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Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Upcycled Toy Horse into a Garden Sculpture




I saw this large toy horse at the thrift shop and instantly fell in love with it.  I just had to get it and do something with it. The mane and tail were typically matted. Red nail polish and other stains decorated it. 

It's such a large horse, about 22" tall and long.  Where to put it was how I came up with the idea... outside.  

I thought of removing the nail polish and stains, but plastic can melt. Painting the horse was necessary. 

There really is no salvaging matted synthetic successfully...

So I lathered it with plaster of paris. Mane and tail. I ran the substance completely through, squeezing and reapplying it. Then I formed the base where I wanted the mane to flow onto the body. 


After allowing the plaster to dry, I applied indoor/outdoor caulk. Like decorating a cake, but with a caulk gun, I made a flowing mane and tail. 


After placing the caulk where it appeared realistic ... or artistic :)
I smoothed out some of the unnatural areas of blobs. 


Then waited for it to dry. 


And waited. 


Until finally the next day, the caulk was dry. 


I spray painted a base coat of Krylon, a plastic adhering paint, in espresso color. My constant plaster application and formation did scour the body a bit too, so the shiny finish of original paint dulled making paint adhere easily.


Lightly spraying and getting into all of the grooves and crevices. 


Then a second coat a bit later. 


Finally for the finishing up, I used indoor/outdoor Rust-Oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze paint for a cast iron look. 

(I was NOT a paid advertiser or affiliate for this product.  It was a product choice of my own .) 


Now the pretty thing looks like a bronze statue! 






The toy horse is certainly a grown up now. "Thinking outside of the toy box"  ;) 


Who would have thought under this paint is a toy?  





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105 comments:

  1. I never would have thought of this--you are very creative! It looks great! :)

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  2. I love this makeover! What a great transformation! It makes a lovely outdoor accent piece.

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  3. This is simply gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing it on Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop this week!

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  4. Audra @ Renewed ProjectsMay 22, 2014 at 11:23 AM

    What a great idea! My daughter has two of these horses, matted synthetic hair and all, and they seemed destined for the trash can. You have great vision for up-cycling, this never would have occurred to me!

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  5. Thanks, Dee, I'm glad I did it this way. It looks fabulous at our front entrance. Hopefully rescuing many different toys from the trash. :)

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  6. It is amazing how much power paint has in transforming things. Thank you, Lisa :)

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  7. Thank you for the invite and having me, Sinea! I really am grateful you shared it too :)

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  8. I'm so happy you like this and will try it! It could be a way of "immortalizing" your daughter's childhood horses that she can keep for many years. Thanks so much, Audra!

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  9. amazing transformation!! www.hawthorneandmain.com

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  10. I am impressed with what you did with the hair!

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  11. Erin @ UpcycledUglyMay 23, 2014 at 9:43 AM

    Wow! A totally different pony! Great job!

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  12. OMGreatness. Me and hubby are admiring what you did. It is now a piece of art! So clever as usual. Is this on HomeTalk, they should be promoting it.

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  13. Parsimonious Décor DarlingMay 23, 2014 at 1:10 PM

    Wow, what a transformation! Looks great! Visiting you from Frugal Fridays.

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  14. Your horse turned out beautifully! Fantastic vision and execution, it's gorgeous!

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  15. I am so shopping for a toy horse or four! Why who woulda thought!! please share at our next Snickerdoodle Sunday!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

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  16. Oh em gee! I can't wait to see you do this with a lion! Don't forget to check thrift shops, Craigslist, and Ebay during your search. A lion done this way will look so amazing.


    I really appreciate your kindness and follows, Courtney! Have a great weekend~ Robin

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  17. I kept the original hair so the plaster would really adhere to the body. Plaster was the best choice. Thanks Carmody :)

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  18. Thank you Sue :) I did post it on HT and it would be fabulous if promoted!

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  19. Having no spot for it indoors made me think of putting it outdoors, which led to the fake bronze statue idea. Thank you, Lila :)

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  20. Isn't this a crazy idea? It works. I can't wait to see yours. It's fun, you'll see!


    Yes, I'll be by on Sunday. Thank you for the invite :)

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  21. redheadcandecorate.comMay 23, 2014 at 10:29 PM

    This is amazing. You are very talented. My Dad gave me a carousal horse from the garbage and I had no idea what to do with it! Now I know. I'm so happy you linked up to Inspiration Monday Party! I am pinning this baby! (I'm from NY too! Grand Island to be exact!)

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  22. Oh wow... a carousel horse! Lucky you! I'm excited to see how you finish it. Thank you so much for pinning, Julie! (I love it when I see friend bloggers from New York.)

