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Swap It Like It’s Hot: Iron and Rust Edition

October 5, 2015 by Brynne 44 Comments

Whoa! Wait until you see the "before" for these projects that started with a box of mystery thrift supplies... Did you know you could create an actual, authentic rust patina at home? Get the full tutorial here!

I’m so excited to be participating in another round of Swap It Like It’s Hot, a week-long blog hop series orchestrated by Charlotte from Ciburbanity where 40 bloggers shop and swap mystery thrift finds and then give them the old Cinderella makeover. Today is Day 1, so be sure to check in throughout the week and follow #swapitlikeitshot on Instagram so you don’t miss any transformations!

>>Check out my Swap It Like It’s Hot post from earlier this year!

If you’re visiting from Run To Radiance, welcome! My sweet friend Tania sent me the most perfect thrift finds to work with. Hopefully Allison at Two Thirty Five Designs had fun with the thrifty grab bag/box I mailed to her! After you’re done here, pop on over to see what she did with the supplies – I’m dying to see if the plastic dinosaurs made an appearance!

We each had a $10 – $15 budget, so here’s what Tania sourced for me to work with…

See what happened when one blogger received this collection of mystery thrift finds in the mail! Total transformation!

Of course, I immediately fell in love with the awesome metal letter B! How perfect is that? We weren’t tasked with combining all the finds together, so I decided to focus on the letter and the coasters for this round, although I’m sure I’ll eventually come up with ways to use all the fun finds in my home!

The funny thing is that I didn’t end up using the silk rose petals in my project, but they were actually the inspiration for the whole thing! Paired with the metal B, they immediately reminded me of the DIY flower letters I’ve seen floating around on Pinterest, which got me thinking along that track.

DIY Rusted & Mossy Letter

This started out as a basic metal letter - some DIY rusted patina + sheet moss transformed it into a perfect vintage-inspired decorative accent! Get the full tutorial here...

I wanted to age the metal B (I believe it was initially from a craft store) and make it look more like a salvaged piece, so I was glad for a chance to pull out a few craft supplies I’ve had in my stockpile for years now…

*Today’s post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I may receive a small commission. You can read my full disclosure here. I hope you all know by now that I do only share things I really truly love!

Supplies:

  • Iron Metallic Surfacer
  • Rust Antiquing Solution
  • Natural sponge
  • Clear spray lacquer
  • Foam or styrofoam – old packaging material is perfect for this!
  • Preserved Sheet Moss
  • Cool temperature glue gun + glue sticks

Iron Antiquing Paint

The iron metallic surfacer is basically a paint made of ground up iron. Rather than just appearing metallic, it actually has the properties of the metal, like the ability to rust when you follow up with the corrosive rust antiquing solution!

Are you excited yet? You should be! This is crazy good, you guys!

Step One: Paint on the iron metallic surfacer and allow to dry for at least 24 hours.

Iron Antiquing Paint 2

Step Two: While wearing gloves, use the sea sponge to apply the rust antiquing solution. The rust won’t show up right away, so bear in mind that wherever the solution touches WILL rust to some degree. I wanted a mottled application, so I lightly sponged in some areas and then applied more solution in others. Allow to dry overnight.

Iron Metallic Surfacer and Rust Antiquing Solution

Step Three: Apply 1-2 coats of clear spray lacquer to seal the rust – this prevents any rust transfer/stains when you handle your finished project! It will tone down the bright orange of the rust slightly, but I personally love the darker effect.

Fill the shape of the letter with foam to create a base for the moss.

Step Four: Cut down old foam or styrofoam to fill the inside of the letter. I pressed the letter into the surface of an old styrofoam cooler and then used a steak knife to cut out along the lines! Then, I just squeezed the foam inside the metal letter. It was a nice tight fit, so no glue was necessary!

Glue the sheet moss to fill in the rusted metal letter

Step Five: Gently separate the preserved sheet moss into workable sections and glue it onto the foam inside the letter with the cool glue gun (the cool temperature will help avoid melting the foam). The nice thing about working on the foam is that you can always pop it out of the letter one day if you decide you want to do something different!

Once all the foam is covered, it’s time to display your beautiful rusted & mossy monogram!

Swap It Like Its Hot DIY Rusty Moss Letter 7

Swap It Like Its Hot DIY Rusty Moss Letter 3

Isn’t the rusted patina fantastic?

Swap It Like Its Hot DIY Rusty Moss Letter 2

I was having so much fun with this whole process of corrosion that I decided why not run with it for the coasters as well? You don’t necessarily notice the rusted finish on the letter unless you’re looking at it very closely, so I thought the coasters would be a great way to showcase my new favorite texture.

