Basically what we are doing is sticking random pieces of masking tape onto a surface and then applying shoe polish, brown and blue shown here. The effect varies with the colour used, the surface being covered, the way the tape is applied. It can look like leather or marble or foliage or old cement or……
To make a gift container from an empty toilet tissue roll I wrapped the masking tape around it a few times to give it more solidity and then covered it with bits and pieces of tape, scrunching it here and there to give more texture.
Here it is getting a coat of shoe polish.
Once the tube was dry a scarf got wrapped in the brown paper and put inside with some Greek braided twine to be used as tying cord. I am not really pleased with the brown paper and am thinking a dark brown tissue paper would be nicer and give more a Christmas cracker look. I do like the 3-d texture and hue of the tube.
The other container is coated with blue shoe polish over a simple covering of masking tape with no attempt to make it less than flat.
Those are crocheted baskets on each end and inside the tube will go small goodies to put into the baskets, perhaps tiny cookies or 'nuts and bolts' (cheerios and shreddies and pretzels and peanuts in a savoury coating) or personalized cloth napkins and the baskets can be used as napkin holders.
Other ideas for such surface treatment : book covers; cookie tins; strips of leather for bracelets or anklets; storage/gift boxes; table tops (with glass or plastic on top); table legs; bookshelves; baseboards; window blinds; floor cloths; recycling tin cans/milk cartons/cereal boxes/etc.; wearable art; lamp shades; ceilings……..
What comes to your mind? Have you already used this technique…..???
Comments
11 responses to “Some masking tape, some shoe polish….dah dah!…splendid surface effects with lots of uses”
very good idea but I’m still back at your ladybug necktie!!!! love it…
Morning Esther Thanks! Say, maybe I could make a necktie covered with masking tape cut into shape of ladybugs and brushed with red shoe polish……just kidding.
I feel like I am missing out on so much… I’ve only ever used shoe polish on SHOES!!!
I have tagged you with a meme over on my blog, if you are interested in participating 🙂
16 tabs… that’s how many tabs we have open here now… each tab represents a new project you have opened our eyes to. You are amazing! When/if I grow up, I want to be like you. LOL Absolutely brilliant designs and now you have filled my winter with socks, bags, sweaters, reclaimed fabric yarns, pot holders and scrubbies.
Thank you to Crafty for the link on her site that brought us to you and thank you for putting together such a great blog with great information.
We’ll be back often!
talk to you soon…
The Shibaguyz
Hello Laughing Your comment had me wondering if I have ever used shoe polish on SHOES – oh, I must have! Chuckling…. You know by now that I am playing with the meme. I enjoyed your seven facts and will now browse the others you tagged; rather a neat way of getting to know people…
Good morning Shibaguyz What a cheering comment – thank you so much. And the other half is that I have now been introduced to your blog (much ‘food for thought’ on my initial browse) and added it to my homepage. Can I tell my sons someone thinks I am a grown up?
My first visit to your site – LOVE IT!
Years ago (as in late 70’s), we did the masking tape – shoe polish on empty wine bottles and put drip candles in, which dripped down the sides of our candle holder and made a very hippy-looking candle holder. I think we also tore some caligraphy quotes (maybe burned the edges to age?) and modge podged them onto the sides of the bottles. We only used brown shoe polish, but I like the look of the blue and may need to get me some blue going. I bet this would look nice on a votive candle holder too. T
Hello Tammy – welcome and thank you. You have brought back memories – candles such as those with wax in coffee houses but not the masking tape/shoe polish addition which would have given extra charm. And I have to try your idea of using it with a light source such as candle inside a votive. Thanks. I wonder if paint will work – brushed out – because I want to try green and I have never seen green shoe polish. Hmmm.
thanks for the article. It was very ineresting for me.
http://www.filecatch.com/trends/dk/29-07-2010.html
Morning Joyce.
Great!
Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning.