How To Paint Dotted Mandalas on Rocks

 

Beautiful, dotted mandalas are all over the Internet. 

I wanted to paint some for myself but could not figure out how the simple, yet intricate design was accomplished. 

Then, I came across a fantastic dotted mandala tutorial and look what I painted!



Here are my tips and thoughts about painting these beautiful stones.

Paints

I used both acrylic and acrylic craft paints. Acrylic paints will need to be thinned with water more so than the craft paints. Consistency of the paint is very important in order to obtain a nice effect.

Colors

I love color and these stones can be painted with any combination. For inspiration, I have a Pinterest board devoted just to color palettes:

Brushes

The tutorial recommended a certain type and size of brush for painting dotted mandalas. I had 4 suitable brushes on hand. I found the small brushes from a recently purchased nail art set worked best for me. (The nail art brushes are the 2 with white handles in the picture below.)

Stones

I used 3 types of stones for my dotted mandalas because I wanted to see how the painting technique would work on each one:

• Round and pitted (bottom left)
• Flat, smooth and an irregular shape (right)
• Round and smooth (top left)

The Tutorial

I recommend reading the detailed steps from the tutorial a few times before starting.

Mandala Tutorial by Colorful-Crafts.com

Practice

I practiced the brush dotting technique on paper first to get the hang of it before painting my first stone.

Painting the Stones

Stone 1 - Round and pitted

You can paint a dotted mandala on a pitted stone. I think my first attempt is OK but the dots appear to be flat.

One stone "dot" painted and two more to go.

Stone 2 - Flat, smooth and an irregular shape

It was definitely easier to paint on the flat, smooth rock and my dots have a little more dimension this time.

Stones 1 and 2 side by side

Stone 3 - Round and smooth

My third stone is nice but I definitely need more practice.

What I Learned

• It's not as easy as it looks.
• Go slowly and don't rush.
• Practice and practice and practice.

Helpful Links

• Dotted Mandala Stones Tutorial
• Green & Blue Dotted Mandala Stone Tutorial
• Nail Art Brushes - A Great Set of Tools for Painting Details on Rocks
• Rock Painting Color Palettes on Pinterest

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

What's the Best Drapery Hook to Use for a Painted Rock Display Stand?

I have tried 3 types (brands) of slip-in drapery hooks and learned they are not created equal when it comes to shaping them into stands for painted rocks.

The slip-in hooks are described below in the order of my preference.

The most expensive set was $3.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond for 14 Slip-In Hooks...

 
...and it was the easiest to shape into a good-looking stand for a painted rock.

Painted Rock Display Stand Using Bed Bath & Beyond Slip-In Drapery Hook

 

The medium-priced set was $2.49 at Hobby Lobby for 14 Pleater Hooks. (Four hooks were end hooks and could not be used as stands.)

It took a little more time to create a stand because of the 4 "legs" but it was fairly easy to bend and shape into a nice looking painted rock display stand.

Painted Rock Display Stand Using Hobby Lobby Pleater Hook

The lowest-priced set was $1.97 at Lowe's for 14 Slip-In Curtain Hooks. 

The piece used as a back support (soldered to the "legs") would snap off if I was not careful. 

 
The metal was thicker and harder to bend (even with pliers) and it was difficult to shape the hook into an acceptable-looking stand. 

Painted Rock Display Stand Using Lowe's Slip-In Curtain Hook

I am sure each type of slip-in hook works well for hanging curtains and drapes but for display stands, my preference is the Bed Bath & Beyond or the Hobby Lobby hooks.

Helpful Links:

• Blog Post with Drapery Hook Stand How-To Instructions
• Slip-in Drapery Hooks at Bed Bath and Beyond
• Pleater Hooks at Hobby Lobby
• Slip-in Curtain Hooks at Lowes
• Hobby Lobby Wood Display Stands 
• Hobby Lobby Metal Display Stands  
• How to Make Rocks Stand Upright  

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks 

How to Dry Painted Rocks with Household Items

Many items found around the house can be used for drying painted rocks.

Binder Clip - A large binder clip can be used to dry thin, painted rocks.

Foam Egg Carton - Rocks can be propped up in the carton or laid across the sections.

Regular Egg Carton - Same as foam - prop up the painted rocks or lay them across the sections.

Lazy Susan - For larger rocks which stand upright on their own, I use a Lazy Susan for painting, sealing and drying the painted rock. (I like to line the Lazy Susan with parchment paper to provide a non-stick surface.)

DIY Drying Rack - If you're handy with a hammer and nails, you can create this drying rack for your painted rocks.

Clear Carpet Runners - Flip over a carpet runner and use the gripper (pointy) side to dry lighter-weight rocks. (Instead of buying an entire runner some home improvement stores sell it by the foot.)

Carpet Runner - Gripper Side Up

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

How to Display Painted Rocks - Store-Bought and DIY Solutions

You can display painted rocks by using wooden display easels, a plate stand, or DIY stand made from drapery slip-on hooks.

I found these wood veneer folded easels at Hobby Lobby and they nicely and attractively hold the the weight of painted rocks. They are available in 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12-inch sizes with a black or walnut finish. Regularly priced from $1.99 to $7.99, Hobby Lobby often has them available for 50% off. (Note: if your rock is too heavy, it may spread the stand's feet, making the stand unsuitable for that stone.)

Painted Stone is Displayed on a 3-Inch Folding Easel

For larger and heavier painted rocks, an art-style display easel or metal plate stand is a better choice. Both of these stands were purchased at Hobby Lobby at 50% off the regular price.

