Mystery Provenance

One of my favorite elements of treasure-hunting is researching each piece. As in what's it worth, where'd it come from, and what's its purpose. So it's a happy bonus when I learn something new. I have learned nothing, so far, of the treasures 
I found this weekend. Perhaps someone will shed some light.

First up, this stunning rustic piece of copper. Isn't it gorgeous?

I'm assuming this is a pie server.

Can't find a maker's mark. Is this Stickley-ish?

I actually found two of these, both G's. Mounted on thick wood.

Who would have two monogrammed mirrors in their home?

Could these have come from a place of business,

like a hotel perhaps?

Isn't this adorable?

I'm guessing it isn't old, but I have

never seen a satchel woven from

natural materials, other than leather.

Did this originally come from a Cost Plus

or Pier 1 type store?

And how cute is this? 

Although I think it's made to be a toast stamp,

it could just as easily be a barbecue branding iron

for a breakfast steak.

This last piece is not a mystery.

I normally buy jewelry boxes with great bones

so I can chalk paint them, but that just can't 

happen this time. Ain't she sweet?

And if the exterior wasn't enough,

check out the vivid Turquoise interior.

And if that wasn't enough, 

she's also musical, and plays 

"A Time for Us".

Treasure-hunting does indeed soothe the soul......:)

Linking To:

A Face only a Junker could Love

Who else but a junker could find beauty in a vintage metal dustpan with dents and rusty paint?

But in its defense, it is a fab retro green.

A few other treasures I rescued this weekend......

Really great bones. Just waiting for chalk paint now......

Gorgeous patina on these pulls. Part copper and part brass.

And I need another one of these mirror trays 

like a hole in the head. 

I have 4 already, but you can never have too many,

especially the really intricate, aged ones.

I've amassed a few things to paint now, 

so I'd better get to work!

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There's always Time to Treasure Hunt.......

I can't believe it's been weeks since I posted last. Time flies, especially when you're consumed by home matters. Well, despite the headaches I've been fighting with lately, I did manage to squeeze in a few trips to GW. Here are just a few treasures I acquired........

This beauty opens to 3 sections, and I was thrilled that it still had its key. What a glorious deep Turquoise color, and I love that it has a mirror, rather than just a satin insert.

The ubiquitous globe. Although there's a plethora of choices on Ebay and Etsy, in its defense, I didn't find one on a wire stand. This one's made by Cram, from 1967.

I really don't know if this is terribly vintage or not, but I loved the colors, bones and weight of this box. If it doesn't meet the 20-year vintage rule of Etsy, I may just sell it here on the blog.

I love this piece. Great shape, size, pattern, and feet! Despite the fact that brass is making a comeback, I bought this solely with the purpose of giving it the chalk paint treatment, and distressing the raised pattern. 

I'll show the results on a later post.

This fabulous gem has chalk paint written all over it. I've been on the prowl for more little jewelry boxes and spice cabinets to chalk paint, after I scored This and This.

Dontcha just love the caned doors and little drawers with wooden knobs? The inside has retro orange-y gold velvet interior. To paint or not to paint the cane, 

that is the question. 

I have my work cut out for me on this too.

Sometime soon, I will be creating a page on this blog to sell vintage items, some found and others from my personal collection. They will, in most cases, be items which don't meet Etsy's 20-year-old cutoff, but that I deem to be quality treasures. And rather than list them on Ebay, where I could potentially have to re-list, 

I'll just add them to my blog instead. 

Hope you're having a lovely Spring day! Mine's a sublime blustery Winnie-the-Pooh day.

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Flipping the Birdcage......

Spring is definitely in the air, cuz my painting hand is hankering for projects, and my procrastinating alter ego is incommunicado. 


Case in point: I've had this little decorative birdcage for a couple years now. It had good, charming bones, but seriously needed a better paint color. It's been moved from room to room, gathering dust and waiting to be transformed. 

It had a none too exciting metal tree stuck in the base, 

with none too exciting painted birds perched on the branches.

So I pulled out the tree and birds, patched up the hole,

and went to town on the transformation.

Now I could have easily just got out the can of spray paint,

but I was fond of the wire color already.

So naturally, I proceeded with my usual M.O.,

and chose to painstakingly hand-paint the wood trim only.

When I say painstakingly, I mean painting 

around the wire without touching it. 

At times it was like playing Operation, 

but fortunately my professional painting hand 

is remarkably steady. The same cannot 

be said for the manufacturer's painter,

so I had to do some color-matching to cover up 

the messies on the wire.

After layers of Annie Sloan chalk paints,

of Duck Egg Blue, Provence, a lightened Olive, 

and finally, clear and dark wax,

this little beauty is a real stunner now!

Join me on Instagram

@MagiaMiaEtsy

Linking To:

 

Domestically Speaking

 

It's All About the Chalk.......

Chalk paint and chalkboards......both are all the rage right now. So what could be better than putting them together. And since I can't seem to stay away from painting frames, I finally finished up two that have been staring at me since October. I had some leftover Annie Sloan chalk paint that wasn't enough for furniture, but perfect for the small projects. Unfortunately, I was hungry for a chalk paint color that didn't exist in my arsenal, so I had to improvise with latex paint and Plaster of Paris. It's not Annie Sloan perfection, but it works in a pinch. And wouldn't you know it, they make pre-cuts of sheet metal that fit perfectly into this sized frame. So after self-etching primer and a few coats of chalkboard paint, they're ready for messages and magnets!

These old gold metal pierced frames are just a dream

for their elegant bones and detailed crevices.

Layered with a homemade pale green paint, 

then Duck Egg Blue, and finally an Olive wash.

But the details don't really come alive 

till you add the dark wax. 

Not just for patina, but also to accentuate the positive.

And how's this for not wasting a thing? I really hate having to toss out an easel back, just because the finish looks bad. These easels were originally those fugly, fuzzy, and faded burgundy ones. I have discovered that if you paint them enough to saturate all the fuzz, they are given a new lease on life. Chalk paint works great for these, but in this case, 

I used craft paint, sanded them a bit, then sealed them with matte varnish.

On this frame, I just used a straight Provence blue,

then finished with the dark wax.

As with the other frame, I distress them enough to expose 

some of the gold beneath, just to add a little twinkle.

It always feels good to finish a project. 

Especially one that's been glaring at me for months.

I've got more chalk-painted accessories in progress, which I 

will reveal in the next post.

Ciao for now......

Join Me on Instagram
@MagiaMiaEtsy

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Whatzit....

Help! What is it?.......Desk accessory or cracker holder or......? 

It's 10" long, and barrel is 2-1/2" diameter.

Junk Salvation Hillsboro 2012

This last weekend I went to Funky Junk Sisters Junk Salvation show, in Hillsboro.  I had a great time chatting with my favorite junkin' peeps, and meeting vendors for the first time that I admire greatly. Though I didn't take a slew of pictures, here are a few to share........

Into Vintage

Miss Amy of Into Vintage

Fabulous Hats from Chris of Mack & Momma's 

Wendy of Vintage Market

Ormolulu

Molly Mo's

Tarte

Today's Country Store

Help!...Who is this?

I hope to add my name to this wonderful roster next year!