Hi there--I've always wanted an antique Noah's ark and fell in love with a particular one that went for many thousands of dollars at an auction....

So when i came across a plastic Fisher Price/Playskool Noah's Ark at a tag sale, I took it home--it was pinkish and quite ugly, split it in two along the seams and then over many months of paint, sand, dirt, glitter, came up with what you see below. I sealed off the back with an old metal plaque that fit perfectly--and framed the little door with an old photo frame. Then I came across a piece of weather beaten antique furniture that had been left at the curbside--it was unredeemable--and decided to take the door for a base. The little animals are dollar store finds, antiqued with paint, shoe polish, dirt. Here's the end product. As soon as I can find the batteries it will be lit by battery operated LED lights on ultra thin wire. I'm not sure about this piece at all...but I think it will find its way into next year's Christmas display

hard to believe that was once a toy...now, it's a piece of art!...won't it be fun to collect animals for it?...

howard...

What a creative masterpiece, Maria! I love it. I would like to see pics of the toy you started with because I am not familiar with it. Google couldn't produce an image that looked anything like yours. I also look at images in junky old toys at thrift stores and sales to find the hidden inner beauty. Thanks for sharing your creation with us.

Thank you both for the feedback--as I mentioned, I'm "not sure" about this piece...I thought I had a photo of the original unpainted piece but can't seem to find it--I might have sent it to Paul at one point---but this has been so long in the making--so to speak--I can't remember--I'll look again later

It was hideous!

If I see one again, I'll upload a photo. I actually saw one in a thrift shop in good condition, but didn't know who I wanted to punish by sending it to them.

The ark made it into this year's family room Christmas display this year--it's to the left of the big tree--photos later....on the whole I'm pretty pleased with it....many thanks to Paul for encouraging me to "trashbash" objects with "good bones"!

That's really a neat piece Maria, and it looks nice on the table. It always amazes me to see the final results from trash bashing. It requires a certain 'eye' to visualize a finished piece from the original.

Maria...

The more I study this ark display the more

I see...I'm now convinced that is a wooden antique gestener

(Not sure of spelling) tool chest behind the ark...

Bet it has lots of small drawers...American made way, way back...

Still being made today...

Howard...

Yes it is an old tool chest--turned around for this display--love old oak!