Welcome back, amazing friends! It’s one of my favorite days of the month. Not only do I have a fun makeover for you, but my Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday girls do too! Be sure to look for their makeovers at the bottom! As promised, I’m back with an unfinished wooden horse, and I’m also sharing how to use resin in moulds.
This horse was sitting outside my antique mall with this FREE sign on it:
FREE?? I grabbed right on up.
I don’t know what miracles I thought I could work with a wooden horse cut out, but I figured I’d give it a try!
I really want to attach some vintage wheels I had to the bottom, but there was just no way to do it, and without wheels, it just looked like a horse attached to a bread board.
So, I started by unscrewing the horse from the base and cutting it into a rectangle:
I saved that piece, and I’ll show you what I did with it at the end!
How to Use Resin in Moulds
I just expanded my Etsy Shop inventory to include several Redesign Moulds, and my favorite material to use with these moulds is Amazing Casting Resin:
I have used a more clay-like material in the past and had issues with getting a super flat surface on the back where they need to be super flat to attach to projects nicely.
Resin is a liquid, so you get a perfectly flat back every time.
Amazing Casting Resin is SO easy to use!
- Pour equal amounts of the two liquids included into the small cups provided
- Mix the two and stir well
- Pour into the mold, making sure not to overfill
- Wait 10-15 minutes, and then remove from the mould
After reattaching the horse to the base, I dug through my brand new moulds and found a couple that might work to add some detail to the horse.
I thought this Golden Emblem one might make an interesting saddle:
And this smaller one, Josephine, could make do as a mane:
Here are both and another called Italian Accents, that I found in my stash, drying:
I’m hoping to get that third one in my shop as soon as it is in stock again at Redesign.
The detail on these pieces is amazing!
They will be warm and very pliable when they first dry, so they can be manipulated very easily.
I continued making various pieces, adding them to my horse as I went.
I glued them in place with E600 glue and then used FrogTape to hold them in place while the glue dried:
They will harden into the shape you want in about 30 minutes or so.
If you need to make them pliable again, just pop them in the microwave on high for 20-30 seconds:
Then you’ll be able to bend them or cut them easily:
I left all the moulding pieces to dry overnight before removing the tape.
Adding Texture with Sea Spray
Once I had all the pieces I wanted to add attached and dry, it was time for paint.
I wanted to add a bit of texture, so I added a couple of scoops of Sea Spray to the rest of my container of Silk Saltwater:
Then, I dabbed it on all over with my Belle Brush:
I did a couple of coats this way.
Once that was dry, I went over the body of the horse with Silk in Baja gray:
When that was dry, I sanded over the Baja to reveal white where all the texture that I added was.
I ended up adding more rope trim to the base and went over that with the Sea Spray mix also. The texture of the Sea Spray helped to hide any seams where I had to join the pieces of rope moulding…
There was no need to seal since Silk Paint has a built-in topcoat, so this piece was done! (Silk paint does require sanding prep or the application of Slick Stick first unless you are dealing with unfinished wood as in this case.)
The After
Here is how this FREE-to-me wooden horse turned out!
Better than the unfinished version, no?
It took more time than I expected to get all the moulding pieces made, wrapped, and attached…
Especially the pieces used to make the bridle.
Here you can see the mane and the reins…
And also the texture that the Sea Spray added.
I used the same piece I used for the mane on the front of the legs too, I just cut it in two…
And how about the missing tail?
I cut several strands of jute twine and gathered them at one end:
(I ended up adding several more strands to the bunch.)
Then, I drilled a large hole where the tail should be:
I added the new tail last by filling the hole with hot glue and sticking the new jute tail right on in there:
And how about that saddle?
I don’t have a clue where one would put this in their decor. It’s a bit big for a dresser…
Maybe on a large buffet though? Or on a large fireplace hearth, maybe?
And what about this piece I chopped off?
I planned to make a tiny shelf out of it by screwing a piece of scrap wood I cut, into the bottom:
Then, I glued some pretty moulding pieces I made a while back but never used, to the front:
Once it was dry, I painted it in Baja Gray also.
I thought it would be cute on a small wall area holding a little bud vase or something. Maybe it could hang near the door and hold mail?
