(Note – If you’re new to my page, this is how it works: At the beginning of each week I randomly draw a new project from my Challenge Bucket, then see what I can create before the week is over. You can read all about my Creativity Challenge here.)
I finished up the previous challenge just before we were to embark on 3 weeks of various summer getaways. “Surely I can still keep up with my blog in the midst of the summer fun,” I said to myself, and I drew out the next Creativity Challenge from the bucket.
“Thrift decor and upgrade it.” This meant finding something from a thrift store and using some creativity to change/update it into something I would like in my own home. This challenge sounded like so much fun, and I had been looking forward to it since I’d first placed in in the bucket. This was the perfect time to pull it, as part of our holiday was heading to Sidney by the Sea on Vancouver Island which is teeming with second-hand stores. There would be lots to explore, and I was confident I could find the perfect project.
Sure enough, a few days later I was wandering the streets of Sidney by the Sea with a dozen of my cool relatives, ducking in and out of shops, oohing and ahhing at the treasures they found and laughing at the things we wondered if anyone would ever buy. In the very last shop I came across exactly that. A who-would-ever-buy-this silver peacock with painted red “gems” on it’s feathers and, gasp, red eyes! I picked it up and looked closer.
Even though the peacock was made of cheap metal, it was real metal – not plastic. It had good engraved lines, meaning the details could be captured with paint. And, I mean, it was a peacock! As much as I enjoy calm and lovely decor, I also love when a slightly odd item is mixed in with the traditional stuff. A quirky item brings personality and makes me admire how the traditional and odd pieces can enhance each other. So maybe I was the “who” in the “who would ever buy this” after all!
I searched for a price tag and found it was $5.00. This price seemed steep for what it was, but I decided the potential made it worth it. “And,” I thought to myself, “it really can’t get any worse so it’s a pretty safe bet that I can make it better.” So here it is: the silver peacock in all it’s red-eyed glory!
Little did I know that this makeover would happen very slowly over the next few weeks! As much as I wanted to work on this project, the travels, the family, the games, the pull of the sun and sea, the friends, and all the summer fun to be had along the way were too irresistible, so I chose to soak up each moment with the people I love knowing that summer doesn’t last forever and there would be time later for Mr. Peacock to have his day.
This simple project may have taken longer than expected, but I did finally finish it, and here is how it all went down.
The Peacock’s Glow-Up
The first step for this peacock’s glow-up would be to select a paint color. I began to envision it in different colors and I decided I wanted something neutral. Online I’ve seen some great thrift improvements with a simple coat of white spray paint, but that didn’t seem like it would quite fit my decor.
I considered something metallic. I have wonderful memories of my mom’s love of brass when I was a kid. She had several special items around our home that I would dust off as part of my Saturday chores. I considered what the peacock could look like in a brass finish… perhaps aged or antiqued? I decided that I would love it – if I could get it right.
After researching some different methods for achieving the look I wanted, I dug out a can of gold spray paint from the storage room and ventured outside.
Those red “gems” were stubborn and it took more than a few coats of spray paint to cover them all up. My 9 year old came out as I was spraying and praised the look of the gold peacock – then expressed that he’d like the eyes to be painted red again. Ummm… no. Sorry son.
Next was to wait for it to dry so I could apply some sort of antiquing wash. I wasn’t sure what to use for the wash, so started looking through my paint stash. I found something I’d forgotten I had – a bottle of sepia ink from an art class I’d taken over 20 years ago. It was loose and very pigmented and I decided it just might do the trick – after a REALLY good shake, of course.
At this point we were headed out to my mom’s place for the week, and I knew I’d have a bit of free time there. I quickly packed up the peacock, some brushes, and the sepia ink to take along. The first stretch of free time I got, I laid it all out on the table.
It was a little unnerving to begin applying the sepia ink. I didn’t know how well it would stain/dry/wipe off but there was only one way to find out! I grabbed my paint brush and began applying the ink to the base. I was immediately relieved to see how the ink settled nicely into the crevices but could be wiped off the higher spots.
Once happy with the base, I moved on to the feathers. It was fun to watch all the definition come out as the ink ran through the engraved lines.
I painted and wiped several times till I achieved the look that I wanted. Part of the challenge was achieving consistency across the span of feathers, and it took some time to get it just right. Finally satisfied, it was time to move on to the body of the bird.
I wasn’t sure whether the smooth parts would take enough pigment but was pleasantly surprised to see the ink set in perfectly. I added a quick wash to the back and with that, the aged brass peacock was complete!
My mom has ALL sorts of pretty things in her house, so I was excited to find a little spot to stage my little bird. I found the perfect place on top of an antique bookcase, next to a stack of beautiful old books, and framed by gorgeous orchid blooms.
He’s so fun! This was a really neat transformation and I love the result. Shall we do a before and after?
Isn’t it amazing what a little paint can do?! Thanks for reading my post and checking out my Creativity Challenge project.
Cool relative here,
This looks fantastic! You have such a gift my cousin. Love reading these!
Yes you are!!! 🙂 Thanks so much – and thanks for making me feel oh-so-cool in your bronco!
This one turned out really good! The ink really worked to add definition. It’s always interesting to see what ideas you have.
Yes the ink settled in SO perfectly. It was a nice surprise when I didn’t really know what I was doing, haha!