Project by Jennifer Jenkins of Warwick, R.I. Jennifer started out creating portraits of people’s pets. That niche evolved into other animal-related art projects. Now Jennifer makes sets of fun, hand-painted dog coasters. Materials: blank white paper like copy paper
ruler
scissors
small craft knife
markers or paint
pencil
newspaper, magazine, or printed words
white or cream rough-cut tumbled marble tiles
clear decoupage glue
white craft glue
3" soft bristle paintbrush
artists paintbrushes, sponge brushes
clear, high-glass polyurethane spray
high gloss varathane (clear, water-based, brush-on wood floor varnish)
1/2" round, clear, self-adhesive bumpers
fine-grit sandpaper
paint drop cloth Steps: 1. Find your inspiration from personal photos, pictures from magazines, the outdoors, your own pets (if they can sit still long enough), etc. 2. Measure out and draw a 4"x 4" square on white paper with a pencil. Sketch whatever inspires you within the 4"x4" square. Color and shade sketch with markers or paint. Let dry. 3. Place drawing face down on table. Place a 4"x4" marble tile face down directly over the drawing (drawing is still face down). 4. Trace outline of marble tile with a sharp pencil. Cut out drawing along pencil lines. Turn marble tile face up and erase any pencil marks that may have been made on the tile edges during the tracing process. 5. Brush a thin layer of white craft glue on top of tile using sponge brush. Carefully place cut-out drawing on top of tile, making sure to match up corresponding bumps and curves of the rough-cut marble tile with those of the cut-out drawing. 6. Gently smooth out drawing over tile, being sure to smooth out any air bubbles. Let glue dry. 7. Dip small artist’s paintbrush into clear decoupage glue and glue down edges of drawing onto tile, using your fingers to work the glue and edges of drawing into the nooks and crannies of the tile. Let glue dry. 8. Think of words or a catchy phrase that matches the feel or sentiment of your drawing (e.g., yellow smiley face and "Have a Nice Day" type connection). Using magazine print or, if you choose, words printed out in the computer font of your choice, cut out letters with a craft knife to form the word or phrase of your choosing. 9. Dip a small artist’s paint brush in clear decoupage glue and glue the letters/words into a suitable space on coaster image. Let glue dry. 10. Once glue is dry, spray a thin coat of polyurethane over entire top side of coaster. Let dry. 11. Use the 3-inch soft bristle paint brush to brush a thin layer of varathane over the coaster image and let dry. 12. If there are any small bubbles on the coaster once dry, lightly sand and wipe with tack cloth before applying additional coats of varathane. 13. Repeat three more times (ending up with total of four coats of varathane). Let completed coaster dry for 72 hours to ensure it is fully cured. 14. Stick 1/2-inch round, clear, self-adhesive bumpers on each of the four corners of the back of the coaster (to protect furniture when in use). Website: www.cheekychic.net
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