Tie-dyed clothes never seem to go out of style. Arriving on the scene in the sixties, it seems that we can never get enough of these colorful designs. Over the years, tie-dyed items have come a long way from the traditional t-shirt. I have seen many tie-dyed items such as tote bags, scarves, bedding, paper goods, and shoes. This summer, my daughter and I decided to wear some $5 white tennis shoes (or sneakers, depending on where you live) that we found at the local craft store. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon. The next morning, we set out to complete these masterpieces. I'm thinking we're definitely going to have to do this art again with friends. These shoes are my daughter's piece of art.
melissa caughey
melissa caughey
Start by covering the rubber soles on the shoes with painter's tape to prevent the markers from bleeding into the rubber.
melissa caughey
Using the markers, add colorful designs to the shoes. We use fireworks as our inspiration.
melissa caughey
Dip the straw into the top inch or so of the alcohol bottle. Keep your finger on top of the straw. Once over the marker design, release your finger and let the alcohol begin to mix the colors. You may need to apply the alcohol more than once to the design to achieve the blended look you want.
melissa caughey
Put the shoes aside to dry. Once dry, remove the painter's tape and release the shoes.
melissa caughey
Once tied, try on your latest works of art. You might even be tempted to make another pair before the summer is over.!
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