DIY Antique Rust Patina Coasters

Who knew rust could be so glamorous? These DIY coasters get their awesome texture from two cool products that create an authentic rust patina! Full tutorial here...

The process for creating the coasters was nearly identical to the process I used for the letter above, however this time I really focused on the rust antiquing solution and allowed it to puddle and pool to achieve a more dramatic effect! Again, I sealed with two coats of clear spray lacquer to make sure they would hold up to use and to prevent any transfer of the rust.

I absolutely adore the way they turned out!

Swap It Like Its Hot DIY Rusty Coasters 5

Swap It Like Its Hot DIY Rusty Coasters 4

Have you ever used a reactive metallic paint before? It’s so much fun! I’m already looking around for more things to rust, which is kind of hilarious because I typically steer away from rusty/rustic decorative elements. I guess I’ve been set straight – even rust can be glamorous!

Brynne


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Remember, you’ll head over to Two Thirty Five Designs next, but here’s the full list of Swap It Like It’s Hot participants!

Tune in all week to see the crazy items this talented group of bloggers has been making over! Search the hashtag #swapitlikeitshot on social media to follow along with all the fun or check out our Pinterest Board.

MONDAY

That’s My Letter | DIY On the Cheap | Run To Radiance | The Gathered Home
Two Thirty Five Designs | Chaotically Creative | Decor Adventures | Homemade By Carmona

TUESDAY

Thoughts From Alice | Reinvented | Confessions Of A Serial Do-It-Yourselfer
Restoration Redoux | Always Never Done | I Am a Homemaker
Black and White Obsession | Windgate Lane

WEDNESDAY

Town and Country Living | brepurposed | The Charming Farmer | 58 Water Street
Designer Trapped In A Lawyer’s Body | Year of Serendipity
White House Black Shutters | Desert Domicile

THURSDAY

Two Purple Couches | Like A Saturday | Finding Silver Pennies
Artsy Chicks Rule | Something to Be Found | Shades of Blue Interiors
Simple Designing | Our Southern Home

FRIDAY

Evey’s Creations | Dragonfly and Lilypads | Weekend Craft | Ciburbanity
A Designer At Home | Polished Habitat | Blue i Style | Addicted 2 DIY


Filed Under: DIY Project Tagged With: Collaboration, Paint, Thrift Store, Tutorial

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Comments

  1. cassie @ primitive & proper says

    October 5, 2015 at 6:24 am

    love that moss letter! so fun! and the antiqued metal, of course!

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 5, 2015 at 8:01 am

      Thanks Cassie! It’s so funny that I finished these right before the Amy Howard workshop and the zinc demonstration – now I need to add some zinc to the mix as well!

      Reply
  2. Marci @ Rainbow Nest says

    October 5, 2015 at 7:53 am

    What a fun swap. I really like how you gave the “B” an antique rust patina. And your photos are styled beautifully.

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 5, 2015 at 8:02 am

      Thank you so much Marci! The rust patina is such a fun trick to have up my sleeve now – so many possibilities!

      Reply
  3. Two Thirty~Five Designs says

    October 5, 2015 at 8:27 am

    bryyyyyne.
    this is awesome! I absolutely love it!

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:18 am

      Thanks so much Allison!

      Reply
  4. Bee says

    October 5, 2015 at 8:47 am

    Love this so much! Now I want to rust all the things!

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:18 am

      Thanks so much Bee! It’s too easy and fun!

      Reply
  5. Charlotte @ Ciburbanity says

    October 5, 2015 at 9:25 am

    I mean… I shouldn’t be surprised, but this is amazing. That rust patina is genius! Thanks for being such an awesome member of the #swap brigade!! xx

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:19 am

      Aw, thanks Charlotte! Thank you for all the work you do to organize it – I’m always so thrilled to be included! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Jaime Costilgio says

    October 5, 2015 at 11:12 am

    Brynne such a magnificent transformation and really only using paint. I’ve never tried reactive metallic paint but now you’ve got me thinking I must! Beautifully put together.

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:20 am

      Thanks so much Jaime! My “transformation” felt like cheating a little after I saw what you were able to do with your thrift supplies!

      Reply
  7. Christy @Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says

    October 5, 2015 at 11:18 am

    Wow, such cool makeovers!!

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:20 am

      Thank you Christy!

      Reply
  8. Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says

    October 5, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    Love this idea! I want to rust some planters we have but I think I’d need 30 of those little bottles haha

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:22 am

      Oh, that would be so cool! I know – the bottles are pretty tiny. Although I did find the coverage to be pretty fantastic with just one coat!

