Make "fossilized" treasures that look like they've been buried for thousands of years with this botanical-impression project.
Materials:
unglazed pots, untreated terra cotta, unglazed tiles, unglazed quarry stone, etc.
brown and black glass or tile paint (available at craft stores and labeled as glass or paint enamel)
tile or grout cleaner
polyurethane sealer
foliage with skeletal features (i.e. fern fronds or gingko leaves)Steps:
Clean the stone with grout cleaner to remove any residue and prime it for the paint application. Mix the brown and black paint lightly together (but not completely). The variegated colors will lend themselves nicely to the fossil look that you're trying to achieve. Lightly brush the backside of a leaf with the blended paint, making sure to coat the raised veins. Enhance some of the veins with darker paint. Gently place the leaf on the stone and cover with a clean piece of paper. Keep the paper in place through the next step. Rub or press the paper-covered leaf from top to bottom, keeping in mind the amount of pressure dictates the amount of paint transferred to the tile. Carefully remove the paper and leaf. If you're a little heavy-handed with the paint, remove it with the tile cleaner. After the cleaner dries, you can start over. Once your first layer of impressions dries, overlap with additional leaf prints for a more natural look. Seal your "fossilized" piece with a layer of polyurethane to protect it. Place felt dots on the back of the stone piece so it doesn't scratch glass, wood or metal surfaces.Use this technique to make coasters, trivets, wall art and more. The materials you can fossilize are endless. With a little paint and foliage, it's easy to change a plain, unglazed stone, ceramic or terra cotta surface into a replica of ancient art.
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