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janey_alabama

Painted rocks

9 years ago

Are painted rocks popular in your area? Last Sunday my husband & I stopped at a local farm stand. On one of the chairs was a painted rock that had "love me" on it. We picked it up & looked at it remarking how cute it was. Oh, we did put it back. Called a friend when we got home & she said that they were very popular-was news to me. Well yesterday we had lunch in town. And we then walked around to look at the flowers that are planted in hanging baskets & in planters, we found 6 painted rocks. We enjoyed spotting them, they were all painted differently.

Comments (40)

  • 9 years ago

    They are popular in Richmond, VA. I haven't come across any.

    janey_alabama thanked KATHY
  • 9 years ago

    Yes they are. We did painted rocks as one of our garden club activities. It was a lot of fun. Then we put them all together and we were blindfolded and reached in and picked out one of them to keep. I still have mine in the flower bed it survived the flood. We also did painted ceramic tiles. I got a bunch of 4 x 4 tiles at the habitat restore store and we painted them to put them in the flower beds etc.

    janey_alabama thanked ravencajun Zone 8b TX
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  • 9 years ago

    In our area painted rocks are hidden and when found, a pic is posted on a Facebook page set up for it. The finders are encouraged to hide the rock again. Fun for kids especially.

    janey_alabama thanked abbisgram
  • 9 years ago

    I used to that years ago, the painting of rocks, not hiding. Unless they were gifts for friends and co-workers and then I'd hide them in their desks or surprise them. One time I painted two small rocks, one bright green, one brown. Then I painted three or four very small pebbles green/brown/spotted. Put them in my boss's desk - when she found them she exclaimed "They had babies!"

    Also would look for unusually shaped stones and paint them, for example, if it looked like a foot I'd paint it to look like a - foot. Same with lips, eyes, animals. Like sculptures only painted.

    janey_alabama thanked schoolhouse_gw
  • 9 years ago

    This is what painted rocks look like in my neck of the woods :-)) A local landmark!!


    garden web photos · More Info

    janey_alabama thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    janey, quite a coincidence to see this post today. Just last evening I asked my DH if he knew where this painted rock came from that has been holding down his years and years collection of little notes to himself. He wasn't sure but thought one of the daughters had made it. He was right, the oldest daughter made it in a summer program at the local park and gave it to him for Fathers day. That was 50 years ago. It is about 3 1/2 " wide. The rock was collected on a Lake Erie beach and is perfectly smooth .

    janey_alabama thanked lgmd_gaz
  • 9 years ago

    My aunt used to gather river rocks and paint them. She sold them at craft fairs for $5 each and made a small fortune!

    Here is one that I use on my desk. I never asked, but have always assumed she used a stencil because the circle and lines are so perfect. Unfortunately, if somehow ended up with permanent marker on it's face. I'm afraid that if I try to remove that, I'll end up removing the painting as well. I have another one that is out in my flower beds and even after being out in the weather for years, the paint looks as good today as it did when new. I wonder if paint is still made that holds up that well?

    janey_alabama thanked Rosie
  • 9 years ago

    They just had a story on the news in Sioux Falls SD about them. There was a group of people who started painting them and putting them all over the city. Now other people are doing it too. If you are interested go to Painted Rocks in Sioux Falls or Keloland tv. They got the idea from someplace in Florida. They hide them for people to find and keep if they want to.

    janey_alabama thanked bengardening
  • 9 years ago

    I've done painted rocks with the kids a few times. We made lady bugs, bees, eyeballs, etc. The ones that were painted with the patio craft paints for outdoors have held up better. I also spray them with a clear coat spray.

    janey_alabama thanked User
  • 9 years ago

    Yes, it is the 2017 Pokeman craze! People are out and about painting and hiding and finding rocks!

    janey_alabama thanked User
  • 9 years ago

    DawninCal, I would try removing the magic market with a Q tip, avoiding any pained bits. You'd still have the bit on the nose, but it wouldn't be so noticeable.

    janey_alabama thanked colleenoz
  • 9 years ago

    Those are nice painted rocks. Remember pet rocks?

    janey_alabama thanked jemdandy
  • 9 years ago

    I do remember Pet Rocks. I gave my then boyfriend one for Christmas. He gave me a Mood Ring. I later bought my own Pet Rock.

    janey_alabama thanked cacocobird
  • 9 years ago

    They are hidden here in parks along walking trails. It is to encourage kids, well and adults to get out and walk. Local businesses have gotten involved and hide special rocks that you can take to the business and get prizes for them. A lot of fun for everybody.

    janey_alabama thanked Curlysue
  • 9 years ago

    Yes, our county is having fun with it. Like Abbisgram (I wonder if we're living in the same area), there's a Facebook page to post creations and finds.

    I want to get my little grandsons involved, so I bought some washable tempera paints and hope I can find a product to spray over the paint to protect it from the elements. Any suggestions?

    janey_alabama thanked Alisande
  • 9 years ago

    LOVE the sun god painted rock! Just lovely!

    Word art is still going strong. Artful painted rocks....not so much here in Colorado.

