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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Grab the Bull by the Horns

...er, antlers. Fine. It's almost Fall hunting season though...
When your best friends are guys, you end up with unusual gifts. My very best friend is an avid hunter, and one year, I was the recipient of these graceful antlers.
Now, they looked pretty cool on a book shelf as is, but I always felt they were destined for a higher purpose.
So, for this you'll need:

1. Um, antlers
2. A decorative frame. This was the only thing I purchased for this project. It was $3 at Walmart
3. Decorative paper. I used wrapping paper
4. Spray paint
5. Foam brush
6. Pencil
7. Scissors
8. Decoupage medium
9. Ribbon
10. Power drill
11. Hot glue
12. Wire
You're dying right now, aren't you? No scrolling to the bottom!
First, remove the glass and give your frame 3 light coats of the hue of your choice. I went with aqua. Try not to be shocked.
Use the pencil to mark your paper and cut it to fit the frame back.
Spread decoupage medium on the frame back (mine was attached to the frame by hinges,
if you were wondering).
Smooth the paper flat over the glue and then slather a generous coat over the top to seal it.

Squeeze out those air bubbles.

Use random objects to prop a fan over your project to hasten drying time.
Remind your son this needs some serious dusting tomorrow.
New use for Mod Podge...
...and duct tape.
Once that's dry, close the frame and grab your ribbon. We're going to make a "mat", so mark where the ribbon should be lightly on the paper.
Open the frame back up and hot glue the ribbon to the back following your lines.

Determine the placement of the antlers and mark two holes for the wire to go through.
Drill your holes.


Run the wire through the skull portion of the antlers
Thread that through the frame back and twist to secure.
Afix it with hot glue, and you're done! With what, you ask...?
Well...


Yep. It's a jewelry organizer.
Whatcha think? Was it a good idea?
Or was it, as Jane says, "total bull"?



43 comments:

Jane @ The Borrowed Abode said...

I think it's great! And a good way to use a random. . . um. . . horned skull - because, you know, we all have them laying around.
Ok, so I'm kidding, but I do think it's awesome how you put it to use!

ps: heh heh: your idea is total "bull" :)

Musings from Kim K. said...

I'm coming out of lurk mode. I love the color choice. I was expecting to see your horns turned into a Halloween decoration, but I seriously like how this turned out.

Sherri B. said...

No bull about this, check out some of the high end snooty magazines and this would fit right in. You aren't snooty just very artistic!

How's Mom doing?

Dharma said...

OK, weird but cool? I like it but it freaks me out? I'm on the fence....but I dig your commitment! :)

lisbonlioness said...

Whats the music, Adam Antler? "falls from stool due to manic laugh at lamest joke ever"

Michelle @ Dream Home DIY said...

Too fun!! Kim, I thought they might be Halloween decor too at first but I really like whatcha did with them Miss Sunny :0)

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

You are right on trend with those antlers and I think you are on to something with their function!!

Unknown said...

Heather's right - those horns are totally "hawt" right now! I love that you're using them as a jewelry organizer, too. Definitely something I haven't seen before! :)

~Chelsea

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

They are so popular right now, and you just crack me up with the bracelet. Great idea for how to display them. Hugs, Marty

TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic said...

This is awesome!! I have to do a post on what I did with one of many sets of antlers. Love the turquoise and sheet music! :)

TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic said...

PS DD came by and saw your anters on my screen and said "Oh that's cool - you must LOVE that"! :)

Mary Beth @ Live. Laugh. Make Something said...

pure aqua fab-u-licious! looooove it! Thanks so very much for your visit to my place. It is divine to hear from you again! ... great big hug!

MJ said...

Looks very cool! It reminds me of the moose in Brother Bear with the thing on its horn/antler/whatever. Hey is that a jar of MP I see???

La Vie Quotidienne said...

I really like antlers...this is certainly an interesting and creative way to use them. The way you used the ribbon for a border was really neat - I must remember this!

Sarah (Sew Very Happy) said...

I totally love this! I would've probably horrified the men in my life by painting the skull hot pink though...

Michelle L. said...

So elegant! Love it as jewelry organizer! And no, I did not see it coming, you sneaky thing.

