The Painted Apron

Creations, Shrimp Bucket

Posted by the Painted Apron on June 28, 2013 · 9 Comments 

Blogging has been such a great source of inspiration and creativity for me,  so today I want to give back a little and share some easy and fun ideas using galvanized buckets,  and show you how to paint them~

I am crazy about buckets, big, small, short, tall, they are so versatile.  And I have painted a gazillion~

All shapes and sizes, patterns and colors~

Don’t panic, I’m going to show you how to do easy ones

This oval tub was spray painted brick red and then a simple black and white pattern was added and 1 simple initial.  To see how to paint the check pattern see the tutorial here.

A little ribbon and some tissue and this hot number is ready to party!

Same style tub, but painted white, same checkered band with some chili peppers and swirls

It got dressed up for a kitchen shower centerpiece with matching herb pots, cookie cutters, kitchen towels and wooden spoons

It would be easy to paint a red, white and blue one for the 4th of July.  This one has a wide band of blue at the top, and simple red stripes along the bottom.  Just paint dots to represent stars.  Use the tip of a small paintbrush handle, dip it paint and then put it straight down where you want a dot.  Easy peasy.

If you’re not inclined to paint, then use a glue dot or two to secure a wide band of ribbon around the top of a cute bucket.  I love to use these tall french flower buckets for centerpieces~

This simple blue and white striped ribbon was a perfect subtle touch for these french flower buckets holding “diaper roses” for a baby shower.  For the tutorial on diaper roses click here

Now I’m going to show you how to make a shrimp bucket! Trust me, even if you can’t paint a thing, I promise you can do this!

These are great for holding utensils on a buffet

or place down the length of a table full of napkins or condiments

OR for shrimp shells at an old fashioned shrimp boil!  {or for any seafood party where you need to toss yucky stuff!}  Anything goes and if you don’t want to paint shrimp, dots and checks are easy peasy too…

Shhhh, this is one of my best little secrets.  This little shrimp has been very popular with my JMdesigns customers so don’t tell them how easy this is…

It’s a good idea to practice a little so you feel confident before you start.  Grab a piece of scrap paper or foil and do some practice strokes before you start.

You’ll need orange, pink, white and black paint and a medium size round brush {about a #6}

Dip the brush in white and then just barely touch the tip in pink and then in orange

Make a series of large overlapping dots by gently but firmly pressing the brush tip straight down.  The first dot I did I felt was too pink so I dipped the brush back into the white again before adding the second dot.

Whoa, this is too much color so I wiped off my brush a little on a towel and went back for more white. Continue making a circular shape of  these overlapping dots, adjusting the color if necessary by adding more paint to your brush.  You want it to be predominantly white with just hints of pink and orange.

And that is the head of the shrimp!  If you are making multiple shrimp, it’s easiest and quickest to paint all the heads first and then on to the bodies, that way you don’t ever have to stop and clean your brush.

Now you are going to make the shell, starting with a series of half circle strokes like the orange one on the foil above.  I always paint on a small plastic palette lined with foil.  When I’m done it’s easy to toss the foil away.

Start a little to the right of the top of the shrimp head and make a quick stroke of orange

Dip your brush back into the white and make another stroke

Continue, making each stroke a little shorter than the last and curving inward

Dip your brush into the orange and make several quick strokes in different lengths for the tail

I like to finish my shrimp with some black dots, which add some drama and indicate pepper or other seasoning.  Use the tip of the brush handle for the dots, and dip it in black paint and then firmly place it on the shrimp.

Just a few here and there in a random pattern…

And your little shrimp has come to life!

NOTE: I used white plastic buckets that I got at Lowe’s for about $1.50. Plastic is a little tricky to paint on, I really prefer to use galvanized buckets, but I did these for a big party and was trying to keep the cost down.  Check Home Depot and Lowe’s in their paint department for all sizes and shapes of buckets.  They have good prices.  You can spray paint galvanized buckets any color you like or just leave the plain metal showing.  If you don’t like how it turns out you can always spray paint over it and try again!

Here are several buckets painted with the same Magnolia design, one on the plain galvanized tub and one tub that was spray painted black first.  Just depends on the final look you want~

Endless possibilities!  I hope I’ve inspired you to try something new today!

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I’m joining these great parties this week:

Uncommon Designs for MONDAY FUNDAY

Between Naps on the Porch for METAMORPHIS MONDAY

Stone Gable for  TUTORIALS, TIPS & TIDBITS THURSDAY

The Gunny Sack for TIME TO SPARKLE

Savvy Southern Style for WOW US WEDNESDAY

Worthing Court for HOME{WORK} WEDNESDAY

Alderberry Hill for MAKE THE SCENE MONDAY

The Dedicated House for MAKE IT PRETTY MONDAY

It’s Overflowing for SHARE YOUR CREATIVITY

On Sutton Place for BLITZED ON PINTEREST

Clean & Sensible for INSPIRATION EXCHANGE