So, I’m not really into owls.
Mostly they kind of scare me.
That said, I’m not strictly anti-owl. When I spotted a little owl-shaped cup at the Seattle Goodwill for $1.99, I picked it up—thinking it would make a charming pencil holder. Right after that thrift stop I wandered into Anthropologie and noticed an owl pencil cup priced at $16. Finding the thrifted version felt like a small victory.
I gave my thrifted owl a quick coat of white spray paint and, to my surprise, he looked a lot like the Anthropologie piece.
At first I was pleased—score!—but the joy was short-lived.
I couldn’t shake a twinge of guilt. In painting him I’d erased the little character he’d had. He didn’t know whoooooo he was anymore.
To make things right, I started thinking about repainting him with a more flattering, whimsical finish—something that would restore his personality and give him a unique look instead of simply copying the store version. A fresh, creative paint job would let him be himself again, with a bit of flair and charm.
I’m sorry, owl.
In the end, a little makeover seemed like the kindest solution—honoring the thrifted find while giving it a playful, original personality that feels true to the object itself.