Crafting with Rust & Relics

Mixed media crafting takes various forms and utilizes most any type of material. 

Image: sxc.hu

By scrounging family attics, second hand stores, auctions and recycling facilities, you’ll find many items you can upscale into art.

For instance:

• keys
• broken jewelry
• old or distressed wood scraps
• metal boxes
• hinges
• nails and screws
• hardware cloth
• wire
• kitchen utensils
• stones – colorful and dark
• metal tags
• cancelled stamps
• belt buckles
• buttons
• many more
• old paper and newspaper clippings
• old photos

If these items don’t look old enough or fit into your theme, distress them or add dabs of rust colored paint.  You may want to spray rusted objects with a sealer to prevent further deterioration.

How have you utilized rust and relics in your mixed media art?