Powertex mixed media Christmas ornaments – craft diy project – Anna Emelia Howlett

Anyone who knows me by now will know I am a pretty big fan of Marta Lapkowska she creates some amazing projects and works of art at Maremi Small Art. I was rather taken with her textured mixed media Christmas Tree ornament video recently. So I contacted Marta and asked her if she would mind me creating a blog inspired by her work but the Powertex mixed media Christmas way. To which she said yes! Thank you very much Marta. She also has an amazing group called Maremi’s Creative Café where you can share your makes.

I know when I shared Martas video recently someone mentioned they didn’t have one of the products. What I love about Marta is she says if you don’t have it don’t worry just used what you have. I always have Powertex in abundance on my desk. With it being a universal medium it lends itself brilliantly to projects like this.

Powertex is great not just at textile/fabric hardening but mixed media, abstract art works, sculptures and more. And would you believe you can even make a clay from it! The USA AP seal of approval and covered by EU legislations means it is safe for all ages to use. Water based and non toxic makes it my go to mixed media medium.

What you will need to create your Powertex mixed media Christmas ornaments:

Ivory Powertex, bister, sand and balls, powercotton, stockinette, polystyrene shapes, easy structure, clay stars, limoncello gold, powercolor pigments and varnish

Powertex mixed media Christmas bauble

Firstly, I happen to have some wire jewellery findings and so just stuck one into the top of the ball as a hanger. Although you could always use some wire and bend a loop around some pliers to make a hanger. In order to create the texture on the ball, mix some Easy Structure with Ivory Powertex to thin it down as little.

Next you can add in a bit of sand for extra texture. Mix with a palette knife and apply. I had the Styrofoam balls in my stash, you can use any size Polystyrene ball or shape you would like to though.

Top Tip: Yes you can go straight on to polystyrene shapes. But if you want you can always use a little masking tape underneath, this will make adhesion a little easier.

Next step cut some thin bandage to size. You could use a thin lace or fabric or stockinette. In order to create extra texture I pulled it apart a little. Coat in Ivory Powertex by dipping in or using a brush. And cover a section on the middle of the ball. Then coat some powercotton (which is a cotton string) and wrap around on top.

Coat in Ivory Powertex by dipping in or use a brush to cover and place on the middle of the ball. Then coat some power cotton (which is a cotton string) and wrap around the middle.

Top tip : Making a mixture with the balls in makes it easy to apply. Pour out a little Powertex and add the largest balls mix and then add the smaller ones.

You can use a palette knife to apply as much or as little of the mixture as you please. But try to add your own twist to the design. For mine I popped on some clay stars, I had used a cake plunger cutter to cut out all the sizes.

You could add any shapes you wanted, if you haven’t got stars. Make sure you leave this to dry completely. An hour or so should be fine. You can force the drying process with a hair dryer just be careful the heat isn’t too high you don’t want to melt the shape.

Spray with any Bister (a coloured walnut stain in spray form) of your choosing. For this I used Mahogany, Brown and Black Bister.

Then I must have gotten carried away with the colouring process which is my favourite part as I didn’t take any more pictures after this. In the last step I did use some burgundy and brown Powercolour pigment and varnish around the middle and faded the top and bottom with white Powercolor pigment and varnish. Then added a touch of my fav Secret Art Loft pearl pigment Limoncello gold.

Top Tip: Adding colour is my favourite part. Sometimes you have to keep layering and layering the colours and pigments to get your desired finish. Be patient with this part. It will come. I keep layering colours until I am happy with the finish.

Powertex mixed media Christmas Tree

Next up was the Christmas tree. I happened to have some of these in my stash too. If you don’t have a polystyrene cone you could use a cardboard cone. Use some Easy structure to cover the base of the cone. I used a little masking tape underneath to make this hold on easier.

I used the stockinette for the tree which is slightly thicker than bandage. And I found it easier to dip it directly into the powertex. Coat the fabric and use your fingers to work the Powertex in.

Then wrap around the cone. Dip your powercotton, string or mop cotton into the Powertex, work in and place onto the cone.

Next make up your ball mixture again and paste on with a palette knife. Then stick down your stars or shapes with some Ivory Powertex and a brush. Make sure your cone is completely dry before spraying in bister.

I only went and did it again with getting carried away with dry brushing I forgot to take next step photos. So I used burgundy and brown Powercolor all over the cone and then built up with white powercolour and used some Limoncello gold as a finishing touch to add a bit of sparkle.

You may have some time to set aside over Christmas to give this a try with your family and friends. Or you might save it for next year. But I hope you’ve found it useful to see how you can create all sorts of mixed media projects with Powertex. And a big thank you to Marta for allowing me to share my inspiration from her video through this blog.

Happy Holidays!

Have a fabulous holiday break and Christmas and I will see you all in the New Year with some very exciting projects to inspire. Do sign up to the blog, join us over in the Powertex Studio and on facebook share your makes with us. And please let us know how you get on and what you think in the comments under the article. Find my last blog if you missed it here.

Toodles Anna xXx you can find me over at Rosehart Studio.