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  23. I love this remake.. We have this very horse stashed in our garage because he is no longer loved by his little owner... I am thinking there is a new project for my list... thank you so much for sharing this... pinning it....

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  24. Kim Daniels LewisMay 24, 2014 at 1:08 PM

    Great idea! Love it! pinned. Thanks for being a part of our party. We really appreciate you stopping by and sharing. I hope to see you on Monday at 7pm. http://loulougirls.blogspot.com Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls

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  25. I'm so excited you're doing this! I can't wait to see your horse. You're going to have such fun with it and to renew it is rewarding :)

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  26. Thank you, Kim! Always happy to get your invites!

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  27. April @ 100lbcountdownMay 25, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    Wow Robin! This is beautiful. I would've never thought of redoing it. Thanks for sharing with Turn it Up Tuesdays!

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  28. wow thats incredible, love the transformation x
    thanks for sharing at the countdown in style linky x

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  29. WOW!! That is amazing! I love the color and everything. I will have to keep an eye out at the thrift store now. Are you afraid of the paint chipping off since it's on plastic?

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  30. You knocked this out of the park. Brilliant! Love it. Thank you for sharing your sweet blog at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop. Your participation helps to make it extra special ♥

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  31. I'm astounded by the huge makeover you did on this toy horse. I would've never guessed and I love the bronze paint. Thanks for sharing your talent on Merry Monday Linky Party.

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  32. You may find these at yard sales too, as I know I've seen them often. So far, the horse has been in the sun and rain and holding up well. I was more afraid of the plaster disintegrating but the caulk sealed it well. If there is any chipping and peeling, I'll certainly update the post with the mishaps and fixes. Thank you, Steph :)

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  33. Aww... thanks so much, Katherine. I always appreciate the invite and your hosting/sharing. You are a special hostess.
    oxo

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  34. Erlene, thanks so much for sharing this post! I'm glad you like it and perhaps many "horses and other toys have been rescued" :)

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  35. This is absolutely brilliant! I would say this is one of the best upcycled projects I have come across!

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  36. Absolutely amazing! I never in a million years would have thought to do this! You are so talented and it turned out brilliantly!

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  37. Thanks so much for linking up with us at Teach Me Tuesday! Hope to see you again this week.

    http://3glol.net/category/teachmetuesday/

    Have a great week!!

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  38. This is too cool! Thank you bunches for linking up and partying with us!

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  39. I am speechless you totally transformed it! It looks amazing! You are a very talented and creative person, Thanks for liking up with us and sharing your wonderful post on the TGIF Hop. :)

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  40. Thanks for the invite, Kristi! It was fun to be a part of so much creativity!

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  41. You are so welcome! Thanks for the invite and such kind input, Silvie :)

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  42. It was kind of a wild idea, but it worked. Thank you for liking it, Teresa. I'm really glad others are going to try this method.

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  43. I look forward to it, Bobbie! Thank you~

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  44. I love this idea, how fun and you are right, it does look like an iron horse. Great makeover. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.

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  45. Joan @ www.nicerthannew.comMay 27, 2014 at 11:37 AM

    How ingenious! Love it!

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  46. I love that! Such a good idea and unique. Visiting from the DIY-ers

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  47. Okay! I.Am.Impressed.
    This just totally transformed that horse. I like how it is displayed...and I will never look at a toy horse the same way again.

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  48. Right! I wish I also found a GI Joe or similar to bronze for Memorial Weekend, but didn't get my hands on one. Perhaps by Veteran's Day. I think of the gazillion toys I donated or gave up back in the day and now know what to watch for.

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  49. Different; right? And it works ... rain storms and heat waves included so far. Thank you, Joan!

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  50. Thank you so much, Marty! I love your weekly links. I literally get lost in clicking. Thank you for visiting me back. :)

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  51. Thanks for linking up Robin! and your oh so wonderful horse (and you) will be next weeks feature! congrats!!!

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  52. WOOT!!! Thank you so much! I'll certainly be there and with great honor, uphold your invite to co-host!

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  53. Has anyone told you that you are a genius? Way to think outside the "toy box"! This is really a neat project. Thanks so much of sharing it at my Creative Ways Link Party! Hope to see you again this week!
    Blessings,
    Nici

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  54. Brittnei WashingtonMay 28, 2014 at 6:48 PM

    No way! This can't be something that you found at a thrift store! It definitely looks like something that you would find at an upscale home decor shop in a ritzy area. :) Thanks so much for sharing your artistry with us at Countdown in Style!

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  55. Thank you, Nici :)
    I'll certainly stop back again!

