What I Did:
I wanted to have a decrepit, old card box for a creepy effect that I've been working on. I purchased an inexpensive card box from a dealer that was originally painted an ugly, flat yellow.
How I Did It:
I used sandpaper to round the edges and corners and remove much of the paint and expose the wood below. I soaked the box in dark coffee to darken the wood.
After searching the internet, I found advice on one of my sister sites, miniatures.about.com. There, I learned that dollhouse hobbyists apply vinegar using steel wool to age barn doors and fences. I tried the technique on the box, which gave it a gray/silver, aged look.
The blotches were accidental. I was fixing lunch and handling cheese and I moved the box. My fingers left greasy prints that lended to the effect.
Lessons Learned
- Wash your hands after lunch before handling your props and projects.
