Porcelain Roses
You are probably wondering, how in the world can I make porcelain roses using chalk type paint. Well, I feel like I am challenging myself in every way possible to think outside of the box. I am sure you have noticed that my crafty side has come out. Where in the world was it all these years? Well, maybe I had a little crafty side the whole time and never really knew it.
So how do I come up with these ideas? Well, it’s usually when I’m not trying to think of ideas, is when I think of ideas. Okay, that’s sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo. But, it’s the truth. Here’s an example, I’m walking through a store I see a window display. Then I think, Ah-Ha! That would make a great headboard, only I’d use XYZ. Well, I wouldn’t use XYZ but you get the idea. I see inspiration and I run with it. Not literally, but you get the idea. Sometimes I think of ideas on my own, and sometimes I’m inspired by something I’ve seen and then I get an idea of how I can create something totally different but sort of the same.
So this idea came to me after seeing beautiful vintage porcelain roses. They are so delicate looking, but to create on myself, no way Jose. I can’t sculpt porcelain or clay for that matter. So let’s cheat. I’m good at cheating, well not really. I mean I generally don’t like to cheat, but I do like to make things easier. Maybe I’m just a tad lazy?
For this project you will need:
Silk roses, besides craft stores, you can also find these at thrift shops, and don’t worry about what color they are.
A piece of styrofoam, to hold the roses as they dry.
Chalk type paint, I am using Buff Rose by Heirloom Traditions.
Let’s Get This Partay Started!
- Take your rose bloom off of a stem and dip it into your paint.
- As you are lifting the rose out of the paint, tap the excess paint off while it’s still in the can.
- Then gently place this on your styrofoam tray. I made sure that I already had pre-made holes on my piece of styrofoam, so the flowers slipped right in.
Tip
(To make a pre-made hole, before you start your project just stick the rose in and pull it out.)
These porcelain roses are going to take sometime to dry, so be patient! I’m not yelling, but I just wanted to warn you that if you’re not patient you’ll mess it up. Like, look who’s talking the queen of being impatient, that would be me.
Before I go on, you can also chose to paint your flower using a small paint brush. And you’re seriously not going to do that. Do you know how long it would take to paint each petal? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Ah, such harsh grammar.
If you want a crackled look on your rose’s, take your hairdryer on a low setting start drying the paint on your roses. Yep, you heard that right. Take your hairdryer and go to town. But don’t set it too close or too high. You don’t want wet paint splattering everywhere and you don’t want to start a fire. Use common sense and read my disclosure policy.
See how my rose started to crackle. That’s because I used my hairdryer. Which is pink by the way.
- After these are dry, turn them upside down and using a small paint brush touch up any area’s that the paint came off when you placed it onto your sytrofoam tray. You only need to paint the bottom if you are going to see this, if not then just skip this step.
Well that’s it folks, it’s pretty darn easy to do huh? Now to finish, you can spray on semi-gloss or high gloss varnish. I chose not to add a varnish on mine. They have a clay like appearance, as though they have been hand sculpted.
So what did I decided to do with these faux porcelain roses once I created them? I decided to add them to my vintage mirror. Once these little beauties were dry, I added them to my mirror using my hot glue gun. Have I ever told you that my glue gun was my best friend? Well, not literally but it’s made my life so much easier. I love how quickly I can do a project, and well, I’ve used my glue gun for so many projects. I think I hemmed curtains with my glue gun at one time. Yeah, it’s a bad boy!
The mirror has been painted using Buff Rose, the same color as the roses. Pretty sweet huh?
Well aren’t these the prettiest little flowers that you ever did see (insert southern accent). Oh I’d love to have a southern accent. But I usually just sound like someone trying to have a southern accent.
Well I have to admit, these really look and feel like they are made of porcelain. They are so delicate and fragile looking. Let’s see….Hmmmmm… what else can you use these faux porcelain roses for? How about making napkin rings, or a wreath or how about adding these to a pretty package. So many ideas are flying out of my head! This technique turns an ordinary silk flower into a piece of art!
This is so pretty! I’ll have to get some of that paint and try it!! Thanks for sharing~
Your welcome Suzette, have fun painting!
I love your roses What a great idea. Jo
Thanks so much Joanne!
Dunking faux flowers in chalk paint is great idea. Don’t have to use only roses tho do you? I’m not much of a rose person but love to see them in others’ homes. Love tulips, hydrangeas, daffodils, geraniums just to name a few. You are having good time thinking of some useful DIY projects, good for the brain and decorate your home at same time. Look forward to seeing what you think of next. Love how your roses look like porcelain especially using the soft pink paint.
