Upcycle Thrift Store Finds with Spray Paint and Stencils

One of my favorite places to hunt for art supplies isn't an art store at all—it's the thrift store. Old wooden frames, forgotten by their previous owners, are often tucked onto the shelves just waiting for a second chance. They may look a little worn or outdated, but with a little paint and a great stencil, they can become the perfect finishing touch for your artwork.

The July 2026 exclusive StencilClub collection, designed by Carolyn Dube, couldn't have arrived at a better time. Carolyn's collection is filled with organic circles and dots in a variety of sizes. The shapes immediately reminded me of river rocks, pebbles, and gravel—those wonderfully imperfect patterns that nature creates without ever repeating itself. I've always been drawn to circles and dots, so I couldn't wait to incorporate these stencils into a project.

With an art show coming up, my studio has been filled with the smell of varnish and stacks of frames waiting for artwork. Instead of purchasing a new frame, I rescued a plain wooden one from a local thrift store and transformed it into a custom frame that perfectly complements one of my pink collages.

The entire makeover took very little time, cost only a few dollars, and completely changed the personality of the frame.

Supplies

• July 2026 StencilClub Stencils by Carolyn Dube
• Plain wooden picture frame
• Rust-Oleum® Matte Spray Paint in Gray
• Rust-Oleum® Paint + Primer Spray Paint in Pink
• Clear spray varnish
• Disposable gloves
• Wallpaper, cardboard, or a drop cloth to protect your work surface
• Finished collage or artwork
• Optional: Painter's tape (for larger frames)

Step 1: Prepare the Frame

Before painting, wipe the frame thoroughly to remove dust, dirt, or any residue. A clean surface helps the paint adhere evenly and creates a smoother finish.

Since spray paint fumes can be harmful, always work outdoors or in a very well-ventilated space. I took my frame outside and laid down a large piece of old wallpaper to protect my deck from overspray. Gloves are also a good idea to keep your hands clean.

Step 2: Apply the Base Coat

I wanted a soft neutral background that would allow the stencil pattern to stand out, so I coated the entire frame—including the sides—with Rust-Oleum Matte Gray Spray Paint.

One of the reasons I reach for Rust-Oleum is that it's easy to find at stores like Walmart and Target, it's affordable, and it provides excellent coverage. I especially like the Paint + Primer formulas because they bond well to a variety of surfaces without requiring additional preparation.

Allow the gray paint to dry for at least an hour before moving on.

Step 3: Add the Stenciled Design

Once the gray paint was dry, I positioned Carolyn's stencil directly onto the frame.

Because my frame was fairly small, I simply held the stencil in place by hand. If you're working on a larger frame, painter's tape can help prevent the stencil from shifting.

Using Rust-Oleum Matte Pink Spray Paint, I sprayed directly over the stencil, making two light passes to build up the color without creating drips.

Carefully lift the stencil away and let the design dry for several hours.

The random arrangement of dots creates movement across the frame while still allowing the simplicity of the design to shine.

Step 4: Protect the Finish

After the paint had completely dried, I sprayed the entire frame with a clear varnish. This extra protective layer helps guard against scratches and scuffs while making the finish easier to wipe clean.

The following day, once everything had thoroughly cured, I cut my collage to fit and assembled the frame.

The finished piece looked like it had been custom-made specifically for the artwork inside.

Why Spray Paint is Perfect for Upcycling

Spray paint has become one of my favorite tools for giving secondhand items a fresh start.

Not only does it provide excellent coverage with very little effort, but it also reaches carved details, grooves, and corners that would be tedious to paint with a brush. The finish is smooth and even, helping inexpensive or worn objects look surprisingly professional.

Another advantage is speed. Large surfaces can be completely transformed in just a few minutes, making spray paint ideal for quick creative projects. It also adheres beautifully to a wide variety of materials—including wood, metal, wicker, plastic, and even some laminates—making it incredibly versatile for artists and makers.

More Ideas for Upcycling with Spray Paint

Once you begin looking around your home or local thrift store, you'll find endless possibilities.

