I've Been Framed!!!

The newest trend in the trash-to-treasure world seems to be oversized vintage, reclaimed, or even new ornate frames painted in colorful hues. The only catch to these gems is that now they are going for about $25 - $50 without the glass or backing. For this reason, I generally pass them up when I'm in a antique store and head to my local Goodwill or thrift shop. Garage sells are great places to spot them too!

I happened by this frame on an impulse stop on a lazy Saturday. The thrift store I found this fram in just happens to be less than a mile from my apartment! I purchased this vintage four layered bead board   frame for $15, giving me room to buy supplies for upcycling. The frame was heavily painted with a beige color and just looked too perfect. I felt I needed to rough it up a bit!!

 Materials:

sand paper

painters tape

sponge brush

cloth sponge

antiquing glaze  

1. Sand the bead board sections and the edges of the ornamentation of the other frame sections, bringing out the detailing.
2. Tape off the ornamentation.
 3. Dampen the sponge brush. This will help thin out the glaze as you apply it to the bead board 1 side at a time. (This allows you to wipe off excess before it drys.)

 4. Grab the cloth sponge and wipe off antique glaze leaving some in the groves, enhancing the detail. (This makes the designs pop even from afar!)
5. Remove the tape and you are finished.

 

Time for this project was about 30 minutes. I love the roughed up look and "imperfections" that were brought out by the sanding and antiquing glaze. Under the beige paint, there was a white plaster, which I didn't like the look of as I was sanding.(Fresh white is so not in! Well at least not in my magzine!) The glaze made it look like old wood and I was sold!!! You can see it in the top left corner. The frame also ended up having a great contrast between the layers.

For now, this project is labeled "to be continued." I'm not sure exactly what it's purpose will be: a picture frame, shadow box, bulletin board, chalkboard, cuckoo clock display, or home to another vintage find. So, stay tuned!!!

Dress It Up!!

Sometimes antiquing and shopping is about looking toward the future. What will it look like in this room or in that light? Is this necklace going to really go with multiple items? Then again sometimes its about finding inspiration for repurposing.

While some may love to by an item that is perfect on purchase, I often look for the items that can be morphed by some paint or dressed up a little to fit a new purpose. My newest find, a birdcage cardholder, was made to look old and as always Shabby Chic. Birds and birdcages seem to be the newest trend, so you should be able to find a similar item almost anywhere. Maybe even a vintage birdcage!!

For this item, I had a jewelry organizer in mind. The three hooks at the bottom are perfect for long necklaces that wont fit in my jewelry box. The height and number of horizontal bars created great hanging space for hook earrings as well as space to clip hair accessories. Of course, I'm a bit of a jewelry collector, so I needed a bit more store-to-display space. 

My project: Play dress up!

Materials:

 rustic twine

green embroidery thread

canvas pennants

bird themed scrapbooking pack

standard hole punch and small circle punch

Step 1: Pennants 

1. Cut embroidery string about 18 inches or as fits your frame/display.

2. Tie one side of and string pennants, leaving about an inch between each. (I threaded from the  bottom up.)

3. Tie off other end and then tie off places in the middle of the string of pennants to secure them as earrings will add weight causing them to shift. (I spaced the tie-offs evenly.)

4. Choose simple post earrings to display on the pennants. These work best as they carry little  weight. (Be careful as you poke the holes. You don't want to bend the post of the earring.)

Step 2: Hanging tags and other baubles 
1. Grab the rustic twine and create simple loops by folding the length in half, knotting the free ends. These will be used to hang pendants, hair clips, and earring tags.
2. Hannging is simple. Pull the loops through punched holes or rings of pendants. Wrap around a  horizontal bar and pull until the knot catches in the looped end. 

For tagged hanging, there is only the added step of hole punching or clipping with the shabby chic clips. (These came with the display! 

This project only took me about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Total cost of add-ons ~ $10.00 and I had plenty left over for future projects! I love how it turned out!! It's a jewelry scrapbook!!! 

    

Another bird inspiration piece came in the form of an earring holder. The shape of it made it difficult to clip and un-clip earrings, so when I moved I re-purposed it as a broach holder/display. It took the place of a dress form borrowed from my parents.

I love displaying in a functional and unique way. I hope you feel inspired! Coming soon....more bird inspired projects! 

 

 

Box of Blooms

Although I have lived in my apartment for 9 months now, I am still finding little projects to unpack, reorganize, and store for display. My recent inspiration came from a weekend reorganization mission. I uncovered a simple tin box in my storage trunk/coffee table. I love multipurpose items!!

It must have been gifted to me during my move. My dad would just throw things in there he thought i would like and turns out its perfect for the headbands I've been meaning to store as display. Why hide what's meant to be an ornament anyway!?!

The curved top prevents the flowers and feathers from getting squished and the dimensions allowed me to organize them in a way, which makes it look like a planter box. (Well maybe its a little overstuffed :) )

It is already on display in my bedroom. I'm not quite sure if this will be its permanent home but for now it works and is practical. I use this old medical stand as my everyday jewelry stand....projects to come are sitting on top (hint: more store to display made from a sewing bauble). Other items featured on the stand include:
      -an old metal "K" tucked in the basket below
      -vintage stand-up mirror (a $2 goodwill find)
      -my next project!!

I hope you enjoyed!! Come back soon!!