Good news / Bad news

Well, I have some bad news and some good news.  Bad for ME.  GOOD for you.  The bad news first.  This is what the passenger side of my car now looks like:

It actually looks a lot WORSE in person.  You can’t really see how DEEP the dent is in the photo.  It’s deep enough that I can’t open that door anymore.  I’m fine.  My car, notsomuch!   Thanks to another driver in a parking lot who ‘saw me but thought I was going to let him to go by’, even though he had a STOP sign and I had the right of way.

Currently dealing with insurance and just waiting to hear what they decide.  Here’s the ‘back story’.  The ‘Cruiser’ is 15 years old and has served me well for the past 7 years.  I definitely ‘got my money’s worth’ out if it.  Because it’s got such a low resale value at this point, it was futile for me to have full coverage on it anymore; and most likely it is going to be deemed ‘totaled’.  And while I knew the day was coming, in the not too distant future, that I was going to have to replace it, I really can’t afford to do so just yet.  I was really hoping to get at least another year out of it.  It’s still driveable, but isn’t going to be worth squat as a trade in.  sigh.

So, what’s the GOOD news?
The good news is that because I need to drum up considerably more funds to replace my vehicle, I’m having a 50% off sale in my booths at Stars.

Look for these red and white ‘50% OFF’ coupons in both of my booths.  You have to have a coupon to get the discount.  The discount is good for everything you purchase from my booths, through May 31, 2019.  After that, I’ll be extending the sale ‘as needed’, until I have enough to replace the Cruiser.

You can also print a coupon directly from the Stars website.   The coupon on the site will look a little different than the ones I printed on my PC, but the offer is the same.

I was just in Stars yesterday, rearranging and restocking, so there is a huge variety and selection of goods awaiting your shopping, and SAVING, pleasure!  And IF there is something that you have seen in my booth in the past and always coveted, but don’t see there just now; feel free to ASK ME!  It might just be something that I pulled and took home when I changed out inventory.  I’ll be happy to take it back in for you; and even have them HOLD it ‘just for you’ at the front desk.

Time for pictures!

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As you can see, both booths are jam-packed with goods.  I will continue to bring in MORE stock every week.   I’ll be making more and resupplying the coupons too.  IF, for some reason you can’t locate a coupon while you are there; ask them to CALL ME, and I will give them a verbal okay for your 50% discount.

So, come and get it while the gettin’s are half off!!

Stars is open 7 days a week; 11am – 6pm.

Hippity – hoppity . . . Easter’s on it’s way!

We had an amazing break in our winter weather last week that made me SO ready for Spring!  Our winter weather arrived late (February!) but hit HARD; as did my cabin fever.  Putting out the Spring and Easter product in my booths at Stars has really got me in the mood for ‘play outside weather’.

Since I’ve got the beach decor in my big booth, I put the Spring/Easter product in my wall space.  (Pardon that red bucket in the left corner.  It’s an OLD building and occasionally the roof leaks.)

Some cute vintage chicks and bunnies.  Ostrich sized faux eggs covered with vintage buttons.   Milk glass is great for using with your spring decor!

Vintage bell jars with hand shredded vintage book page ‘grass’ and gold leaf eggs.

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Custom blend of pink and gold paper shred to go with the packaged gold leaf and pink little eggs in the pink basket on the right.  Turquoise glitter eggs too.

More unique eggs for your spring display.  These are covered with ‘Paris’ themed paper.

Hand stitched felt eggs, embellished with vintage buttons and baby rick rack.

Gallon size mercantile jars filled with moss, nests and eggs.  Smaller jars with straw and eggs.  Big vase with nest and eggs under black wire cloche.

Cute mini take out boxes in Spring colors are perfect for filling with sweets to give to your friends at Easter Brunch.  Decorative faux cupcakes.

Plenty of cake and cupcake stands.  These are so versatile for use in your seasonal tablescapes for adding height and dimension.

Upcycled journals.

Reproduction vintage style chicks from an estate sale.  I gave them lace crowns and nestled them into some cozy nests.

