HOW TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL MARBLED STONE PHOTO HOLDERS
It’s time to flex your creative muscles and try these beautiful marbled stone photo holders. I’m a mom of two boys and sometimes I crave very cute pink crafts! Since Target has decided for me that it’s time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day. I thought I would take this opportunity to let my pink frilly flag fly! If you have the need to try something a little more creative and pretty, this craft is a must! Do your kids have a Valentine’s party upcoming at school? If so, these easy marbled stone photo holders could be an adorable Valentine gift to a teacher and/or classmates.
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Is rock painting the one craft that you haven’t tackled yet? Well, here are some tips on how to get started.
- Grab a bag of rocks from your local home improvement store, rock yard, or even your own backyard.
- Clean the rocks by using soapy water to remove dust or dirt. Let dry completely before starting the project.
- Depending on your design, plan on painting a base coat and let the rocks dry before decorating.
- Decorate the rocks with paint, markers, stickers, whatever you want works! There’s no right or wrong way to decorate a rock.
- Seal the rocks with a clear spray sealer. This will protect the painted rocks from scratches and UV sun/water damage.
That’s it! 5 Extremely Simple Steps to start rock painting today!
One of my most commonly asked questions is, “What type of paint can I use to paint rocks?”
- Craft Acrylic Paint is the best paint to use for rock painting. Acrylic has a nice medium consistency that’s suitable for rock painting.
- If you want something that’s more washable for the little ones, use
Tempura Washable Paint. The tempura paint becomes more translucent after drying. - Paint Markers are perfect art tools for beginner rock painters. Less mess and fewer supplies needed.
What to do with the rocks once it’s painted and sealed? The possibilities are endless!
Here are a few craft ideas!
- Beautiful handmade paperweights
- The kindness rocks trend, I think is here to stay! Write inspirational messages on your painted rocks.
- Display your rock art and turn them into magnets for others to admire.
- Be creative with learning time. Use painted rocks to make learning fun for preschoolers.
- Decorate and use your painted rocks as markers in your flower pots and vegetable garden.
- Make awesome photo holders!
- Decorate your home with holiday-themed painted rocks.
- Raise awareness for a cause in your community with painted rocks.
- Discover new ways to decorate rocks, using alcohol inks, chalk, crayons and more!
- Hide and Seek Rock Hunting is a fun outdoor activity to do with your children at any time of the year.
In this tutorial, you will find an easy step by step video on how I made these beautifully marbled stone photo holders. I tried a painting method that I have falling in love with and that’s acrylic pouring on rocks.
Helpful Acrylic Paint Pouring Tips:
- Gather all the acrylic paint pouring supplies before starting, this makes everything go smoothly before prepping the paint.
- Have a clean workspace where you can prep, create, and leave the rocks to dry without moving them. I recommend using a cooling rack and a disposable container to work in. Here’s a quick DIY paint pouring rack and pan for those one and done projects.
- When prepping your area, cover your table to protect it from paint drips. I used a large poster board or cut up a garbage bag to lay out.
- I like to use a 2:1 paint formula for my rock painting projects. Two-parts floetrol or a similar pouring medium to one-part acrylic paint. I prefer my paint to have a thin consistency, so when the paint and floetrol are mixed together the paint to glide of the craft stick in a stream.
- This method is a great way to paint a lot of rocks at one time for those big craft projects!
Check out the easy step-by-step video tutorial below!
How to Make Beautiful Marbled Stone Photo Holders:
Here’s a list of what you’ll need for this craft project.
- Smooth Rocks
- Acrylic Paint
- Floetrol or similar pouring medium
- Cups
- Craft Sticks
- Cooling Rack
- Container for Cooling Rack
- Jewelry Beads
- Craft Floral Wire 22 Gauge
- Clear Sealer
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Place your clean rocks on the cooling rack inside a container.
- Start preparing your paint cups. Choose the colors you want to work with and pour each color in its own cup. Mix in the pouring medium and stir with a craft stick. I used a red, white, bright blue, and three shades of pink paint color for these cute rocks.
- Making the Dirty Pour. Start pouring the paint into small amounts creating a layering effect with the desired colors. I made 4 cups of dirty pours to get different looks.
- Begin pouring the Dirty Pour over the rock slowly in your desired pattern to cover the entire rock.
- Let the rocks dry for at least 24 hours or more depending on where you are in the world. Humidity tends to make the drying time longer. Use a clear sealer on the rocks to protect from nicks and scratches and outside elements.
Supplies for Paint Pour
Pouring Rack and Container
Paint Prepped with Floetrol
Paint Poured Rocks
- Cut a piece of craft wire about 22 inches (depending on the size of your rocks).
- Take a marker or pen and wrap one end of the wire around the marker twice. Use the needle nose pliers to pinch the end loop tight.
- Grab those beads and start stringing the wire to the desired length.
- Wrap the wire around the rock at least twice tightly. Then wrap it around the photo holder stem and cut the wire. Use the needle nose pliers to wrap the end of the wire around the photo stem so it’s not sticking out.
- Add your favorite photo or Valentine’s card and give to someone special.
I hope you enjoyed this sweet rock craft.
In the meantime, if you are new to rock painting and don’t know where to start. Check out the Rock Painting for Beginners series below.
Part 2 – Rock Painting Supplies | What you need to know
Part 3 – Easy Rock Painting Techniques
Part 4 – How to Mix Colors with Confidence
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