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 Make Paint Palettes Using Everyday Household Items

Here's how to easily make paint palettes from items you use every day around the house. And you're reusing an item that was headed for the trash anyway.

Use plastic lids from margarine tubs, yogurt cups, coffee cans, etc.

Lid from a 32 ounce yogurt container

Use plastic bottles - any size works. In some cases this may not be cost-free, as you're losing the bottle deposit. I used a 2-liter seltzer bottle.

2-Liter Seltzer Bottle

Cut the bottom off the plastic bottle. (I was able to use regular scissors to cut around the bottom of my seltzer bottle.)

You now have a paint palette which is best for using individual colors without mixing. This works especially well when painting with children.

Soda Bottle Paint Palette

I drink more water than soda and found my favorite palette is made from plastic 1-gallon water jugs.

Plastic 1-Gallon Water Jug

Similar to the soda bottle, just cut the bottom off the jug.

I love these paint palettes made from plastic water jugs because the colors can be mixed yet there's a divider if you want to keep them separated.

Water Jug Paint Palette - My Favorite

If you have ideas for other inexpensive, DIY paint palettes, please leave a comment.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks