My Owl Gets a Makeover Inspired By Design Trends And Gets A Name Inspired By Friends

Yesterday I introduced you to this ugly, but cherished ceramic owl from my childhood in the blog post Following My Muse, Reminiscing of Times Gone By And A Owl That Needs A Name.  If you haven't read that post, I suggest you scroll back and read it first because it heavily informs this reveal.  For those of you who are too lazy don't feel like doing that right now, the short of it...I glazed this owl back during a summer when I was 12.  It was packed away in a box that I opened this past Fall.  I have an owl collection that most of my followers are aware of and probably sick of hearing about.  I always give the owls I find at yard sales and thrift shops a white makeover and they are perched in neat places around my house.  But, due to the history of this owl, I wanted to do something different. There.  You are caught up. Well, kinda.

So here is how it looked when I started.

-Before-

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I woke up a few days ago, was pretending to still be sleeping and thinking about the day ahead.  I wake up before the sun comes up often. My mind is rested and I sometimes get my most creative ideas in the still of the morning.  I was thinking about the 2012 Design Trends and which ones I thought spoke to my design styles.  One big trend of 2011, but predicted to gain even more of a prevalence is Metallic elements.  I can work with that one and quite frankly could use a little more of it in my decor.  But how, I thought?



This was my Eureka moment.  The one I talked about yesterday.  My owl would be the first entry into adding a few metallic accents to my home decor.  I thought about faux Mercury Glass, like the Mercury Glass Ornaments that I made back in December.  But, knowing that the owl was not glass, stopped that idea.  But how?  Well, I just decided to go for it.  Grab some stuff and see what happens...Let my Muse take over...  Here is what happened.

I rummaged through my paint supplies and decided to start with Rustoleum's Silver Metallic Spray Paint.

My owl is already looking better after two light coats of spray paint waiting 30 minutes in between. At this point, I decided that I didn't like the brightness of the surface.  I don't know if you can tell from the image, but this owl was screaming with brilliance!   I knew the piece needed some depth. I wanted to bring out the details that were lost and tone down the brightness of the surface.  What better way than with a stain or wash.

I let the paint set up over night.  I wanted to make sure that it had somewhat cured on the ceramic surface.  It also gave me some time to figure out what product I wanted to use next.  I considered watered down acrylic paint, but in the end settled on MinWax Stain in Dark Walnut.  I know...a little unorthodox, but hey, I was following my Muse!  (It's easier to blame someone else if things don't work out!)


I rubbed the full strength stain on with a soft cloth, let it set up for a few minutes and buffed it back up off the surface.

The stain remained in the crevices as I rubbed adding the depth and detail that I was wanting to achieve.  I was also pleased that the stain had help tone down the brilliance of the silver paint.  It created a nice patina on the piece.

I had planned to add a third step, but was so excited about the results, I stopped.  Sometimes, ya just gotta know when not to overwork something.  In this instance, that applied.  But, I had one more important issue to solve.  What to name this sweet creature...

Many of you suggested that I pick a name that related to the cabin where I spent my childhood summers.  A few thought a town name might be appropriate. It got me thinking.  The nearest town, and the phone book that we were listed in could be a great name, but it sounded female.  All my owls are 'hims.'  So I thought, "Why do my owls always have to be male?  What is up with that dynamic?"  If you take a look at this owl, it  looks super majestic, all knowing and protective.  So why not a she?  Why not, right?!!   So...introducing...  

Sylva 

By the way...  The irony of the name Sylva and the silver surface was not lost on me.

This is my favorite makeover of the year! Well, actually there have only been two, so I guess Sylva didn't have much competition.  My son is upset that I re-surfaced Sylva.  He said that he like the ugly owl.  Nice kid I got here.  Might need to get his eye re-checked.  (wink)

I wanted to thank everyone who gave me ideas for names.  I also want to say Thank You to Cassie at Primitive and Proper for her great photo holder idea made out of glass insulators.  I placed one of my favorite images of myself, my mother and my younger brother standing near the cabin with blooming dogwood trees in background.  My mom loved it when they bloomed.    Oh! and...Rosemary?!  Yes, those are the little bottles with antique keys that I bought from your Villabarnes Etsy Store!   Glad you noticed.  

The change is dramatic.  Just look at this before and after collage...

Perched alone without her ugly former self next to her.....

-The End-

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