Cross with Marbles

Have you seen those CUTE wooden crosses covered with different marbles at antique, craft and gift stores? I figured out how to make them and it took less than an hour.
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial

Feel free to use my Amazon suggested links below: {I am an Amazon affiliate which means if you purchase anything from my lists, I will get a tiny portion back. I only include things I personally have purchased and love!!!}

Here are the materials you'll need
  • Wooden cross (I got mine at Hobby Lobby)
  • Marbles of your choice (I found these marbles in the floral section and really only used 1 "can")
  • Paint brush/paint sponge
  • Acrylic paint of your color choice
  • Some kind of pendant to put in the middle of the cross (check the jewelry section or home section for something small)
  • Small tub of ceramic stucco (in the paint section).
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial
First, paint the ceramic stucco onto the cross. I tried to add as thick a layer as I could. It doesn't matter how it looks when you are painting/rubbing it on... we'll fix that in the next step.
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial
Then, I dipped my brush into my acrylic paint (I squeezed the paint into a disposable cup) and swirled it into the stucco on the cross. I tried to start making little swirly motions to make it look nicer. Really though, most of the stucco/paint will be covered with marbles so don't worry about the looks too much.
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial
You could just mix the paint right into the stucco and then paint it on the cross - but I wasn't sure how much stucco I'd need and didn't want to waste it. I used about half the tub. I would of added more but I had already used the stucco on a previous craft. I think the more you use the better it looks.
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial
Push your pendant right into the wet paint/stucco mixture. Once you place it how you want it try not to touch it anymore so it can dry/stick better.
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial
Now start placing your marbles randomly throughout your cross while the paint/stucco mixture is still wet. This is the fun part. Don't like how a marble looks? Just take it off and use a different one. I think the more marbles you use the better it looks.
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial
When you are finished let it dry completely. You'll be tempted to touch it but just leave it be. The paint/stucco is the adhesive for the marbles so it's important to let it dry. I waited overnight... a good 12 hours. Then you can hang it up!
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial
You could make this as a gift and match it with color schemes for baby showers, weddings, housewarming, etc. Or just make it for yourself. There are so many marbles to choose from. You could mix up the colors and sizes. You could make a pattern. The pendant in the middle could be anything. These are so expensive at gift and specialty stores, now you can just do it yourself. Actually, yesterday I went to my local thrift store and found a gallon Ziploc bag FULL with all different colors and shapes of marbles for $2.00! I was so excited, can't wait to make another one.
{Texas Craft House} Cross with Marbles - an easy DIY craft with tutorial
Check back for more creativity soon,
{Cassie}

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