Turn an unrecyclable container into a functional decorative object using Earth Safe Finishes! Keep containers such as this out of the landfills by creatively converting them with easy to use and environment friendly products.
Materials:
- Choice of container
- Earth Safe Finishes Products:
- Texture, smooth
- Generation Green acrylic paints- Clay Red Brown, Ocean Blue
- Satin Varnish
- Gel Glaze
- Colorants- Moss and Raw Umber
- Shimmer Copper
- Pattern stencils
- Palette knife or thin spackle knife
- 1” Wash brush
- Sea Sponge
Instructions:
- Remove paper label from container. Tape stencil around sides of container.

- Apply Texture using a palette knife skimmed over the stencil. Repeat to cover container surface then allow to dry.
- Paint container and lid using Clay Red Brown Allow to dry.
- Brush on one coat of Satin Varnish, allow to dry.
- Mix drops of Raw Umber into Gel Glaze. Brush over container and lid. Dab off excess glaze using sea sponge or paper towel.
- Wet sea sponge with water so it is very saturated. Dip sponge into a small amount of Ocean Blue then squeeze over container to create patina like runs. Place container upright for vertical runs. Use wet sponge to apply some Clay Red Brown mixed with a drop of Raw Umber and plain Clay Red Brown. Allow to dry then decide if you need more color runs.
- Brush on one coat of Satin Varnish, allow to dry.
- Use a finger tip to apply dabs of Copper Opulence here and there to high points. Rub in Opulence in random clouds to give a slight metallic glow. Allow to dry.
- Brush on one coat of Satin Varnish, allow to dry.
Here is the same technique used with a rusty tone on a wood frame.
