Anthropology *Zinc* Initial Knock Off

I have wanted the large initial from Anthro ever since I first laid eyes on it over a year ago. Every time I would go online to buy it I would give myself a million reasons not to, and end up exiting out of the site. Then a couple of months ago I saw a replica on another site and actually did buy it, but then called to cancel the order 15 minutes later when I snapped out of my impulsiveness.

Why couldn't I just bite the bullet and buy it? Probably because somewhere deep down inside my self conscience I knew I could make it.

When I saw this post from GARDNERS 2 BERGERS I knew I had to give it a shot. Using tinfoil, modpodge, some paint, and a large cardboard initial from Joann's I created my very own Anthro Initial for 1/5 of the price.

The first challenge I had was the initial itself. Joann's only had A-F (I think?) What the heck?! So I had to pick up a 'B' in hopes that I wouldn't screw it up by cutting (which I did) at the bottom, but it's not too noticable.

Using my ModPodge and a foam brush I smeared the glue all over the 'P' and then laid a sheet of tinfoil on top (shiny side down in the glue). Then I used a credit card to smooth the tinfoil out. The key to making this look like real zinc is to have the least amount of wrinkles as possible, but lets face it, it's tinfoil, that's near impossible.

Once all the sides were covered in tinfoil, I again took the ModPodge and painted all over the tinfoil. This worked GREAT at smoothing out the rest of the wrinkles and really giving it a metal look and feel.

Once it was dry I then used my craft paint to begin giving it texture and more depth. You can see how the silver paint added more to it. It didn't look like tinfoil anymore. Don't skip this step! I also used black paint to give imperfections and shadows around the edges and sides.

Once everything was dry I gave it another light coat of ModPodge to set everything, and give it a finished look, and finished IT DOES, LOOK...

It looks and even feels just like metal! The ModPodge is really what made this project work! I'm thrilled with how it turned out (much better then I expected)! Y'Know...low expectations, just in case this project crashed and burned...

But it didn't!

I finally have my 'zinc' initial and didn't have pay a small fortune for it. That make's me one happy lady! YAY!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Here's where I'm linking up to...

www.abowlfulloflemons.com

www.itssoverycheri.com
www.marvelouslymessy.com
www.pollywantacrafter.com
www.twiggstudios.com
www.diyshowoff.com
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/
www.tipjunkie.com
www.sugarbeecrafts.com
http://www.homesteadsimple.com

http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com
http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com
www.vintagegwen.com