Sunday, June 24, 2012

Reclaimed Mannequin

I went to the flea market on Memorial Day and found this great mannequin form for 2.00.  It was cracked in several places but I love mannequins and just had to have it. I knew immediately what I was going to do with it. My mind never stops when I am at a flea market the problem is the rest of me can't keep up ( that is why it took a month to get to this project).  I patched up the cracks with some plaster wrap and went on to the next step.

I took an old door panel I had and primed it and then painted it dove grey.

Next I covered the entire mannequin in plaster wrap.
Activa Rigid Wrap Plaster Cloth, 5-Pound
This is the stuff that every kid in school makes a mask out of in art class. It is the best stuff ever. I know I could have made my own plaster wrap but with this piece I wanted the wrapping to give it more stability and stick to the plastic mannequin.  Sometime you have to go the distance and pay the man.  I just ordered some more on line from Jo Ann fabrics. They sent me an email for 50% off one item and free shipping...cha-ching! I got the 5 pound box! Can't wait to make the wings I have planned!


I put a board up the back so I would have something I could screw to the door panel


Here is the finished piece. I really like it. After the plaster wrap dried I covered the mannequin in vintage magazine pages. I used some brown paper for the sash and the gold wings are some I just had on hand from another find. I made the roses out of an old quilt and other fabrics.  The star is an old ornament reflector and I used black tulle to make a skirt.  I put some trim around the waist with pre-made roses. (Can you see the purse to the right of the mannequin? I am working on that and will post it later on).

Paris Stool

This is a cool little trunk that I mounted on a study little stool.  I decoupaged some graphics to the top and one the inside where there used to be a mirror. I don't have good luck with glass stuff so I opted to go with graphics instead of replacing the mirror.


End of the Month Projects

Saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it would be fun to make. I found a spoon holder painted it white. Then I sanded the edges to make it look worn and pasted a post card on the top.  The post card came from my clip are file. I happen to have some old hankies to finish it off.


This is just a little crock I picked up and then modge podged a pretty label to.

On the left you can se this great looking wooden owl I bought for a buck. It was very dated looking with the pinecones and funny looking base. I painted the owl a metalic silver and then with a wash of black.  I mounted him onto an old bunson burner I picked up at a flea maket. I figured he would be really cool at Halloween he is so ready to keep watch over a fall brew!


This sign is a door panel and a carved fish that I had. I added some netting to set it off. I think it would be super in a man cave!

Subway Art Table Restore

This is a table I got free from a really nice guy. He gave me several things to remake. It was missing the glass top so I pieced the top together using some boards I had in my stock pile.


Subway Art Table Finished.

I painted the main part a dove gray and then just started using the colors I had that I mixed to fill in the top.  I used mainly stencils that I already had and just had a real good time filling in the blanks on this piece.