How to Preserve Baby Shoes
Baby's first shoes are often kept as a memento. Preserving them can be accomplished by applying a bronze finish. This is often done by companies that provide the service. However, this is also a project that can be done at home using a few supplies from a craft store and a bit of patience. When the project is completed, you will have a keepsake for years to come. You may even find all of your friends and relatives want you to preserve their baby shoes, as well.
Things You'll Need
- Baby shoes
- Rags
- Denatured alcohol
- Rubber cement
- Sharp needle
- Fishing line or wire
- Plaster of Paris
- Metallic powder (bronze, copper or gold)
- Fast drying spar varnish
- Camel's hair paintbrush
- Black oil color
- Small paintbrush
Instructions
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Prepare the Shoes
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1
Clean the shoes thoroughly with a damp rag. Be sure to remove all dirt and polish.
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2
Rub the shoes with a rag soaked in denatured alcohol to remove any remaining dirt or polish. Dry the shoes completely.
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3
Arrange the shoes' tongues and laces. Position the tongues so that they touch the sides of the shoes. Apply a bit of rubber cement to hold tongues and laces in place. You will not be able to move them once the bronze finish is applied.
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4
Make a small hole in the sole of each shoe with a large, sharp needle. Put fishing line or wire through the hole and loop it so the shoes can be hung to dry.
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5
Mix the plaster of Paris according to package instructions. Fill the shoes with the mixture to within ½ inch of the shoe tops. Allow them to dry for several days.
Bronzing the Shoes
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6
Mix bronze, copper or gold powder with a fast drying spar varnish. Add the powder and stir until you have the consistency of paint. Continue stirring so that powder doesn't settle to the bottom.
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7
Apply the varnish to the shoes with a good camel's hair paintbrush. Paint inside and out.
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8
Hang shoes to dry by the looped string.
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9
Observe the shoes for dull spots. Apply additional coats until all spots are covered.
Dry thoroughly between coats of paint. Clean the paintbrush completely between uses.
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10
Mix a few drops of black oil color with the bronze paint. Paint this color into creases of the shoes to create an antique look.
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1
References
- Photo Credit baby shoes image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
