I learned how to do this craft while on retreat with the wonderful Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus last May. I have used it countless times since! I hope you enjoy it.
The INRI sign above, I painted the letters using acrylic black paint on 15" by 11" white watercolor paper.
Supplies:
A
quote or design printed out on regular white printer paper.*
Candle
Lighter/matches
Regular
(caffeinated) tea bags
Mug
Hot
water
Cookie
Sheet
Paper
Towels
Contact
paper
1.
Choose your design. I've done this all sorts of way. The easiest way, which I
use most often, is to print something out on regular white printer paper.
Seriously! Find a quote and use Microsoft Word to change it to a pretty/cool
font an desired size, and print it. Easy as can be. You can even print images
if you so choose. Just format everything the way that YOU want it.
*Or,
as I have done less often but highly enjoyed, write, draw, or paint (etc.)
something yourself onto normal printer paper. I even used watercolor paper
once, and it worked great, it was just different to work with in the following
steps.
Also,
if there is a huge amount of excess paper around your quote/design, you can
trim it. But leave at least 2 inches or more, especially if this is your first
time. If you do trim it, then only cut straight lines.
2.
Crumple your design up. Yes, I know how painful this part is...but it is
necessary. So crumple it up into a tight ball, and then carefully un-crumple it
and smooth it out.
*When
I used the watercolor paper (or a similarly stiff type), I skipped this step
until after step 4. Stay tuned for further instruction.
3.
Fold the paper accordion style, about an inch to 2 inches thick, depending on
the size of your project.
*If
using the watercolor paper, don't fold it.
4.
GO OUTSIDE. Light the candle, and carefully burn the edges of the crumpled
paper until they are all black and uneven. Be very cautious; a) don't burn
yourself, and b) don't let the flame get too close to your quote/design, or you
might end up missing part of it, and that can be pretty frustrating.
Note
that as long as the burned part of the paper is still smoking, it is still
burning. Especially in bright sunlight, it is hard to see the flame. But trust
me, if it is still smoking, more of your paper is burning. Blow on it gently
and steadily to make it stop burning completely if you are unsure.
Play
with it! Once you get the hang of the burning process, learn to manipulate the
flame to burn only where you want it to!
You can get some awesome edges that way. Also, try to scorch your paper
if you want. Allow it to sit over the flame, but not enough to catch. It will
have awesome black smudges.
Lastly,
don't forget the shorter edges! Unfold the accordion, and refold it to burn
those edges, or just do it carefully free hand.
5.Unfold
the paper, and blow over all the edges to remove any ashes. Carefully smooth out
your paper; be careful that you don't smear any leftover soot or ashes from the
edges.
*When
I used the watercolor, this was when I crumpled it a bit. I formed my right
hand into a tight fist, bent the paper around it, and tried to create minor
creases in the paper.
6.
Drop 1-2 tea bags in a small amount of hot water. They don't need to steep,
just get wet. Line a cookie sheet, cutting board, plate, or even kitchen counter
with paper towels, enough that there is a 1" excess around the edges of
your burned paper. Squeeze a teabag so that it doesn't drip, and dab it all
over the burned paper. Dip it back in the hot water if it dries out, or use
another tea bag. When the burned "parchment" paper is your desired shade,
remove it to clean paper towels and allow it to dry thoroughly.
7.
If desired, laminate your piece between two pieces of clear contact paper. If
it is a gift and you want it to be very nicely finished, have it laminated at
Staples. But otherwise, this works just fine.
God
Bless!
(I will update this tutorial someday with photos of the process. I'm too tired and it is too late--and cold outside--for me to do them now.)