Hand painted faux eggs in turquoise ceramic pots and buckets.

LOTS of new frames, big and small, just stocked.

LOVE this reproduction Gothic arched window pane.  I’m still on the fence about selling it.  It just might come home with me on my next trip!

Vintage white shutter with handcrafted twiggy wreath.

Youth size white rocking chair.  Vintage wash bowl and pitcher.

One of a kind little upcycled suitcase end table with ‘hairpin’ metal legs.

Black occasional tables.  The bottom one is distressed oak, the top one with  the scalloped apron and curvy legs is a satin finish.  Will be removing all the darker furniture in the not too distant future; replacing it with lighter colors for Spring and Summer.

Not quite matching pair of vintage canning jar lamps.  The jars are the same size but different brands.  The shades are the same color, but slightly different shapes.  Each sold separately; $29.00.

Vintage jewelry box with seashell motif paper.

Assorted crates and carriers; perfect for use with your spring decor.

Stars is open seven days a week; 11am – 6pm.

 

Changing things up a bit

Not quite two weeks in, and I’ve already rearranged my new wall space.

This is how I had it set up originally.  I absolutely LOVE using a ladder, opened up and filled with product; but I really NEED to sell that ladder.  So I decided to re-work the space and lean the ladder, folded, against the wall; making it easier for someone to purchase.

This is how it looks after the rearrange.  I added the black metal table on the far left, and the vintage metal bar stool.  Everything else was just moved a little.

Side by side comparison.  To compensate for the loss of the vertical display space on the ladder, I hung a few things on the wall at the top of the space.

Galvanized cubby shelf and canisters.  Little metal ‘file basket’ set on its side with stack of grubby books and electric candle.

Close up of display on top of cubby shelf.  Those little baby food jars contain some moss and hand painted tiny faux bird eggs.

Wall space just above the cubby shelf, a wire basket hung on its side to function as a shelf.  Vintage repro tin tiles that I upcycled into memo boards, a bundle of grubby books and a couple of old whisk brooms in a small tin flower bucket on the ‘shelf’.  The little wash board ‘memo board’ has clothespins backed with magnets to hold memos.

A couple more baskets hung to use as shelves above the burlap curtains.

Perfectly grubby industrial style vintage metal stool.

I was HOPING to have enough room to open up this little step-ladder.  That didn’t happen, but I was able to move it closer to the front where it’s more visible and accessible to shoppers.

With the ladder folded up, it’s more difficult to display items on it.  This metal basket tucked into the ladder just perfectly!  Tight enough to not fall out, but loose enough to easily remove.  It was a perfect spot for some garden signs.  The rusty wire baskets I had, fit nicely in the two rungs below this.  Rolls of chicken wire filled one.

A trug on top of a trug.

Trying to make the various trugs more visible, moving them to the front edge of the space.

Here you can better see the other baskets on the ladder rungs.  Big rusty and metal urn, stacked with assorted other vintage buckets and baskets.

And a few new things in my big booth!

My NEW Baby!!!

Isn’t she absolutely adorable?!?!?!

This is a picture I found on-line since I am still cleaning mine up.  But I found this EXACT mixer with the two matching bowls at the thrift store today.  The biggest bowl has a chip in it though.

I have wanted a ‘pretty’ stand mixer; pretty enough to leave sitting out on the counter, for as long as I can remember.  And it works!!  But I can’t get the beaters out?!?!?  Even Michael tried to no avail.  I looked around on-line for old instruction manuals (it’s a 1950’s version) to see if there was a secret to getting the beaters out.  No luck there either.

Finally cam across a you-tube video of how to use the juicer attachment (which I do not have).  Decided to watch and see if maybe they showed how to remove the beaters.  They just pulled them out!  But they were hard to get out in the video too.  So, maybe I’ll be able to get them out after I get it all cleaned up.  Lots of ‘grease marks’ all over it to clean.

I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT MY PRETTY NEW MIXER . . . . . . AND MY NEW HOME THAT I WILL BE TAKING IT TO IN LESS THAN A MONTH!!

