It's the second month of our series and I LOVE my project. Sometimes I like projects, sometimes I dis-like projects and then sometimes I LOVE them. Today is one of those projects. Yay! Today, I'm going to show you how to transform a plastic toy as decor.
Let me give you a little bit of a backstory. I am not an accessories type person (not jewelry, not scarves, not knick-knacks, not tabletop accessories, etc.). I want to love them, especially the home decor ones, but I never fall in love with the little table-top pieces while I'm shopping. Seriously, it.. never.. happens! I buy a few here and there when they are on the clearance aisle for under $3, but that's it. But, when I look at our house and end tables I feel like something is always missing. The missing pieces are those little knick-knack items. So, that's why I'm super excited today. I finally have a little knick-knack item for an end table and it cost me under $4! But, more importantly, I finally have a knick-knack item that I LOVE; which never happens.
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When it was decided that this month we would be knocking off something from Zara home, I keyed in on this little guy:
via Zara Home
*Edited 02/2016: Zara no longer carries the alligator. This brass bird is very similar.
Pretty cute, right? Well, $35 was not in my budget (nor would I spend that on something like this), so knocking it off sounded like a terrific idea.
I raided Greyson's toys and came up with this little alligator. He never played with it and I know he will never even know it was gone. If you don't have a toddler's toy box to raid, these are easy to pick up at Michaels, Walmart and Target for under $4.
Then, I went to Michaels and bought Liquid Leaf. I think I paid $3.20 (with a 50% off coupon).
I had never used the gold leaf before (and man am I hooked!), so I made sure to scan the directions. Pretty simple. Use a soft brush and brush it on.
I applied two coats, waiting an hour between them, and then I sprayed it with a clear topcoat.
For under $4, I adore this little project and it's almost a dead-ringer for the original!
Are you ready to see what the other girls brought to this party? Let's just say a whole lot of amazingness! Seriously!
Picture Frame - Delineate Your Dwelling
Insect Vase - Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body
Leaf Napkin Rings - The Gathered Home
Rustic Stool - Upcycled Treasures
Linking up to:
C.R.A.F.T., Project Inspire(d), The Makers, The DIY'ers, The Winthrop Chronicles, Home Stories A-Z, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Work It Wednesday, Fry Sauce and Grits, Liz Marie Blog, The Inspiration Gallery, Creativity Unleashed - The Bold Abode, Remodelaholic, Whipperberry, Tatertots and Jello, Link It or Lump It, The Creative Collection and Frugal Crafty Blog Hop.
Marly
I like yours better. Lots of detail and personality.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Marly!
Carrie
Very cool! Love how you turned an old plastic toy into such a high class item! I've never even heard of Zara Home - I'm out of the shopping loop. I'm going to have to check it out.
Ashley Mayes
1 toy out of the toy box ... yay! =)
Ashey @ 3 Little Greenwoods
Awesome transformation! My boys would think a golden gator on our coffee table was fabulous!
Thanks for introducing me to the Liquid Leaf too! I just might have to pick up a jar of that on my next trip.
~ Ashley
Ashley Mayes
I'm hoping mine never realizes that it was his gator. Lol. Just a quick tip on the liquid leaf : it cleans up like oil based paint (need to use mineral spirits).
Julia@Cuckoo4Design
I need a gold crocodile! Love it
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Julia! The happy little guy is sitting on my end table and now I'm looking around the house to find my next little transformation.
Brynne@TheGatheredHome
Wow - it really looks EXACTLY like the inspiration from Zara Home! Love it! No plastic toy is safe now 😉
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Brynne! Yep, those ugly cars could be next. lol.
Amy W
So cute. Who would have thought I'd love an alligator!! Now, I need one.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Amy!
Aniko@PlaceOfMyTaste
Love this! You can not tell the difference! Great job! Pinning!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Aniko! Gotta love fast and cheap projects!
Katie @ Upcycled Treasures
This looks awesome and I can't tell the difference either! I definitely need to try that liquid leaf!
Ashley Mayes
You totally should! Just fyi: It cleans up like oil-based paint.
Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body
Ooooh, I have never used gold leaf and now I really, really want to! I totally thought you must have spray painted it, but it looks so much richer with gold leaf. Love this knock off! Pinning and sharing!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Tasha! It was super easy and I know we can all use some of those types of projects!
onel
I would definitely not spend $35 for something I can DIY myself, easily like this! Thank you for the inspiration! Golden alligator is a good idea 😉
Ashley Mayes
I know, right? Thanks Onel!
Carmody
Really fun!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Carmody!
Cat
Super cute! I have tons of those old animals that are hideously colored, time for a makeover!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Cat! Yep, round up those animals. =)
Erica
This looks fantastic! I think it looks even better than the original. I haven't used gold leaf before, but now you have me itching to try it!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Erica! Definitely give it a go... =)
Alexis @ Persia Lou
I love this, Ashley! It turned out so cute. I totally need one of these for my bookshelf. Thanks so much for linking up with us at The Makers!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Alexis!