Out of the frying pan, into the...Powertex?

Ok, I have to admit that I'm a bit of a hoarder (I believe the fashionable name for it is an 'upcycler' these days).

 Basically I can't throw anything out as I always have an idea in mind on something I can use it for. You would think that poor old Mr Crafty Hands would be used to this after 30 years of marriage but even he was stunned when I yelled 'Stop!' as he approached the bin with our old cast iron frying pan recently.

The look on his face basically said 'She's finally lost it!' but no! I knew exactly what I was going to do with that old piece of worn out kitchenalia. Time to get out the Powertex!

Old frying pan ready to upcycle

I wanted to use the old pan to create a wall hanging to go in the garden of our new home.

Curtain tie back used as central embellishment

The central element was an old curtain tie back (see above). I wanted something in the centre so grabbed the inner plastic lid from my jar of gel medium which was perfect in size.

I added a wooden star, old key and some art stones inside the plastic lid using Finnabair's Art Basics Heavy Body Gel (this stuff sticks anything!)

Wooden star & art stones added to plastic inner lid from gel jar

I then stuck the curtain tie back and inner lid into the pan, again with the Heavy Body Gel.

Detail of key and central assemblage

 I added an old metal ket and the word 'HOME' from a set of Tom Holtz Ideas-Ology wooden letterpress letters I had.

Taking shape!

Once the glue was set I soaked some old calico strips in Powertex and nestled them around my central assemblage and over the edges of the pan. I also wrapped strips of the Powertex soaked fabric up the pan handle and painted the central assemblage with Powertex too.

Powertexed to death!

I left the project to dry overnight then gave it a wash using a mixture of varnish, Primary Elements pigment powder and a little water. This gave the whole thing a blue sheen.

After first wash of Primary Elements, varnish & water solution

I wanted the colour to be more intense re did it but the second time I only blended the Primary Elements powders with the varnish and dry brushed it on. I was happier with the colour intensity this time.

After dry brushing with Primary Elements and varnish

Once this was dry I added some Pebeo Gilding Wax in Empire Gold to the details and folds using my fingers.

Pebeo gilding wax used to enhance details

Voila! From Frying pan to wall ornament via Powertex.

Frying pan up cycled using Powertex

What is the strangest thing you have (or would like to) upcycle?