Yep!  I finally found a place. . . . AND it has an attached garage!  Hallelujah for that garage!!  So, now it’s full steam ahead on the packing.

Seems like I have been ‘packing and purging’ for forEVER already.  feels so good to finally have an end in sight.  And I can’t wait to make the new place ‘my own’ and share the pictures and progress with you all here in my blog.

I’ve been heavily stocking my space at Stars in anticipation of my upcoming move.

I’ve got it full enough right now that I shouldn’t need to take in any more inventory until after I get moved.  All the furniture in my booth is stacked 2-3 pieces high, so I’ll just lower the stacks as things sell, and rearrange and tidy up every week as needed.

Took in a HUGE stack of frames last week!

Some really BIG gold frames, behind the big distressed framed chalk boards.

A few ‘word cloud’ chalk boards; but the more popular name for these seems to be ‘speech bubbles’.  Great fun to use for photos at parties.

A couple of vintage styled dry erase boards.

And still MORE frames!

Here is a better look at a grouping of white and gold distressed frames that are a bit hidden in the above pictures.

It’s been ages since I’ve had a lot of frames in stick so they are bound to sell quickly!

How cute is this vintage pair of suede shoes!?!?

One of a kind teddy bear lamp that I made.

Over-stuffed ‘granny’ foot stool.

And a couple more vintage foot stools; newly reupholstered.

I’ve built up quite the collection of vintage cream pitchers and sugar bowls.

And plenty of ‘butter bells’.  I LOVE my butter bell.  Keeps the butter nice and soft and FRESH without refrigeration.

And look at this CUTIE PATOOTIE mini butter bell with it’s mama!!!

Replenished the vintage Milk Glass dishes.  The gold rimmed ones are SO pretty!

Milk glass bowls and custard cups.

Pretty scalloped Milk Glass fruit cups and a creamer.

Gold rimmed serving bowl and a lace edge Milk Glass candy dish.  I’ve got several of the candy dished in this small size and a larger size.  Perfect for your party candy buffet!

Adorable Milk Glass egg cups.

LOTS of vintage Ironstone in stock too.

Dessert / Hors d’ourves size stoneware plates for your next party.  So much nicer to use than paper plates.

And of course Ironstone BOWLS.  Bowls always seem to sell the fastest.

And I’m well stocked on several sizes and styles of stoneware bowls and ramekins.

Including these extra BIG Ironstone soup/cereal bowls.

Plenty of white Ironstone canisters, utensil crocks and covered casserole dishes too.

Several sets of white stoneware napkin rings too!  Chickens, bunnies, kittens and plain ones.

And for those warm summer nights when you want to languish on the patio . . . this big rusty rooster is a candle lantern! One wing lifts up to place a candle inside.

So, fret not if you don’t hear much from me for the next month or so.  I’ve got a few posts ‘written and ready to publish’ saved up so I’ll have SOME new content to add.  But I’m going to be pretty much buried in bubble wrap and boxes for the next month.  Wish me luck!

IT’S A CONTEST! Win a $20.00 credit to my etsy shop!! What can I do with this???

Remember this fabulous turquoise GLITTER lamp that I made a while ago??

I had just coated the base with several coats of glitter and glue.  Once completely dry I apply a couple of coats of clear spray to ‘set’ the glitter and minimize it’s ‘shedding’.  Add a shade and a bulb and it’s ready to sell.

Alas,  THIS is all that is left of it at this point!  It apparently got knocked over one too many times while on display in my booth at Stars and the switch broke.  Now I KNOW I ‘could’ buy the parts and replace them and re-wire the lamp; but I wanted to come up with ‘something else’ UNIQUE to do with it.

I already have that ‘something’ in mind, but I thought I’d also ask for YOUR ideas and input.  And since it’s ‘Christmas time’, why not make it a contest with a PRIZE?!?!

So, here’s the deal . . . leave your suggestions as comments to me.  Whomever has the BEST and most unique idea (OR actually guesses the same idea as I already have for it) wins a $20.00 credit to spend in my etsy shop.

