Just a few items I've been working on...

I've been sick lately, so I haven't done much.  Here are a few repurposed / recycled item pieces I did get to work on...

Pendant light made from discarded galvanized duct. Very industrial look and feel!

Wall sconce made from a cabinet door, antique door hardware and a few other found pieces. Rustic but lovely!

SOLD - THANK YOU JAINA!

I just love making unique items like these!!!

Smiles,
Jen

Thought for the Day... 3/1/2011

The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

~Alan Kay

... A very empowering thought! Going back even further... To invent something, you usually plan. You can only plan what you can imagine. So... if we can imagine our future... we can plan for it.  When we plan for it, we can invent it and make it so!  In short, our future is only restricted by what we can imagine!


Smiles,
Jen

My First Chair Makeover...

Well, I found it!  My first chair makeover victom  contestant!  One of my customers requested something special, so I headed to one of my favorite thrift stores to see what I could find.  I pull into the parking lot eager to see the furniture sitting outside (it's usually great deals).  A dresser and side table... not bad.  A folding table and chairs... no thanks.  An electric scooter... I actually laughed out loud at that one - ha!  And then I saw them... CHAIRS!  My eyes drifted from chair to chair unimpressed until... there she was! 

Such a sweet little chair.  All she needed was someone to take her home and give her some TLC.  Short on green and space, I told myself I would only get her if the price was REALLY right.  I asked the cashier how much she was.  Her reply?  Ready?  Drum roll......  ONE DOLLAR!  Yes, that's $1.00!  Holy cow!  So, needless to say, I took her, and a fabulous vintage lamp that I couldn't pass up, home with me!

The GOOD:

- Strong body

- Firm cushion

- Interesting design

- Casters - LOVE the casters!

The BAD:

- Nothing really, just a few splintering pieces on the woven part.

The UGLY:

- The fabric

- "Brass" strips down the legs and around body - ewwwww

- Outdated color

So, I'm thinking a new coat of white paint (I know, just what this world needs... another white chair - shhhh!) and some updated fabric.  One problem... I can't decide on the fabric!!! A shabby floral? Stripes? Polka dots? Yellow?  Green?  Blue?  Here are a few that I like... 

 Any thoughts? 

Stay tuned for updates!

Smiles,

Jen

UPDATE!!

Well, I finally finished it!  I think my $1.00 chair makeover turned out fabulous! 

The only thing I haven't done is screw the bottom cushion back on. I misplaced the screws and haven't been to the great Home Depot to get more... So, I figured I would show it as is... although the seat is sitting a bit crooked at the moment.

It's going to look lovely in my living room.  A great replacement for my old rocking chair!

Smiles,
Jen

Here it is!!! My new chandelier!

I finished it and snapped some pictures.  My new chandelier...  What do you think?  It's made out of a vintage colander some old chain and some mason jars!  I LOVE IT!!!

 Can't wait to see how it goes over...

Smiles,
Jen


SOLD! 
This chandelier was purchased on March 3rd.  Thank you Jodi!

My China Hutch Makeover

This china hutch was passed down from my father-in-law.  Nothing really special, but I wanted to keep it.  The problem? ... the color was very outdated.  So...  I grabbed the paint and off I went!

I can't find the before pictures, which kind of defeats the "before and after" aspect of this, but I wanted to post it anyway.

It use  to be that regular old brown wood with double doors on the front. I removed the doors and all of the glass, which I felt gave it a "Gone With the Wind" feeling... Don't ask me why I call it that, I don't know... romantic maybe???.  I beat the heck out of it with all kinds of torture devices, primed it and then painted it with a lovely green. After that...a creamy white. When it was almost dry, I started distressing it.  I love the way it distresses when the paint is still damp... gives it a REALLY old look, not just worn.  After it dried, I used sandpaper to it and finished it off with some Ralph Lauren faux glaze in tea stain. I just love how it turned out!

I had a great time with this piece.  Now I just have to fill it with all my pretties! 
Smiles,
Jen

UPDATE

I put some pretties in it... It's looking so good!

 
 

Another one of THOSE days...

Another lovely day in Texas... not!!!  It decided to snow/ice last night - again, so the boys are out of school and we're stuck in the house - again!  Can you actually get cabin fever if you're not in a cabin?  Two days ago we had on shorts... I guess this is one of the great joys of living in Texas.

I don't understand why anyone would live where it snows like this for months at a time.  How does your head not fall off and roll around on the floor?

Wish me luck!
Smiles,
Jen