Jun 12, 2011

DIy Ideas - Retro Repurposed Jug

Time to put some inspirations to action!
Some of you might remember the steel jug which I dished out of my cupboard after it was tucked in there for a very long time. This Saturday gave me the time to hunch up on a bean bag, jug in hand, a design on my mind, paints and brushes strewn all around me - my fingers itching to repurpose this otherwise not-too-useful object at our home.

I love the symmetry of bare brick walls. And flowers peeping out through the bricks. So here goes!
I intended it to be yellow, but it turned out an almost flourescent leaf green. Nevermind!

Let me make it clearer with the writing on the wall <grin> - a name board of wooden pallets at the bottom, claiming "repurposed"

Electric blue for the handle and knob,
and random brushstrokes with generous dollops of paint for the lid ...



Pebbles are the other surface apart from paper and fabric that I have ever experimented with. So inevitably unlearned-learned a couple of things after these few hours of trying to figure out how to paint on steel. A Google search would've been easier, but this was more fun! 
One: To cover a large surface of metal, it is best to spray-paint. Paint brushes leave their bristle-trail throughout.
Two: Not one, not two, but three coats of paint will be enough. Just one will definitely let the steel show through.
Three: Acrylic (fabric) paint is extremely versatile. It apparently can be used on wood, earthenware, and thermocol as well. (Hmmm!! There is a small wooden table lying bare-brown at home, if only S would agree :P)


Done! I dust my hands in satisfaction, stretch my legs out, and head for a cup of tea.

Meanwhile, I'd love to hear if you have painted jugs, or pitchers, or mugs, or the town ;-) Do share a link if any in a comment.
Until then, let the sun shine on your day!

Linking this to SNS @Funky Junk Interiors, Creative Bloggers Party HopColours Dekor and Lovely Crafty Weekend.

49 comments:

  1. wonderfully creative!

    i can only paint the town red :p

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  2. This is gorgeous. I have a steel jug too tucked away somewhere. But I am too scared to experiment with painting and colours...they are not my thing I guess.

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  3. Wow! Looks beautiful!

    I am pleasantly surprised when I saw the top painted on the side that is visible only when the lid is open.

    You goo have a good day! And a wonderful week ahead!

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  4. Wow... so creative.. Love the choice of colors... Now the jug looks vibrant.. and has a fresh look to it...

    Have a great weekend !!

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  5. The green-yellow base is lovely! Well done!

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  6. Beautiful Ambhika...Love the colors, and painting... a conversation piece...

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  7. Looks great! So summery and cheerful!

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  8. great idea I liked the colors very inspiring
    anandhirajan
    www.anandhirajansartsncrafts.blogspot.com

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  9. That is a cool jug, nice work..

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  10. Wonderful wonderful work of art! You bought that jug to life...Brilliant :)

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  11. The jug looks fancy after the coat of creativity it got. Seen against the light it might look even more enhanced.

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  12. Hello Ambika
    Lovely!!!!Great Job!
    nice use of colours & pattern:)
    Regards
    Deepa

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  13. wow! .. so bright n sunny :)
    Came here from patty's.
    U can coat it with varnish / modpodge to make it more permanent. acrylic tends to peel off from metal :(

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  14. Thanks for the kudos everyone :) And for the tip, mindful meanderer, will execute it soon!

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  15. Loved it....it turned out beautifully! You are one talented gal!

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  16. Anonymous9:50 PM

    oh my gosh!! You are so super talented.. I love.. love what you've done to the jug... wow!! What a lovely.. simple.. and truly inspirational idea.. I'm going to have to find a jug now.. *smiles*..

    Thanks for joining in this week.. :-)

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  17. Wow, Ambika, your creativity blows me away:):) Love how it turned out, especially the inside lid. Glad you stopped by so that I can visit too:)

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  18. First I would like to say that your blog is wonderful and banner looks so beautiful.
    I have never seen such a wonderful transformation of a simple ss jug. It looks million dollar art piece now.

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  19. Anonymous6:12 AM

    It looks lovely!

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  20. It looks beautiful! You are super talented! Now, following you..:)
    Have a great week!

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  21. Wow, this is absolutely stunning...

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  22. Nice one Ambike....green is only better than yellow here i think :)

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  23. It turned out great, looks gorgeous. you are very talented. lovely blog.

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  24. Love it! What a great way to add life to an object that would otherwise get overlooked. Also, a nice cup of tea does sound good about now.

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  25. Ah! That's one heck of a creativity, Ambika.

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  26. Do you mind giving me your address so that I can steal all these pretty knick knacks from you?

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  27. Haha Purba, walk straight down imagination avenue, you'll find a picket-gate-fence on the right. Inside will be a teal green shed with paints of all types and a lady in overalls doing up some piece of furniture ;) Talk of ideal workplaces!

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  28. Lovely Blog..so colourful yet classy. Its a feast for the eye. You are so creative. I am following your blog. It is simply beautiful. Keep it up...

    Ms Sharma
    http://summersofindia.blogspot.com/

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  29. Glad to hear that Ms Sharma! :)

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  30. Very beautiful!!! You are very creative and talented!!!

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  31. jubilant. chennagidhe. loved it.

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  32. I love the colors you used and what you did with the swirls of color inside the lid. What an unexpected, but pretty surprise for when people open the jug. Thanks for visiting my blog last week.

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  33. First of all thank you very much for hopping into my blog and leaving those wonderful words :)

    I was browsing through your posts and I must have to say that you are extremely talented and creative. I luv the jug ... lovely one :)

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  34. this is sooo pretty!!


    btw, I'm passing on the "Lovely Blogger" award to you. check here - http://jahn18.blogspot.com/2011/06/missed-me.html

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  35. Wonderful words, thanks peeps!

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  36. So colorful...perfect for decoration:)

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  37. Very beautiful and creative!

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  38. It looks great.
    Very creative. :)

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  39. Landed in your blog from Liventhingsup blog.A great way to repurpose!Loved the colours and brick effect.

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  40. awsome and coloufull.

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  42. Anonymous9:58 AM

    Wow,,, wonderful all...

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  43. Anonymous6:07 PM

    Beautiful... Love the colours and wild garden theme for the jug.

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  44. Amazing ammu, love the ladder running up the jug and the unending list of comments!

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  45. Hi..this is beautiful. I plan to start with a few painting DIYs soon - could I get some guidance from you. I have a few wine bottles that I intend to paint - can I use acrylic paints for it? Is there a specific technique I need to follow.

    Thanks!

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