I found two more concrete deer this past weekend. This pair were a bit forlorn with missing ears and a damaged foot, but the $5 price on each made them a MUST to come home with me. Thank you Amy, for spotting the one in the backyard of the estate sale.
I like the spots on this one. I also don't clean them up. I like the moss and the aged look.
The one thing that I do each spring is make sure the eyeballs are filled in. My spring ritual, so they don't have that vacant look.
Before.
I usually use black enamel paint. I was out, so I improvised with a sharpie for now. After.
All of my deer have been estate sale found. This little fellow lives in my birdbath. I have him on an old metal tin so if the bird bath fills with water he isn't sitting in it.
He is almost in a little cave of climbing hydrangea.
This is my oldest deer. I got him as payment for working at an estate sale years ago.
At his feet is my teeniest little deer complete with spots. (Estate sale found with another deer for $15 for the two)
I have a total of 6 living in my backyard. I like my little herd. I would not have a problem adding a few more either...I still have room.
If you have an idea for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of ____." Something new to share each Tuesday!
These bring back memories of my Grandparent's yard, but theirs didn't all survive. First antlers came off and then heads. They would be ok without an ear, but no head is a problem!
Posted by: Mary Steinbrink | April 07, 2015 at 11:19 AM
I'm glad you leave the moss and lichens on them - I really like that naturally aged look! I'm equally glad you fill in the eyes, too! lol
Posted by: JoyceG | April 07, 2015 at 12:23 PM
Awe, I love the deer, even without the ears. Show me your collection of whales or hedgehogs, do you have any? I tried going through your posts of collections but there are so many.
Posted by: Beth | April 07, 2015 at 02:51 PM
Deer always make a garden more friendly. Thanks for sharing. :)
Posted by: rosie | April 07, 2015 at 02:54 PM
Love the little fellow sitting in the birdbath! I think the missing ears are calling out for some Easter bonnets for Summer.
Posted by: Kathy | April 07, 2015 at 03:56 PM
I remember when we visited your studio a couple of years ago, Hanna spotted the deer in the birdbath. I am sure that is what started her on collecting her own little herd. I think she has 4 now, two of which I gifted to her. I don't even have 1! The things I do for that girl...
Erica
Posted by: Erica | April 08, 2015 at 04:18 AM
Although we have loads of real deer that turn our garden into a salad bar, I think these creatures would make fine additions. Your yard is so lush and green. I'm having spring yard envy. Everything is so brown and ugly in MI right now.
Posted by: Musings from Kim k. | April 08, 2015 at 05:22 AM
Love these cement deer! Glad you rescued them broken ears and all! Ha! I never thought about using a sharpie to fill in temporarily😄 I don't like things with hollow looking eyes either. I had a bunny planter like that and I had to paint in eyes for him. The herd looks happy and safe in your yard and with these, your plants will stay intact!
Have a wonderful Day!
Posted by: Doreen | April 08, 2015 at 07:07 AM
There is a house not far from me that has six full size concrete deer in their yard. Oh how I would love to be able to get them someday. Until then, I have a concrete rabbit, a concrete poodle of all things and a concrete swan.
Posted by: Shara | April 08, 2015 at 09:07 AM
cute! i have five concrete deer in my yard! one missing his head. i have it, i just haven't figured out how to reattach it yet. haha!
Posted by: rae | April 08, 2015 at 08:00 PM
I am so happy you saved those one eared deer friends! Yes, Erica is right, after seeing your deer a few years ago I decided I needed a herd of my own. I tried to bring them into the house this winter, but Matt put an end to that pretty quickly!
Posted by: Hanna | April 09, 2015 at 12:10 PM
I've got two concrete Dalmatian pups by our front stairs. We've never had Dalmatians, or any dog for that matter, but they were too cute to pass up. This has got to be your heaviest collection, right?
Posted by: Eddie Mitchell | April 09, 2015 at 02:43 PM
My new motto for estate sales (in addition to "Always open the boxes") is "Always look in the back yard.
Deer! Deer! Deer!
Posted by: Into Vintage | April 09, 2015 at 05:16 PM