June 28, 2011

Faux "Ceramic" Elephant



It's no secret that people are loving animal decor. I am definitely on the band wagon. I came across this little foam and paper mache elephant at Michael's for one dollar (no pic- whoops!!) I wanted it to look like it was ceramic instead of paper- I wasn't sure I could do it, but for a dollar it was definitely worth a try.

First I looked through some images online to decide what I wanted to do with my little elephant. There were tons to chose from so I grabbed a few to share with you guys.
The first thing I did was prime it. Unfortunately I can't find the pic I took {two blogger faux pas in one project, *bummer.}
Anyhow, when I primed it you could still see the ridges from the layers of paper. Fail.

Hmm... so I thought to myself, what fixes cracks? I got out the spackle and applied a thin layer. Then, after it dried, I sanded it with 220 grit sandpaper. It actually took two applications before I got a smooth surface.

Then I primed it with Kilz, painted it bright green with Krylon's Gloss Meadow Green, then finished off with Krylon's Clear Coat in gloss.

The elephant is not a huge piece, but it is a cute little accent. Well worth a dollar and a little elbow grease I think. Don't you think it looks pretty close to the middle inspiration elephant? I think the smooth surface and the MANY layers of gloss clear coat made all the difference.

It seems like I never finish this table area. I am forever changing it, like here when I did the Anthro letter knock off with foil and here when I finished the ottoman, oh and how about then I did the book page wreath

Thanks for checking out my project!!
 

39 comments:

  1. I've been browsing your projects and falling in love! I'm "out" searching for some guest bloggers and would love to have you be one. If you're interested please email me and I'll get you all the details. You can email me through my blog at http://theoldsimplelife.blogspot.com/

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  2. Beautiful post! You are so creative!
    Love your projects. Thanks for sharing this lovely idea:)
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  3. He may be just a little guy, but he sure is cute! And that bright green helps him stand out down there.

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  4. Great job, so cute and he does look "ceramic!"

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  5. that seems like a lot of work, with the spackle and all, but man does that look good! what a great redo, good eye!

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  6. How cute is that little guy! It definitely looks like ceramic. Great job! Thanks for linking it up.

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  7. Found you via Remodelaholic. This is just adorable!

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  8. I read this post of yours the other day and thought it was so cute. Last night when I was at JoAnn's fabric store I saw a similar one and was half tempted to get it!!! Such a great idea.

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  9. I love it, especially the color you chose. Very cool (and cheap!) project!

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  10. I think you definitely met your goal of having your $1 elephant look ceramic and fabulous! I love the high gloss and the bold, fun color! I think I may be taking a trip to Michaels sooner than I had planned...

    Kristen
    Turning a House into a Home
    www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com

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  11. That is SUCH a good idea...thanx for a great {{{CHEAP}}} decor technique! I'll look at papier mache in a WHOLE NEW WAY!!!

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  12. I love elephants... haven't found one yet that I love, but I've been looking. Yours looks cute in glossy green.

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  13. Saw you at a little knick knack's linky party and had to come see the elephant!

    Can't believe it is actually paper mache! You did a good job, I'm going to look for an elephant at my Michaels!

    Was it in the $1 bins up at the front of the store?

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  14. So stinking cute! I love that little guy! It sure does look ceramic now!

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  15. Cute, cute, cute. Two of my favorite things: green & elephants. I might have to check out my local Michael's. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. So cute! This was a genius idea. I see the paper mache animals all of the time, but never would have thought of painting them to look ceramic. I am definitely going to put this on my DIY list. I love it. Your vignette turned out beautiful. I am your newest follower, so happy I found your blog.

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  17. that's so darling! it really did turn out well! and i love that color green!

    i would love it if you would link this up to my tip-toe thru tuesday party (open until friday)

    http://crayonfreckles.blogspot.com/2011/07/tip-toe-thru-tuesday-6.html

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  18. very very pretty. I love the punch of green.

    megan
    craftycpa.blogspot.com

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  19. LOVE your elephant! Definitely looks like the real deal to me!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  20. So cute! It turned out great, I love the color choice. Thanks so much for linking up.
    Crystal
    www.chocolatedroolandkisses.blogspot.com
    ps. I will be freaturing tomorrow on this weeks swap

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  21. You might have put in a lot of work for your elephant, but it paid off... it looks fantastic.

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  22. I love the little green guy. You did a great job on this dollar find.

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  23. Looks great, such a convo piece... Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

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  24. I am featuring this awesome elephant on my blog today!! If you'd like to come and see the post and pick up a "featured" button, here is the link: http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/2011/07/marvelous-mess-22-and-features.html

    This weeks party has started....feel free to link up anything new!!

    Thanks!!

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  25. What a great project, he turned out really good, most of my projects end up in the trash, so well done!

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  26. That is one adorable elephant.

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  27. So super cute and incredible as always!

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  28. I was browsing Remodelaholic when I saw your link and had to post because I think we think the same. I upholstered chairs in the same fabric and bought that elephant and spray painted it blue when I'm pretty sure most people would have walked past it. Great taste!

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  29. This is so cute! You already know I love the style you have going on, but the little details you've added are fabulous!

    By the way, I have a fun giveaway going on now, I would love to have you check it out--

    http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/08/uprinting-giveaway.html

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  30. love this cute little elephant!!

    i would love it if you would share this on my link party , Serenity Saturday over at www.serenityyou.blogspot.com

    xxx

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  31. Ahh! That little elephant is so cute!!! good call with the Spackle, never would have thought of that.

    I'd love for you to link this up to my link party, Your Whims Wednesday! http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/2011/11/your-whims-wednesday-32-and-features.html

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  32. How cute! I can't believe that was originally papier-mache!

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  33. It looks darling! GReat project! Just here to Say G'day!

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  34. I love the glossy finish. And the fun color. Definitely a good upgrade!

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  35. Ohhhh..he is adorable! absolutely LOVE the finish! Thank you for sharing at Uncommon!
    Bonnie ;)

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  36. I am an elephant fan, and yours is just adorable. What a great idea--and so inexpensive! Well done!!

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