Tuesday, February 28, 2012

My backyard mermaid

I love being in our backyard when the weather is nice.  After being cooped up during the cold, dreary winter months, I try to spend as much time as possible out there.  I paint out there, read out there, nap in the hammock out there, and of course play with the pups.  We dont have tons of land but we are fortunate enough to have a nice privacy fence to ward off the nosy neighbors-if only there was a  way to make it soundproof!-and also let the pups run free in a safe environment.  I've been trying to add little touches back there to make the space even more enjoyable.  This past summer, I made a mermaid to hang on the back of the garage.  She is visible from almost the entire backyard.


I sketched out a basic shape on some fairly thin plywood, and then cut out the shape.  Yes, I cut it out by myself, that's why she's got some wonky spaces.  I then started painting her.  I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to finish her so I painted the fin with scales and just basically thought over different ideas for her.  


I started gluing seashells and little glass marbles onto her tail.  I used quick-set epoxy to attach them.  I gave her fins a more patterned placement of the shells.  I also added more glass baubles around her waistline.  I like how that looked, so then I had to decide what to do with her body and hair.  


I had a terrible time painting her boobs, so I decided she needed a shell bra.  I affixed two of the larger, better matched shells on her torso to cover my awful paint job.  I then went in search of hair material.


I decided that branches would give her a fun, funky 'do and I began epoxying them in a crazy hairstyle.  When everything was attached and dry, She was sealed up since she'd be hanging outside and then, with the hubby's help, we screwed her onto the back of the garage.  I love how she turned out.  I know have a funky, unexpected surprise to make me smile and enjoy the backyard even more!  

Now I just gotta wait for the warm weather to return!  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Tip Junkie handmade projects


12 comments:

  1. Wow! How wonderful!! Such a mermaid would go great in my back yard too...

    Awesome job!

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  2. She's fantastic! What a perfect way to add whimsy and color to your favorite space!

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  3. How fun- I love it! It's so creative! How big is the mermaid?

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    1. She's about 3 feet tall (not including her hair).

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  4. This is the loveliest thing I have seen in a very long time. You are so creative, and wow, you did a spectacular job! This is truly a wonderful piece in so many ways.

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  5. I LOVE your mermaid. She is beautiful. I too, have a privacy fence and enjoyed my back yard. But now the neighbor behind has built a "playhouse", supposedly for her kids, put it right next to our fence, and all our privacy and those of surrounding neighbors is gone. It really hurts to have this! We protested because she is out of code, but she got a variance, approved mostly because her ex husband is an attorney specializing in code and zoning cases. Now, I hate my backyard! Biggest problem is anyone in her playhouse can look into every window in the back of our house. Even inside we have no privacy. In the middle of the night, on the times when her kids go to their fathers, she takes her boyfriends up there and spends hours. I envy you your privacy. Again, your mermaid is super lovely! You should make more. The beach stores here would love to sell them.

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  6. She's so cool, i'd love to Have some whimsy like her Outdoors!

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  7. Your mermaid is darling, I'm thinking this May be my next attempt at creativity. You mentioned you used a "seal" on her before hanging her up on the wall. What did you use? How has she held up? We live in the desert and am worried about the blazing sun. Thanks in advance!

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  8. Your mermaid is darling, I think maybe that this will be my next attempt at creativity! You mentioned that you put a "seal" on her before putting her up on the wall. What did you use and how has she held up being in the weather. I live in the desert and worry about the blazing sun. Thanks in advance!

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    1. I used a clear matte finish finish spray that I had around the house for my art. I don't remember which brand it was. She hangs on the south side of the house and gets a good dose of Michigan sun, but that isn't anything close to the desert. For my location it has held up nicely. This year we had a very cold winter and a bunch of the shells fell off during the thaw. She's going to go through a bit of rehab for that soon. Thanks for your lovely comment.

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