Who knows what person was originally responsible for using river rocks to decorate their home? The small, slick rocks are often placed in a bowl or other dish and set on a corner of the tub or even beside the kitchen sink. The bags of rocks are sold at craft stores or even discount department stores. You can even purchase machines that tumble ordinary rocks until they’re “river rocks” – smooth and polished. Although the rocks are not expensive, and are shiny and beautiful, they’re available in limited colors. Usually you’ll find the rocks in shades of brown, gray or swirls of similar colors. Those colors are fine if they fit into your decor, but if you have a more colorful sense of decorating, the rocks can be boring.
Many people aren’t aware of the fact that they can make more colorful river rocks and even ones that are scented. It’s not hard to do, and when you do them yourself, you can pick and choose the colors you want to match your own decor. There are a couple of different ways to make scented, colored river rocks and you can choose the technique that best suits you. Since you’ll be working with the oven and hot rocks this craft is not suitable for kids.
Choose the rocks you want to work with for this project. The rocks can be store-bought river rocks, in colors you don’t care for, and you can use the techniques listed here to change the look of them. Or, you can pick rocks from outdoors. You’ll often find small, whitish rocks along a river bank or even in your driveway. Whatever rocks you choose, they need to be smooth. The rocks can be assorted sizes and shapes but should be fairly small. Wash and thoroughly dry all the rocks you choose. Although the rocks can seem dry it’s a good idea to let them sit overnight to be sure.
Spread several layers of newspaper on the working surface. Place the rocks on a cookie sheet with a couple of inches between them. Set the oven for 250 degrees and allow it to preheat. Keep in mind that, if you’re coloring the rocks by yourself they might cool off while you’re coloring only one. It’s a good idea to only heat up a couple of rocks at a time to keep them hot for the coloring. Slide the tray of rocks into the warm oven and bake them for about 15 minutes. Remove the tray and use an oven mitt to transfer the rocks to the working surface.
Immediately start coloring the rock with ordinary crayons. As you do, the waxy crayons will melt on the hot rocks and color them. Work quickly to prevent the rock cooling while you’re still coloring it. Once the rock has crayon on it you can’t put it back in the oven. Use an oven mitt to turn the rock, this way and that, until you’ve colored it completely. You can mix and match colors or make the rocks all one color. To make them swirled, color the rock with one shade, then go back and color swirls onto the rocks with other colors.
Although the crayon technique works well to color the rocks it does not make them scented. In order to make scented rocks you must use scented candles. You can use pieces from a burnt candle rather than going out to purchase new candles to use for this project. However, make sure you don’t use the area of the candle where there is ash from the burning of the wick. You can still create the swirls by using additional candles or even crayons. First, apply the scented candle, then make swirls with crayons. Or, use two different colors of candles that have scents with work well together, such as red, apple-scented candles along with tan cinnamon-scented candles or even ones with a vanilla scent.
The finished rocks are smooth and colorful. They can be used to decorate in the bathroom, the kitchen or even a bedroom. Although the decorative rocks are just a simplistic decor piece they look beautiful wherever you set them. Just make sure to keep them out of hot rooms or direct sunlight; the wax will melt and ruin the look of the rocks. Use the finished rocks to decorate your own home or give them away to friends and family as small thank-you gifts throughout the year. They’re fun to make – albeit somewhat time-consuming – and are fun to display.
Reference:
- Cheap craft supplies here: www.orientaltrading.com
