The Rust has taken Over!! Altered altoid tins and juice can lids! [pic heavy]

I participated in the Abandoned Art Swap in which everyone made pieces of art with the intention of abandoning them in public places to be found by others. I have always loved the distressed, grungy look of some altered art and took that to be my muse in approaching this project. I also challenged myself to only use supplies that I had on hand at home because I, as I'm sure some of you can relate, have a tendency to pick up cool art supplies and then never actually get around to using them when I get home. Case in point: I got some rusting medium a year or so ago and never even opened the package! Well that's changed now Cheesy

I love shrines and wanted to do a couple of mini ones for the swap. This first one is inspired by Byzantine iconic art and uses a junky old doll toy that I covered in the rust medium. Interesting doing that on plastic, it gave it a really neat patina, not really rusty but definitely aged.

I also rusted the altoid tin, used a bit of vintage dictionary paper, and other odds and ends about the house. I must add that this was definitely a test of restraint, as I feel like when I try to do altered art type stuff I tend to overcrowd my pieces with "stuff". So I like the simplicity of it. This one definitely felt "done" to me.

I did a second altered tin as well, using the rusting medium with a doll hand. This one was a bit more challenging to get to the "finished" point and even then I'm still not sure. I had a texture paste I used to give the tin "innards" a bit more interest - I didn't want to do the same icon type style as the last tin. I'm really proud I got the nails to stay on the top too Cheesy

Edited to snag a good detail picture Onyxnox took:

Then I switched gears a bit to some more freeform altering. I've had this star for a while that I bought from Michael's two years ago - it had to be used. And a brass bug, more texture paste, a juice can lid, vintage paper, paint, rust, etc. It definitely gets across the grungy factor. Not everyone's cup of tea but I like it. Oh and my favorite part is how the rust medium reacted to the brass turning it blue.

Ok another freeformed object I started with a juice can base - the star key....or key star. It actually has magnets mounted on the back of it. I feel like this one may have been slightly too simple but I really like where it stands. Ah well, I still have it if sudden inspiration hits me to add something to it.

I'd love to hear thoughts, comments, suggestions on ways to improve. thanks so much for looking!