The Metal Stand (Right) is Displaying a 5-lb. Painted Rock

 
Artist, Marilyn Boyle, came up with this clever idea for DIY display stands using slip-on drapery hooks.

DIY Stand How-To by Marilyn Boyle

Marilyn Boyle Painted Stone Agate with Stand

UPDATE

I have tried 3 types (brands) of slip-in drapery hooks and learned they are not created equal when it comes to shaping them into stands for painted rocks.

 

The slip-in hooks are listed in the order of my preference:

• The most expensive set costs around $3.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond for 14 hooks. It was the easiest to shape into a rock stand.
• The medium-priced set costs around $2.49 at Hobby Lobby for 14 hooks (4 hooks were end hooks and could not be used as stands). It took more time to create a stand because of the 4 "legs" but it was fairly easy to bend and shape into a stand.
• The lowest-price set costs around $1.97 at Lowe's for 14 hooks. The metal was thicker and more difficult to bend and shape into a stand. In addition the piece used as a back support (soldered to the "legs") would snap off if I was not careful.

(I am sure each hook type works well for hanging curtains and drapes.)

Helpful Links:

• Hobby Lobby Wood Display Stands
• Hobby Lobby Metal Display Stands
• Slip-in Drapery Hooks at Bed Bath and Beyond
• Pleater Hooks at Hobby Lobby
• Slip-in Curtain Hooks at Lowes 
• How to Make Rocks Stand Upright 

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks 

Rock Painting Projects for Valentine's Day

Nothing says "I love you" more than a hand-made gift. These rock painting projects and ideas are unique and whimsical ways to show your love on Valentine's Day and warm the recipient's heart.

Sweet, Simple Gifts - No Fat Rock Candies

Painted rock candies are a sweet Valentine's Day gift to paint on rocks and stones. Learn how to paint rock candy.

How to Create Valentine's Day Gifts of Painted Love Bug Rocks

Love Bug painted rocks would certainly warm the heart of that special Valentine both young and old. Learn how to paint these cute critters.

How to Create a Stained Glass Heart Stone with Glue and Paint

This is a simple project and great for kids. They can easily draw their own design and paint within the lines. See the "how to" for this project.

Painted Heart Stones

You can paint all types of heart designs on triangular and heart-shaped rocks and they make great gifts for any occasion!
Click here for heart ideas and inspiration.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Note: When you click on certain links in this post, I may receive a commission for the purchase of products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

DIY Stable for Nativity Sets Painted on Rocks

On a trip to my local craft store, I found an object in the unpainted wood department I used as a stable for a painted rock nativity. 

Supplies

• Unfinished wood key/letter caddy
• Glue
• Bark chips
• Moss
• Wooden star (optional)

Instructions

1. The unpainted, wooden letter/key caddy was rotated so that the arched back now became the stable's floor
2. Brown acrylic paint mixed with water was applied to the unfinished wood with a rag, followed by a coat of gloss sealer
3. Thin wood chips were glued along the front sides of the rotated caddy
4. Thicker wood chips were glued to the top of the rotated caddy to embellish the roof of the stable
5. A thin layer of glue was painted on the floor of the stable and natural moss was then attached
6. A large wooden star was painted silver; gold glitter paint was added for highlighting
7. The star was attached to a slim wooden stick and glued to the back of the stable

The before and after picture shows the finished stable. Note that the rounded back of the unpainted letter/key caddy became the floor for the stable.

For another variation of the DIY stable, I removed the star and used a Mother and Child painted rock.

This DIY stable was made using a small, wooden, letter/key caddy. The craft store also carried a larger caddy that would be suitable for displaying larger or additional nativity scene figures painted on rocks.

See more nativity set display ideas.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

How to Make a No-Sew Bed for Painted Rock Pets

You can easily make a bed for your dogs and cats painted on stones and rocks without sewing a stitch!

Tips & Ideas

• A bag with a round or oval bottom works best
• The canvas bag used for these pet rock beds measures 4-1/2 inches in diameter by 7 inches tall and fits painted rock pets measuring up to 3 inches wide
• Remove the drawstring before folding the bag inward
• A thin, knit sock (men's or women's) can be used instead of the canvas bag

• Felt or fleece are cozy liners for the bed 

Keep your painted rock pets comfy in a cute, cozy bed.

Canvas bag - no-sew pet rock bed

Knit sock - no-sew pet rock beds

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

How to Make Photo Holders with Stones and Binder Clips

Don't know what to do with small polished stones and/or painted rocks laying around the house? 

Here's a super easy idea for one-of-a-kind photo holders using stones.

These DIY photo holders would make sweet and simple gifts for children to create and give to friends, grandparents, teachers, etc.

Supplies you'll need:

• Large (2-inch) binder clips
• Self-stick magnetic strips
• Stone(s) - painted or unpainted

Two-inch binder clip - self-stick magnets - painted/unpainted stones

The Process

• Cut magnet strips to fit the back of the stone(s)
• Attach to stone(s)
• Place magnetized stone(s) on bottom of binder clip 

Tips

• Make sure the stones aren't too heavy or your clip will tip
• Magnetic strips allow you to re-arrange and switch out the rocks as you desire
• For permanent stone photo holder, glue the rocks to the binder clip
• Use care when doing this project with children - binder clips can pinch their little fingers

Ideas

• If you don't want the black binder clip to show, cover with contact paper

Contact paper covers black binder clip

• Use colored binder clips instead of black
• Use for reminder note or recipe card holder
• Use scrapbooking accessories to further embellish the stone binder clip photo holder

Stone binder clip photo holders are a simple way to show off your small painted rock creations as well as display your photos.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks