Little Brass Beauties

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Remember way back when... when I ordered some Rub'n Buff and it took almost a month for me to get it?  (If you are a follower on Instagram, you know all too well!)  It apparently also took me almost a month to actually use it.  Truth be told, I was intimidated by the Buff.  I didn't know how it would 'stick' and the thought "what if doesn't actually work?" plagued me - I had really high expectations!  Well... this time, high expectations paid off!

Rub'n buff thrift store salvage | The Learner ObserverAren't they great?  Oh my heart... I know it's no hippo on a vase, but I have to say I quite like these littles.  Here is how they got started:

Thrifted brass goodies | The Learner ObserverThat's right... they were in a bag full of other rejected knick-knacks at Value Village, but I saw the little horse figure and just had to pick it up.  The mouse, with its eyelashes and extra long tail was just so darling, I knew I wouldn't regret spending that $4.  They were just the right victims test subjects items(?) to use the Rub'n Buff on.  The worst case scenario here would be that the paint didn't look right and I'd have to repaint/refinish them with something else.  No big.  Thankfully that wasn't necessary.

The actual rubbing and buffing was super easy!  Sorry there are no pictures - I had gold paint on both hands.  All I did was use a really soft cloth, apply small dabs of paint at a time and rub on... easy peasy!

Before and after Rub'n Buff | The Learner ObserverSee the difference?  It basically looks like the horse has been cleaned really well and given a less yellowed finish, which I like.  I have no idea what it's actually made out of or even if it would have been possible to clean completely.  Safe to say that even if it could have been cleaned, applying the Rub'n Buff was a bazillion times easier!  Here they are all finished:

Thrifted brass goodies | The Learner ObserverThe mouse was actually harder to apply the paint to - for some reason it looked a little blotchy.  Since I like the tarnished brass look of it, I don't mind that at all, but had I been looking for a more "perfect" finish, it would have just taken a few more coats of paint.  I also didn't buff them too much... the soft sheen is just enough.  One more look at the pair?  Well alright...

Thrift store rejects turned treasures | The Learner ObserverThe rocking horse will (EVENTUALLY) make a nice addition to a nursery, no? Oh, and the mouse?  I could even see his little tail being put to work to hold some rings, maybe.  For now they'll hang around on a shelf somewhere.

Am I gold/brass obsessed?  If you have been reading this blog any longer than a month, you know the answer is: YES!  But who isn't these days?  It's like chalkboards, pallets and washi tape.  People just can't seem to have enough!*Just a quick note to say I have no affiliation with Rub'n Buff except that now I'm officially hooked and I will be trying out many other projects with it!Linking up here and at Catch as Catch Can!

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linkpartyMarch 21, 2013 May 9, 2013NewFeaturedCrushButton_01131 

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