Two Ways To Create Chic Decorative Ceramic Pumpkins

Category: Top Tips

Two Ways To Create Chic

Decorative Ceramic Pumpkins

Karen Jones

Creative Artisan

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1. Project one - Panther and Sugar Puff crackle effect with gold stem

I bought these ceramic pumpkins from a craft shop and gave them two coats of the dark and dramatic off-black of Panther from the Original Artisan Range.

After allowing the paint to dry thoroughly I added a layer of Frenchic’s Easy Crackle, and left it a good few hours until it was fully dry.

Then for the fun part, I painted a top layer of Sugar Puff from the Original Artisan Range (which is my absolute favourite), and watched the crackle magic happen.

Again, I waited until the paint was fully dry before applying a decorative paint inlay (note this is not a Frenchic product). Once this was dry, I applied Frenchic’s Clear Wax with a small Wax Brush.

Then for the sparkle, which I added to the pumpkin stem, using a mix of Browning Wax and Gorgeous Gold Frensheen, which I distressed slightly with a fine grit sandpaper.

I left it for about an hour, then gave the whole pumpkin a buff with a soft cloth to create a beautiful sheen.

Project two – Decoupaged pumpkins

I love my decoupaged ceramic pumpkins, which are not just for Halloween! They can be used year-round.

I started off with a couple of coats of Wedding Cake, from Frenchic’s Lazy Range, it went onto the ceramic surface beautifully.

Then I prepared the napkin by taking off the two backing layers of a three-ply napkin. I used scissors to cut out a round section of the napkin, so I could place the whole image over the top of the pumpkin, with the pumpkin stem poking out. To go round the body of the pumpkin, I used dabs of water to wet and tear around the pretty parts of the napkin I needed.

For full step-by-step instructions follow my guide here on How Do I Create a Flawless Finish when Découpaging?

I then fixed the napkin onto the pumpkin by adding a layer of Finishing Coat, placing the napkin where I wanted it and smoothing out the wrinkles by pressing gently with my hand in a plastic bag to stop my fingers sticking to, and therefore ripping the very delicate napkin.

After allowing it to dry thoroughly before applying another fine layer of Finishing Coat, I used a sanding sponge to smooth it all down. I wanted a high sheen finish so applied a few more coats of Finishing Coat to really get that shine.

All that was missing was a touch of gold, so I completed the pumpkin by using a mix of Browning Wax and Gorgeous Gold Frensheen, on the stem and distressed it all slightly.

Two chic ways of creating decorative effects on pumpkins that can be used all year round.

Happy creative crafting!

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