Any excuse to paint a cast off works for me, but Christmas definitely brings out my inner Santa’s little helper. Plus, I think you’ve gathered by now that I’m a sucker for the misfits.
This little number was far from the typical shiny, eye-catching item destined for centerpiece glory we’ve come to expect. It had misfit written all over it. Dusty, and rusty, I knew it would be perfect for a Second Helping.
It is made out of metal. Some kind of metal that rusts. Not very heavy, it can’t be pure anything — I guess it’s what my mom would call “pot metal.” But being metal you can’t paint it with regular acrylic because that would just peel off.
Luckily for us there is an Acrylic craft paint that is made specifically for painting on metal, and any art supply or craft store should stock it, or be able to get it for you.
Don’t confuse it with metallic acrylic paint! Make sure it says right on it “no prep metal paint for painting metal surfaces.”
Besides being made for painting on metal it behaves exactly like any other acrylic paint, so just go ahead and use it in the same way. Mix your colors, paint your piece, clean up with water.
Sometimes all it takes is the right materials, and a second look. Polka dot snow fall, swirls on reindeer, a balsam scented candle, and this misfit can be my centerpiece anytime.
