An Alternative Painting Idea for Polished Stones

You can buy bags of stones at craft and dollar stores. I found these for $1 each at Family Dollar.

However, in most cases the stones are polished and difficult to paint. You may need to sand the stones, prime the stones, apply several coats of paint, and sometimes leave them outdoors for many months to "weather" them prior to painting.

An alternative to painting these stones is to engrave them first using an electric engraver tool (e.g., Dremel).

This video shows how to use this engraving tool on polished stones. In fact, engraving works best on the polished stones.

I've put this tool on my wish list so I can get even more creative with all the polished stones I've accumulated.

Simple Painted Rock Gifts Brighten the Day

Today is "Giveback Tuesday" and I'm off to the post office to mail another painted stone for this lovely lady's collection.

At the time I started painting rocks, my mother entered a nursing home far from where I lived. The adjustment to this new living arrangement was traumatic for my mom. So, to brighten her existence and let her know I was thinking of her, I started mailing little, painted stones.

After my mother left this world, I learned of another senior going through a tough time. Aha! I knew just the thing to bring a smile to her face and make the transition a little less traumatic - painted rocks!

It's amazing how ordinary rocks come alive with a little paint and bring joy and smiles to all who see them.

P.S. Here's a little secret: It's just as joyful giving these painted rock gifts as receiving them.

P.P.S. A miniature painted stone nativity scene is what I sent to this dear lady today. 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Painted Rock Nativity Sets - An Alternative to Traditional Christmas Decor

Nativity scene figures hand painted on Colorado river rocks and stones are an unusual yet appealing alternative to traditional Christmas nativity decor and a charming addition to a Creche collection.

He is my Rock Nativity Sets

For a delightful and distinctive conversation piece, try something new and out of the ordinary by replacing the figurines in your traditional nativity set with nativity scene figures that are uniquely painted on rocks.

 

Newly completed, painted rock nativities ranging in size from tiny, small, medium to large are available in the Nativity Shop.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

So Many Rock Painting Ideas and So Little Time To Do Them All

I have so many rock painting projects to try and I've "pinned" them to a board on Pinterest called Rock Painting Ideas and Helps.

Perhaps you'll find inspiration for your painted rocks also. Just click here or on the image below to go straight to my Pinterest rock painting ideas board.

P.S. If you find a way to add more hours to the day, please let me know.

Cindy Thomas Rock Painter

How to Display Painted Rock Nativities in a Traditional Way

In earlier posts I showed you how to display painted rock nativity sets in a simple way using a charger plate with greenery, stones, or glass gems.

Painted rock nativity scene figures can also be displayed in traditional Christmas nativity stables.

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You can use an existing nativity stable and place the nativity scene figures inside.

Painted Rock Nativity Scene Figures in a Store-Bought Stable

I found this stable at my local craft store (Hobby Lobby). Stables come in many sizes and you should be able to find one at craft or general merchandise stores.

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You can use an existing nativity stable along with the animals that came with the set.

Painted Rock Nativity Set with Store-Bought Animal Figures

Store-bought nativity sets (stable and figures) come in many different sizes and are readily available. You can decide which pieces from the nativity set to combine with your painted rock nativity scene figures.

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Just remember to take into account the size of your painted rock nativity figures. You'll want them to fit nicely in the stable.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Glass Gems and Charger Plate Nativity Set Display Idea

This is another simple solution for a Christmas holiday nativity display.

Use glass vase gems with a charger plate...

...and a painted rock nativity set.

Painted Rock Nativity Set

Steps:

1. Position the Mary and Joseph nativity scene figures on an empty charger plate
2. Scatter the glass gems around Mary and Joseph
3. Set the Baby Jesus painted rock on top of the glass gems

Tips:

• Glass vase gems can be found in the floral department of craft stores, some dollar discount stores, online, etc.
• Glass vase gems are available in many different colors which you can coordinate with your nativity set and plate
• You can find charger plates online, at department stores and sometimes at thrift and dollar stores
• Gold, green, silver and red charger plates work well for Christmas holiday displays 

You can see an idea using a charger plate with fake greenery instead of glass gems on this post. 

You can see an idea using a charger plate with polished stones on this post. 

Create your own customized nativity scene display with any of these easy ideas.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Unique Display Idea Using a Painted Rock Nativity Set, Charger Plate and Stones

Instead of using a bulky stable that sheds pieces of moss and hay, try this simple solution for your Christmas holiday nativity display.

This easy idea uses polished river rocks...

...with a round charger plate...

...and a painted rock nativity set.

Joseph, Mary, Jesus Painted Rock Nativity Scene Figures

Steps:

1. Position the Mary and Joseph nativity scene figures on an empty charger plate
2. Scatter the river stones around Mary and Joseph
3. Set the Baby Jesus painted rock on top of the stones

Unique, Customized Nativity Set Display

Tips:

• River stones can be found in the floral department of craft stores, some dollar discount stores, online, etc.
• River rocks are available in different colors which you can coordinate with your nativity set and plate
• You can find charger plates online, at department stores and sometimes at thrift and dollar stores
• Gold, green, silver and red charger plates work well for Christmas holiday displays 

You can see a similar idea using a charger plate with fake greenery instead of stones on this post.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Unique Display Idea for Painted Rock Nativity Sets - A Red Charger Plate

Are you looking for a simple, economical way to display your painted rock nativity set for the holidays? 

This idea couldn't be simpler and, unlike traditional nativity stables, it's easily moved from a coffee table to a dining table.

Supplies Needed:

• Jesus, Mary & Joseph painted rock nativity scene figures
• Charger plate
• Fake greenery - poinsettias, holly, pine, etc.

I used a shiny, red, plastic (Melamine) charger plate. Plastic is a perfect choice for use with painted rocks to lessen any chance of plate breakage.

A shiny, red, plastic, charger plate

Tip: You can find inexpensive charger plates at thrift stores and dollar discount stores. Silver, gold, and green are good color choices also.


Place your painted rock nativity set on the plate and arrange the greenery of your choice around the nativity scene figures.

A pretty way to display your painted rock nativity set

Tip: If you have holiday floral decorations that have seen better days, remove a few of the nicer pieces and use them for your nativity set plate display. 


There you go - a simple, unique, festive, inexpensive idea for displaying painted rock nativity sets.

Display the nativity in a way which is uniquely you depending on the plate and greenery you select. 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

How to Paint Unique, Outdoor Nativity Sets on Garden Pavestones

An outdoor nativity set painted on garden pavers is a great gift idea but there's a problem - packing and shipping to out-of-town recipients is difficult and pricey.

Outdoor nativity set painted on garden pavers, brick and rock

The solution: I created a downloadable guide (in PDF format) explaining and illustrating how to paint these outdoor nativity scene figures and brick manger.

How to Paint Nativities on Pavestones PDF Guide

The following sample page from the tutorial shows the type of garden edgestones and paver brick I used along with the rock shape & size which works best for Baby Jesus.

Sample page from the PDF how-to guide

Included in my 40-page tutorial:

• a materials and supplies list
• paint and brush tips
• rock painting tips and helps
• easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions with photos
• ideas for more nativity sets using garden pavestones

Get your copy of 

"How to Paint a Nativity Set on Pavestones" 

Christmas will be here soon!

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks