DIY Gifting: Animal Bookends

Posted by Dani on November 23, 2015

Want to add a fun and quirky touch to your gift list? Make these quick and easy and extra kitschy animal bookends! Because who wouldn’t want a moose and a polar bear hanging out on their bookshelf!

Adorable, right?

And easy. Seriously easy.

Toy animal + glue + brick + paint, and bob’s your uncle!

The best part? These cost me less than two dollars each!

I started off at the local construction material yard and bought 2 bricks for $1.47. And then I headed for my local thrift store to look through their $1.99 mixed toy bags. I’ve already had some fun recently with these thrift store toy bags, when I found the perfect toy car for my Rustic Vintage Christmas Tree. So I had high hopes when I went rummaging.

At first I had a dinosaur in mind:

But then I saw these animals from the Canadian woods and I was hooked.

Doesn’t that moose have an earnest look on his face? If I met him in the wild, I might want to give him a cookie!

This project is as easy as it sounds. I used a 2-part epoxy to stick the animal on the brick. I brushed the brick with an all-purpose primer, just to prep the surface. And then I sprayed the entire thing with Krylon fusion paint for plastics in glossy white. This paint does not require priming.

Here’s where the engineering education my parents paid so much for comes in handy: be sure to use paint that’s especially formulated for plastic. Not only does your paint have to stick properly, but it has to be flexible, or else it will crack the first time one of these babies moves a little. Trust me on this.

Use a few light coats to get even coverage. Be sure to let your project dry according to directions, stick on some felt pads, and you’re good to go. Someone’s bookshelf is about to get way more charming!

I already had the paint and the glue, so the total cost for this project was $3.48. This might be the cheapest present under the tree!

I’ve teamed up once again with my blogging friends for some more DIY Christmas gift ideas. Visit these talented ladies and get ready for some wonderful handmade gift inspiration for your holidays!

From the top, they are:

DIY Maple Candle (A Roots Knockoff) from Vin’yet Etc.

Homemade Candied Citrus Peel from Personally Andrea

Hand Lettered Ornaments from Lemon Thistle

Christmas Breakfast Gift Basket from Craftberry Bush

Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar from Sustain My Craft Habit

Cashew Coconut Brittle from Life Is A Party

DIY Serving Tray for the Coffee Lover from DIY Passion

DIY Cookie Cutters from PMQ For Two

Christmas Cupcake in a Jar from The DIY Mommy

DIY Growler Carrier With Dry Erase Label from Hello Creative Family

DIY Wood Slice Ornaments from The Sweetest Digs

Galvanized Letter Tree from New House New Home

DIY Animal Bookends from Lifeovereasy

Industrial Watch Holder from Love Create Celebrate

DIY Gifts for the New Mom from Fresh Crush

Homemade Barbecue Spice Meat Rub Gift from Time With Thea

http://lifeovereasy.com/rustic-vintage-christmas-wreath/