Geode Redo


I bought this geode while out thrift shopping several months ago and its just been sitting on a shelf in my studio ever since. I love the pink striations of the geode, but the back is kind of, well. I think its kind of ugly.
 

When I was Anthropologie last week, I saw several geode/agate slices displayed on tables, the edges were covered in gold. They were over $100, but it got me thinking about my sad little agate piece at home. I had some silver leaf left over from a failed bathroom project, so I decided to play around with covering the not so pretty back. For quite a bit less than $100.
 
 
 

 

 

 
I may actually display this piece somewhere now. I left the flecks and imperfect edges and only cleaned up a tiny bit here and there, with a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover. I polished the side with the geode with a polishing cloth to give it a shine.
 
I forget about metal leafing, but it fits perfectly with all the gold and shiny home decor trends around lately.  It’s always fun to make something inexpensive feel a little more special and interesting.

16 Comments
  • Dawn

    August 13, 2012 at 5:39 am

    what a cleaver idea. I like window shopping because you never know what kinds of creative ideas you are gonna come away with to use in your own home. The Geode looks great in silver.
    ~Dawn

  • Audra

    August 13, 2012 at 6:45 am

    Beautiiful geode…but why do you have a book called “Dress for Success?”. I’ve been reading your blog and following you on Pinterest for a while now and your style is AMAZING.

  • erin

    August 13, 2012 at 7:04 am

    love it! you must have every craft supply ever needed at your fingertips (in my imagination, anyways.) xo.

  • Rijandmeg.wordpress.com

    August 13, 2012 at 7:30 am

    I really like your DIY suggestion and the way it turned out- so I really don’t want this to be taken as criticism. Seeing the geode reminded me of the first time I ever saw one when I was little- how it was just a big ugly rock…and the magic of turning it over and discovering how unexpectedly gorgeous it looked inside. I really wanted one of my own and finally saved up to buy one.
    I don’t know where my childhood geode is now unfortunately, but if I had it, I think I would also be tempted to gild the outside….for the same reasons you mention…but then..doesn’t it take away from the whole metaphor of the geode? It also brings to mind the saying: “gilding the lily.” I’m mentioning this just because I am curious if similar thoughts crossed your mind, even though you obviously are happy with how much better it looks overall as a design element.
    – faithful blog follower, first time commenter

  • Cyndi

    August 13, 2012 at 9:55 am

    You are so awesome! I love your craftiness. 🙂

  • robyn

    August 13, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    This is brilliant, Blair! Immediately my mind went to finding a small hollow geode slice, leafing the outside (silver or gold) and putting a (silver or gold) chain through it for a necklace.

  • Cyndi

    August 13, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    Oh, this reminds me… during high school and my early college years I used to make and sell jewelry [traveling in a van, sadly not a hippy van]. I used to cover the edge of thinly sliced geodes with metallic tape and then solder over with a layer of silver and a loop to feed a necklace through. So long ago…

  • blair/wisecraft

    August 13, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    Thank you Dawn. I think window shopping with my creative hat on (instead of my spendy one) probably saves this household a lot of money!

  • blair/wisecraft

    August 13, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    That’s so nice Audra! That book is a reprint of an original one written by costume designer Edith Head. Its kind of funny to read, because the context is mainly mid-century, written for women who wanted to enter the workforce. Although, there are some sage little tidbits in there that work even today.

  • blair/wisecraft

    August 13, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    So glad you commented! I don’t take it as a criticism at all. I know exactly what you are saying. I did alter the natural state of this geode, its no longer as it was found in nature. But what makes it work for me is that now it is something that I like looking at even more, I want it out to enjoy, and it wasn’t as interesting to me before. I’ve taken it and stepped it up a little in my eyes, I guess. Your childhood geode has a much stronger emotion than this one does, so I might be reluctant to change it at all (I hope you find it someday!). Thank you so much for reading!

  • blair/wisecraft

    August 13, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    Thank you Cyndi. Likewise!!!!

  • blair/wisecraft

    August 13, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    I think that would be so gorgeous! I want one to wear! I should add that to my list of “back to school” wardrobe wants.

  • blair/wisecraft

    August 13, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    OH my gosh I wish you still made them, they sound lovely! (And hippy vans break down often anyway…)

  • Seanna Lea

    August 15, 2012 at 9:05 am

    I love the geode. They are one of my favorite things to have around the house (not that my house has any right now). I always love how unique each one looks.

  • Kristin

    August 19, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    That is simply gorgeous! Well done.

  • joy

    August 25, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    So cute!!! LOVE it….on the look out for a geode now!

Follow Wise Craft Handmade