Making-Over A Craigslist Sewing Table

This was a really fun and EASY make-over project on a sewing table that I got on Craigslist. Someone had already converted it into a table and took off the original top that contained the sewing machine – so I got lucky there. However, the brackets holding the drawers were rigged up with cheap pieces of molding and were almost falling off.  The top front drawer had trouble sliding in and out as one of the little wooden slots was broken. Also, the knob that came on that little drawer was yellowed and gross.

I have seen sewing drawers being sold online in Etsy, Ebay, etc. as decorative storage and so I decided I would sell the drawers separately. I simply unscrewed the crappy brackets holding in the drawers…

And then took off this part as well:

See that gross little knob? It had to go. Replacing knobs is such an easy and cost-effective way to create a new look!

The contenders were this one on the left from Michael’s (in the $1 bin!!!) or this cute olive green one from Hobby Lobby that I just picked up on sale (50% off = $1.50 knob that looks exactly like a $8.00 Anthropologie knob!)

I chose the one with the key hole graphic first, but quickly decided I didn’t like how it looked with the wood.

I decided to go with the green knob. The knob screw was really long so I chopped it with my bolt cutter. They cut screws like butter! Love those things!!!

I also repaired the bracket where this drawer slides in and out. The wood was split and didn’t hold the drawer in correctly. A little wood glue and an over night clamping, and she was good to go!

Ta-da! Love the finished look. I almost want to keep it! I love the cast iron against the wood – it’s such a great re-use of this old sewing table!

I am selling the drawers separately. Already sold one!

This one (below) is a random sewing drawer I picked up at an estate sale for super CHEAP…and I LOVE the carving on the front!

Here are some examples of ways to decorate with sewing drawers! I did a simple Google search of “decorating with sewing drawers” and came up with some neat ideas:

Paint and add a wood applique…love this!

I love REPURPOSING the beautiful old pieces!  They are all different, some more elaborate than others, so there is one for every kind of decor. Well I guess that’s all for now. Off to do a little “junkin” today – I’m off til Monday…wooohooooo! Hope everyone is having a great week!

A Shutter Shelf and Stamped Wooden Tags

So on Wednesday night I did a massive overhaul on my booth and moved it all around to “freshen it up” and add some new stuff. Nothing worse than a booth that has the same crap and never ever changes! I decided I wanted another shelf for display, so I created a shelf using one of my wooden shutters and some funky brackets I found at Hobby Lobby. Using some drywall screws, and the help of a few of my co-op buddies,  I now have an awesome new shelf that fits my decor perfectly! Not to mention a RECYCLED shelf….I am all about going “GREEN” lately!

These cast iron brackets were only $3 a piece! Score!

Here it is after I loaded it up with STUFF! That bunny in the front is a thrift store find from the other day. Isn’t he cute?? I added the homespun ties around his neck and his carrot, just to jazz him up a bit.

This other project last night was on a total whim and had surprisingly good results! I have had these wooden tags in my stock of supplies for at least a year. I thought, wonder if I can stamp these…?

But first, I had to distress them a bit and make them look not-so-brand-spankin-new. I was going to break out the Minwax stain but I decided to try using some basic craft paint which was sitting right in front of me. The wood seemed soft and like it would absorb this thin paint well, and I was right!!!

I used this cheapy paint from Wally world or somewhere. Because it’s cheap, it’s THIN, which actually worked really well for this.

I used an old cotton shirt to rub it on and then wipe of the excess.

After they dried a bit (I waited about 10 mins) I stamped them with regular rubber stamps and black ink. I went with a skeleton key theme!

Aren’t they cool? Not bad for a totally random, “on-a-whim” project! Just fun little decorative tags to hang where ever! They could be neat gift tags too I suppose. What else could you do with them? So many different ways you could take this project.

Now that I know you can easily stamp on wood…hmmm…the wheels are spinning! So many ideas! Ahhh!

If you give these a try, send me a pic! I love to see others’ ideas and variations on this project! Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Craftin’!

 

Perfecting the Art of Grubby Candles

To my surprise, my little grubby candles were a huge hit at my co-op and I have been putting off making a new batch because of what a giant MESS the whole process is. It’s fun, but it nearly gives Greg a heart attack every time I make candles and wax gets splattered all over our kitchen and is a royal pain in the @$$ to clean up. Anyway, I did make a new batch and I think they came out even better than the last.

I know I already posted a tutorial on these but I figured more pictures couldn’t hurt. I have also been not-so-crafty lately, so I felt obligated to document this recent craft endeavor.

I started by melting some big candles from Wally World…I like to use these ones because of the color and strong, yummy scents. You can also use any left over wax you have lying around.

