting

Your

Angela