I love turning someone’s trash into my little treasure. My kids haaaayyyyyyyyyte it when I stop the car and grab something off a curb. I, however, hate to spend money, so I pick up “road kill” all the time. (Old frames are a favorite score.)
One of the reasons I like road kill, besides being free, is that you can experiment a little and you’re not really out anything but your time if it doesn’t work out. (Assuming you have a decently stocked craft closet…)
Last week there were two little tins being thrown out. They were sad and forlorn, sitting on the curb next to someone’s trash cans. I grabbed them, took them home, cleaned them up and spray painted them with a silver metallic paint.
It wasn’t quite right.
Then I decided I wanted a fresh blue-green color. I decided to mix two of my acrylic paints until I got a shade I liked.
It dawned on me that I should be taking pictures about halfway through this project, so I don’t have photos of the various “before” stages.
Using the smaller tin for a “before” photo example, I slopped on a super heavy coat of this paint mixture.
While it was still very wet, I took it outside and sprayed the crap out of it with a clear gloss. (Sprayed the crap out of it is a technical term, meaning you should apply a very, very thick layer of paint.)
I did not allow the gloss spray to dry between coats, but instead I let it run and drip down the sides of the urn.
What I ended up with was the color I wanted, but instead of just looking like a salvaged metal urn, it has a bit of a vintage, ceramic, quirky look to it.
Mommy likes.
How fun to use something completely the wrong way and still have the end result turn out well.
MiMi says
Dang. That’s freaky how that worked and looks so cute. 🙂
Lisa@Pickles and Cheese says
Great find and great job on these. Love the Vintage look you got and the color. “Road Kill”…love the terminology!
Sierra says
So very cool! They look like copper that’s turned greenish- looove it!
Angie S says
I need to be more brave when I see things in other peoples trash. I’m always a weiner…I’m gonna go for it next time. Get me some road kill to make into something cool!
Great job!
Becky says
That turned out so neat looking!
Shawn says
If I had tried that it would still look like a salvaged metal urn just with blue paint on it.
Well done!
jenjen says
Amazing!!! I love the color you painted it too. Nobody ever throws away anything good here unless it really is road kill. I wish they would!!
XOXO
Jen
Becca says
When I saw the title “road kill” I almost didn’t visit this post b/c I thought you would be subjecting me to a picture of actual road kill- I like your version of road kill much better!!!
~Becca
Becca says
When I saw the title “road kill” I almost didn’t visit this post b/c I thought you would be subjecting me to a picture of actual road kill- I like your version of road kill much better!!!
~Becca
sitting on the mood swing at the playground says
That’s very cool…and love that it’s road kill!
Liz @ Sugarplum Creations says
LOVE it! And I’m filing away your technical terms for future use.
Krystyn says
So cool…guess I need to go dumpster diving, soon.
jennykate77 says
This mommy like too! I love that color that you got…looks so vintage chic!
Hope you’re having a great week!!♥
Mamarazzi says
LOVE…really it turned out great.
sorry i haven’t been around. i am just now STARTING to blog jog a bit, it’s been a rough few months but i am recovering and to help me pass the time i am hosting a another favorite things swap. i wanted to let you know since you played last time…come on over and play again…if you wanna
Xazmin says
Fabulous Viv! You’re not allowed to put things on the curb here…I never get to find road kill treasures. Everything MUST be in the big black garbage bin!
Sandy says
Great job! Love the shine.
Housewife Savant says
N-I-C-E.
(I’d rather keep reading and reading than work on something clever.)