Aren't these guys cute? I had other things to do, but couldn't help myself, I was drawn to making them. Yes, I have kits to assemble for the cuff tutorial, and trees to photograph for the Etsy store. But do you blame me for being distracted from my chores? I had such fun transforming these little wooden ornies.
I forgot to get a photo of them first, but found this one online to show you kinda how they started out. They are those semi-vintage (late sixties or so) wooden people from Germany that are painted bright colors.
When I was shopping with my sisses in Indiana, I found a big bag full of these and debated whether I should buy them or not.
Because they do start out garish in too shiny, primary colors.
But the shapes were so cute, I knew that they had some potential.
And I just love to take on a whole bunch of something. Little things that get me on a roll, and I can experiment and decorate each one a little different. I tend to to a whole bunch of most things that I do.
Each of these was basically done the same, it was the tiny details that differed.
First, I sprayed them with Zinsser Bullseye Bonding Primer, then glazed them with a mink brown paint.
Then, I painted the faces, and added some pink detail on a few of the people.
After that, they got a coat of glitter.
Which reminds me, have you tried Martha's new glitter paint? Well, I love most of what she makes, especially her fine glitter. But this paint isn't worth it, even with the Michael's 40% coupon. Its too thin, and to get the coverage that they show in the store on the sample you need at least 4, probably more, coats of paint. Who has time for that??? It dries slow and if you try to recoat it too soon, it just smears.
So, while the thin, glittery paint was still wet, I sprinkled it with Martha's regular glitter, for a more solid coat of shimmer.
Once they had the clear and white gold glitters where I wanted them, I added some mica here and there.
That is when the fun part started! I got to add beads, crystals, scarves, teensy weensy little hats made of ephemera, and other sweet pretties.
Aren't they the happiest little guys? I already miss working on them. I saved a few for Sugarwings and I to work on together, but for the most part I'm finished with them.
Most are for sale ($6 a piece) some in the Boutique and some in the Etsy shop. I've kept a few for myself or for tying onto Christmas presents too.
Karla I LOVE your ornament makeovers ! What an awesome idea. They are all so adorable . Thanks for the inspiration :o) Sue
Karla, You are sooooo incredibly creative!!! What a fabulous idea!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Tricia K.
Oh, they are precious and they must have been fun to create!
Love them! You are just too, too clever! I think I have a bunch of those little guys, or similar ones. Might have to try this idea. Thanks for the glitter glue tip too.
Jane-Jacksonville
So adorable! And thank you for the heads up on the glitter paint.
ooooh how stinkin cute! I love them. You are so creative so cleaver. thank you for sharing this fabulous idea. Grace xoox
those are ADORABLE! amazing how UGLY they started out…you have a great eye!!
~cm
These are sooo sweet!! Thanks for the inspiration!! I have used the glitter paint from Martha Stewart & I agree. It takes tons of coats & frustrating! I added it to other paint…
Blessings,
Cindy
How do you come up with all these ideas?!! I’ve seen these little wooden guys all the time, but they never appeal to me. Then you come along and create something so beautiful!
Karla you are a generous soul! THANK YOU FOR THIS POST! Whoever thought of this (you!!) is brilliant. Those garish painted things are everywhere. I’ve always liked the idea of them but not them themselves. Now I adore them done up this way. And thanks for the tip about the M.S. paint. Gosh she does things right hey? I have to admit I place her glitter top drawer. So I’d of gone for the paint too. Now, not so much. Thanks again Karla! Greetings of the season to you and Sugarwings and your loved ones. *smiles* Norma
What a fun project! I keep saying I am going to re-do my big angel chime because it has a nativity of garishly painted people with Asian features. Doesn’t really scream Christmas but it is a nice big wooden one. Something like this just might do the trick.
Yep, when my son was a little boy, we decorated our tree in nothing but these little wooden ornaments. I boxed up a whole huge bag of them recently to take to Goodwill but have not gotten around to it yet. They won’t be going anywhere now, that’s for sure! So creative…and FUN!
These are deliciously sweet Karla, they look like candy!
Karla you can make nothing into a million dollars just with the wave of your magic wand!
Holiday blessings to you and yours…from the other Karla
Hello Karla!
Those are adorable!
You are so creative .Thanks
How very smart of you to see the potential in those little bright colored wooden cuties. You have given them new life and made them extra adorable with new personalities. Happy selling…
This is the best idea! They are precious.
A darling transformation. I can barely eek out one item a day…on a good day. This dusting and vacuuming is getting in the way of more important stuff.
These are just charming. I’ve never been a fan of those wooden ornaments, but I really like how you transformed them.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I just went by to visit yours and let me tell you those ornies you painted are the cutest thing. You are a talent, they look so festive & happy.
Smiles,
Eloise
These are adorable. I just have to go and play with glitter NOW!
Oh, aren’t you glad you bought them and had a vision! They are just darling, yep that looks like fun!
Carol
Karla, I don’t know how I’ve missed your blog but this is my first time over and your work is so beautiful. I can see a late evening of browsing past posts one night soon. I am going to ask a crafting 101 question but it’s something I haven’t figured out yet. What is the best way to apply glitter to a non-flat item like these cute figures? Do you use a spray adhesive? If so which one? Thanks, Patty
Soooo absolutely adorable. Love love love!
Too cute! You have got a whole little village of those darling little people! Bet you had a big smile on your face all the time while you were transforming them. They are so adorable.
Oh I can totally tell you had so much fun making those little guys!
Hey, I know those little guys! Had ones just like them on the Christmas tree when I was a kid. I like how you transformed them into white and pink candy critters.