Try giving new life to:

• Picture frames
• Wooden trays
• Small side tables
• Plant pots
• Metal baskets
• Candle holders
• Lamps
• Magazine holders
• Decorative boxes
• Shelves
• Wooden crates
• Mirror frames
• Serving trays
• Coat hooks
• Vintage tins

Many of these items can become beautiful studio storage or decorative accents that coordinate perfectly with your artwork.

A Custom Finish for Your Artwork

One of the things I love most about making my own frames is that they become part of the artwork itself. Rather than settling for a store-bought frame that almost matches, I can create one that echoes the colors, patterns, and personality of the collage inside. It's a simple project that makes finished artwork feel even more personal—and it's a wonderful reminder that creativity doesn't have to stop at the edge of the paper.

---

Join StencilClub!

If you've been curious about StencilClub, now is the perfect time to join. Members who sign up before the 15th of the month will receive that month's exclusive stencil collection, including Carolyn Dube's beautiful July 2026 designs.

In addition to receiving an exclusive stencil set each month, members also enjoy:

• An exclusive stencil collection that is never sold individually
• A downloadable project tutorial and PDF from the featured artist
• An additional members-only project created by me
• 25% off regularly priced stencils from StencilGirl Products throughout your membership

Whether you're a mixed media artist, journal maker, collage enthusiast, or simply enjoy experimenting with new techniques, StencilClub is a wonderful way to add fresh inspiration to your creative practice each month.

I hope this project inspires you to take a second look at those overlooked thrift store frames. With a little spray paint, a great stencil, and a favorite piece of artwork, you can transform something ordinary into a custom frame that's every bit as creative as the art it holds.  I hope you will share your projects with me on my Instagram page @gluepaperscissors_ and Stencil Girl @stencilgirl_products

YaYa's Art Camp 2025

I am a happy YaYa to four (4) Granddaughters aged 10, 8, 6, & 4. I became a stepmom to 10-year-old twins (boy/girl) when I married their father over 25 years ago. Their families have each blessed us with two (2) girls, resulting in our stair-step grands. 

A couple of years ago, I started a tradition with the older girls called “YaYa’s Art Camp,” and it is something that they ask for when summer rolls around. Missing out on raising young children, I remain fascinated by the enthusiasm a kid has for making, getting messy, and learning new ways to create. Plus, a couple of hours together in the Studio leads to all kinds of wonderful conversations and memories. I work best 2:1, so I had the younger ones one week and the older ones the following week. 

The little ones enjoyed lots of painting projects and got a big kick out of mixing paints to make “their own” colors. My 6-year-old grand mixed a blue she called “Serene” and was very proud of her creation. They painted their first name letters, stools for their room, and used fabric markers on aprons.

In past years, when the older ones were their ages, their favorite activity (aside from painting their first name letters) was melting crayons on rocks. Super fun, satisfying, and easy. Simply find some rocks about as big as your hand and put them on a baking sheet at 200 degrees, roughly 30-45 minutes. Create a nest of kitchen towels in front of each kid and place a hot rock in it. Grab some crayons and let them go to town melting crayons on one rock at a time. The rock will stay warm for loads of experimentation. 

This year, for the older ones, I took inspiration from a couple of StencilGirl Designers! 

Kristin Peterson has a terrific tutorial for making fabric scrap bowls! These were a huge hit with the girls, and YaYa has a ton of fabric scraps! Kristin has a tutorial for making them here: Altered States Fabric Bowl

As you are probably aware, Carolyn Dube is a wizard at Gel Plate Printing. They ADORED making prints, and I was thankful that I had taken a couple of Carolyn’s workshops when I had Ephemera Paducah. The technique that made the girls gasp with glee was this one: 

The Beehive Stencil is by Margaret Peot L978 

Step 1 - Spread acrylic paint all over your plate and put a stencil on top of it. It’s easiest with a more open stencil rather than one with little bitty openings. 

Step 2 - Put a piece of paper on top of your stencil and rub the paint through the stencil onto the paper. You may have to use more than one piece of paper to essentially clear out the openings.

