Faux Zinc Travel Case

Almost a year ago, I guest posted this transformation of my travel bar Romance on a Dime.  I came across it while creating my Projects page and decided it was time to post it here.  I love how this case turned out and have used it several times while traveling to take a craft project along to work on...not while I'm driving of course ;)

I'm going to show you how I transformed an old Travel Bar® into a zinc-look craft case.  Travel Bar® cases are easy to find at thrift stores.  This one only had the original spoon, but I recently saw one complete with all cups etc., for $4.99.

I had no interest in a traveling bar, but a traveling craft case is right up my alley!  Have you priced a craft case lately?  There are a lot of really cool ones available, but my budget is too tight for most of them. This one cost me 2.99 at a resale store.  The rest of the supplies I had on hand.`
                                                                 

It was dirty and in pretty rough shape, but it was very solid and clean inside.  I washed it with a sponge dipped into a little Murphy's oil soap, mixed in a pail of water, and wrung out well.

One small section of the edge had started to pull away.

I used a toothpick to stuff wood glue into the opening, then wiped off the excess and held it in place for a few minutes.

 Once dry, I sprayed it with a few light coats of Oil Rubbed Bronze paint.  THAT didn't work...it looked like a cheap, beat-up, pregnant briefcase.

Back to the drawing board.  If at first you don't succeed...try Pinterest!  I had pinned this faux zinc table top technique some time ago.  Ann Marie did a stunning job on this end table.

Source: twicelovely.blogspot.com via Deborah on Pinterest

The Travel Bar is not leather, but it had a sort of leathery look to it.  It was also a little dinged up, and I thought this technique might just enhance the dingy dings.

First I brushed on a coat of gray primer, without painting the hardware.  Of course, I forgot to take a picture of that, but I think you get the drift.  

Next I sprayed several light coats of mirrored silver paint over everything including the hardware and the handle.  There are a couple different brands - I used Krylon.

I was painting this on the table, and I honestly didn't see the headline on the newspaper until I was uploading this.  I guess the little guy has been yearning for a place to call his own!  With a sponge brush I brushed on black acrylic paint that had been watered down about half (half paint, half water).  It doesn't take much. 

 Working fairly quickly, I painted one side at a time, then dabbed off most of the paint with a crumpled paper towel.  I dabbed three times over the same section.  Here's the first couple of dabs.

Then the second pass.

And finally the third.  I liked it at this stage, but you could stop at the second stage, or keep going to get the look you want.  You might want to practice on a piece of cardboard if you've never used this technique, but really, it is very easy.

Rather than painting the hardware the same, I chose to use the blotting paper towel to rub back onto the hardware in strokes to give it an aged patina.

After allowing the paint to dry completely, I cut out a number stencil from contact paper, using my Silhouette.  You could also use purchased stencils, or hand cut the stencil.  The numbers I chose have significance to my family...they are the days of the month each of my children were born.

After the stencil was in place, I dry brushed (dip paintbrush in paint, then dab most of the paint back off before using) the stencil.  Before removing the stencil, I carefully lifted one side to make sure I liked it.

The finished case looks kind of like a vintage metal military kit.  I love it!

Here it is with some of my bookmark making supplies inside.  

You could use this technique on so many things!  I can think of old suitcases, metal buckets, signs, and file cabinets right off the top of my head.

Until next time keep craftin' and smilin'!

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Party Junk at Funky Junk Interiors
That DIY Party at DIY Show Off
Sunday Showoff at Twigg Studios
It's Party Time at It's So Very Cheri
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Pretty Things at twelve0eight
Linky Party at VMG206
Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors
Give Me the Goods at Everthing Old is New Again
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at Primp
What's it Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants