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Tin Chicken!

Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
in The potting shed

Hi AnniD,

Here's the picture of the decorative tin (I think) chicken I bought at Bath Xmas Market for my sister's presie. It's got a painted/enamelled finish and one of the wings is hinged for a candle to go inside. It's about 24" H x 15" L. I just found out when I unwrapped it that it's actually made in China - no surprise there, but I was a bit disappointed. It's supposed to be weatherproof but I'm a bit doubtful.  I'm thinking of putting some Cadbury's Crème Eggs as a jokey extra.  She gave me a woven willow chicken sculpture for my birthday earlier and managed to persuade the hotel we were staying at to give her a small bowl and a fresh egg to go with it.  So I'm returning the gesture!  We may have started a running theme here.

North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited December 2018
    Thanks for posting @Lizzie27 ! It's a lot bigger than l expected. I know what you mean about it being made in China - you always imagine some craftsman around the back of these Christmas markets producing things. It's a very striking thing though. Maybe sugar almonds rather than creme eggs perhaps ? Less "Eastery", if that's even a word.....
    https://www.aquarterof.co.uk/sugar-almonds.html
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Get some of that rust cure stuff from Halfords or a good DIY.  Brush it on and you'll get a patina that's more weatherproof.   I've done that with some of my "rusty" ornaments this year and they look a lot better.  Just got my flock of guinea fowl to do for next year.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks Obelixx, that's a really useful tip. I presume your "flock" are in fact lifeless?
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I would prefer if it rusted - which it probably will!
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The rust ends up looking very dull whereas the patina's effect is subtle and catches light better, especially when the sun is low.

    Lizzie - my flock is from Zimbabwe and lifeless.   Some of the soldering has failed and one or two are also legless so I'll have to fix them.   The things I have patinated are a cat, a cockerel, a big ladybird, a lizard and a frog.   They look much better and no longer stain the wall they sit on when it rains.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    I bought various metal birds and ornaments and found they rotted if left outside, in winter, they are coming in from now on.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Obelixx, sounds as though you have a large menagerie there!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    I've got 2 hens in the garden which I have had for umpteen years. They were made in some part of Africa - came with a little story on the label. They are very sturdy and are rusty which I like. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I quite like the rusty effect as well, Hogweed and I know my sister does too. They like sitting out in the evenings drinking wine, with lots of candles around and wrapped in blankets, which is why I thought the chicken/candle combo might appeal.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I love rusty ornaments but didn't like the rusty drips.  The patina'd effect gives me clean rust and I know they won't be quietly rotting away over time.   

    I have a chuck, a cockerel and a cat that all hold tea lights but I also have rusty "baskets" that hold 5 or 6 glass cups in which I can put tea lights or small candles depending on how long I need them to last and a couple of rusty metal hanging lanterns that are good for holding fat citronnelle candles against the bugs.  

    I also have a rusty metal Moroccan frame for a mirror - not placed where birds fly into it - 6 rusty guinea fowl, a brace of herons and another couple of Zimbabwean birds all out in the garden plus a rusty frog and rusty metal bird bath which I have double patinated to stop the brid water getting rusty.   No doubt more will join the menagerie as and when I see something I fancy.  
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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