Can You Help Give Direction On Diy Lego "pencil" Holder?

[CrimsonRain]

All you crafty people, I need your help. I am making a Lego "pencil" holder. I quote pencil because I'm not using baby food jars nor do I think these will be used for pencils. This craft seems to have attracted a lot of attention so I figured referring to it this way someone may recognize it and best understand what I am trying to accomplish. I went to a craft store last night and purchased my own glass containers these are more rounded like a globe but for my money and for what I'm looking to do I thought that they worked the best. This project has turned more complicated as do all of my do-it-yourself projects. The advice I'm looking for is firstly I bought the acrylic paint and the spray paint and I was curious if there was one method that was better than the other. Secondly I am concerned about how I'm going to draw the faces on. Most of the instructions that I find tell you to use a permanent marker. My concern with this is that free drawing allows for little error. How might you suggest that I put the face on with out free hand drawing it on. I was thinking of printing off the faces that I wanted to do and kind of use it as a stencil but I don't know how well that will work with flimsy paper and on such a rounded surface. Also I'm worried about not being able to cut out the holes and shapes to maintain the right shape and then I'm just back to where I started with the free handed drawing lol. I know I overthink things and probably a little too anal but was hoping someone might have a good suggestion for me as I'm not crafty.

[EDDIE51]

Sorry, call me thick , bit I have no idea what you are going on about.

[Lie-in King]

Is this the kind of thing you mean? - http://tinyurl.com/qy3pmny

[Buenchico]

Here's the whole page from Lie-in King's link:
http://www.handmadecharlotte.com/diy-lego-pencil-holder/

I think that you're trying to make things more complicated than they are, Crimson Rain!

The 'internal painting' bit looks easy enough from my link. However, with regard to the face, what you seem to have forgotten is that (on glass, unlike on paper) permanent marker ink isn't actually 'permanent'. Simply draw a face to the best of your ability. If you don't like all, or part, of it, a tissue dipped in white spirit can be used to wipe it off, so that you can simply have another go.

[CrimsonRain]

Right ... That's the instructions and the project I'm referring to. I've seen some people who say they spray painted however most instructions have stated to use acrylic paint. I see what you are saying there and I agree completely but when I over think things (and I may have OCD) I've found that I get the best plan of action and therefore less unforeseen instances to happen and ri stress me out. I forgot to mention that while I have both forms of painting, my glass containers have decorated indentions from the inside, so they are smooth on the outside and that was an appeal of painting the outside. I wonder if I did paint the outside as opposed to the inside would the same method of removing part or all of my drawing if I find its not working be okay or would the alcohol remove the paint as well. I'm so sorry .. This is the way I'm wired, can't change it, I I've tried ha! It would just be superb if I had stencils for this project or new a better way to make a stencil but then that becomes a project in its own. Ugh I stress myself out. Buenchico, I certainly appreciate the feedback and suggestion. I think I'm gonna try to ease up on being so analytical but like I said I've tried. :(

[EDDIE51]

The entire point of it is that you paint the inside by just pouring the paint in and shaking. Painting the outside will not get the effect of the smooth coloured glass surface. You are making something that is VERY simple complicated.

[Tilly2]

Buy a nice leather pencil case, instead.

[Retrochic]

Crimson Rain - if you paint the OUTSIDE of the jar then if you make a mistake with the face then you will not be able to remove it successfully. The acrylic paint on the inside, then 'sharpie' for the face is simple -and if you make a mistake with the face then white spirit or nail varnish remover will remove the marker and you can start again.

[Canary42]

If you paint the outside then draw on top, white spirit will indeed affect both.

[CrimsonRain]

Eddie, painting the outside WILL have a smooth effect as the outside is smooth. A=A if you want to be condescending and dismissive that's fine, but don't tell tell something that is not true. Many people have opted to paint the outside as opposed to the inside because some people have been using much larger containers such as I will be using, as I'm also doing one very large Lego head with a foot high container. It's simply not realistic to try to coat that in acrylic paint. That one I know for sure I'm spray painting the outside. And sorry to ask such a silly question, I assumed but am not very hands on with any paint products. Thanks for the direct answers for this who did indeed give me answers and advice. I have a can of turpentine (sane thing as white spirit I believe) in my garage, I guess it's not gonna be a big deal if I must restart entirely. Was just trying to save as much time as possible as I'm very limited on time with working 60 hours+ a week and running on very little sleep.

[Quizproquo]

Eddie is not being condescending, Eddie is right.. If you swirl the yellow around the inside[ of the glass you will get the smooth yellow finish.

[Prudie]

I admire your patience. What has this to do with Lego, I don't get it?

[Buenchico]

>>>painting the outside WILL have a smooth effect as the outside is smooth

Er, that's not necessarily true!

If you paint the outside you'll inevitably have brush marks and, quite possibly, an element of running of the paint. So, while the overall effect will be quite smooth, it won't be as smooth as the glass that you painted.

However, if you paint the inside, any imperfections in the paint will only be visible by a fly that gets inside the container. From the outside, you'll see the other side of the film of paint, which is the one where it meets (and mimics) the smooth glass.

[Quizproquo]

The finished result will look like a Lego head. Any better? :)

[Prudie]

No. What's a Lego head when it's at home???

[scorpiojo]

Have a look at Lie-in King's link :)

[tonyav]

Like this, Prudie.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61HyuWoIuHL._SL1181_.jpg

[Prudie]

On so it's that face. Didn't have them last time I played with Lego.

[tonyav]

All sorts of faces, Prudie.
http://www.minifiguresseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/6278001971_cbbc6b8d99_b1.jpg

[Canary42]

Yes CR, for your purposes turpentine is essentially the same as white spirit (even though they're from different sources).

I've just discovered that acrylic paint is water-based so my previous answer may be incorrect. Sorry.

[EDDIE51]

I was not intending to be condescending. No matter what size the container is you can paint the inside by just pouring paint in, putting the lid firmly on and then tipping the paint around and around the inside of the container until it is all coated then tip out the excess.
It will not take more than a minute and the result will be a perfect smooth colour when seen from the outside.
Then you just use a marker to put the face on the outside glass surface, which means you can wipe it off if you go wrong. If you paint the outside, no matter what method you use you will not be able to remove the marker if you make a mistake as the paint surface will absorb some of the marker and you will never get it all off.
This is a good idea,I am glad I have seen it. My grand-kids love Lego and I have bought them a big set for Christmas. I will now help them to make Lego faces like this.