Thursday, August 9, 2012

Polka dot shoes

I was getting bored with my shoes and very tempted into buying new ones so instead of spending money I did the only rational thing a gal can do... I crafted




I'm a BIG Pinterest user and I found my inspiration for this project there on Shop Lift Vintage blog!  She made these really adorable paint splatter heels with acrylic paint! :)


Everyone has black flats, correct?  Well I did too and I never really wore them... 
So if your credit card is calling your name to head on out to DSW don't get hasty.  Find an old pair of shoes that you've never really worn and let me show you how to add a little pizzazz to them that will make you want to wear them with every outfit! (In my mind polka dots go with everything)
Materials you'll need:
  • Acrylic Paint (I used white but your polka dots can be any color!)
  • A circular object that will create your polka dots 
    • Luckily I had a circle sponge, but you can always use the eraser side of a pencil (that would create a smaller and classier polka dot!)
  • Mod Podge & Paintbrush
    • Don't have Mod Podge?  That's OK!  You can just use regular old Elmer's Glue and water!
      • 50% Elmer's Glue and 50% Water :)
        • Having said that I must also state the Mod Podge is well worth your money!  It's not only an adhesive, but also a sealing agent as well. Glue and water may turn your crafts yellow and flake off after a while.  Short term - water and glue is an OK substitute. Long term - make a commitment to some Mod Podge :)
  • A damp towel (or a paper towel) you don't mind getting paint on 

Step 1: Clean & Prep
Wipe off your shoes with a damp towel to make sure that they're clean and ready to be spruced up!

Once they've dried pour your paint into a container and get your circular tool (mine is a sponge that I bought at a craft store, but you can be creative and use something you found around your house!).

Then I just dabbed my sponge into the paint, did a quick re-dab in the empty container next to it to get the excess paint off before I applied it to my shoes and then I was ready...


Step 2: Polka Dotting
I started at the back of the shoe and dotted in a vertical line 
(I didn't take a picture of it so I tried to make a visual for ya).

And if you mess up it's OK!  You can just take your damp towel, wipe away the mistake, dry up the area, and re-due!

                   











Then, I made a line to the left of it and kept going all the way until I made it to the very tip of my shoe.  So only the left half of my shoe was all polka dotty.



To make the right half of my shoe as marvelous as the left went to the back of my shoe again and made a vertical line on the left side of where I had begun.  I just kept going until I made it to the tip of my shoe and presto! You shoe is polka dotted!















Do the same thing to your other shoe and let them dry for an hour or more. Patience is a virtue my friends.










Step 3: Mod Podge

After your shoes have dried dip a paintbrush into your Mod Podge or glue/water and cover your entire shoe.  













Let it dry (30 mintues to an hour) and then add another coat.  I added 4 coats just to be sure!  I also let them sit out in the sunshine to speed up the drying process.




Step 4: Enjoy
I only had my kitten, Gingi, around to admire them but I think he approved! :)


If you have any comments or questions you know what to do! :)

That's all folks!

1 comment:

  1. I LOVE your polka dot shoes (and your cat)! I think I will try this myself. Thanks for mentioning my paint splatter shoes as well.

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