I featured a designer-inspired birdie yesterday, so today I want to show you what another crafter did with the same dollar store bird, this time inspired by a Ballard bird. Rebekah at All Thingz Related made this cute birdie by adding a piece of dowel to a ten cent candlestick, and painted and antiqued the whole thing (using the secret-special glaze advocated by Shanty2Chic and other decorating blogs: Ralph Lauren Faux Technique Glaze in Smoke). Once again, she didn't make an exact copy of the inspiration bird, but took the elements she liked (the perch and candlestick) and then changed it up to reflect her taste. So, do you spot the other dollar store DIYs in the photo? The plaque behind is from the dollar store, and I bet those jute-wrapped balls are also handmade for a fraction of retail. Good job, Rebekah! [click here for details on the birdie]

Project Estimate:

• Bird, $1
• Candlestick, $1
• Paint and glaze, on hand or use acrylic paints for $.50 each
• Glue, on hand

Total: $2 and up