There is a small hole on the top of it where the wire came through; and a small hole where the cord came out in the back (that can easily be ignored) but the hole on top will have to be ‘dealt with’ in some way in your suggestion.

Cut-off date for entries in December 5th.  The winner will be announced on the 6th, and will be able to SHOP for their prize immediately.  Michael will be judging the entries with me.  (He doesn’t like MY idea for it at ALL!!  But if you come up with the SAME idea as I did, you’ll still be the winner.  Otherwise entries will be judged upon the following aspects of the idea:

EASE of completion.  SPEED of completion.  COST of completion.  (Fast, cheap and easy being the BEST scores!)

Put on your thinking caps and start thinking . . . . . What would AJ do?!?!

Just add GLITTER!!!

Had three old lamps that I wanted to get rid of but the bases were just ‘blah’!  What to do???  Add GLITTER!

The pictures DO NOT do these glittered lamps ANY justice.  They are SO much prettier in person. (and the spots on the shades from the dust INSIDE my camera lens aren’t helping either!  I have GOT to find a digital camera repair place!!)

Since all of my lamp bases had shiney (slick) finishes to them, I first applied a coat of ‘sealer’ so the glitter would stick and STAY on better.

After my sealer dried, I brushed my adhesive on the entire base (glue or mod podge or even varnish will work) and coated it with my glitter.  Gently tap the lamp to remove loose glitter, then let dry.

These white shades were NEW and still in the packaging; but bought at a thrift store.

This ‘fairy dust’ glitter is SO pretty in person!  So, after the first coat of glitter is completely dry; tap again to remove any loose glitter.  Apply another coat of your adhesive over the first coat of glitter by using a ‘stippling’ motion with your brush; add second coat of glitter.  Tap to remove any loose glitter and let dry overnight.

This next step is optional, but HIGHLY recommended; and is done to minimize the amount of shedding your glittered item will do with handling and usage.  Again using the stippling motion with your brush, apply a coat of clear varnish over your two layers of glitter.   (OR spray varnish works well for this final step also!)

This final top-coat WILL diminish the ‘sparkle’ of your glitter a little bit, but is SO worth it to keep the glitter from shedding EVERYWHERE!

That’s it!  Easy peasey glittered lamps!

All three of these lamps are available in my booth at Stars.

Finally!! Time to bring the BIG cherub table out!

This gal and I go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back!

She was a humble lamp base when I found her; and I had taken her to our booth in Camas to sell, as we found her.

Alas, that was not as lucrative a venture as we had hoped and she didn’t sell, so I carefully packed her up to take her home for a while, then to Stars eventually.

Upon unpacking her, and to my utter horror and dismay, her arm had broken off.  It was a ‘clean break’ and glued back on nicely, but the crack was very visible.  So, I got out my big ole bucket of spackling compound and lightly applied it here and there, paying careful attention to disguising her broken arm!

And I did a darn fine job, if I do say so myself!  I can’t even remember where the break was!  So she went to Stars but still did not sell.  Again, and ever so EXTRA carefully, I wrapped her up and took her home with a sigh.   She is such a cutie!  Why doesn’t anyone want to adopt her?!?!  Maybe she needed to be something more than ‘just a pretty face?!?!

I just happened to be working on a bunch of cake stands when I took her home and VOILA!  I knew what to do the giver her a ‘purpose in life’!  I added a plate to that nice flat top, gave the whole thing a fresh coat of white spray paint . . . and packed her away (with a bit of trepidation!) until the right time to re-debut her.

Valentine’s was the perfect time to her to re-appear.    I’m not terribly wild about HOW I have her displayed just now; but I had been working for 6 hours on my booth and just plopped her down where ever she would fit!  I can always go back and move her once I think of a better spot.

That’s the kind of thing I usually think about before I fall asleep at night!  What to move where in the booth,  What furniture to take in next.  What to make next.  What to shop for next.  The wheels are ALWAYS turning!

I have a beautiful new (repainted it last summer) dresser to take in next week, and plan to set her on it along with some of the smaller dessert white dessert pedestals I have.  Wouldn’t she be PERFECT to use as the centerpiece on a wedding dessert buffet?