Step 3 - Leave your stencil in place and choose a different color paint. Brayer over the stencil and get paint down into the openings you have just cleared out.

Step 4 - Lift your stencil

Step 5 - Put a piece of paper down on your gel plate and lift your print

Step 6 - Ooooohhh and Aaaaahhhh over your print. I got a “YaYa, you are brilliant!!!”

Step 7 - Repeat

With Carolyn’s permission, here is a quick video I made of this technique. YaYa's Art Camp Gel Plate Printing

We spent about 2 hours making gel prints, as one does! I gave them each a color wheel, and we talked about using complementary and analogous colors in our prints. We then made a collage using torn-up pieces of our prints, and stenciled on top. When that was done, we painted the negative part of a simple image. 

The Stars come from a great StencilClub Stencil 05-2025

Carolyn Dube's word stencils are always on point. L923 & L924

Linda Edkins Wyatt has a great ATC stencil L852

Finally, we created some spooky art for Halloween, transforming thrift and antique store finds into terrifying scenes! They are so excited to decorate for Halloween this year. 

I hope this gave you some ideas for crafting with your grands or neighborhood kids. Make some memories!!

How to Transform a Metal Bucket with Distress Oxide Sprays, a Mask and a Stencil

Hello everyone! Jane Bellante back for another fun tutorial—this time, we’re turning an ordinary metal bucket into a whimsical, one-of-a-kind mixed media piece using chalk paint, distress oxide sprays, and some of my favorite stencils and masks.

If you're looking for a creative way to use your stencils and masks again and again while achieving fresh new looks every time, you're going to love this DIY decor project. Not only will you see how distress oxide sprays create stunning effects on curved surfaces, but you’ll also get ideas for layering rub-on transfers and adding finishing touches that tell a story.

---

Materials Used:

• Metal bucket

• Chalk paint (2 coats)

• Distress Oxide Sprays (greens + blues)

• Open Bare Wisteria Vine Mask

• Rub-on transfers (I used a vintage Alice in Wonderland theme)

• Emotions and Feelings 2 Stencil by Carolyn Dube

• Permanent ink

• Makeup sponge

• Protective gloves (trust me on this one!)

---

Step 1: Prepping Your Surface with Chalk Paint

I started with a plain metal bucket and painted it with two coats of chalk paint. This gives you a great matte base that helps the distress sprays really pop later on.

---

Step 2: Using the Open Bare Wisteria Vine Mask

For this tutorial, I’m reusing the Open Bare Wisteria Vine Mask—one of my absolute favorites. I love showing you different ways to get more out of your tools. This time, instead of pastels, I used Distress Oxide Sprays.

A quick tip: wear gloves! I didn't, and I had stained fingers for days—but the results were totally worth it.

---

Step 3: Spraying and Layering Color

I used three colors of distress oxide sprays: one green and two blues. I held the mask against the curved surface of the bucket (which did get my hands messy!) and sprayed in layers to build up rich, vibrant color.

As you spray, some areas will naturally blend, giving you that signature oxidized look that makes these sprays so addictive.

---

Step 4: Don’t Waste That Spray—Make Prints!

One of my golden rules: never waste leftover spray on your stencil. After spraying, I immediately pressed a piece of paper over the stencil to create a print. These get added to my stash for future art journal pages or collage work.

---

Step 5: Rotate the Mask & Repeat

I continued this process—rotating the mask around the bucket, spraying, and making prints—until the entire surface was covered in a colorful, organic pattern.

---

Step 6: Adding Vintage Transfers

Once the oxide spray background was dry, I began adding rub-on transfers. I chose a set of vintage Alice in Wonderland images to tell a visual story around the outside of the bucket. The contrast between the whimsical characters and the bold background was magical.

---

Step 7: The Final Touch – Stenciled Word

To wrap it all up, I grabbed the Emotions and Feelings 2 Stencil by Carolyn Dube and used a makeup sponge to dab permanent ink through the word "curious." It couldn’t have been more perfect for the vibe of this piece.

