Wicker and Goodwill wicker

Goodwill Find

I found this set of wicker ducks in the Goodwill the other day.  They were in perfect condition and only cost me $2.00.  I bought them home and cleaned them up with water and soap. After looking at them for a couple of weeks I decided they needed some additional detailing.

They are actually pretty nice left alone, as you can see from the photo above.

Below-my tools.  The old CD is what I use for a disposable palette. I have a stack of these, so I use them for this purpose rather then throw then away.

Acrylic paints

thin, small paint brush

clear, spray varnish

Below are the results.  I just painted some colorful details around the top of the duck.  Painted the beak and head.  The head I brushed on a metallic brown to highlight the texture of the wicker. Using a thin brush allowed me to just brush color onto each strip of wicker.

By just adding a little color I have transformed my three ducks and made them more attractive (or at least I think so).  You can't beat the price though, only two bucks. I'm going to add some fabric to the insides and use them for chips, pretzels or nuts.

When they were all completed I applied a high gloss polyurethane to the outside and inside or each duck.

I have lots of wicker in my home.  Wicker seems to go with any decor and always makes a nice addition to any room.  Whether it's chairs, tables, shelves or baskets, wicker can really spice up a room.

Here are some things I do to keep my wicker in good shape.

Keep it dust free with your vacuum and wipe down with a soft cloth.

Don't be afraid to take your wicker furniture outside, once a year and hose it down.
I also spray my wicker once a month with a water sprayer to give it some moisture.  Wicker can get dry and brittle. I do this with my furniture that is on a screened porch and is subjected to a lot of heat.

To keep wicker from yellowing, scrub it one a year with warm salt water.  Dip a stiff bristle, paint brush into the warm water and give it a good going over.  Do not rinse.

Don't expose wicker to direct sunlight or freezing temperatures.

Don't be afraid to paint wicker.  Every piece I have painted comes out looking great.  Just take it outside and spray it.  It will look brand new.  Try some decorative painting on your wicker.  It's easy and can really change the look of a piece.

Christy

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