Chump change artwork makeover

What does $3 and some change getcha?

In my case I got 2 crap-tastic pictures. But wait ! There's more!  Remember how I talked about releasing my inner dude because I am decorating a man cave for the hubb's BFF? I was trying to find dude-ly art that wasn't Nascar, a buck, a babe  or a pick up truck. So I went for boats and water. These are kinda manly ...right?

Picture #1 was a cheap-o print framed in an even cheaper fake tacky goldi-sh metal-plastic frame. I sorta ripped it apart before I remembered I needed a before picture.  oops!  It was originally priced $1 at Goodwill but it was 50% off day so I got it for  $0.50

Add to this 1 worn and very blah solid oak picture frame. This was serendipitous because I had this in my garage for some time. I had picked it up for $2 and miracle of miracles it was a perfect fit!

Using 100 grit sandpaper I gave the frame the twice over to remove the gloss/ lacquer so my paint would have something to stick to. I tacked it off when finished. I am left with a very dull  looking frame. But that is about to change.

This is the first sanding. Notice there is still a bit of glossy appearance in 2 small areas? A 2nd  pass eliminated that.

Out comes the hammered bronze paint (it is what I had on hand AND the "hammer" finish hides any imperfections on the frame).  Just remember SAFETY first when spray painting. Avoid open flames, spray in a well ventilated area and use PPE  (Proper Protective  Equipment). I am using a half face respirator equipped with organic vapor cartridges. Any Home Depot or Lowe's will carry respirators and replacement cartridges specific to your application (painting, dust/ particulates, toxic dust, multi-purpose, etc) Prices for replacement cartridges to a full kit can vary from $14-$50. Remember this is a small price to pay to protect your health! (And sorry for the VERY bad picture of me)  

Here's the frame after 2 thin coats, looking kinda snazzy!

Here it is clean glass and everything. Looks almost classy right?

Well I said there was more and here ya' go. Picture #2 was priced at $2 but because it was 50% off day at GW I got it for a buck! Yahoo! This one is an actual photograph which is why it was more expensive than the other. The picture frame is solid wood (but black) and didn't work with the rest of the stuff going in the space.

The back was papered over so I couldn't remove the glass. Instead I used 3 sheets of printer paper, taped them down and painted in place.

Ta-da!

They almost look like they go together. Not bad for $3.50

So I asked the hubb's BFF (for whom this artwork is intended) what he thought of these and HE LOVES IT! Wah-Hoo!  Of course both the guys were completely impressed with my thriftin and handy dandy skills. The best compliment I could get though is when they said. they looked like they would easily cost $20 apiece or more and they looked kinda classy. Haha, I'll take it! 

From Crap-tastic to Fan-tastic! i'm telling you there isn't anything a little paint can't gussy up!

Me=Thrifty Rockstar! (Modest ain't I?)

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