But here is what I ended up using it for:
I was eyeing it here on our kitchen table while I was eating lunch. I often read a book on my iPad while I eat lunch, and I discoverd it made the perfect iPad stand!
I wouldn’t have guessed that it could support the weight without tipping over, but it is actually super sturdy!
Now my friends have four more Trash-to-Treasure transformations to share today!
Here’s a an easier project where I used a decor mould to add a bit of fancy:
See how that turned out HERE.
And check out all the moulds I’ve added to my Etsy shop HERE! They are so fun to play with!
Or, go to my main shop page HERE, and shop by section! As always, all orders over $50 ship for free!
That’s another project crossed off the list yay!
See what I’ve completed so far here:
Updated Candlesticks
Voodoo Stain and Stencil Bench Makeover
Drawer Organizer Makeover
I’ll be back on Thursday with this cutie pie drop leaf table:
I hope to see you then!
UPDATE: See how fresh and charming this little table turned out HERE!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
You are amazing! That turned out so cute! I love the salt texture under the paint and how you created a saddle and bridle. Free is good, expecially for someone so creative like you!! Great job keeping it from the landfill!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! Free is the best for sure!! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Brilliant resuce and repurpose, Christy!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Jennifer says
That came out beautiful. Personally, I would go put it on the doorstep of the person that got rid of it for free. People are so quick to get rid of stuff! Well done. Keep up the good work. Appreciate all that you teach us!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jennifer! Right? It belonged to another vendor at the antique mall who had moved out, and so I guess she didn’t want to keep this one. Bonus for me! XOXO
Denise Cox says
So very clever of you, but no surprise there!! Amazing job on your use of the molds! I liked the stand as well. Good job!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Stacey says
You never cease to amaze me!!!🥰💖
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Stacey! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Absolutely adorable, Christy! I love how your horse turned out. The mouldings are the perfect adornment. I used to have a big tabletop horse on rockers many years ago. I painted it with florals (lol-I know) and sold it. I tried to find a picture of it but that was long before iPhones and digital pictures so it is probably somewhere in my boxes of the past. lol. Have a wonderful day. Hugs- Diana
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! I bet that horse was pretty in its florals! Hopefully, someone is still enjoying it today! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! You definitely took this horse and made it beautiful!! I loved that you used sea spray. Great makeover!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! I love when I get to use things I don’t use too often! XOXO
Vicki Bray says
You really out did yourself on the horse and the addition of the small shelf / stand! This was truly a trash to treasure. Thanks so much for your inspiration.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Vicki! I’m so glad I was able to do something with it! XOXO
Debra wolfe says
Love the horse but needs a super white mane that hangs down the side of his neck and fluffy white tail.
Christy says
That would be great for sure!
Nancy Albea says
Christy, you are so creative! I never would have imagined what you did to bring new life to that horse, and making what most people would consider a useless scrap into an iPad stand is genius! I could see that horse being displayed on top of upper kitchen cabinets in a kitchen with a big vaulted ceiling, or in one of those big niches over the entry door that nobody can figure out how to address. It would make such a statement! Thank you for your inspiration!
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Nancy, thank you! It would be perfect in one of those spaces! XOXO
Lane says
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lane! XOXO
Rebecca says
Christie, you know we were all eager to see what you would do with the horse, but I never anticipated the mould or the detail you added. It’s simply beautiful.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rebecca! I’m so glad you like the outcome! XOXO
Julie says
Fantastic! Your creativity knows no end. Beautiful horse and the ipad stand – so smart!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Julie! XOXO
Niki says
That is a huge horse. He turned out very stately. The rest of the bread board base is cute as a little shelf/IPad stand.
Christy says
Thanks, Niki! He is a big one! XOXO
MrsSW says
Oh Christy – only you would look at that mold and see a “saddle!” I admire your imagination. The horse turned out great – it won’t last long in your booth.
I also covet that iPad stand.
Sheila
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sheila! I’m so glad that worked out so well! XOXO
Elle says
What a cool makeover! I never see interesting items by the road where I live. Maybe some Midcentury Modern things—not my style but still neat.
