Dragonfly Ornament

Project by Margaux Jones from Seattle, Wash.

Materials and Tools:

steel ornament *
water
gas torch
pigment powder
nontoxic polyurethane
brush
acrylic clear-coat spray

* Note: A couple of days prior, the steel ornament would have been placed into a vat of water.

Steps:

1. Remove ornament from water and wipe clean, making sure they are thoroughly dry.

2. Using a gas torch, slowly fire ornament, making sure the metal does not get too hot (it turns a really ugly color). Once cool enough to touch, it's ready to be painted.

3. Using a palette or cup, mix the pigment powder with the polyurethane. A 2:1 ratio seems to work best.

4. Making sure not to cover anything that fired really nicely, lightly paint. For example, if the wings look really cool, just paint the head or tail. Do this on both sides, allowing the first side to dry before painting the second.

5. After both sides have dried, spray each side with a clear acrylic coating (allow dry time on the first side before doing the second).

6. String through some waxed black cotton and tie.