Friday, March 12, 2010

Junk Art - wee skeleton key

I've got enough old stuff rattling around my house that if I need a piece of art it's not hard to make it happen. :)

I started with an unfinished shadowbox from Goodwill. It had been collecting dust for months but I love shadowboxes so I knew I would use it someday. It was a very pale wood and I ended up painting it black to match another shadowbox on my wall.

The inside had a few components - the "box" and a mat.

I covered the mat in paper grocery bag that I crinkled and wrinkled.


Adds some nice texture and makes it look old and a bit leathery.

My background I decided to make out of an old dictionary page. I have been using this dictionary for every project and I still have a huge book full of material to work with.

Have I shown you my new favorite tool?


It fits perfectly in the hand and makes precision cutting a breeze.

This little key I've had for ages - it could have gone to some little box or an old clock. I simply stuck it inside using glue dots. If you've never used those things before watch. out. they are really sticky.


All together it makes a wonderful addition to all my other old junk. ;)



Linking to:

16 comments:

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Very unique! I love a piece of art that you know no one else will have! And I love old keys! ♥

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

I LOVE this! I love everything about it and I just ADORE skeleton keys!

Using the grocery bag was genius!!

Lou Cinda :)

KimMalk said...

This is so charming. Nice job.

Kristi said...

That is my favorite tool too! So easy and comfy to use!! Love the project...I wish I could find some skeleton keys..I live in a 1930s house that still has some original door knobs that used to lock with skeleton keys..would love to have some as art work ;)
Anyway thanks for commenting on my blog (I have more ideas for those toilet paper rolls too haha) and I also saw your link on The Shabby Nest :) Happy weekend!

Jennifer MacNeill said...

I LOVE everything you do!

One Cheap B*tch said...

Coming over from the Shabby Nest! So glad I found your blog. I love your skeleton key! New follower now!

Morgan//Nuts and Bows said...

Molly! Thanks so much for visiting Meet Virginia, I am so glad you did because I just adore your blog! This craft is amazing! You are so creative! Plus you can totally do the crochet flowers I promise they are easy visit that link on my blog she gives great video tutorials!

~Morgan

http://meetvirginiaandroo.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MeetVirginiaShop

Uncovered Ruby said...

I stumbled across a bag of old keys a year ago, and sold quite a few of them at a flea market, but then couldn't part with the rest. I've got them hanging on a fabric covered memory board in my library now...keys are great! The stories they could tell.
Take care..Lisa :-)

Marianne said...

That doesn't look like junk at all! I love that tip about the knife. Never seen anything quite like it. Gonna look for that now.

Noelle @ Mesa AZ Photography said...

I love this. I love keys and have been on the look out for some to decorate with forever. Finding them super cheap seems to be hard though. But great job. I really love how this turned out. So simple but still stunning.

Andy Porter said...

Very nice with the book pages in the background! I love it!

Annesphamily said...

I love this post! What a great idea you had and you followed through so beautifully! I love it! Thanks for sharing.

Sonja @ Craft-Werk said...

This is mega-cute. I have tons of old keys lying around in my house. Should really try something like this. Really nice!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That looks wonderful! Love the use of grocery bags. Haven't tried glue dots yet, but I did look at them last time I was at the craft store.

Sarah said...

that is so random! I just finished a project with skeleton keys. You and I have similar tastes! cute blog!

http://alittleofthis---alittleofthat.blogspot.com/2010/03/framed-skeleton-keys.html

Room to Inspire said...

Ah, crinkled up grocery bags...you have my mind wondering on what I can create next!! Great project, it turned out great. And I am lovin' your cutting tool. Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired.

Chelsea