Instant Art Straight From a Thrifted Puzzle
Welcome, Walter, to the Decor Hacks family! Walter is an illustrator and artist, runs a successful Etsy shop and also blogs at Mod Podge Rocks. He will be blogging with us regularly featuring pretty and practical tutorials like this instant art from a puzzle.
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I came across this faded wooden puzzle set of the USA at Sal’s Boutique. The pieces were all there, but the West Coast had obviously gotten too much SUN. I immediately got the idea to create a piece of “instant art;” art that anyone can create!
I made this with the following supplies:
• Wooden map
• Old kitchen door
• Satin black paint (for the door)
• Flat White spray paint for the puzzle
• Hot glue gun
• Picture hanging brackets (optional)
Step 1: Paint the Puzzle
• Wipe any foreign matter off the puzzle, let dry.
• In a well-ventilated area (preferably outdoors), lightly spray paint the puzzle (flat white) and let it dry according to the manufacturer’s suggestions.
• Give the whole map a second coat.
Step 2: Prep the Kitchen Door
•Wipe any foreign matter off the kitchen door and let dry. While it’s drying, set up for the next step.
Step 3: Paint the Door
• Coat with satin black and let dry.
Step 4: Paint Again
• Paint on a second coat and let dry.
Step 5: Assembly
• Layout the painted puzzle pieces onto the painted kitchen door.
• Turn the hot glue gun on and start gluing the pieces into place.
Step 6: Display!
• Lean on a mantle, or
• Attach picture hanging hardware to the back.
There are endless possibilities with this project. Use any puzzle shapes to your liking and paint them in your favorite colors. Have fun and hope you enjoyed this project.
OK Walter that’s all kinds of brilliant! A totally cool, totally contemporary artwork out of really simple pre-made pieces. Genius!
Thanks, David! Glad you enjoyed it.
What a great concept, and it looks relatively easy too (well, at least to my skill level) thank you so much for sharing. They do say sharing is caring!!!
hazellovesdesign.blogspot.com
Who would even think that was a puzzle reinvented into art! Totally love it and wish I had that kind of creative brain to think these things up! Kudos on a job well done, Walter!!! Alysmommy
I would definitely think this was cooler if the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was not left out…
Hi Lori – It was actually on the original board, painted on rather than as a separate piece. This was a kids’ puzzle, so not as much detail as IRL. Notice the big blob that is Alaska 😀
I love that Alaska is in the right place–not southwest of California as in most puzzles and maps.
What a great idea! We have this puzzle, but the kids have put it together so many times that they don’t really play with it anymore. This would be a great way to reuse it! Thank you for sharing this idea.