Imaginarium post by Sue Smyth

Steampunk goggles and Rusty Relic Journal 

By Sue Smyth 

This month I have some quirky projects, a set of goggles and a rusty journal, for you all.

I love a steampunk look and saw some goggles in Tasmania 

on one of my trips there.

But I wanted to make my own, so visited the local Bunnings for 

a pair of welding goggles, (a cheap pair).

So to begin, I adhered plastic gems and brads to the outside

The brads worked well as the plastic of the goggles 

was not easy to adhere things too.

Then I have added cogs and microbeads, even a chess piece and a bottle cap. To create the the surface, I have painted it all black with gesso first, then with teal dylusions paint. Then I have added

metallic shine with turquoise inka gold, with a last 

layer of copper and Vintage gold Art Alchemy wax.

I had some cute dragon eye cabochons to include as 

an eye, and mixed in some gold rhinestones. 

\

To finish I have flicked a slurry of turquoise chalk paint over the surface for a patina look. Instead of the elastic band around the head I cut it off and added bronze chain. 

It make not be practical anymore but I like it as a decoration lol.

Next is my project is featuring Viva Decor rust 

products.

I had an old journal that I had started and then

abandoned as I was not happy with it.

Later I came back to it, added the cool resin face and clustered around lots of relic style trinkets, which once painted 

with black gesso gave me a fresh surface to start again with.

I love the alphabet title, it has had the rust medium painted

on it too. But I have rubbed turquoise inka gold to the top and 

Vintage gold wax to the bottom for an ombre look

with a difference.

I have tucked copper seed beads in and around

the trinkets, adhering down with 

dimensional magic.

Here I have used the turquoise inka gold, mixed

with lots of water to flick over the surface, for a 

more corroded look. Use a fan brush

to get the best results.

In the end I was happy that I salvaged a project

destined for the bin, and it did not take too long

once I got started. 

I hope it has inspired you to get rusting.

Happy Crafting 

Here is a few of the chipboard shapes I used