I’ve been printing out some printables, other subjects to print out then frame for my gallery wall. Digging in craft room for inspirations. Tired of most of what’s on gallery wall so time to reinvent it. I’m always busy making things cause I do get bored with things, like to refresh. Winter for us has been so mild this year I’m ready for Spring items already. Keeps me busy and out of trouble when I make things. Just made two new to me sets of curtains for kitchen window and master bath window. I used two vintage tablecloths, they are so nice and fabric is like iron, prints are still vibrant. The bathroom curtains have red geraniums on them. I usually change/make different curtains at least 3-4 times a year. Really cheered up the rooms with the pretty vintage prints. Kitchen curtains have lots of kitschy items on them for kitchen in blue/green. I went digging in tablecloths last week and got inspired, no sense letting tablecloths just sit in box, thought it was time to use them again. I make pillow covers, table runners and now curtains with them. I want to make couple nice aprons also.
Seeing all the wonderful projects bloggers like yourself make gets me inspired to get busy.
Hope your week is going well.
Oh no JaneEllen, use any flower you want to. I think even doing this on silk leaves would be pretty..yes another future project. I am just hoping to inspire.I am going to start offering free printables soon.It’s something I am working on :-).
JaneEllen, what great ideas to use the vintage tablecloths in so many ways. I have several saved up and you have my wheels turning–thanks!
I am so stealing this idea for a vintage table centre I’m designing for a friends wedding. I even have the perfect little jug to hold them 🙂 Of course, if I blog it, I will link back to here lol… Why do I always want to start these things at 11pm? Thanks for the inspiration x Nikki at Big Red Barn
Oh what fun Nikki! That sounds perfect! If you do blog about it I would love to see it 🙂
Hi Anne,
I had to have a go myself and now have big plans to use them for a friends wedding table decorations (and a few more things besides). Thought you might like to see them http://www.bigredbarn.co.uk/2015/02/make-fauxfake-porcelain-flowers-20-minutes/
Thanks for the great tutorial 🙂 xXx
Thank you so much for sharing Nikki! LOVE how yours turned out!These will look amazing at your friends wedding! Sharing yours on my Facebook page 🙂
Clever,very clever,you are a busy person these days and i love all of it, thanks.
Thanks so much Marlene!
Oh my gosh….what a brilliant idea, Anne! I love the look of these roses — and it’s such an easy peasy project! Thank you so much for sharing your genius idea with us! I’m going to have to try this for sure. ♥
xoxo laurie
Thank you Laurie, you are welcome.Yes it’s very easy….I love easy 🙂
Love, love, love the beautiful porcelain roses idea and will have to give it a try! I’m convinced there is nothing that can’t be tried with chalk paint! I thoroughly enjoy receiving your White Lace Cottage emails with new projects to try! Thank you for keeping us inspired!
Thank you Ann! Yes I agree, the possibilities are endless with chalky paint!
Oh, I love this~!
I have a friend who asked me to create an original centerpiece for her wedding out of mason jars and tea candles. I can just see some doilies glued to the mason jars (like other pins) with these beautiful (mock) porcelain roses added in her pastel colors.
Thanks for the inspiration~!
Jen~
(=
Your welcome Jen! Oh what a beautiful idea!
Those are beautiful and sooooooo creative! I was just at the dollar store yesterday and they had some really pretty roses- in the most garish purple imaginable! Guess where I am going today?! I also love the leaf idea!!!
Awesome Laura! Have fun creating!
Anne…..OMG…. these are so beautiful !! I would have never guessed that a coat of paint to a silk flower could turn out this exquisite. I am just starting to work with making silk flower hair clips for my grand-daughters. Can this flower hold up to a hair clip or is this more for a stationary setting ?? And, thank you so much for sharing this. I am so glad that I receive your e-mails.
Yes Sue I think this would work beautifully on a hair clip. You might have to experiment with a stronger glue than a glue gun and a smaller flower too. What a fun idea…love it! Thanks so much for sharing! Have fun creating!
Hi Anne,
So happy to pop into visit your lovely blog ! I’ve been been an admirer of yours for awhile now, love all your IG posts too.You know I’m a big rose fan, so when I saw this post on IG the other day, it caught my eye right away !!! Let me tell you that you are a GENIOUS darling !!!!! I’m in love with these bigtime and can’t wait to buy some chalkpaint and get started ! I only have Home Depot and Lowes in town, can I get that chalkpaint at those stores ?
Thanks so much and I hope you have a beautiful Valentines day.
XO ~ Steph
Stephanie I admire your style! You are a HUGE inspiration to me! LOVE all of your photos and beautiful home! I don’t know if Home Depot sells Chalky paint. I sell it here on my blog. Just click on the left of my screen. Shipping is super fast.Have a wonderful weekend!
Love this idea! Gonna try it and maybe use the roses for Xmas time in a French inspired design.
Thanks so much Connie!
Creative!
Thank you Sherry!
Beautiful!! Do you find them brittle when dry, will the paint flake off if bumped? Thanks!