The other day I was feverishly cleaning up the living room in order to take a nice photo of the coffee table for my epic hits and epic fails post. As I was cleaning I noticed a blank canvas on the wall, above my chivalrous trunk. What was this I wondered? And why was it here?
It turns out my daughter had left it there after one of her video shoots. I don’t know what that means but who am I to argue with artists!
I really liked the way it looked next to the black display and the sand colored wall. I decided I’d leave it there but it did need a little something. And so I stopped the cleaning and followed my muse! That was how I got an idea to make a simple canvas art with keys.
I got the idea from this dish that I have in the living room full of old keys.
You may recall I first used the keys on my roasted Christmas tree a few years ago and I also have them dangling from the light fixture right now. They are almost like a mobile.
I took the keys and tied them with different lengths of thin twine. I purposely tied them loosely and left the end of the rope sticking out. I think it adds much needed texture to the composition.
I then tried to attach them to the back of the canvas, like this with a staple gun. But this was a bad idea because the staple jutted out so much, the canvas would not hang on the wall properly.
So instead I just taped them on with masking tape. I love easy peasy!
Aren’t these keys cool?
No two are alike!
I think that some of them are actually used for opening things in our house. Shhh… I hope my husband is not looking for them.
I just like to display them cause they look so unique with the chalky type paint, the rust and the patina which has developed since I painted them.
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And that is my easy piece of art!
Here they are in the living room next to the wooden display that I had used last for my Christmas cards. Are you seeing how I can reuse everything for all seasons? Even the homemade “Christmas” ornaments are transitional and look good displayed all year long.
Pumpkin man is such a celebrity, my friend Michelle of A Crafty Mix actually drew his portrait and then she sent it to me as a gift. So my pumpkin man may not last forever (in fact, I cannot believe he is still around) but he will live on in this painting.
Of course the nice thing about this super easy project is that it can be changed up in a flash. I just need to pull the masking tape off the back and I’m back to my original canvas. I just love projects that serve more than one purpose.
I hope you’ve all enjoyed my how to make simple art with keys. Do you ever find yourselves inspired in the middle of cleaning?
I certainly hope those are not useable keys. What should I do if my husband discovers I’ve “borrowed” his keys for an art project?
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Elise Ho
Wednesday 26th of September 2018
What a unique idea. I never would have thought of that
Lynn Spencer
Wednesday 29th of March 2017
What a great way to display your lovely collection of keys..you can really see them now! And I know you didn't ask, but...would you consider painting that canvas something just a little darker...that would really make those keys pop! Hugs, Lynn
Marie|The Interior Frugalista
Wednesday 29th of March 2017
Lynn took the words right out of my mouth. This is a very clever use for your skeleton keys. Of course, you know me, my mind immediately went to red. lol
Mary
Friday 7th of April 2017
Lynn, it has been a week since I made this project and the canvas has been conficated by my daughter. She is painting as I type to you.
Krista
Wednesday 29th of March 2017
It looks great. It is funny how much we (people) all like old keys! Even my kids like old fashioned keys. It must be some kind of connection to the past thing.
Mary
Friday 7th of April 2017
That is a very astute observation Krista. Maybe it has to do with unlocking doors? But now we are going into another area altogether.
Cindy
Wednesday 29th of March 2017
Mary, your keys found the perfect spot . Hugs and blessings , Cindy
Mary
Friday 7th of April 2017
Cindy they have been moved back into their dish as we type. It seems my girl wanted her canvas back.
jeanie
Wednesday 29th of March 2017
I like this very much, Mary. Simple and elegant and very clean. It looks great with that arrangement in your house. Thanks for a good idea. (Don't you just love tape?)
Mary
Friday 7th of April 2017
Jeanie tape is great. Easy to use, and just as easy to remove.