Christy says
Thank you, Elle! This was a lucky find for sure! XOXO
Denise Zdziennicki says
Those moulds on the horse are beautiful and what a brilliant idea to use the scrap as an ipad stand! Love them both! XOXO
Christy says
Thank you so much, my beautiful friend! XOXO
Lizzy says
So good! I love it!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Lizzy! XOXO
Barbara Warner says
Christy,
That is absolutely stunning! I would never have thought to use a mold to make a saddle or reins, bridle, etc. It looks fabulous. And, I appreciate you making another project from the “handle” of the base board. You are quite clever. I love your imagination!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Barbara! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! And yes, I even got a new iPad stand out of it yay! XOXO
p says
You ARE creative !! The molds made the horse so special. 🙂
No idea how you processed making a shelf/stand out of that little piece of wood…. genius.
Thanks
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, P, thank you! That iPad stand was a happy accident, but it works perfectly! XOXO
Rebecca says
So Cute! Fabulous job.
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! XOXO
Patty says
Perfect, Christy!! ❤️ the horse so much! You should make more of the tablet stands for your booth. It is so lovely – I think they would sell like hotcakes!!🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Patty! That’s not a bad idea! It works so well! XOXO
Charleen says
Christy,that horse in the before looked like he was headed to the glue factory!Now look at him,all dressed up and ready to go wherever the future takes him !!!Wouldn’t that saddle be beautiful in the real thing? Gorgeous. Like the iPad stand. I need something like that to hold a cookbook. Fancy ,indeed. Have a very blessed day.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Charleen! No glue factory now ha ha! This would make an amazing saddle for a real horse indeed! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
This turned out super cute, Christy! I had no idea where you were going with that horse…. but you made it updated and stylish!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! I wasn’t sure what on earth I would do with it at first, but I couldn’t pass it up for free! XOXO
Marian says
Oh Christy,
You changed the life of that little horse. He is beautiful and, he has pride. I have a vintage Italian styled living room. I would put this stallion on my hearth. He would be happy there.
Christy says
Thank you, Marian! I am so glad I could give him a fresh start! He would be perfect on a hearth! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I cannot believe how your mind works, Christy. I thought it would be pretty cute with a coat of paint, but nope, you took it way beyond that! Even the cut-off piece got glamorous! I think you should make more of them for the booth and call them iPad holders, I bet people would love them. (BTW, I thought the horse was a pull toy to begin with, but if you couldn’t put wheels on it, I don’t imagine it would be much fun to drag around a horse on a board 😂)
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! Someone else suggested making the iPad holders for my booth…that isn’t a bad idea at all. And yes, it did seem like it was trying to be a pull toy but failed sadly lol! XOXO
Constance Colvin says
You are a miracle worker!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Connie! XOXO
Cecilia says
Oh yeah! That turned out great. I also like the iPad stand from the piece left over. 😊
Cecilia
Christy says
Thanks so much, Cecilia! XOXO
Petra says
You have been blessed with vision and creativity 🙂 I just love the resin mold ideas and that they’re actually pliable, absolutely fascinating. Another fabulous piece, oh and also the little “ipad” stand – marvellous <3
Christy says
Thank you so much, Petra! You are the sweetest! The moulds are so fun to play with, and yep, I even got a new iPad stand out of it yay! XOXO
Cory says
The horse makeover is sooooo sweet! And the accidental iPad stand is brilliant! Fabulous job on both!!
Christy says
Thank you, Cory! I love a happy accident! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh, Christy, look what you did to make that so so cute.
I love that horse! The moldings were such a clever addition. Well done.
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Lorrie Stephens says
Love this and any equine!
Reminds me of a similar find at a thrift store .
After repainting (it was a hideous mess of painted colors & ugly ribbon)
it is a wow piece that
I cannot part with it, my favorite repurposed piece💕
Christy says
I bet yours is gorgeous! I am drawn to anything equine also! XOXO
Charlene Godby says
Christy, all I can say about this horse is that you worked an absolute miracle with this wooden horse! As you said, it would be beautiful on a large mantle or fireplace hearth. You never cease to amaze me.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Charlene! I wasn’t sure it could be cute, but I sure had fun with it! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
Such a great accessory in the decor!
Christy says
Thank you, Rose! XOXO
sharon austin says
Both of those turned out really cool. I have yet to try resin. Maybe some day!
Christy says
Thank you, Sharon! The first time I used it, I was amazed at how uncomplicated it was! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Wow, that is just beautiful!! Love all the moulds and the texture too!! xoxo
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend!! XOXO