I’m not sure about the healing power of crystals, but I am sure enchanted by their beauty. Thanks to their weight, these shining amethyst crystals are a natural fit for great bookends. Purchased from a high-end boutique, you’re in for $300+ for a pair. But crafted at home, you can make a beautiful set for around $50, and a couple hours of your time.
Add them to your shelf, or wrap them up as a holiday gift. Either way, they’ll bring some serious style to any bookshelf.
Materials
- Amethyst stone in size & weight 5.5″X3.5″X2.7″, 2.8 lbs each (consider this/this/this )
- 1×4″ pine lumber
- Gorilla Glue
- Gold leaf
- Tacky glue
- Acrylic white paint
- Foam brush
- Painters brush
- Saw
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Pencil
- Nails
- Hammer
- Small tooth saw
- Varnish
Step
Begin by measuring the height and width of your amethyst against the pine lumber. Add an inch extra to each size.
Step
Stack two pieces of 1×4 on top of each other, and cut them to length. My sizes were 4 3/4″ for the base and another two 6″ inches for the sides.
Step
Smooth any rough surfaces with sanding paper.
Step
Wet the surfaces, and apply a generous bead of Gorilla Glue. Follow the bottle’s instructions, and keep in mind that the glue will expand. Clamp your wood, or place heavy books to help keep things square as the glue sets up.
Step
While the glue dries, let’s work on the we amethyst. Pour some craft glue in a bowl and brush the entire outer (black) surface. Set them aside for 20-40 minutes until the glue has turned tacky. Rip small pieces from your gold leaf and apply to the amethyst with a paint brush. Once set, gently brush off any excess leaf, and a apply a clear coat to seal. This will help prevent the gold from oxidizing and changing color.
Step
Once the glue has dried, apply 2-3 coats of white acrylic paint to the wooden bases.
Step
Place your amethyst over the wooden base, at a slight angle so that the golden edges are visible. Add two 1″ nails to the back to provide some more support to the amethyst.
Step
We are almost there! Just like with the wooden base, slightly wet the base of the amethyst and squeeze out some glue on the wet surface. Place the crystals inbetween the two nails Allow them their sweet time to adhere (2-3 hours); you won’t need a clamp, the weight of the stone will do the job.
Now, take a coffee break and pat yourself for doing such a great job. Find your favorite decor book, magazine or even your journal and stack them in between your two gorgeous amethyst bookends that you made for less than $50!
Let us know what you think of these gold amethyst bookends? Yay or Nay!
Oh sweet yay! These are so easy and gorgeous!