Pepe Salero

And yet another one joined the Trash Family! Remember Pepa Pepper? Well, she has got a boyfriend now. The name of this handsome 14.5cm high chap is Pepe Salero and he comes from Córdoba, in the South of Spain.. his name means 'full of charm', as well as 'salt shaker'. Easy to see why!

Pepe's body is a wooden salt shaker found in a thrift store. I painted the lower part black (for the trousers) and red (for the cloth belt). It doesn't show properly in the pictures, but I have sanded the top and only waxed the head bit so the middle would look lighter (the white shirt). Then, like I did with Pepa's red dress, I stressed the look with several scratches. I do cherish the 'shabby-chic' look!

Typical costumes from Andalucia have a short jacket, and Pepe also shows off his bolero made out of the metallic band that used to hold the bristles of an old paint brush (size 18). It is secured to the body with tiny black nails. The arms are two vintage drawer pulls, thoroughtly sanded and polished, and the thin tie is the long lost hand of an old clock.

The hat, 'sombrero cordobés', is made out of the top part of a salt shaker and the plate of a pan handle. For Pepe's head I used washers, more tiny black nails, the other half of the wooden knob that was left from making Pepa's nose, small screws and two pieces of black chain for the sideburns. All and all, quite a lot of meticulous work, but Pepe is worth the effort. Olé!