Materials:
variety of birch bark baskets
various sizes of corks
patterns or motifs for stamping
craft knife and blades
felt tip pen
small jars of acrylic paints - black, raw umber and other colors, as desired
flat-ended paint brushes about 1/2" wide
round tip art brush
1" sponge brush
acrylic varnish
Note: Birch bark items may be found in craft stores, import stores, garden shops and art supply stores. The baskets are usually available with strips in a variety of widths, wide or small.
Steps:
- As a source of inspiration, and to determine the best color combination and design for the baskets, take a look at books that feature Scandinavian style furniture, fabrics and art.
- Using the flat brush, paint the woven basket with acrylic colors of choice. If you care to alternate the colors, blue and cream work well together, as do orange and red. Once painted, the basket should have a grid-like painted surface.
- Draw separate designs (flowers, stars, leaves, etc.) on the ends of each cork.
- Use a craft knife to gently and carefully carve out each design on the corks. These will be the "stamps."
- Lightly dab cork stamps with acrylic paint, and apply the stamp in a decorative pattern over the surface of the basket. Allow to dry thoroughly.
- Make a "wash" mixture of raw umber, a spot of black paint, and water. Gently brush this "wash" mixture over the surface of the painted basket to add an antique look. Let dry.
- Coat with acrylic varnish.
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