A Little Cherub from Goodwill
Shopping the Goodwill store is hit or miss, and in our area, it seems like there are more misses than hits. I think I still have a complex from my mother though, who would never be caught dead in Goodwill. “What do I want with someone else’s junk?” is what she would always say. She doesn’t like garage sales or flea markets either. Antiques? Forget it! Everything has to be new … unless she’s had it for 20 years. But you can rest assured she bought it new. Anywho … I’m getting sidetracked. The other day I found a charming little cherub at Goodwill for just $1.99. Of course, I couldn’t leave it as is … I had to add my own touch to it.
This is the little cherub after I aged it a bit and hung it on the wall.
This is what the little angel looked like when I bought it. A little sterile, in my humble opinion.
I started with a layer of white gesso and wiped off the excess.
Then I rubbed on Annie Sloan Dark Wax. You have to apply it very sparingly or it’s too dark.
Then rub and rub to remove most of it so it’s subtle.
Then I added more gesso. But this time I used a wash of 1/2 gesso and 1/2 water.
After applying the white gesso wash, I wiped off the excess.
The final coat of white gesso wash helped tone down the brown.
Now, where to hang my little cherub?
How about this odd wall in the living room next to the stairs?
The angel can keep watch over the girl with the low-cut dress.
Thirty minutes and $1.99 later … not too bad for a little piece of artwork.
It’s a good thing I don’t always listen to my mother.
I’m impressed with your $1.99 find at Goodwill and she looks wonderful with the added personality you’ve given her. Good Job!
Blessings!
Geneva
Very sweet cherub and you gave her a wonderful makeover. Yes, she can make sure the girl in the picture doesn’t do anything scandalous!! : )
Hi Jennifer.
It looks very cute! I love remaking trash to treasures. I have noticed that the St Charles GW is much better than the Batavia these days. Which do you go to? I’m betting St. Charles on your lunch. haha. I’m on the look out for Folk art dinnerware by Pfaltzgraff. If you see it while out thrifting if you could let me know I would appreciate it.
xoxo
WAY TOO CUTE!! Our GW is hit and miss too – seems like I won’t have a hit in forever then I’ll have several great scores….so I keep going 🙂
Blessings!
Gail
Great makeover!!!
The GoodWills here are also hit or miss. Every now and then, I stop in and find something, but I have to say that I am not a regular thrifter. I feel a bit like you mom! But your cherub is a great find! You did a great job updating him!
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for stopping in and following me..I appriciate that. I love new friends and I promise to visit you more often. I follow so many lovley blogs and dont always geta chance to visit..but, I’m hoping to have more ‘ME’ time during the summer..it will be too hot to be in the garden so in the air condition I’ll be visiting as many as I can..love your cherub..
I used to be just like your mom, wanted everything new until my mom dragged me in an antique store where I found my first vintage Valentine..that’s all it took, I was hooked forever on vintage..
You’ve found the perfect spot for your cherub to watch over you. And at a super bargain price!
I love going to the Goodwill. I am like you and have more misses than hits but when I get a hit and it comes home with me, I am happy because I have saved $. I love your little cherub and it looks like she has a great home now.
<3
~ Lisa ~
Very pretty, it is a lot bigger than I first thought it was….I am thinking you got yourself a good deal there! I too love going to the Goodwill or any thrift store, love finding treasures, bringing them home and adding my own touch to them.
It looks MUCH better with your limewash effect, Jennifer! Your poor mom is really missing out on all the fun, isn’t she? 😉
Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday again this week.
Blessings,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage
Hi Jennifer,
This little cherub is much too pretty for Goodwill. You have given it a fantastic makeover and a wonderful new home. I love the aged look.
I love your adorable little angel! I actually have the same exact one that I found at a garage sale a few years ago. I painted mine light blue,then glazed it. Love your gesso treatment:)
I’m a religious Goodwill shopper. If you ever came to my house you’d be amazed at all the things I got there and repurposed for my home….love what you did with the angel and where you hung it!
Love this little cherub. And that type of piece just looks good anywhere. Found you via a bloghop and am now a follower.
Score!!! it looks lovely with your touch of paint too. Hugs!!
That is a great makeover, you really added a lot of character. Thanks for visiting and following, I’ve been a follower of your blog for some time.
Very cute. Nice buy too.
What a treasure – and love your aged it so beautifully!!!!
VERY well done!
You did a good job and it really looks pretty where you hung it…Connie
Love your makeover! It’s funny because I seem to find a lot of cherubs at my Goodwill too!
Jeanine
So cute and what a great job you did improving it!
Hugs,
Debbie
That is so pretty, and thank you for sharing your techniques for adding patina to the piece–very helpful!
Darling! You definitely improved it’s appearance! It now looks like one of those high priced gift store items. And yes that girl in the painting needs a guardian angel!