Another Impromptu Sale

I'm having a sale this weekend.  Yes, another impromptu one.

I was sitting in my studio yesterday, and, decided to do it. 

I made the announcement on Facebook last night, but, I know quite a few of you are not on Facebook.

Which brings me to another topic.  If you send me a Friend Request on Facebook, would you please let me know if you're one of my blog followers.  I've become increasingly cautious about who I friend.  There are some shady folks prowling around FB.

Having sales, and appointments are working out better for me right now than setting up at a show.  I'm keeping things organized, and keeping my health in check.

My sale will be this Saturday, and Sunday.  If you're local (I'm in Lansing, IL), send me an email for details.  If you ask me a question in the comments, and, you're a NO-REPLY, I can't answer you.

For those of you already planning to be here, see ya soon.

I'm glad I did so much cleaning and organizing before my last sale.  I didn't have as much prep work  for this one. My sales are kinda free-for-all anyway. I don't stress about every detail.  It's a diggers delight.  I'll be kicking back the rest of the day.

My FARRAGOZ Clock Face Today

I'm finished (maybe) with my FARRAGOZ clock face.

I shared my progress a few posts back, when it looked like this.  I'd just finished painting it.

I had quite a few compliments on it at this stage.  As a matter of fact, a friend/customer wanted to purchase it.  I'm making her another one.  This one's mine.

It was a little too neat looking for the course.  Imperfections are embraced.  I like that.

After a little distressing, I was going to call it done, but, after sending the photo to Tania at FARRAGOZ, I had submission remorse.  We both agreed that it needed more of a "story".

Because I wanted to stay within the boundaries of the materials used in this phase of the course, I added my "story" with more dings, and chips.

I imagined kids throwing rocks at it.  That's my story, and I'm sticking with it.

This clock face may look incredibly complicated, but, it's not.  Honestly, you need more patience than talent. It's a step-by-step process that comes together beautifully.  Also, as I've mentioned before, the paint recipes are easy, and affordable.

The techniques you learn along the way are like an arsenal. Every phase I finish sends the wheels spinning.  I have about a dozen ideas percolating.

For more info on the FARRAGOZ course, click HERE.




This is not a paid post.  FARRAGOZ has enrolled me in their course to give an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  My decision to become an affiliate was based on my impression of the course.


Sharing With:
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Be Inspired

How To Repurpose Lamp Parts

A couple years ago, I shared how much I love using lamp parts for candle stands, and other things.

After finishing these next three pieces, I thought I'd revisit a few projects from the past. My newer followers probably haven't seen some of these.

I still have lots of these parts stashed. 

I gave the two smaller pieces here my "Old World" finish.  If you're new, and not familiar with this finish, click HERE for the tutorial.  The larger piece was painted white, and antiqued with brown wax.

I pick up broken lamps, chandeliers, etc., all the time, just to get the ornate metal bases, and sections.  Most of them are perfect for votive candles, and pillars.  I go for pieces with nice details.

This next piece is the twin of the center piece above.  I gave it a white wash, flipped it upside down, and used it as a vase.  You can review the post HERE.

Lamp parts make great containers for dried hydrangeas too.  I used an alabaster lamp section for this next piece. Click HERE for the original post.

Some of you may remember this figural candle stand I made from various lamp parts.  Check out how I did it HERE.

How do you like this next one?  It's one of my favorites.

You can see how I configured it HERE.

So, not only can you find crowns in lamp parts (like I shared HERE),

but, you can find a candle stand, or vase as well.

See ya soon.

VISIT my ETSY shop HERE


Sharing With:
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Be Inspired
No Minimalist Here: Open House
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays
Home Stories A to Z:  Tutorials and Tips
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

My FARRAGOZ Clock Face, So Far

Although I'm not finished with it, I took a few shots of my clock face project late last night, and wanted to share my progress so far.  Yes, I painted this.

This is the second module of my FARRAGOZ course.  If you haven't read about my association with them, click HERE.

Here is the FARRAGOZ example,

and, this is where I am right now.

I'm really enjoying the homemade paint recipes. I had to be patient with the details, but the results are so satisfying.

I still have some tweaking, distressing, and finishing to do.

I'll share the finished piece very soon, and, I'll be moving on to the next module.  This angel plaque.

Of course, I'll be throwing in some of my own redesigns, using a few of the techniques.

For more about FARRAGOZ, click HERE.

My Lazy Day and A Few Finds

I'm embracing the need to chill today. So, I've just been hanging out in my little studio, shuffling things around a bit, working very little, seeing what some of you are up to, and, well........lazing around.

I think I deserve a lazy day.  For the past week, I've been going full steam with the FARRAGOZ review, finishing up my byzantine icon,

experimenting with paint techniques from the course (You can read about the course HERE),

starting new projects,

organizing the studio, and garage, etc., etc.

Yes, I need a lazy day.

We've been doing a little hunting the past couple days.  I found this demijohn buried behind a pile of baskets at a thrift shop.  It was marked $4.00, but, it was HALF-PRICE day.  So, I paid $2.00.

Hubby picked up four chippy metal chairs,

and, this cabinet.

I'm sitting here, trying to deciding what to do with the cabinet.  What do you think? Over the top "Old World", simple, leave as-is?  Hmmmmmm, it may be getting a complete makeover.  Not today though.  I'm going back to being lazy.

See ya soon.

Sharing With:
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday

Playing With FARRAGOZ Techniques

I've been playing with paint finishes.  It's one of my favorite things to do.  Layering paint, and various mediums is the best thing you can do when you want an aged look.

As you know, I've been reviewing the FARRAGOZ course, and, you know me.  So, it should come as no surprise that I've been experimenting with every little tip and tidbit from the course.  Giving it my own spin, and such.

Because, I wouldn't consider my review complete unless I applied some of the techniques to projects other than those in the course.

I showed you this chippy fleur-de-lis piece I designed with one of the techniques.

Today, I used recipes and techniques from the course to give this corbel a distressed finish.  BTW, the cost of these recipes are very low.

My inspiration for the finish, was the old painted chain lying on it.  I didn't paint the chain, that's how I found it.  I wanted to give the corbel the same vibe.

I applied layers of homemade gesso, and other paint mixtures from the course.  At that point, it looked like this.

Then, the distressing began.

The way the layers reacted to each other, made the distressing easy, and added unexpected variances of color.

I've started working on this table.  Another layering project, using recipes, and techniques from the course. I'll let you know where I end up on on this.

I've also started my next module of the course. The Clock.   I'll give you a peek soon.

If you haven't checked out the course, just click on the FARRAGOZ banner on my sidebar, or, click HERE.

See ya soon.