Nursery Lamp

Here's one of my newest projects.  I started with this boring wooden lamp from a thrift store.  It was new and in good shape, but just lacked any character.

About a year ago, I had picked up a box of old greeting cards at a yard sale.  There were quite a few "Welcome New Baby" cards from the 50's and 60's.  They were still unused with the envelopes.  I decided that they would be perfect if decoupaged onto this lamp.

I had also found a glass lampshade at a junk shop.  It was in great shape, and ended up being the perfect topper for this lamp to complete the vintage feel.



Wednesday's Wooden Word Bowl Tutorial

I was looking at glass dishware and candlesticks to upcycle into cake plates, when I came across this ugly old wooden pillar candle stick.  I had also recently purchased (another!) wooden bowl.  I like to use them for parties to serve chips because they look nicer than plastic, but I don't have to worry about them being broken as I would with glass. 

However, this one had a few knicks and marks on it, so I decided to combine it with the candlestick to make something wonderful!  I started with these:

Before

I decided to go with a very modern color scheme, but basic since I wanted to embellish the bowl with something.  At that point, I still wasn't sure what!  But I painted the candlestick white and the bowl black.

I used a super adhesive to attach the two parts together.  This particular adhesive was made for many surfaces, including glass.  Since these were wood, I probably could have used something less powerful.  However, I already had this one opened since I was also doing glass that day.  Following the directions on the adhesive, I put some on both pieces and let it set for a few minutes before putting them together.

I decided to spray paint a hint of white on the inside of the bowl so that it would soften the look and create a better canvas for whatever I decided to put on the bowl.  The newspaper there gave me an idea...

I began cutting random words out of article titles.  After cutting out all of the words I thought were interesting or useable, I started playing around with them and forming a sentence.  I came up with this:

I used Mod Podge to attach the letters to the inside of the bowl.  I then put a coat of Mod Podge all over the inside and outside of the black bowl to give it a smooth shiny appearance.

I let it dry completely and here's the final product:

Now it sits in my shop for sale with the other upcycled items. 

It's Open!



I spent last weekend getting everything finished and moving it into my new booth space at the Merchants Outlet Mall.  I'm really pleased at how great it looks!  No pictures yet.  I still have to hang my sign! 



Here are some pics of some of the items that have been upcycled and placed in the shop for sale.

Musical Jewelry box from the 70's.  Added artwork purchased from French artist through Etsy, and painted the box black with red accents.



I loved this blue glass plate.  I knew it needed a substantial pedestal, though.  When I found this heavy pewter candlestick, I knew it was a perfect match.  I love this!

 The storage ottoman above is a vintage piece that I covered with old felted sweaters.  A little silver paint to the wooden legs and it's a modern piece!

All of the display items in the shop are also upcycled.  I use the existing wall shelves and brackets left from the last renter, although I added a fresh coat of black paint to them.  I hang clothes from a rickety old ladder I painted, an old lamp and skis that I added hooks onto.

For shelf space, I tried to get creative as well.  I purchased this vintage vinyl upholstered headboard for $10.  I thought it could be great if repurposed into a shelf for the shop.  It definitely needs some sprucing, though! Franky still enjoyed hanging out under it.

Before



So, I decided to use maps from an old atlas my dad gave me that was just laying around in his barn and Mod Podge it over the vinyl.  Here's the result!



After

What do you think?





Shop Opens Soon

So, this Friday, April 1, I can begin setting up my shop (no, that's not an April Fool's joke!).  I met my ex-husband on April Fool's Day...now I know why it's called that!  But, I digress...

I have been busy, busy trying to make everything that I want to put in my shop.  So many ideas and so little time!  I need items not only to sell, but also to remain as part of the display.

My latest obsession for the shop are Easter baskets made from felted (fulled) wool sweaters I thrifted. 

I got the idea from Resweater's blog.  Although she has posted a tutorial for a different style of basket this year, her old post from last year is what inspired my creations.Here is a link to the version from last year:  Easter baskets 2010.

TV Cat Bed

Here's one of my latest UpDos!

I was inspired by Alpine Butterfly's Cat Bed From A Computer Monitor, but decided to give it a retro nostalgia.  I found this old TV at Goodwill, and it reminded me of the little black & white I had in my room as a kid (that I bought with my babysitting money and only could pick up 3 channels with the rabbit ears!).

The picture isn't great.  For some reason, if I take photos in my dining room when there isn't any natural sunlight, they turn out very blurry.  I'll add some better ones later!