Dollar Store Bird DIY

After conducting this DIY at home, I realized it's not very inventive or unusual.  Pretty much anyone could think of getting something ugly and painting over it to make it cuter.  However, I can remember countless times that I have perused the shelves of the thrift store and overlooked ugly little figurines.  I don't know why I had never considered the obvious!  If it has a good shape, you can always paint it!!  

So at Dollar Tree this week, I found these little bird figurines and knew I just had to have them for only a dollar!  The colors were bland and some even looked exceptionally creepy. As in....they might come alive in the night and attack you like the movie, The Birds.  I'm sure most of you would pass it by without a second glance.  Here's to finding something creative in the unattractive!

Doesn't he just scream, "Help! Please make me cute!"?

Cost should be pretty minimal if you are a crafty person, because you likely own most of the supplies. If not, invest in a little art kit for the home that you can use for projects in the future.  (glitter, cheapo acrylic paints, brushes, modpodge/glue, sharpies, felt, etc.)

Even Nutscat couldn't wait to get started!

Materials: 

Choose a color palette for your birdie!  Check out images online of other illustrations to get ideas.   These are a few I found on pinterest that I really love:

 

Once you have your materials, start painting away! I always encourage color mixing, so your piece is especially unique!  You can use the current markings as a general guide to where details belong or gain ideas from the illustrations you've gathered. 

To add glitter, just slap on some modpodge or white glue and dust the piece.  Don't forget to work on a piece of paper so you can save the "runoff" glitter and pour it back into your jar.  And also to avoid a huge mess. :)

If you want to add more dimension to your little figurine, paint a base layer first and let it dry.  Then, water down a darker shade of the same color and paint it on the bird quickly.  Before it dries, wipe it down with a wet paper towel, so the darker shade just hides in all the little cracks and crevices.  

So there ya have it! A mini "DIY" of sorts.  I hope this encourages you to be open minded when you see that ugly sale item and wonder, " Why would anyone buy that?"

Here & There

What a great weekend.  My parents came to visit and we got so much done around the new house.  Wired the direcTV, wired up a 220 for my kiln, a little roof & siding repair, moved some heavy furniture, trimmed trees and more! Honestly, my dad did the majority of it, but mom and I did a little yard work too.  The weather in Austin is way more mild than I was used to in North Texas, and so I am very anxious to see what sort of garden and flower bed action I can have this spring.  I still have a bit to wait, as our coldest month, February, has only just started.  My little birdies have been busy at the bird feeders these last couple weeks as we have actually had some below freezing temps.  (Followed by 75* weather of course).  I know my allergies are ready for the weather to even out and make a decision on winter or spring.  Oh Texas, how I love you.

In other news, I am pleased to announce I will have a booth to sell my art at a show for the first time ever!

 Now, my mom has been selling her work at craft fairs literally since I was born, so the world of the vendor is not lost on me.  I have helped load, unload, organize, set up, bag, count back cash, swipe cards, check IDs, sit and wait for customers, and tear down more times than I can count.  It's sort of a family tradition.  But this will be the first time I will be selling my art.  I have been brainstorming all sorts of display ideas for both ceramics & 2D paintings.  In addition, I am coming up with some more practical uses for my art: wearable, decorative, functional.  Utilitarian art has always appealed to me.  I love getting a little trinket box or a ring dish.  I know I have too many already and no clue where I will put another one, but a reasonably priced, small object leaves me defenseless.  I almost always make that purchase if I have a few bucks.  Here's to hoping I sell some work, so I can buy some more trinkets :)  

Some of the things I've been doing: Cat portraits, clay boxes & birds, and I finally had my cards made! I love them so much!

Oh ya know...just noticed a little ombre in my dinner preparation last week.

The next month I will be urgently building my inventory for both my etsy shop and the show in March.  In addition, I am adding a little something fun to my blog that will hopefully be beneficial to many readers: A DIY a week!  Check back later this week for the first edition :)