Third time’s a charm???

I’ve had this vintage cherub lamp base around for quite a while.

It was a little ‘beat up’, so I gave it a fresh coat of white spray paint, and then planned to sell it ‘as is’; as opposed to turning it into a lamp.  Took it to our booth at Camas, when it sat and sat and didn’t sell.  So I decided to move it to Stars.  But en route it broke!

Here entire left arm just snapped off!  I was heartbroken.  I could not bear to part with her.  thought about breaking off the other arm ala ‘Venue De Milo’ .  But first I tried re-attaching the arm with some e6000 adhesive.  It held just fine, but the repair was VERY noticeable.  Wall spackle to the rescue!  I lightly applied some wall spackle around the seam of the break, and randomly all over to make it look like that was how it was ‘meant to be’.

And it worked quite well.  She had gone to the spring show last April, and when I unpacked her I decided to try to think of ‘something else’ to do with her (since she hadn’t sold!)

I’d been working on a lot of dessert pedestal plates lately, and the cherub lamp DID have a FLAT TOP?!  Voila!  A BIG dessert pedestal plate, of a little ceramic side table.  Whichever you prefer to call it!

It’s in storage for now, until after Halloween probably; when I take the Christmas stuff into Stars.

Whaddya think?  Too FAR outside the box?  Or just unique enough to be a hit!  Wouldn’t she be a fabulous ‘focal point’ on a big wedding dessert buffet?

Just restocked (STACKED!) at Stars

After a very busy sale weekend at Stars, I pulled the few remaining white pieces to make room for all my new beachy blue stuff.

It’s a tight fit, but I did manage to fit quite a bit of the newly painted beachy blue stuff into the space by doing some serious stacking!  There’s the half round coffee table I recently showed you, on the bottom of the stack.  Topped with several benches, a little corner shelf and a small storage shelf with a drawer.  ALL of these items were constructed by us using reclaimed wood.

Enough space under the coffee table for a basket of your favorite magazines.

Little cabinet with drawer.  White wire basket sold separately.

Assorted benches.  And a big vintage wood ‘trencher’ bowl filled with old architectural elements.

Little corner shelf for extra storage on the bathroom vanity perhaps?

And little black lamps with ‘skeleton’ shades.  Just LOVE these!!!

LOTS more stacked up on the right hand side of our booth!  A gate leg and a drop leaf table topped with small tables and chairs.

Vintage grubby little step ladder that I painted beachy blue, makes a great ‘catch all’ or plant stand.

Atop the beachy blue drop leaf table, a small pedestal table with carved base, a medium sized occasional table with a little step stool underneath.

A vintage cake dome /cloche fits perfectly on the little table!

This is the repurposed bar stool table shown recently.

And a little vintage child’s chair with a bird cage on it on top of that!

 

Behind the aqua drop leaf table is a gate leg table (covered with old book pages) and THIS stuff is stacked on top of the gate leg.  An aqua child’s chair and shabby little bench.

And an aqua end table under the bench.   Kind of hard to get a good photo of some of this stuff because it IS so jam packed in there!

A regular size chair next to the child size one.

TO  BE  CONTINUED  TOMORROW . . .

‘Skeleton’ lamp shades

Just put these two little cuties out in our space at Stars:

The bases do NOT match, but are very similar.  Once both were repainted black, and paired up with the matching ‘skeleton’ shades, you hardly even notice the difference.

Just about any lamp/shade can be made into this style.  Size/proportion is what’s most important.   It takes a lot of hunting to find the perfect match like I did here.  Almost NEVER do I find both the lamp and the shade at the same place or at the same time.  I keep a small stash of both lamps and shades on hand all the time. 

When hunting for old lamp shades to strip, be SURE your top ring is ATTACHED to the bottom ring with the side ‘spines’.  A lot of them are NOT attached, rather the shade is a stiff ‘cardboard’ material that holds the whole thing together.  Unique shapes of shades work best for stripping too.