      Reply
  9. Emily @ Two Purple Couches says

    October 5, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    I absolutely love these makeovers, Brynne! I’ve never heard of this type of paint before, butβ€”Wow!!! I’ve gotta try this out sometime! I love the effect you achieved on the coasters – they’re beautiful! I also love your book collection πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:24 am

      Thank you so much, Emily! I wouldn’t have thought the coasters would become my favorite part, but they really are! My book collection is dear to my heart – I actually have a post going up tomorrow morning on decoration with vintage and antique books!

      Reply
  10. Trisha D. @Black and White Obsession says

    October 5, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    Moss + Brass is kind of a match made in heaven! Love the pretty pieces, they turned out marvelously!

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:25 am

      Thanks girl! It was a fun challenge!

      Reply
  11. Tania // Run to Radiance says

    October 5, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    Brynne! I love it! πŸ™‚ Great job girl! That B was so made for you and you seriously upgraded those coasters. Feel free to sprinkle rose petals where needed for a touch of romance. πŸ˜›

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:26 am

      You found the most perfect things to send to me! I still can’t get over the B! And I think the coasters might have even become my favorite part… Thanks Tania!

      Reply
  12. Ursula @Home Made by Carmona says

    October 5, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    LOVE it! I’ve never used a rusting agent before, I’ going to have to try that one out! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:27 am

      It’s so cool! Definitely a fun DIY technique to have in your back pocket!

      Reply
  13. Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says

    October 5, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    Wow, what a neat process! Love what you did with your swaps!
    Nancy

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:27 am

      Thank you so much, Nancy!

      Reply
  14. Shanna Gilbert says

    October 5, 2015 at 8:51 pm

    Such great makeovers! I’ve never used a rusting agent before. I’m going to have to try it out!

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:28 am

      Thank you Shanna! The rusting agent is so cool – definitely give it a try sometime!

      Reply
  15. Jillian says

    October 5, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    I love everything about these pieces. The B and the coasters now belong together and look like you paid top dollar from some fancy store. LOVE!

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:28 am

      Thank you so much, Jillian! πŸ˜€

      Reply
  16. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    October 5, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    LOVE your project! That moss letter is so pretty and I just adore your vintage books and the way you framed the letter with them. Very pretty!

    Reply
  17. Kimm at Reinvented says

    October 6, 2015 at 7:53 am

    I learned something today! That rust activator is amazing, and I LOVE the mossy letter. AND the coasters. AND the photos you took of them. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:29 am

      Aw, thank you so much Kimm!

      Reply
  18. Gretchen says

    October 6, 2015 at 6:00 pm

    I love the moss letter! I need more moss in my life, I think πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:29 am

      Who doesn’t, right?! Moss forever! I have some leftover that needs a new purpose in life…

      Reply
  19. Julia@Cuckoo4Design says

    October 7, 2015 at 9:09 am

    Never used a reactive metal paint. It looks great

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:30 am

      Thanks Julia! You should try it sometime – it’s so cool!

      Reply
  20. Rachel says

    October 7, 2015 at 12:51 pm

    I’m smitten with how lovely this is! Such a classy and moody vignette you created! Well done!

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:30 am

      Thank you so much, Rachel!

      Reply
  21. Dena says

    October 7, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    Love this, Brynne!
    I have lots of questions.
    1. Does that stuff work on wood?!
    2. I think I remember you having some post office box fronts but now I see them on a cabinet – did I miss something?! Did you fit those doors onto a file cabinet?! I have a few of those and have been wanting to that but it seems super hard so… they’re in a drawer.
    Okay, only 2 questions… πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Brynne says

      October 8, 2015 at 7:36 am

      1. Yes, the iron base coat should be fine on wood. I would prime first so you don’t waste any getting soaked into the wood.
      2. I found two post office boxes – one with little doors and one with drawers. This is the one with drawers that sits in my entryway to hold shoes. I wonder if you could do something like this DIY card catalog cabinet from Decor and the Dog, where it’s not actually a ton of little doors, it just looks like it… That could be so cool!

      Reply
  22. Corinna - A Designer At Home says

    October 10, 2015 at 10:50 am

    That has to be the coolest paint of life! Love how the pieces turned out after their makeover.

    Reply
  23. Erin Spain says

    October 11, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    I love this! This totally looks like something you’d find at Anthropologie. Now I want to find a metal letter to make one!

    Reply
  24. Michelle from Weekend Craft says

    October 13, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    Brynne! I love what you did. I might come over and just steal that B from you. Great rust technique. Definitely keeping that in my back pocket! Great job.

    Reply

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I believe the best kind of home is a gathered one, full of treasures with a story to tell. Join me in celebrating a lifestyle of finding and making beautiful things, right where you are. Read more...

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