Be Positive Day 29 | DIY Inspirational Paperweights

I have really enjoyed making things from quotes, and these paperweights were no exception. I love a simple DIY that makes an impact, and I think this one does. I plan to sprinkle them around the house: one in the living room beside my Buddha statue, one on the windowsill in the kitchen, one on my desk (of course), and one on my dresser. But this DIY was so simple and cheap, I’m thinking forward to holiday gifts or stocking stuffers, maybe including photographs or using Illustrator to design the quote part. The possibilities for inspiration are endless.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Glass votive or tealight holders (they’re $.50 at Wal-Mart)
• Pretty paper
• Mod Podge
• Spray Sealer
• Something circle-shaped and the size of the inside of the votive holder to trace. (I used a shot glass. Don’t judge)
• Paint brush
• Pencil and Sharpie
• Scissors

Start by tracing your circle on the pretty paper. I traced it on to the back of the paper so that there wouldn’t be any pencil marks on the designed side. Cut the circles out. I did some trimming at this point, just to make sure the paper fit really well. And while you’re cutting, be sure to cut some long strips from the same paper that are at least as tall as your votive holder is deep. Each strip should be long enough to wrap the circumference (around) the inside of the votive.

Now, write your quote or inspiration onto the circles with your Sharpe. My votive holders were pretty small, so I kept it short and sweet. But I did use the street graffiti that I photographed earlier this month. “Love is the new hate,” is a powerful statement. What makes you tick? Now’s your chance to show it.

Now for the Mod Podge. I used my finger to apply it, but a paint brush would be less messy. (But less fun too? Perhaps.) A thin layer of the glue is plenty, and yes, it will dry clear. Press the circles down into the base of the votive. Now press the strips along the outside edge of the glass. This got a little tricky for me since my glass had something of a slant to it. I cut a couple of small slits in the paper and started pressing from the middle, working my way around the circle. When I was finished, the paper stuck up outside of the depression space, but I left it like that until the glue was all-the-way dry.

Wait for the glue to dry (about an hour). Then trim the excess paper so that it is level with the glass. If you wanted a really, super clean cut, you might want to use an X-acto knife and use the edge of the votive as your guide. I sealed mine with an acrylic sealer to protect them. This isn’t totally necessary, but it will keep the paper inside safe, long-term. Once the sealer is dry, you’re all done! Ta-da!

 

 

Thanks Ibrahim Manya for posting this Life Pulp. It’s beautiful.

“Live each day as if your life had just begun.” -Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe