Creating a Happy, Colorful, Handmade Home & life on the shores of lake superior

May 5, 2015

Shop Talk: What's New

Speaking of our ambitious shop goals, I'm pleased to report that we've had the shop stocked non-stop (say that ten times fast), since re-opening last September!  I joked on Monday about what a feat that is.  When we first opened, about three years ago, we got into this terrible habit of running it for a few months, making a few sales, then shutting down for a year or more, then re-opening and running it for a few months, then shuttering it again.  We've been closed more than we've been open!  It wasn't lack of interest - when we closed corresponded with time I spent in Budapest for my PhD research, first a month long language course, then a four month research stint.  Then Hubs and I moved across the province, so the shop was put on the back burner again.  It's made it decidedly less fun because getting started is usually the hardest part of any task, so this system was really terrible.  But we've now been open steadily eight months or so.  Yay!  I know we should be embarrassed by celebrating this incredibly small feat, but for us - me especially - it feels like a really big deal.

In addition to our shop sales, we've held a few successful Instagram sales, sold some larger vintage items locally, and we took part in a great flea market recently - which was surprisingly lucrative.  We're actually thinking of doing more vintage shows/flea markets, and the pop-up shop I've casually mentioned is looking even better now (we have the perfect venue, but it means performing a Herculean task in 36 hours).  We've even decided to dabble with eBay!  Have any of you listed items on eBay?  It took forever - simply because everything was new to me -  but we put up our first listing the other day.


I have no idea how to eBay, but I'm determined to keep trying.  It's just easier using Etsy, because it's so familiar.  I listed a bunch of new items, actually, and wanted to share my currents favorites...

This gorgeous bowl is West German pottery.   It caught our eyes because it boasts a gleaming green glaze coupled with a brown, faux bois exterior.  Both my Mom and I wanted to keep it, and we might still, but neither of us has the room (if we're being honest).


I had barely reached for these quirky solid wood egg cups when Hubby said, "No."  Wet blanket.  I think they are adorable and they will brighten someone's brunch.  I'm spreading joy, here.


You know me, brass isn't my thing, but that doesn't stop me from loving it in other people's homes!  This brass wall pocket, made in Italy, is a sturdy little guy, ready to hold a small cactus or air plant.  I'm probably going to bite it on the shipping because he's a beast. 


Similarly, "Western," is not how one would describe my style, but when I'm picking for the shop I try to narrow in on things that are unusual, beautiful, or on trend.  Certainly leather is having a moment.  Even if it wasn't, these Western glasses are awesome.


They need to be paired with these bakelite steak knives.  Or this whole bakelite cutlery set.  I have had a number of International folks want to buy them, but I am avoiding shipping to Europe for the time being.  Last time around I spent weeks chasing down a parcel to Italy, although other International shipments went smoothly - now I am a bit nervous.  But I guess this bakelite set speaks to Europeans...


Much more my speed, this Rosenthal vase (designed by Bjørn Wiinblad) has been super difficult to part with, but since moving to a smaller home I've already had to make some tough choices and sell some of my own vintage collection, so I can't really be adding anything new.  Seems counter-productive.  Can't say I'll be bummed if this doesn't sell, though.  This polka dot coffee pot is from Germany, too.  So is this Bareuther Waldsassen vase, which is really striking - like it was sliced from a glacier.  Those Germans have style!


Speaking of vases from my own collection for sale, this teal glass vase was originally for the shop but I scooped it, petted it for a bit, and have decided to set it free.  Hope it finds a loving home, because it's such a substantial piece.  I'm feeling good about it, because my aqua cased glass vase already sold, and so did these aqua shot glasses and these ones


Oh, and this teal one is for sale too.  It's identical to a swatch of paint in Bert's painting - but I have one the same size in a more blue teal and, frankly, I'm not much of a gardener so there's no way I'll ever produce multiple vases worth of blooms.


We're in agreement that the "atomic flower" on this Federal Glass luncheon set is a pot leaf, right?


But this is just a puppy.  Well, he's not just a puppy, he's a puppy with a polka dot shoe.  I bought him last summer but I stashed him with the Etsy stuff and only recently listed him.


I WANT these glasses, but I cannot commit to two new colours in the kitchen.  Orange was a big enough step for me.  Baby steps.


Quatrefoil is a fun word.  I've been enjoying typing it again and again.  But the longer I look at it, the more incorrectly it seems spelled.  This pottery piece was made in California - it just feels sunny, doesn't it?


I have reluctantly listed some Iittala - you know my passion for it!  I am still waiting for the right buyer for the whole Kastehelmi set, but I also found a matching ashtray, small plate, and I listed the solid glass polar bear.  I know, he is adorable.  


How could I not buy this milk glass silhouette vase?  It's got everything.  Speaking of milk glass, I love that this Federal Glass set is a full set of six


In the wake of my rock casualties, you can understand why I kind of want to keep this hunk of gorgeousness.  But my desk is so littered with junk, you'd never see it, anyway.  Seriously, within reach I've got a pirate pencil sharpener, a camera battery charger, a mason jar, holiday cards (holiday cards) I haven't put away, a book on hat making, a garbage bag tag for the dump, a huge pile or receipts and bills, and a swipe card from when I worked at the University of Ottawa.  Was I supposed to return that?  More importantly, where the heck did it come from?


I have an eerily similar round box on my nightstand, filled with dog treats for Szuka.  Mine is Hungarian Kalocsa, but I think the familiar shape and ethnic handpainted floral design of this sweet box lured me in.  Plus the lacquer is so shiny.


It's been awhile since I shared my shop favorites (February? Where does the time go??), so thanks for indulging me - there are 110 items for sale right now, so it was tough to choose.  Although it's so much more work than I ever imagined, I really enjoy our Etsy shop.  Connecting with people who finally found what they were looking for is the most fun part, and I especially love getting feedback from people who have bought items as gifts.  I've got some fun stories, for sure. 
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November 21, 2012

My DIY Redemption

Even though sometimes it's ultra embarrassing and I'd really rather not, I'm honest about my DIY feats and failures.  I shared the drippy bottle bomb and the two-for-one paper mache and gift wrapping fails.  Remember when I tried to paint all the original frames for my vintage silhouettes?  I don't know if the paint had gone bad or if there was a problem with the "wetware" (what my Dad, in the computer biz, calls people because we're largely made of water and often the source of computer probs).  Whatever the problem, the frames turned out so gunky I had to scrap them and, head hung low, buy new ones.

Despite DIY successes like this and this, I failed DIY 101: spray painting!


When another silhouette crossed my path (for only $3.99 - my best find yet), I bravely decided it was time to face my silhouette-frame-spray-painting fears . . .


Ok.  If I'm being honest, I had to work with this frame because store-bought sizes didn't leave room for the awesome description of the silhouette artist who has cut over 1.5 million silhouettes, including silhouettes for folks like The Pope of Rome at the Vatican (1927) and President Hoover!


Supplies:

If the magic is in the materials, here is what I used: Rust-oleum Painter's Touch primer in white and Krylon Dual Paint and Primer in Matte Black spray paint (leftover from this chair makeover). 

Steps For Avoiding a DIY Bomb:

Before and after my bomb, I successfully spray painted many a thing, so I just did what I normally do - although I was a bit over-cautious this time, what with the double priming:
  • I waited for a perfect weather day - not too cold, not too warm, not too humid, not too windy
  • I used a shallow cardboard box to protect the grass
  • Then I carefully sprayed on the spray primer
  • I sprayed one side, let it dry for a few hours, flipped it over and then sprayed the other side
  • I let it dry for 48 hours (to be extra, extra sure)
  • Then I waited for another perfect weather day and carefully applied the spray paint
  • I applied thin, even coats following the can instructions to the letter

And?

The frame turned out beautifully and the faux, exaggerated wood grain really pops with the new darker paint.



It looks perfect with the rest of my (growing) collection.  Plus I'm happy to report I am still loving my magnetic board



Now I need to actually make my own silhouette.
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November 18, 2011

How to Frame a Vintage Brooch for Display

Frame a vintage brooch

I had a wee bit of an ebay addiction in my early twenties.  I spent many sleepless nights "sneaker-fishing" my way into senseless purchases.  I kicked my habit but have many reminders, including two fabulous, but un-wearably inconvenient, vintage Bakelite pins.  The solution to a collection of brooches I don't wear?  Frame them!

  Supplies:
  • Cotton batting (I used leftovers from an upholstery project)
  • Silk (sourced from my fabric hoard)
  • Primer (leftover)
  • Paint (leftover from paper storage organizer I painted)
  • Small paint brush
  • Glue (Aleene's worked well!)
  • Vintage frames ($5.00 for pair at estate sale)
  • 2 Vintage brooches (try flea markets, yard sales and estate sales)
  • Sandpaper

How to re-paint wood frames:

I lightly sanded each frame, removing any sheen.  Then I gave the frames a quick wipe with a damp cloth.  Using a small brush I applied a coat of primer, let it dry overnight, then applied two coats of paint.  I used a smaller artist's brush to get the paint into the "carved" detail.  Spray paint with a built-in primer would make light work of this job!

Repurpose vintage frame

How to create a padded backing to display a brooch:

How to display brooches

I used the original "artwork" as my base - you can cut a piece of thin plywood/scrap plastic etc., if your frame is empty.  I cut a piece of batting and silk slightly larger than the backing and "upholstered" it.  I wrapped the fabric tightly, squeezed the backing back into the frame to check fit (and make sure the lines on my silk weren't woobly), and then glued the batting and fabric in place on the back.  I secured with tape while the glue dried (hot glue is faster, but I find that it doesn't always have as strong a hold as I would prefer).

Create an upholstered backing display


Putting it Together:

Working with finishing nails was a pain (it is aggravating to hammer something that tiny, super gently).  Instead, I stapled beside the backing so instead of the staples going through the backing (into the thinnest part of the frame), the staples hold the backing in a kind of friction fit:

Use staples to hold art into a frame

The finishes pieces combine my favorite things: a silhouette look (black on cream), turquoise, an ornate frame (I'm accidentally growing a collection), and making use of what I have. 

Now I just need to figure out where to hang them . . .

Frames bakelite brooch
Craft ideas using vintage jewellery
Framed bakelite brooch
Painted aqua frame
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June 7, 2011

More White + More Bright

You might have guessed from my recently revealed half bath makeover that I'm on a mission to make the townhouse increasingly crisper.  More bright whites and more cheery pops of colour.  This little vingette is an excellent source of inspiration:

Design Sponge

Plus, the artwork counts as a silhouette - officially completing the trifecta of things I love: bright, white, silhouette.
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May 2, 2011

Art Attack: Black Flower

Via a glimpse of The Art Institute of Chicago's modern wing, curtesy of Things That Sparkle, I was introduced to this fantastic painting.  You know I'm a sucker for a silhouette . . .  

Is there anything that you pine for the way I pine for silhouettes?

Things That Sparkle
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