Friday, December 13, 2013

Altered Dollar Store Bird Ornament

This is what I do with a Dollar Store ornament.



I grabbed a package of glittery bird ornaments last year, threw them in a box, and forgot about them.  My intention was to alter them, and, I finally got around to finishing one today.

This is the original finish.  Very glittery.  I don't have anything against glitter, but this was a little much for me.



I layered on various shades of paint, and finished by hand rubbing the final layer of gesso over the surface. The glitter underneath gave it great texture.  I stopped when I got the look I wanted.





Now, the glitter is more of a whisper.









Done.




See ya soon.


44 comments:

  1. Would love to have tons of your version on my Christmas tree. Any chance you will buy the dollar store out and put your classy version on your Etsy store?

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  2. You are so talented, you inspire and delight every single time I stop by.

    WOW is this great or what??????????

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  3. You can transform anything into a work of art Rosemary! What a beautiful bird!
    xx
    Anne

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  4. Lovely. Who would ever know they were from dollar tree

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  5. Wow! That's awesome!
    Your alterations are wonderful!!!
    :-D
    diane @ aug's blog

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  6. I saw "dollar store" in your post and had to check it out as I just finished creating my snowflake tree with some super Dollar Tree finds.

    So glad you found your glittery birds. They are no longer dollar store worthy. They look very classy, elegant and expensive now! A great transformation to say the least! I'd love to see them in masses over a single tree as a main element.

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  7. Beautiful. I am always amazed at your projects. xoxo

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  8. Rosemary,
    Stunning recreation! You have such talent.
    Thank you for stopping by at my first blog entry. Your kind words makes me feel welcome.
    Merry Christmas wishes,
    Vera

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  9. Very beautiful! Your layers of paint gave the ornament a very rich look.

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  10. Only you could take a dollar store ornament and make it look like a million bucks, Rosemary! It looks fantastic. Yes, the original version would have been too much glitter for me, too.

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  11. Smarty pants:-) What a transformation, it looks like stone now.

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  12. you "villabarnsed" it! definition of "villabarnsed":

    villabarnesit (ˈvilə-bärns-it)

    v. villa·barnsed,villa·barns·ing
    v.tr.
    1. To change markedly the appearance or form of an ordinary, ho-hum object by incorporating a multi-step painting and/or distressing technique.
    To change the nature, function, or condition of; convert.
    3. To undergo an amazing transformation.

    [Middle English villabarnsen, from Old French villabarnser.]

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  13. Love your transformation-the 'blingy' ornament is now more subtle and elegant!
    Susan

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  14. Love a good Dollar Store project and yours is beyond gorgeous. You can make anything look beautiful.

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  15. Very pretty. I like the subtlty of the glitter now

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  16. Well done...You took an inexpensive item and turned it into a treasure. December Delights Dear...

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  17. What a transformation! Well done. I will have to look at those in a new light.

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  18. Rosemary,
    This is one wonderful makeover on a dollar store ornament.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  19. Oh my! It looks like a beautiful vintage ceramic piece now. I can't believe it's from the dollar store. Nope, won't believe it. =)

    Jeanine

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  20. Girl I'm sending my birds to your house for a makeover LOL

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  21. So beautiful Rosemary! You constantly amaze me!!
    Blessings~

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  22. oh my goodness....these are beautiful...are you selling any? you know me, a weakness for anything birdies ~ I really love this! xoxo, tracie

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  23. Love it!! You are soo clever!!
    Faye @the Shabby Cottage Home

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  24. Wow wow wow, Rosemary. You can take anything and make it look so incredibly beautiful! Love this!

    xoxo laurie

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  25. Pretty Rosemary, anyone can give you a piece of rock and you will make something marvelous out of it, hon! You are so talented, I will say it every time!
    Merry C'mas and thank you for your kind visit, you made my day!
    FABBY

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  26. Wow, is that the same ornament?…Went from ordinary to extraordinary!!…
    Have a great weekend!

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  27. I really love how these turned out! The $ store pieces are all the right shapes, just the finish is horrible. Nothing a little paint can't correct.

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  28. I've been subscribed to your Blog for a few months--probably through some Pinterest link. You are good! I love how you changed the dollar store bird ornament and everything else you do.

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  29. I've been subscribed to your Blog for a few months--probably through some Pinterest link. You are good! I love how you changed the dollar store bird ornament and everything else you do.

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  30. I have a tree full of birds like that, but they were from about 25 years ago not at the dollar store. I never remember I can alter stuff to have it suit my current taste. I could ruff those birdies up in a rustic way. But....... maybe next year!!!

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  31. Rosemary, that bird is absolutely beautiful and one would never imagine it's humble beginnings. You are a wonderful artist, my friend!..Happy Weekend..Judy

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  32. It looks amazing, Rosemary. If anybody can fix it, it's you!
    Great job!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  33. That looks fantastic! It went from ordinary and glittery to special and antiqued.

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  34. Just beautiful Rosemary, much, much better! And you solved a dilemma for me, I spray glittered some cherubs (a little to heavily), so I'm going to try your gesso method.

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  35. This is a beautiful! SO much better than the original finish! such talent you have, my dear! Merry Christmas! Hugs, Leena

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  36. Now that is cool. How clever of you. Looks beautiful Rosemary. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  37. That is amazing! I would have never thought to do this!!!! Merry Christmas!

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  38. Totally amazing Rosemary. I'm delighted to feature your project at Shabbilicious Friday today.
    Merry Christmas,
    Kerryanne xx

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  39. You are incredible, and this is gorgeous!

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  40. It is so amazing to see what you come up with. I wish I had seen these birds at the dollar store, but then again I don't think I would have your talent to do something with them. I've been doing transfers with Gloss Gel Medium - put 6 or 8 thin coats on a photo or design, let them dry completely, wash the paper off the back and you get a stained window effect.

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