{DIY} Engraved Gold-Leafed Bowl

I was recently sent this little wooden bowl as part of an upcoming collaboration (details coming soon!) and while I pretty immediately knew I wanted to add it to the the collection of bowls in my closet jewelry nook, I didn't immediately know how I wanted to spruce it up.

That is, however, until I started to wrap my head around all the capabilities of a new tool in my arsenal - the Dremel Micro 8050.  This tiny tool is considered the most brilliantly powerful and precise cordless rotary tool that Dremel has ever produced.  It can cut, carve, engrave, sand, grind, sharpen, clean and polish - how's that for a multi-tasking powerhouse?

To start the makeover on my little thrift store bowl, I sketched my initial on the side of the bowl.

Then I put the smallest of the engraving heads onto the Dremel Micro.

I held it like I'd hold a pencil, and then followed the outline of my sketch to carve out the border of the letter.

Then I switched to a larger engraving head and carved out the middle of the letter.

I was careful while carving but the process was really easy and the precision of the Dremel Micro made for super smooth results.

From here, I pulled out a few of my favorite craft supplies - glossy white spray paint, a gold leaf pen, liquid gold leaf, and fine craft glitter.  I coated the outside of the bowl in the white spray paint (two light coats), then when it was dry I traced the top edge of the bowl with the gold leaf pen, painted liquid gold leaf on the entire inside, then dabbed some craft glue inside the engraved letter and coated it with fine gold glitter.

When the glue had dried I wiped the excess glitter away with a dry paper towel.

The little bowl is the perfect glitzy addition to the jewelry nook in my closet.  I made the earring organizer and organized the rest of my jewelry back in January.

I love the shine of the gold leaf on the inside of the bowl.

The engraved J with a little sparkle of glitter inside adds that extra something to the whole thing - this would be a great handmade gift idea with holiday season approaching!

I've also used the sanding and cutting attachments for other projects I have in the works and can tell already that the Dremel Micro 8050 is going to be a well-used and much-loved tool around here. You can purchase online HERE for $89.

Stay tuned to see more of this little bowl and other thrift store pieces I've made over and repurposed as part of the latest installment of Swap It Like It's Hot (you can see my last Swap It Like It's Hot project HERE).

Dremel wants to celebrate its fans’ brilliant projects, work and ideas! Now through October 12, share, tweet or post photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that depict your brilliant ideas using the hashtag #MyBrilliantIdeaSweeps for the chance to win weekly prizes, including free tools and handmade gifts, or the grand prize: a custom-engraved Honda scooter and a Micro 8050. Visit www.facebook.com/dremel for rules and to learn more.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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