Scavenger Chic

Rusty Barrel Lid Beekeeper Sign

• By Joan
• March 27, 2024
• 4 Comments

Rusty Barrel Lid Beekeeper Sign

Lately I’ve been on quite the kick of painting vintage style signs on practically anything that I can find.  This will be the first one I’ve done on a rusty barrel lid that was found in an old farmhouse’s trash pile.  While I have stretched a few canvasses myself using reclaimed wood and a drop cloth, I prefer to use discarded materials.

The signs above are from 2022, handpainted on  doors,  planks of wood and plywood.  If it’s flat and a decent size, I’m looking at it to make a sign.

For tons of vintage sign ideas, check out my pinterest page, which is specifically dedicated to all vintage signs.

The rusty barrel lid, while it had been sitting out in the weather for quite some time, was free of holes.  Frankly, even if it had a few tiny little holes, I would have probably used it anyway.  😀  The rusty chunks could easily be sanded off, and that’s what I did to get this barrel lid ready for painting.

I had just a little bit of Rustoleum Primer on hand.  The primer will help control some of the rust.  If a little bit of the rust comes poking back out, I don’t mind, it will add to the patina of the piece. Also, I’m not too concerned about the reemergence of the rust since this sign will be hung inside, not outside in the rain.

Paint your background color.  My beekeeping sign is getting a background of “honey” yellow.

On a computer, design a circular sign.  I enjoy using Microsoft Publisher, but if you don’t have the Office programs you can also use  Mockofun, a FREE, online curved text generator.

Search the internet for a graphic you like.

Once you’ve designed your sign, print it out   the exact  size of your barrel lid.  Again, I use Microsoft Publisher.  If you don’t have Publisher,  Blockposter is a free online app you can use to print out posters of any size.

Once your sign has been printed , trim and tape it back together.

Coat the back of your printout  with a layer of scribbled pencil or charcoal.

Tape your sign in place on top of the barrel lid and use a pen to outline all of your lettering and other elements.

The lettering should have been transferred to your sign.  Now use your best paint by number skills to fill in the outlines of all your letters.

I like to sand my edges slightly and finish with either a clear or antique wax, or a combination of the two, depending on how muddy you’d like your barrel lid to look.

A metal drill bit will allow you to string a cord for hanging.

This rusty barrel lid is now hanging in the “bee” room at my son’s airbnb in Luray, Virginia. It had to go here, this is where the lid was initially found.

As always, stay inspired.

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