You don’t need an art degree to upcycle ordinary objects into wonderful one-of-a-kind works of art—You just need Unicorn SPiT!
Unicorn SPiT is a non-toxic rainbow gel stain and glaze that can be used to create a beautiful, colorful look on furniture makeovers, craft projects–and pretty much any ordinary object you can find around your house or pick up for cheap at a yard sale or thrift store.
We sell Unicorn SPiT at our store All Things New Again in Leesburg, VA—and right here in our online store. Unicorn SPiT is easy to use and works on just about anything, including metal, glass, plastic–even styrofoam.
Here are some ideas for up cycling ordinary objects with Unicorn SPiT
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You can use Unicorn SPiT on metal.
This is great for candlesticks, picture frames, mirrors and old metal plates you can repurpose as magnetic message boards.
You can use Unicorn SPiT on glass and plastic.
SPiT TiP: If you are having trouble getting your Unicorn SPiT to stick directly to glass or plastic, apply chalk-type paint or Mod Podge first and let it dry. This will allow the Unicorn SPiT to stick to slick surfaces better. Some people skip this step and apply directly to glass or plastic. I’ve had mixed results so I usually prep first.
Here’s a link to the Wine Bottle Art tutorial.
These techniques may be used on any type of glass bottle, Christmas ornaments, old windows, etc.
You can even use Unicorn SPiT on styrofoam pumpkins.
This opens up a lot of possibilities for inexpensive Halloween or fall decor!
Oh yeah… and you can use Unicorn SPiT on furniture makeovers too!
You can use Unicorn SPiT as a stain on bare wood to reveal the beauty of the wood grain. Instead of brown stain, choose a vibrant color or blend many vibrant colors together like Mom of the Year Courtney did on this ordinary oak table from the 1990’s that almost didn’t fit into her car, but she jammed it on top of her child and drove home really slow because the wood grain was so awesome she just had to have it.
She sanded the tabletop down to bare wood and applied many colors of Unicorn SPiT with her hands. (It’s non-toxic. You can do that!) It is so therapeutic to just dip your hand into the jar and swirl the colors around until you like how they look all blended together.
Unicorn SPiT is a stain, but it is also a glaze. You can apply it over paint to give furniture a rich, dimensional look. Cathy applied purple Unicorn SPiT over these bright blue legs from a vintage sewing machine. You can see in this picture the effect of the purple on the front leg verses the other bright blue legs. The Unicorn SPiT toned down the blue and created an ombre look. It is a very pretty effect that, unfortunately, is not showing up as nicely in the photos as it does in person.
You can also create beautiful abstract designs on your pieces using a variety of techniques. No art school degree required! Cathy used a technique called the Side-by-Side Aura Blast on the wooden tray she married with those blue and purple legs to create a new stand for her printer. This is one of the techniques we teach in our Introduction to Unicorn Spit class at All Things New Again.
There is no limit to the beautiful things you can create with Unicorn SPiT. The next time you go treasure hunting at a yard sale or thrift store, look for something you can up cycle with Unicorn SPiT.
Whatever YOU do with Unicorn Spit, it is sure to look awesome!
~ Cathy, Dave and Courtney
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All Things New Again is a family-owned furniture and paint boutique in Leesburg, Virginia about an hour or so west of Washington, D.C. We are the only store in the Northern Virginia/metro DC area offering training on how to use Unicorn Spit. Our Introduction to Unicorn Spit class is a hands-on, messy, fun class. Click here for details.
We also sell Unicorn Spit in the store and right here in our online store. Shipping available throughout the U.S.
Could you use this on a motorcycle helmet that would be in extreme elements?
Hi Jo, I’m not sure the answer to your question because I have never tried it. There is a Facebook group dedicated to Unicorn Spit questions and answers. I just went on there and asked your question. I’m sure it would look amazing… I’m just not sure if you would need to prep the helmet first to make the Unicorn Spit adhere. And I would recommend sealing it with something rated for outdoor use since it will be in the sun and the rain. I like Minwax Helmsman oil-based polyurethane. That’s what we used to seal our exterior sign at the shop, but again I’m just not sure if it would work on the helmet because I have never tried it. I will let you know if I hear back from anybody who has spit on a motorcycle helmet. And here is the link to the group if you would like to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnicornSPiTGelStains/ This is a fun Facebook group. Everybody is really helpful … and the projects they share are simply gorgeous! ~ Courtney
I am from NY and for obvious reasons can not attend your unicorn spit classes unfortunately. I’ve tried contacting the company and getting into the closed Facebook group without success. All I want to know is can I use this on plastic? I have outdoor metal framed furniture that has a plastic type canvas for the cushion covers and they are in need of serious updating. Would I have to put any kind of primer on them first? Any information you can give me would be appreciated! Thank you so much!
Hi Katie! I just approved your request to join the Unicorn Spit Facebook group … so you’re IN! I’m sorry, but I don’t know the answer to your question. I have never personally tried to spit on plastic before. I would think you would need to prep them first in order for the Unicorn Spit to stick. Just paint with any chalk-type paint that would ordinarily stick to plastic, let it dry and then spit away. We use Mod Podge on glass to get the Unicorn Spit to stick, but again, I have never tried on plastic so I don’t know for sure if that will work here. Also, if you are using them outdoors, you would need to seal with something that will stand up to sun and rain. I used regular ol’ Minwax Polyurethane on a bunch of outdoor items I spit last summer and they are not looking good at all now. I’m trying out the Minwax Spar polyurethane for a new batch of outdoor items, but they have not been sitting outside long enough for me to recommend this product for your outdoor cushion covers. This is a good question for the group as somebody has probably tried it already. I’m sorry I don’t know the answer, but hopefully somebody in the group can help you out. It sounds like a great project! ~ Courtney