    Alisande....marine shellac.

    janey_alabama thanked User
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    There use to be a store in Dallas called Cat Rock Corners. The lady would take your picture of your cat and paint a rock so you could have a permanent, lifesized memory of your friend. Click here to see a Cat rock.

    janey_alabama thanked dchall_san_antonio
  • 9 years ago

    dchall.....Cat rocks are now part of my vocabulary. :0) Precious!

    janey_alabama thanked User
  • 9 years ago

    I think I'll have to paint a rock now! We have many potted plants on the porch

    thanks for sharing the idea. I'm on the gulf coast of MS haven't seen any here.:)

    janey_alabama thanked litasart
  • 9 years ago

    Alisande, I just used the cheap Wal-Mart brand clearcoat when I did mine. The painted rocks in my flower bed are three years old and still look good.

    janey_alabama thanked User
  • 9 years ago

    Oh my goodness I thought that was a cat lol. She is talented.

    janey_alabama thanked ravencajun Zone 8b TX
  • 9 years ago

    Thanks, Nicole and Adella. I looked at Walmart the other day and didn't see anything in their own brand--just Mod Podge matte and Krylon matte. I already have Krylon gloss, so maybe I'll try that.

    janey_alabama thanked Alisande
  • 9 years ago

    Alisande, I'm in western NC.


    janey_alabama thanked abbisgram
  • 9 years ago

    Oh, darn. I'm in PA.

    janey_alabama thanked Alisande
  • 9 years ago

    Here are some rocks painted by my grandsons and me. Fortunately for all of us, skill doesn't count in this project--just enthusiasm! I wish we had smoother rocks. Ours are so bumpy.

    Someone told me about the trick of using Mod Podge on our porous rocks before you start painting. Works well. I've been using acrylic craft paints and sealing them with Krylon, but yesterday I bought a gloss varnish in a tube so I don't have to smell the Krylon chemicals.

    janey_alabama thanked Alisande
  • 9 years ago

    Those are so cute!

  • 9 years ago

    I started painting them too. I just went out and picked mine out of the gravel in our town and out at my friends farm. I don't mind if they aren't all smooth. I have one that is in the shape of a house. I did that one. I also outlined a dogs head on one that looks like a dog. My mother was an artist and I think that's why I enjoy painting. I was watching a You tube video on what you could add to make the acrylic paint so it doesn't dry out so fast. There was 5 things. The last 2 were hair hair gel and KY jelly. they are both water based so they work. I used the KY and it worked. If anyone wants to know why I have that just ask me. A nurse friend told me about it. When you look on the net for painted rocks and then images there are lots of ideas to try. I have 2 that are in the shape of a low pointed toe shoe. I don't know yet what I will do with them yet though.

    janey_alabama thanked bengardening
  • 9 years ago

    I'd love to see your rocks, Bengardening. My mom was an artist too, although she died when I was very young. The only thing I ever painted before the rocks were some wine and martini glasses a few years ago.

    I saw a picture of my lips and shoe rocks last night, and they were in pieces. A little disappointing, but I guess it happens.

    janey_alabama thanked Alisande
  • 9 years ago

    Everything old is NEW again. Back in the day, jr. high, summer of '73 we logged tons of summer time painting rocks. The garish fake of the paint against the natural of nature/the rock is too incoherent for my taste. Even back then, but it was fun to express ourselves and it was a CHEAP activity.

    janey_alabama thanked arcy_gw
  • 9 years ago

    That's so clever, Mare! Try not to over-water. :-)

    janey_alabama thanked Alisande
  • 9 years ago

    Susan, I thought it was clever too. I have to find a source for the rocks. I'm really not kidding about the brown thumb. If there's a way to mess that up I'm sure I'll find it.

    janey_alabama thanked mare_wbpa
  • 9 years ago

    I'm told Michael's and AC Moore sell rocks for painting. Perhaps some of them will be the right shape. If you ever go to Dickson City, we should meet for lunch. It's about 50 minutes from me--probably close to the halfway point?

    janey_alabama thanked Alisande
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I bought a broken bag of rocks at Home Depot a couple of years back. It was something like $3 on clearance. I've had lots of fun with it for all of my little projects.

    janey_alabama thanked User
  • 9 years ago

    I bought this one at a thrift about 6 months back.


    janey_alabama thanked Pea
  • 9 years ago

    Mare -what a clever idea, especially with the little flowers.

    Alisande - love the little house. I wish I could give you some of the rocks that are in my yard. We had 2 areas that often remained soggy after a rain and my landscaper talked us into removing the grass and putting in rocks. It looked great for a few years until dirt and mulch washed into the rocks and then weeds took root. Most of them are smooth river rock and would be great for painting.

    If I make it back to NE PA before moving I'll put some in the car for you. DH will probably think I'm nuts.

    Maire

    janey_alabama thanked maire_cate
  • 9 years ago

    Maire, I hope you make it back to NE PA before moving--even without the rocks! But thanks for a nice thought.

    janey_alabama thanked Alisande
  • 9 years ago

    Never thought of Michaels. There's one near to me. Maire, where are you moving? Must have missed that thread. Forgot where you live now. As I recall there was talk, quite a while back of you, Susan (Alisande) and me meeting somewhere central to where we all live. I don't remember where you are. Yes, come even without the rocks. I've never met anyone from the KT before.

    janey_alabama thanked mare_wbpa
  • 9 years ago

    There are many painted rocks found in Glenwood Iowa. You can take one and leave one. Glenwood is about 16 miles from where I live. Maybe i will paint one and share one with them. pattico

  • 9 years ago

    Susan. Meant to say that I'd love to meet you for lunch at a halfway point. Dickson City is about 40p45 minutes from me. Let's make plans.

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