---

The Finished Piece

This transformed bucket is absolutely adorable—a curious, colorful nod to creativity and storytelling. I’m in love with the way the oxide spray background brings the whole piece to life, and the Alice in Wonderland theme adds a playful layer of narrative.

Whether you’re creating home décor, art journals, or mixed media magic—remember that your masks and stencils are more versatile than you think. Try them with pan pastels, oxide sprays, acrylic paint, and more!

Want to Watch the Full Video Tutorial?

If you're a visual learner or want to follow along in real time, you can watch the full step-by-step video tutorial right here:

---

Thank you so much for watching and reading! I hope this inspired you to look at your masks and sprays with fresh eyes. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy—just maybe wear gloves next time!

Find me at janebellanteart.com and @janebellante on all social media platforms.

UpCycled Lamp Base with Jane Bellante

Hello friends!  Jane Bellante back with you this month with an up-cycled creation I really love! 

I just got the L652 Garden Montage stencil from designer Cecelia Swatton and I instantly knew that I wanted to use it on this project.

 

This is the lamp that I use to record all of my video content.  It's been banged around and it is well used.  But it just doesn't lend itself to the beauty that is my studio, my sanctuary, my flow. 

So, I cleaned up the drips of paint and resin on this base and got started.

I ended up painting 5 coats of the Daydream Apothecary White Base to start with.  I wanted to use this particular paint because it is a chalk paint/clay paint combination and it really sticks to most surfaces easily.  Think of it as the gesso of home decor products.  I'm starting with a blank slate.

Then I grabbed a pile of RoyCycled Decoupage papers because one- it's 20 lb tissue which is so easy to work with, and two- because she has so many gorgeous designs to work with.  

I absolutely love my gloss sprays, so I selected some of my favorite colors.  I ended up only using the Blackberry and the Fuscia.

I placed the stencil on the base to see which part of the design I could position to be my favorite.  Now- that being said, I had to actually use this lamp to film the video, so I had to get creative. 

I knew I was just going to have to hold down the stencil in each of the areas so I could get the look I was going for. 

I used a make up sponge to apply the gloss spray, and just switched back and forth between the Blackberry and the Fuchsia sprays.  Because the stencil was not flat in all of the places, spraying the sprays through the stencil would have been a disaster.  This worked so great.

Then, I grabbed the portion of the RyCycled tissue paper that I wanted to use, tore it out to fit, and used a soft matte gel to adhere the tissue.  

I wanted the white of the background to be a little more cohesive, so I took my Distress Ink pad in Antique Linen and applied it all over the white areas in the stenciled area.

Loving how it's was looking, but I needed something else to balance out this composition.  So I grabbed the L827 Emotions and Feelings 1 from Carolyn Dube and instantly the word "worthy" popped out at me.  As artists and creators we tend to struggle with these feelings of imposter syndrome, and abundance in general (and social media does not help with that at all- hello comparison....).  So I knew this would be an amazing daily reminder to me that i am worthy to create whatever I want to create, whenever I want to create it.

I used a black permanent ink to stencil with so I would show through, but also bring together the black lines in the paper with the brightness of the stenciled area.

Then I finished the sides with the Garden Montage Stencil, repeating the process with the gloss sprays and the Antique Linen Distress Ink.

I absolutely love this result, and now I feel like I need to paint the whole lamp (hee hee), but this will do for now.  A quick project that makes my studio a little more colorful and a lot more inspiring.

If you like to watch videos, here is the step by step video tutorial:

Supplies used:

L652 Garden Montage stencil from designer Cecelia Swatton

L827 Emotions and Feelings 1 from Carolyn Dube

RoyCycled Decoupage Paper

Daydream Apothecary White Base Paint

Distress Ink pad in Antique Linen

Soft Matte Gel

Black Permanent Ink Pad

I truly hope you enjoyed this tutorial and that it inspires you to up-cycle something in your creative space so that it looks and feels more like you.

You can find me at https://www.janebellanteart.com and @janebellanteart on all social media platforms.

Have a great day!!

xoxo, 

Jane