Painted Rock Party Favors

Donna
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 555 Posts

Memorable Party Favors - closeup of 3 finished favors We will be creating over 100 of these for my daughter's wedding reception, but you could use them at showers, birthdays, or other important parties! Personalize them however you'd like with colors, words, graphics, even stickers, or pressed flowers. A fun project to make with bridesmaids too!

Total Time: varies according to how many you are making

Supplies:

smooth river rocks (some dollar stores sell them but they MAY have a waxy coating on them!)
thin or medium fine point PERMANENT markers or paint pens
acrylic paints, your choice of colors
spray clear enamel, either satin or gloss according to how you want it to look at the end
cheap paintbrushes and a few toothpicks

Steps:

First I coated the back of the stones with two layers of white acrylic paint. The more layers the more even it will look. Allow to dry.

Memorable Party Favors - paint the back of the stones with 2 coats of white acrylic paint

Memorable Party Favors - three painted stones from the back

Then I used a pencil and sketched the lettering then I went over it with a medium tipped marker. NOTE: I didn't use permanent marker on these first few samples and they smeared both when handling and slightly when sprayed, so "Use permanent" markers (or look for paint pens at your local craft store.)

Memorable Party Favors - sketch out the lettering

Memorable Party Favors - go over the lettering with the permanent marker

I would recommend you let it dry and spray the backs with the sealant before working on the front. (Experience taught me that too!)

Memorable Party Favors - finished lettering on the back of the stones

Memorable Party Favors - smudging because of not sealing

Next, paint a background color on the front. You could even use white. This helps the picture or wording "pop" at the end, otherwise it may not have a high contrast, especially with a black stone like I used! It also helps the paint to adhere to the smooth surface.

Memorable Party Favors - paint a background color on the front, allow to dry

Next, sketch whatever you want to write or draw onto the stone (once it is totally dry. I just put mine out in the sun, but you could use a hair dryer too.)