The Autocrat: Haley said...

You really do need to come to Texas! That kinda stuff is all the rage right now! You did a great job!

Anonymous said...

I think it's cute. Way to make something manly a little more girly.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

cute cute cute...

I have some antlers I found while hiking around my place that just might need to be rehabbed!

Vanessa said...

How cute is that?! Thanks so much for sharing this great idea and for giving me a laugh along the way! It is so fun to have you join the party!
Vanessa

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

Once again you brighten my day! This is great and makes me laugh and I just gotta make one of my own! It will de prissify the master bath, I'm thinking tho the Welding Man will just have to get used to such a cavalier use to a set of his hunting horns. Thanks!

Moe said...

hahahahaha, this is so great!

Jamie said...

I love that you used the sheet music in the back, such a cool idea! I don't have any antlers lying around the house, but now I'll know what to do with the ones my husband keeps hoping to bring home!

Brenda said...

I'm afraid if I used my hubs antler for this purpose I would be sleeping with the chickens. LOL. Very good idea and love the color.

magsmcc said...

Oh fabulous- though more bemused by the musical link than the aqua! Mod Podge discovered by me only yesterday, and can also be seen hiding in my G post this week!

Teresa said...

Ummmm. Interesting.

Unknown said...

lawdy, lawdy, Girl, you crack me up! I had to see just what the heck you were making from the thumbnail title (It's Fun to Craft).

My dad was a hunter and we had deer heads & elk all over. Mom would hang a wreath and ribbons on the one in the living room, much to Dad's angst.

Would love you to stop by and link up to Passion for Paint this weekend.

KimMalk said...

I think I'd leave the bracelets off, otherwise, very fun!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

How did you know that I am someone that would want to scrolll at the bottom to take a quick peek? haha but since you said that, I was good and didnt scroll down. Creative! & I love Jane @ the Borrowed Abode's comment "...you know we all have them laying around".

Blessings & Aloha!
Once again...I'm behind, but catching up on blog reading...hope you have some time to stop by mine.

Pondside said...

It's just so weird that it's wonderful!

AllieMakes! said...

Great idea! Where did you find antlers?? I bet it displays the bracelets and necklaces fabulously!
Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

Megan Gunyan said...

Ha! I think this fits you perfectly! Great way to organize your jewelry!

Kathy said...

This is wonderful -I hope your friend is able to see this post -he won't beleive what a girl can do with bull horns -Love it

Jami said...

I, myself am not an antler fan, though you would not know it from the 10 or 15 sets I have stashed in my living room. My dog brings them up from the woods and the kids collect them. I could totally see something like this being sold in one of those high end specialty stores. I love the sheet music. Very nice touch!

Jami said...

How rude! I forgot to say thank you for linking up with me. Sheesh! I am getting loopy I'm so tired. :)

oops! said...

Wow! So cute and creative! So much better!

Jenny said...

Wow. Talk about a GGGGRRRReat transformation. I kept reading and scrolling and thinking there is no way this is going to look cool...but boy was I wrong.

I think you are the master of craft vision, girl.

This was really cool.

Thanks for another fascinating link to Alphabe-Thursday.

I have no idea how you think of these things and why they work out so well!

But they sure do.

A+

Marguerite said...

Thanks for the smile (okay, loud hoot) that you brought to my day! I'm not normally an antler kind of girl, but can soooo see this in my testosterone filled nest (three boys, one hubby, 2 boy birds, 1 boy cat and his sister live here with me) as a jewelry or keys holder! Love it.

mel@livvyloowho said...

haha, men and their "gifts". I like the way it turned out though and would love to see the antlers painted turquoise as well!

PS, I am a new follower/ fellow blogger:)

Nikki said...

Great job! Thanks so much for linking this up! :)

Suzanne@thriftstoredecorjunky said...

So cool! This is definitely somethin different and fun! Dang! I can kick myself for throwing mine out the other day..it was on a shelf in my living room for about a year before I got tired of it.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Thanks so much for linking this project up. I love it. I have a thing for antlers anyway. I would love for you to add my link to your post so others can find the party.

concretenprimroses said...

Wonderful! Great color.
Kathy