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  56. Love this! I would have never thought about doing that. Love your creativity and recycling!!

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  57. How exciting you're on the hunt for your redo's! I can't wait to see them, Heidi! (Thank you)

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  58. Crazy, isn't it Brittnei? It was fun to do too! Thank you~

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  59. My Repurposed LifeMay 29, 2014 at 12:57 PM

    I have to "catch" you because I love this project! Thanks for linking up to Catch as Catch Can

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  60. Very cool! Thanks for sharing on Whatever Wednesday on Thank You Honey!

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  61. Eeeeek! I was caught! I just squealed, Gail! :) Thank you so very much!

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  62. Thank you for visiting, Sarah! So glad to be invited :)

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  63. Simply Sweets by HoneybeeMay 29, 2014 at 9:09 PM

    Thank you for sharing this great project with us on Party in Your PJs. I have featured you this week :)

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  64. Fabulous! Great idea and nice results. Love the whimsy for your porch :)

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  65. This amazing! I never would have thought to do this as remake.....now i need to find a horse! Thanks for sharing with us at Happiness is Homemade, your going to be featured on Sunday. Hope to see you back!!

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  66. I love upcycled projects! That is a really great job well done and I really like the detailing! Very inspirational :)
    Have a fantastic weekend!

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  67. Barbie Bieber BeyondMay 31, 2014 at 3:24 AM

    Wow that looks fantastic!! Unfortunately I'm not very creative, I love looking at everyone elses projects and wishing I was that clever, job well done!!! Thanks for linking up to Stumble Into The Weekend!!

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  68. I hope you find one and do this! Thank you so much for the feature and I'll be happy to return :)

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  69. Thanks, Bismah~ Have a great weekend! :)

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  70. Thanks for having me, Barbie~ I agree, the posts shared are so much fun to view and great sources to learn from.
    Have a great weekend!

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  71. That is such a cool idea! WOW!!!!

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  72. It's gorgeous!! Almost looks like some of the mane is braided, too. Thanks so much for sharing, and your post will be featured in tonight's What'd You Do This Weekend! Pinned and now totally looking around the house for things to plaster and paint lol :-)


    Ashley @ PioneerMomma.com

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  73. I'm late...but you've been featured at this weeks Merry Monday Linky Party!

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  74. This is such a creative project~ We love horses around here! I am visiting from Front Porch Friday :)

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  75. Thank you, Ashley! You'll have fun doing this! I'm even looking at dolls and thinking of possibilities :D

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  76. Hi Erlene! Thank you and I'll visit again this week~
    :)

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  77. I'm so glad you stopped by! Thank you~

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  78. What a great idea.

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  79. Wow! This is an amazing transformation. You would never know they are the same horse! Thanks for sharing at The Creative Exchange!

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  80. What a bronze beauty!!! I'm featuring it over at Power of Paint tomorrow.

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  81. Crazy difference, but it worked! :) Thanks, Laura!

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  82. What a fun idea! I love it when we can take something simple and turn it into outstanding! Thanks for stopping by the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. We are so glad you came! Blessings, Shari

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  83. This came out fantastic! I'm impressed! Thanks so much for joining in the first ever Caffeintated Crafters link party!

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  84. WOW you did think outside the box for this, great idea and such a good job!!! Thanks for stopping by Weekends Are Fun to add your link to our Party, I appreciate that and I wanted to let you know that I have Pinned Your Photo to our Weekend Party Board!!
    Have a lovely weekend!

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  85. Thanks, Shari! :) It was a lot of fun to do.

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  86. Best of luck with your new party, Jess! I'm sure it will be very successful! Thank you for having me :)

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  87. Thank you for the pin, Karren! I'm new to your party and really enjoyed your Pinterest boards.


    Have a great weekend!

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  88. Thank you for stopping by, I do hope you enjoy and meet new bloggers. Enjoy your weekend, Karren

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  89. I'm so glad you stopped to view the post, Dawn! Thank you so much. I'm happy I found you and looking forward to your weekly links . Have a great weekend! :)

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  90. Holy cow (horse!) -- I am totally impressed with this project. I can't imagine how much people would pay for a bronze horse, and you just MADE one. Thanks for joining the Caffeinated Crafters link up -- hope to see you there next Tuesday! :)

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  91. Isn't it crazy? I'm actually surprised it turned out as well as I hoped for. But as you said to purchase this would be pricey and yet this guy sits quite nicely in the flower borders.

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  92. This is very impressive! I'm in love with the finished look! Who would've thought that it was once a toy indeed!

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  93. If I didn't post how I did it, I don't think anyone would believe what it was before. Thank you so much for stopping by!

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