Rainy Day Treasures

Here’s a few of my latest thrifting treasures.

Mid Century petite metal candle holders, in the most perfect greenish Aqua. Made in Sweden.

Fabulous wicker/rattan suitcase. I was really attracted to the weave. It’s a more delicate ribbed texture than the typical wicker. It still has a faded older Macy’s price tag on the inside.

Always a fun find. An unopened package of Antioch bookplates. I’m quite certain the 3 little owls will be a hit on Etsy.

Very Retro set of 4 coffee cups in harvest gold and brown. Each with a different design. Very charming.

Here’s something I don’t see often in my thrifting. Not 1 but 2  Old World instruments. A Russian lacquer-painted zither or lap harp. Gorgeous colors which will fit right into Christmas décor.

And a kalimba or thumb piano. Great little World music instrument for the well-traveled home.

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Decoupaging The Game

Even after a lifetime of learning new artistic techniques, it's still suprisingly enjoyable to go back to basic childhood fun, with scissors, paper and glue,

I usually paint a Halloween-themed bowl this time of year to be used for handing out Trick-or-Treat candy. I didn't think I'd have time for that, but then I missed not crafting one. I found this bowl at the thrift store, and with such a great shape, thought it might be great for decoupage. Not Halloween-themed. I just wanted to create a fun bowl. What is this thing I have for bowls? I don't really know. Maybe it's tied to my Aquarian identity as the Water Bearer. Or maybe I just have a thing for vessels in general.........

I'm sure you've seen these everywhere.......high-gloss accent bowl for holding textured what-nots on a coffee table. After sanding off the gloss finish, it was ready for adhesion.

So what do you think?

Although I said I didn't have time to paint a bowl, I ended up spending way more time than expected designing the bowl. Designing always takes much longer than execution. At least for me it does......

I had already pictured the side to the rim early on, so that part of the design came easy. Believe it or not, it was designing the center that took all my time. I put together so many different combinations for it, and every time I thought I had it right, a voice in my head said "just because you can, doesn't mean you should". Every configuration took away from the side design. So in the end, I kept the middle simple, opting for painting it black, with little tie-ins to the sides.

I've had this old Monopoly money for a few years now, but I still hadn't used it. It's very well-loved money from the 1935 issue, so there is great character in the paper, with wrinkles, tiny tears, and tape residue. I also like the fact that some of the denominations from the old version are a different color than they are now.

I added some very pretty Masterpiece clippings, and finally the Yahtzee logo. Love the punches of black.

I glued all pieces with wood glue for a strong bond, but I also knew that if I sealed everything with wood glue, I could create a crackle finish with my final clear coat. Wood glue is a super cheap crackle medium. I thought the crackled varnish could look like crazing, giving the bowl a more vintage look. I used a glossy outdoor varnish, which I tinted just a hint with Caramel alcohol ink, just to give it a bit of patina.

I kept the outside of the bowl a smooth and solid, glossy black, again to let the inside of the bowl be the showpiece. I only added one strip across the top outer edge, with alternating Masterpiece increments of One Hundred Thousand and Five Hundred Thousand. I love the contrast of the black exterior with the colorful interior.

I"m really digging how this turned out, and immediately pictured it holding the kitty for some friendly gambling. But then again, it could still be fun for handing out Halloween candy.

So much for a quick project....Oh-so typical for me......:)

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@MagiaMiaEtsy

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Vintage Globe Greatness

Just had to share my latest awesome find!

I was lucky to snag this Replogle Reference Globe just as it was being put on the shelf.

It has a full Meridian on a wood-grained base, but I was a bit perplexed about the other ring around it with beads that slide. I searched high and low, but couldn't find a single one on the web like it. I finally asked for assistance, via a fantastic site for all things maps and globes. Murray Hudson is a major collector and store, if you are ever looking for a vintage piece for your collection.They were kind enough to send me a link of my exact globe model, and they had one in stock for sale.

Imagine my surprise when I found out it is a scarce globe, because it is uncommon to find this model with the ring still attached. It is an Orbit Ring, and is attached with clips on the meridian. The ring pivots at the clips, and the clips are movable. The bead on each side is meant to be a satellite, and you can slide them along the ring to demonstrate the satellite's path.

Ah, the simpler times. When a kid had that innocent sense of wonder, and could have fun with a bead on a globe.......

This model was first published in 1958 or '59, after the Sputnik Satellite mission. Based on my geographical research, this globe is from 1961 or '62. I am happy to say this globe is still vibrant in color and condition..........for being my age. :)

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Just because It's Small doesn't mean It's easier to Paint: Episode III

No truer words have been spoken than with this project. Today is the great reveal of my latest jewelry box masterpiece. I find nothing more gratifying than an extraordinary Before and After.

I went way way way beyond my predictable painstaking self on this one. Multi-layered  paint colors, distressing, plus dark wax, once again made this a difficult piece for color-matching in the photo editor. Every change in the sunlight made this piece morph in all shades of Aqua, powder Blue, Spring green, Seafoam, Teal and dusky Blue. If I had a high-end camera and lens, it would certainly speed up the editing process......Someday.....

Before.....

After.....

I was sort of bored with the idea of a plain top, so I painted a border with the Teal paint. Still not interesting enough, I went further and created a stylized version of a compass rose. I think I was in a bit of a pirate-y treasure chest kind of mood. Oh, who am I kidding, I'm ALWAYS in that mood........Anywho, I I used the 2 blues and added metallic bronze color to coordinate with the draw pulls.

