This pocket watch project originally appeared on the Powertex UK blog during a Wonderland themed month.
Alice in Wonderland books are world famous stories with extraordinary characters and everybody has a favourite quote. “Tea-time?” or “I’m late” or “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” which is my favourite!
I’m using the white rabbit’s Pocket Watch Kit (Powertex UK) for my project and a totally irresistible pot of Rusty Powder. I love the colour and texture of Rusty Powder and it’s slightly unpredictable results. I like mixing the recipes, wonderful, messy, arty, crafty chemistry. There are lots of Powertex products in this one so you might want to substitute where you can. I really recommend using what you have with your Powertex to create your own textures and style! This project has many steps and is great if you want to get stuck into a project with lots of layers and different textures.
If you’re looking for an MDF project for complete beginners why not take a look at the Seahorse project?
Supplies
Pocket Watch Project Pack: including Ivory Powertex, Black Bister granules, Blue Bister granules, 3d sand, 3d balls (small)
Add: Rusty Powder, Acrylic paint or inks, Distilled vinegar and a small spray bottle
Optional:
Transparent Powertex, Easy Structure Paste, Easy Varnish and Colortricx in Bronze Gold, MDF shapes in Raven and Drop Outs.
All Powertex products available from Powertex UK.
Step 1
If you like to plan before you start, try laying out your pieces first. There’s lots here so you don’t need to use them all.
Step 2
Prepare and mdf pieces with paint. I’m varied Blue bister spray, Blueberry Pie paint and Aqua acrylic ink from The Secret Art Loft. If you want very bright colours I recommend sealing the pieces with Ivory Powertex first.
Step 3
When the colour is dry, mix up some Rusty Powder with some Transparent Powertex, or Easy Structure Paste. The recipe is key to a good rust. The more Rusty Powder you add, the darker your rust will be. Don’t forget to add a little distilled vinegar, that’s what makes the magic happen.
I add some 3d Sand for texture too. Have some 50/50 vinegar and water spray ready. Apply the mixture partially over your pieces and then spray with vinegar/water. Leave it to rust overnight.
When it’s dry you can repeat this step for extra texture or rust colours. It’s great to layer different stages and textures of Rusty Powder.
Step 4
Once my pieces were mostly dry I layered them all together, roughly like my layout. I used Powertex to stick the pieces down. I wasn’t worried about any drips or splodges, it all adds to the texture.
Step 5
This is a good time to stick your mdf watch stand together too. Slot the pieces together and paint over the pieces and joins with Ivory Powertex.
Don’t paint the pieces first or they might not fit together easily. Add any paint or textures you want to use and then leave to dry. The bister granules sprinkled onto wet Powertex make amazing color and texture.
Step 6
To add lots of texture to my watch, I mixed up another Rusty Powder recipe but this time I used Easy Structure paste, 3d small balls and a little vinegar. I wanted a sloppy paste that would drip. You can add more sand to make a thicker paste.
Add some Rusty Powder mixture to your watch and sprinkle over some black and/or blue Bister granules to add textures. Spray your Rusty areas with your vinegar/water spray. Use Bister sprays to colour some parts.
Step 7
Once all my rust layers are dry I love to add more colour and the Transparent Acrylic Inks are brilliant for this. They tint the rust a little and are fluid enough to run around all the textures. I used Aqua and Viola and a couple of sprays of Black and Blue Bister. Oh that’s better!
Add any remaining embellishments. I’ve chosen an mdf raven as well as the butterflies, dragonfly and clock hands. The clock hands are painted with Ivory Powertex so they stand out.
The watch face is looking very dark so before I add the embellishments I use a little metallic dry brushing over the numbers. For this I mix Bronze Gold Colortricx pigment with Easy Varnish. This will make the last pieces stand out more. A little Ivory Powertex would also look great for highlights. I stick the last pieces into place with Powertex and wait for them to dry before fixing the watch to the stand.
- If you love a mixed media Powertex take a look at these design team projects.
- A Powertex treasure tree
- Powertex art doll
