How to Make Bronze Baby Shoes

There is little else cuter than a little tiny pair of baby shoes. Many people want to keep the memories of their child's infancy safe, and bronzing a pair of baby shoes can do just that. It provides a great memento for grandparents as well. You can bronze baby shoes yourself and here are the steps to follow.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Damp rag
• Denatured alcohol
• Rub cement, optional
• Old container for mixing
• Paint stirrer for mixing
• Bronze powder
• Spar varnish
• Camel hair brush
• Black paint
• Small paintbrush
• Plaster of paris
• Water (for plaster)

1. Clean the baby shoes thoroughly. Using a damp rag, clean off all of the dirt. Next, use denatured alcohol to remove all wax and polish from the shoes. Now, let the shoes dry completely. If you see another area that needs further cleaning, clean it again and allow it to dry. If there is any dirt on the shoes, the bronzing liquid will not stick to shoes, or it will show every imperfection very clearly.

2. Arrange the shoes the way you want them to be bronzed. Tie the shoelaces and have them lie as you want in the finished product. Put the tongue inside the shoe so it will touch the sides. You can use rubber cement to hold the tongue and laces in place. Be sure the laces lay flat on the top of the shoe. Once you cover an area with the bronzing liquid, you will not be able to change the arrangement of shoe.

3. To make the shoes rigid and heavy, you can fill them up with plaster of paris. This should be done before you paint the shoes. Fill each shoe up to about a half an inch from the top. They will have to dry for several days. This will give stability as well to the shoe.

4. Mix the bronzing solution. You can use bronze, gold, or copper powder. Mix the powder and a spar varnish (a fast drying one is best). Stir the mixture so that the particles won't settle to the bottom. You will need a new batch of the bronzing liquid for each project you do.

5. Apply the bronzing material. To do this properly, use a really good bush. One that is made of camel hair is best. Paint the shoes on the inside and the outside. You will need several coats to make sure it is covered correctly. If you find there are dull spots as the bronzing liquid is drying, you will need to keep adding more coats of the liquid until the finish is glossy and even. Clean your brush in between each coat.

6. When the finish is glossy, even, and dry, you can make an antique look by using a little black color. This color should be in an oil form and you should mix it with a small amount of the bronzing liquid. Paint the creases with a small brush. Do not paint the entire shoe; only paint the creases.

7. Leave the shoes to dry completely from the step above. This should take about an hour or two. Now you are ready to place the shoes where you want them to be displayed.

Tips & Warnings

• You will be simply amazed at how easy it is to complete this project.
• The bronzing powder can be found in any craft or hardware store.
• You can bronze many different items with the left over powder, such as flowers, coins, barrettes, or even a first comb or hairbrush. The key is to find items that won't absorb all of the liquid.

[mrsaroe]

on 12/8/2008 Nothing cuter!

[Scarlett9284]

on 12/7/2008 Wow, what a great idea! Thanks for sharing! 5*