Paper Turquoise

by Mark Montano

4.9K13519

Intro: Paper Turquoise

Make beautiful faux turquoise with old newspaper and basic supplies like glue and piant!

STEP 1: Watch the Short Video Tutorial Here!


STEP 2: You'll Need

Blender

Strainer

Americana Acrylic Paints in Turquoise, Green, Red, Black and Brown

Wax paper

White school glue

Paintbrush

Newspaper

Minwax Polycrylic Clear Gloss

STEP 3: Blend the Paper

Blend 2 large sheets of newspaper in 1 quart of water to create a pulp

Pour it over a strainer to remove about 95% of the water

Add 1/4 cup white school glue and mix

Create clumps and balls and place on wax paper to dry

*Make smooth balls for beads and bumpy clumps for stones Let dry under a desk lamp overnight

STEP 4: Paint the Stones

Drill holes in your round beads and pendants

Paint the "rocks" in different shades of green, turquoise and red

When they're dry, paint them with watered down black and then immediately wipe of most of the black with a damp cloth

*This will leave black in the creases and divits

Try watering down brown to give more texture Dust the "rocks" again with more color

Coat them with a generous amount of Minwax Polycrylic and let dry

19 Comments

Mark Montano 8 years ago

One of my favorite projects ever. Just a suggestion, try using a roll of cheap TP to make your paper pulp. Also works really well!

Mctiggr 9 years ago

Hi Mark,

Such a cool project!! Is the blender able to be cleaned and used for food purposes afterward?

Thanks for your help!

Mark Montano 9 years ago

Hey McTiggr, I have a blender from a yard sale that I use for my projects, but I'm thinking that a run through the dishwasher is all you really need. You don't have to add the paint to the blender, you could just blend the paper first and then add the paint in the bucket? Might make you feel a bit more safe about using it for food afterward.

wandona 9 years ago

How heavy are these after they're finished? Can you wash them? I'm asking because I was thinking of putting them on shirts.

Mark Montano 9 years ago

Hi Wandona, I don't think it's a good idea to wash them since they're paper. They are coated, but I'd still refrain from it. They are not heavy at all, BTW, super light.

pia2004 9 years ago

Great idea! I thought you were going to show us how to make the metal bracelet part too?? Is that some sort of painted metal piping?

Mark Montano 9 years ago

Hey Pia, it's actually copper tape and you can buy it online. Check amazon.com and put it copper metal tape in the search.

pia2004 9 years ago

Very cool. So, what did you put the tape on? thanks for the tips...

Smiles..

chriswangmu 9 years ago

awesome idea! your little brother is a genius

Mark Montano 9 years ago

Hey Sarah, I tried something recently that worked very well. I used a roll of cheap TP the same way I used the newspaper and it worked beautifully. It made little clumps just like a stone would have. Have fun and dry them under a heat lamp on wax paper for a quick dry with no sticking! Mark

boatingman 9 years ago

This is easily the best faux-stone project that I have ever seen. Thank you. I will be doing this soon. I also use a good bit of Bondo and Plaster of Paster, always having a bit left over. I'm willing to bet that this painting technique would be great on that.

Mark Montano 9 years ago

Thanks boatingman, It was actually my little brother who discovered it in kindergarten many years ago by accident. I think he was trying to make something else and it ended up looking like a very convincing stone!

NathanSellers 9 years ago

Hey, this is really cool. What a good idea. I'll have to try it out.

Mark Montano 9 years ago

Hey Nathan, you can get some really good results. Experiment with the colors and when you use the black, add some layers of brown and gold. Looks great!

SkidBacon 9 years ago

nicely done sir! my mom wears plenty of turquoise and this is a very convincing faux stone.