Dare to be square.

I’m pulling together the parts & pieces for the set-up of my antique mall space happening later this week and thought I’d share my ‘decor board’ for the space.

That’s right. I’m going all Candice Olson in my 15 square feet.

These are the display elements of the space – the vintage fabrics will become mini curtain panels to add some texture & color, the chippy green boards are shelves that will go on a rusty metal bakers rack, the yellow slats belong to a crusty folding screen and the vintage square dancing wallpaper is just to make it all a little bit fun.

A question about the original use of square dance wallpaper: Which room? I have envisioned this in every room in the house and can’t quite figure it out.

The kitchen is my best guess. Or the ballroom, maybe, if you’re a very dedicated square dancing enthusiast.

And have a ballroom.

Focus.

In an effort to keep costs down (and profits up, please), everything pictured, except the wallpaper, is from my personal stash.

Looks like I’ve been stashing more than vintage fabric lately…

Set up is on Thursday. Woo-hoo!

P.S. I bought the wallpaper here.  I plan to 'hang' it on my mall walls with thumbtacks.

And it turns out Square Dance is the official dance of Oregon.

It really is.



Rust. Ick. : The Goods

A few of the things uncovered, dug up, pried loose and unearthed while picking out at the *secret weapon.*

   Opening the door of this mailbox to see what was inside brought immediate prophetic visions of the slithering reptiles who decided the accommodations were so delightful that perhaps they would winter here as well.

Fortunately, the only occupants were vacated wasp nests. And yet I was certain I would find the one stupid snake that thrives in freezing weather and DOES NOT want to be disturbed.

Redirecting crazy snake thoughts toward that chippy aqua window…

So many little bottles. I wish I had more of them because they sell so well. Why does it seem as though so many are fond of the little bottle? Several of the bottles still hold a bit of their original, mysterious potions.

Maybe I just answered my own question.

And let’s not overlook the handsome and rustic metal toolbox. Perfect for carrying many little bottles.

Lovely old metal egg crates. Dried weeds were included at no extra charge.

Metal letters that were sold to me by the pound. (?!)

One lone drawer that will be making its debut in my antique mall space as a vertical display shelf.

And some of the countryside’s finest in this year’s rust.

Please have a fabulous weekend.

Rust. Ick.

On a sunny day, this place is my *secret weapon* for finding fabulous vintage loot.

And it’s why I keep heavy duty gloves and junkin’ boots in my car.

Despite all the potential tetanus lurking out there, it’s well worth it.

Hope you’re having a great week so far!

Junk Jenga

You may recall earlier this year I mentioned putting my name on the very long waiting list for a dealer space in Monticello Antique Marketplace in Portland, OR.

THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR AND DOWN THE STEPS

At that time I was told the wait could be a year.

Gah.

A year!

TURN RIGHT

The garage is filled to the brim with junk right this minute. And yard sale season is just around the corner…

Well, what do you know?!

Turns out the universe heard my whining and had just about enough of it.

TA-DA! MY FUTURE SPACE (it’s still occupied by its current tenant)

 My name came up on the waiting list much faster than I could have hoped and now I’m thrilled to be setting up my vendor space on March 1st.

It’s small. Your basic starter home of mall spaces.

But all 3 x 5 feet (yes, it’s the size of a throw rug) are mine!

click photo to see some *inspiring* MONTICELLO DEALERS

And the location within the store is terrific.

I plan to fill it all the way up (literally) with a tower of vintage Junk Jenga.

You’ll see…



Looks like I made it.

Whoops. Notice anything a little off with this photo?

I’ve been a bit of a mad scientist recently, trying to modify inexpensive, store-bought house paint to make it easier to distress after it’s been applied to wood furniture.

Sounds like a giant step backward, doesn’t it, anxiously waiting for applied paint to dry so I can un-apply it?

I try not to think about it.

I followed recipes found here and here and liked the results.

I bought a $4 quart of paint* at my favorite painting supply store, my local Rebuilding Center, and mixed two parts of paint with one part of (sifted! Thank you, Maria) Plaster of Paris and a tiny bit of water and voila!

Genuine DIY distress-able paint.

Never one to experiment on a test piece of wood, I dove right in on this desk.

Before painting, I lightly sanded the wood where it still had some its original varnish in case the paint might not adhere to those areas.

I didn’t use primer. Yay!

The paint dried quickly and I called in my alter-ego, Sandy, to do her thing.

I love the wood top and it was in very good condition compared to the rest of this desk which was in pieces when I found it, so I simply sanded & stained it and then finished it with paste furniture wax.

I heart this 50¢ drawer pull

I love the look of waxed furniture. I do not love the task of waxing furniture.

Good thing it’s the final step in the process.

Arms so tired can’t type sentence.

*Benjamin Moore’s Beach Glass

More great painted furniture ideas here.



Shut-In

Thanks to days of do-not-drive winter weather that kept me trapped indoors much like a pajama-clad shut-in, my 2012 furniture-painting efforts are off to a robust start.

This flakey Before is now an After.

There are two of these little nightstands and while not exactly heirloom pieces, I liked their curved legs and distressed hardware.

I did not like the gold plastic (plastic!) scrolly accents so I studied up on home dentistry and extracted them with a pair of pliers.

The nightstands go onto the stack of things I’ll be selling at my first vintage event of the year, happening in a week or so.

If I can get out of my driveway by then.

Just before the snow and ice storm arrived last week, I decided I’d better hit my super-secret thrift store circuit before the weather put me on lockdown and I’m glad I did.

Please disregard the following in this photo: vintage Christmas tablecloths not put away yet, vertical blinds (ew), dangling electronic doodads, nightstand on sideboard (?!), shadeless & bulbless lamps, bath towel on floor ... I could go on...

Furniture is now lined up and awaiting makeovers.

This is why dinner is sometimes eaten at the coffee table.

***

Who am I kidding? Dinner is always eaten at the coffee table.

Unless there are guests.

It’s not total anarchy, yet.

The Vintage Crafter Strikes Again.

Despite what’s happening outside today, I see signs of Spring inside.

 

The thimble flowers are blooming.

And I’m surrounded by my favorite kind of roses, the Barkcloth Rose.

 

Just wanted to share these sweet gifts from my talented friend, The Vintage Crafter Magpie Ethel.

Hope you’re having a cozy & creative weekend.