Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Faux Malachite Obelisks (made from cardboard)

I'm a huge fan of malachite but unfortunately it's a little too expensive for my taste.  Tony Duquette, one of my favorite designers, used it like crazy in his home decor.  He also painted tons of furniture in a faux malachite pattern and it always looked amazing!  I thought I'd give it a try with some simple cardboard obelisks.  These are perfect for a desk or bookshelf and if done right, people will think you're rolling in dough!  Little do they know that they cost just pennies to make.
Enjoy!  xo, Mark
 My handsome pair
I love that they're just cardboard and newspaper!
Watch the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Newspaper
Cardboard
Ruler
White glue
Masking tape
Craft knife
Paintbrush
Print out and use to create your pattern
Each square is 1/2" by 1/2"
Enlarge and make them any size
 Trace the obelisk pattern 4 times, side by side
*Clean up your lines with a ruler
Cut out the entire shape and score so it can be folded
Trace the base pattern, cut and score
Tape all pieces together with masking tape
 Water down some white glue to use as a decoupage medium
Cover the cardboard obelisk in at least one layer of newspaper
When dry, paint the entire obelisk in Sea Breeze and White Acrylic
*The paint doesn't have to be perfect, it can vary from light to dark
*Make sure to paint all surfaces
Cut jagged edges on a 2" x 2" piece of cardboard 
Mix equal parts of Evergreen and Glazing Medium
Paint one surface of the obelisk and immediately scrape the surface
with the jagged cardboard to create the malachite effect
*Try circles and scallops and overlap the patterns
 When all surfaces are dry, coat with at least two coats of Minwax Polycrylic
If you want, edge the base with a metallic paint marker by
running it along the edges



3 comments:

  1. I too love the look of malachite- can't wait to try this.

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    1. I've been trying this with different colors and it looks terrific. Try dark and light blue! Thanks for the comment!

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