The votives I like to use are these:

These off-white votives come 16 to a pack and are significantly cheaper than the scented ones, that’s why I use them. Plus you’ll be packing on scented wax – so you’ll still have a yummy smelling final product.

Again I used my ghetto double boiler that I use solely for candle/tart making…

Then pour some of the melted wax into a disposable tin container. I get these 3 to a pack at the Dollar Tree. Let the wax stiffen up a bit so it’s more of a gooey texture, as opposed to runny (only takes about a minute). Basically when it’s JUST cool enough to work with. Set the votive down in the middle and “pack on” the wax, like you’re packing a mini snowball. I usually wear gloves….it’s WAY messy.

Then set aside on wax paper, or in my case foil…I was outta the wax paper. Anything to keep the wax from getting all over your table.

This is what they look like after they dry…

And then a final dip in wax “seals” it up and gives it a cleaner look, while still being deliciously “grubby!”

Some came out more chunky than others. I much prefer the one on the left.

Awww, how cute!

Finally, I packaged them up since they will be for sale in my booth. I use candy-making “treat bags” from the baking aisle at the craft store. They come in a variety of sizes while being very cost-effective (100 bags for like $2-$3??). Finished off with a little homespun tie…my favorite “country” accent.

*One thing I forgot to do before packaging was dust them with cinnamon. D’oh! I love that look. This is an easy way to add even more of a country feel.

I will display them in this shallow wooden box. The perfect height for my itty bitty chunky candles. I am pricing them $1 a piece, which is probably a little low for the work involved. I try really hard to price things reasonable and at a price that the average joe can afford. I want people to enjoy them, because I know these types of candles can be so expensive in the big country stores!!!

I DID try making these types of chunky candles with the BIG candles seen in the first, top picture. It was a major craft FAIL. LOL. I have to work on those before I dare take any pics!!!

Off to an estate sale and two thrift stores this weekend on the other side of town that I normally don’t get to go to. Let the treasure hunting commence! Have a great weekend my crafty peeps!

Fixer-Uppers & Recent Finds

Wow, I have been so bad about blogging lately. Usually this time of year I am a complete slug and in hibernation mode, but being the first winter with a booth at the co-op, I have been keeping super busy and on the go! Auctions, estate sales, thrift stores…trying to keep that booth full of quality stuff, and not just a bunch of chotchkies. Not that I don’t love chotchkies, but I am loving getting more into the real “antiques” part of it!

Of course I still love to “repurpose” and do thirft store make-overs, like this framed print below…

I actually like the vintage hummingbird print but I felt like it didn’t really match the frame. I have had this old Mother Goose book for ages that I picked up at a garage sale because of the brightly colored, whimsical prints inside. I decided one of these prints would look great in the gold frame, so I ripped out the binding and replaced the hummingbirds with “Old Father McNether”…

Old Father McNether
He sorts out the weather
And takes what he pleases, I’m told,
With a big turkey-feather
He mixes the weather,
And makes it blow hot and blow cold.

Leroy F. Jackson

Another fun little re-do is this counter-top cookie/candy jar I got at the Amvet that had this plain green lid. I decided to add a fun knob…$1 from Michaels!

Drilled a hole in the lid just big enough to screw in the new knob…

How frickin cute is that? I was lazy and totally should have painted the lid black to match the knob. Oh well, I like the distressed green as it is.

As for my attempt to do some kind of Valentine’s Day inspired project, I decided to make a few more of my little antique bottles decorated with these cute keys from Michaels. They say “love”, “dreams”, “secret”, etc…which I think is cute around the neck of the bottles. As if they are little “potion” bottles, full of love, dreams, etc…

Those keys are in the scrapbooking section of Michaels, and are kind of expensive. $1o for the above package . I always get a coupon from their website or wait til they are on sale, which is quite often!

To tie them on I used little bits of left over homespun and jute. I always keep ALL my scraps of fabric, no matter how small. I have a pile going, that I will draw from when I need a little swatch or a little “tie” for something!

I put these out in my booth. Hope others thing they are as darling as I do!

And for some great recent “FINDS”….this antique rule/level from the 1890′s…

I love the brass plates and details on pieces like these. Hard to believe those little glass vials are still in tact after 100 years.

A Craigslist STEAL…a huge lot of all different colored/sized Kraft cheese boxes!

And a second-hand shop TREASURE…this old red bird cage. It had a stick and broken swing inside, along with a huge, ugly white chain attached to the top. A quick snip here and there with my bolt cutter and it is ready to be a fun, funky decoration in someone’s home. I LOVE the color and size…it’s perfect in every way!

Guess that’s it for now. Have a fabulous weekend! I will try to get back here soon!