Do you know what time it is?!? Trash to Treasure Tuesday is here and I’m a tad bit excited. woot! It’s just a super fun time to share my passion with my blogging friends to inspire you. You’ll see their work in a bit. For today’s fun I dug into my scrap metal stash to take on a project I’ve had in my brain for over a year now. It’s time to create! This #trashure will become a salvaged junk turkey art sculpture. Hang with me…
Call me crazy, but a year ago my youngest son wanted a lamp for his bunk bed. I purchased this one laying up above from a big box store. Sadly, it only lasted a couple of months (no surprise). However, the minute it didn’t work, I instantly saw potential in it. I have had this idea just waiting to come to life for that long, so you know I had fun with this.
The other bits you see are: broken steamer basket (I have several), a bent up hinge, a vintage gelatin mold found in the trash, and a couple of supports to my dad’s old wooden ladder.
JUNK CREATING TIME
First, I began by dismantling the lamp and removing unnecessary parts. I knew the lamp was bad at the switch, however, the cord was still good. Funny thing is my older son’s vintage lamp’s wire had just frayed, so I was able to replace that old cord with the cord from this one. Don’t you love it when you can save oldies, but goodies?
Then, I pulled out the steamer basket and decided to remove the rest of the pieces of it at the bottom since some were already missing. My goal was to have a flush fan-like look. And yes, I did save those pieces for later. hee hee.
I’ll be honest that once I got started creating, I didn’t snap much pics because I was having way too much fun with it. I even didn’t know all the parts I would be using and how. I just found and created as I went. Honestly, the best was having my kids come out and see my progression. I had told them about my idea back when it first hit me and they couldn’t wait to see the outcome.
NEXT STEPS
Next, the little gelatin mold would become a noggin’ for my funky turkey. He, of course, needed some eyeballs.
Doesn’t that pic make you wince a bit. eep!
Once I had my lil’ dude all assembled, I decided to paint because the shiny chrome wasn’t doing it for me. I want a bit more texture and whimsy. So, I spray painted a brown metal primer, and then whitewashed with my brush.
Are you ready for this?
THE REVEAL
Meet Thom. My sophisticated, knobby-kneed, adorable salvaged junk turkey.
He’s like…whassup?
Thom is not a wild turkey, however, but rather a calm, cool, collected farm fella that likes to hang out. Aren’t those knobby knees cute?! Likewise, I adore his feet made from my dad’s old ladder parts.
Well, to say I had fun is an understatement. I hope you know the feeling of letting go and getting into another realm through creating. At least, at some point you must try.
Finally, if you’d like to make Thom part of your family, you can adopt him via my online shop.
Do pin and share my salvage junk turkey art. I’m sure there are plenty of scrap pieces around for others to create with. They just need inspired!
Up next, I am giving these vintage folding chairs a much needed update. See their new look HERE.
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Check out these inspiring DIY projects for Trash to Treasure fun:
In addition, more funky projects like my salvaged junk turkey:
Thom is adorable! Did you wire the pieces together? Very clever!
Thanks! I mainly used screws. 🙂
That is sooo stinkin’ cute! Love it!
That’s the best to hear! Thank you, Susan. 😀
Larissa,
this is so adorable! Your creativity knows no bounds.
I couldn’t wait to put my vision together. Thank you!
Hahaha! This is hilarious! What a great little turkey! I love that curvy neck!
hee hee! My littlest informed me the neck was too long…nah!! 😀
That is just so adorable!!! Thinking outside the box yet again my dear!!!
What fun this was for me. I’m so glad you enjoyed my post, Catherine. Thanks!
Oh my word, that is the cutest little turkey EVER! Girl, you are the Repurposing Queen <3
Junk is so fun! And so is getting a year-long idea out of my head. haha. Thanks!
Ha ha this is SO fun!! You have the best vision! xoxo
Christy, I’m so glad you don’t think I’m nuts! 😀 haha. Thanks!
Larissa, the pictures and links at the bottom are not matching up. I clicked #3 and get the yellow table instead.
So, I clicked No. 4 and got the basket story. Not that it matters….I’ll look at them all….but you might want to change. Turkey is CUTE! How on earth did you come up with that???
oop! I’ll fix it . Thanks!!
Oh my gosh, that is so darn cute!!! I love it!! xoxo
Thank you, Nancy! 😀
This is SO darn creative Larissa! I can’t stop smiing!
That’s what I’m all about…I mean…Thom’s all about. hee hee. Thank you, Denise.
That is so cute!! Looks somewhat like Jar Jar Binks!
Thanks! I’ll have to look that one up. 😉
Thom is just too cute! Love him!!
aww…yay! I’m so excited to have his design out of my head. Thanks!
He’s a Steampunk Turkey! You are a genius and he is adorable! Great job, you can’t help but smile when you look at him…..glad you don’t have to eat him!
woot! I love steampunk art. Fun for me to do! He’ll be a guest at someone’s table instead of dinner. haha.
Girl, you had me curious for sure! What a creative and fun project!
Thanks!! I had that idea for so long and it was fun to get it done.
So so clever!! Love your turkey Larissa!!
Thanks! Can you tell I couldn’t wait to work on it? 😉
I think it’s just great!! Incredible work!!
Thank you so much.
So clever. Love how your mind works the way you come up with such artistic ideas.
What a nifty / cute Turkey and the best part; NO calories eating that turkey for Thanksgi8ving or Christmas :-}
hee hee hee…tis true! I’d much rather have turkey this way. Thanks so much Colleen!