The interiors of the drawers were red velveteen corduroy. One of the drawers had some black ink spots in the fabric, and after removing most of it, I still wasn't satisfied with the result. If I was going to so much trouble creating a masterpiece on the outside, I didn't want to resign myself to a less than stellar interior. So I bit the bullet, and ripped out all the fabric, choosing to re-line the drawers. After lots of scraping to remove cardboard and old glue, I came up with a promising plan of attack. So so many options, but the final result is nothing short of fabulous.........

Since the top design is a stylized compass rose, what could be more apropos than map-lined drawers? I chose to cut individual pieces for every side and bottom, so the sides wouldn't be random. Then after gluing and sealing the maps, I tinted them with alcohol ink to mesh with the antique look of the exterior.

My inspiration for the colors were from this frame I painted recently.

Since I loved the color combination so much, I wanted to use it again. Don't these look  lovely together?

So the next time you're out thrifting, and you see a darling jewelry chest with stained or ugly interior, consider it the perfect opportunity to re-line the drawers with something fabulous.

I am seriously digging this design, and I think it's my favorite chalk paint project so far. I can't believe after all the loving labor I put into this, that I intend to sell it in my Etsy shop.......I just keep reminding myself that if I did it once, I can always paint another one just for me. It's so nice to have my own personal vault of skills, that are ready to use any time I want to.......such a luxury.

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A Map, Mold, Melamine, Mesh and More.......

I do love me some M's........

This is my favorite time of year, but I just can’t believe it was 90 degrees today. It’s summers like these that I wish non-Oregonians could witness firsthand, as proof we aren’t drowning in rain all year. Can’t wait till a little crisp air joins this sun.

Fortunately, the weather doesn’t deprive me of any plummy treasures. Here’s a few I’ve found recently……..

Framed 1959 USA map that’s Pre-Hawaii. Beautiful litho details, and it’s 21 x 13.

Great old German, Anton Reiche chocolate cigar mold. Love the worn tin color and awesome details.

Yet another Texas Ware Confetti bowl, this time it’s an 8” one. It's a good thing these are put in the plastic section at GW, or they'd be spotted too soon for me to snag them!

Cool black mesh curvy Retro tray. Can’t imagine covering up this beauty with office papers, but it certainly would be a stylin’ end basket. I think I’d rather see a big ol’ pile of mini pumpkins on it, and maybe a few votives.

Stunning tole candle sconces with plaster/ceramic pears. What attributes should a piece have, to be considered Italian tole? Anyone care to enlighten me?

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The Ghost of Halloween Past......

I can feel Autumn in the air, 
and the hot, bright sunlight is now mellowing 
to the sublime, cozy glow I love so much. 
Naturally, that coaxes my mind to thoughts of Halloween. 
Since I'm busy with other projects, I probably won't get around 
to painting a Halloween bowl like I usually do, 
so I thought I'd re-visit my post from last year.

This may sound blasphemous to all the Christmas lovers out there, but Autumn and Halloween are my favorite season and holiday. Perhaps part of the reason is that I live in Oregon, where our Fall scenery is so conducive to the blustery day, mystical mood of the season. I'm not saying I don't enjoy the Christmas season, but October holds a special magic for me. Time for scary movies, changing leaves, foggy mornings, Halloween candy, and costume parties. What's not to love? 

Every year, in honor of my love for Halloween, I hand-paint a bowl for display or to hold Trick-or-Treat candy. This year I decided to go with an understated look for 

my favorite day of the year.

This was one of those vintage salad bowls made in Japan. 

Blonde wood, with an uniremarkable grain.

It had some stains inside, and no amount of sanding

would remove it. So I had no choice but to paint the inside,

then glaze in several layers to color-match

the outside, and to add faux wood grain throughout, 

for more visual interest.

I painted a large 31 inside, with smaller numerals around the outside rim. I alternated 3's and 1's, so that you can read them as 31's or 13's, just to play with superstition.

 Definitely a sophisticated bit of whimsy for 

my Halloween fix.

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@MagiaMiaEtsy

Oh, the Things you Can Find at Goodwill......

As an unapologetic junker, antiquer, collector, and pirate, I am always amazed at what gets dropped off at the Goodwill door. But I suppose not everyone's interested in wearing a seller's hat, so donating is their only option. That's okay by me.........

Check this out.....

Is this gorgeous or what? 

Cupids on top and sides of this swing pedestal mirror,

with another Cupid over 2 lovers at the base.

Solid brass, with a marble base, stands 16" tall,

and the mirror has lots of beautiful silvering flaws.

Oh so Miss Havisham.....

And now for a completely different era....

You had me at Art Deco and Bakelite......

Then you went and added a barometer face.

Who could just give this beauty away?

And I can never seem to resist old, hand-crafted copper....

Do we call this Arts and Crafts or Mission?

Still learning about that era.

I don't know whether it's an ice bucket or 

some kind of crock pot, because it has a ceramic liner.

Whatever it is, isn't it gorgeous?

And finally, just a little sentimental find....

You had me at Clock and Windmill....

Sweet little ceramic vase, with holes on each topside

for flowers, and a hole in back for hanging as a wall pocket.

I have a Very Dear friend in the Netherlands, 

so I'm drawn to unique Dutch treasures on

a regular basis now. I think I'll probably have to keep this one.

She'll look fabulous in Spring with Grape Hyacinths....

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