Do most of y'all try to focus on a few things that you are really good at in the junk-refab world?
Do you tend to want to duplicate EVERY DaNg cool thing that you see?
Let's take a poll.
I WANT TO DO IT ALLLLLLLLLLLL. I think I overwhelm myself because I want everything to be my specialty. Is that a good thing or a bad thing and how do I stop it?!?!
gigi
Member
i specialize in PROCRASTINATION about what i wanna do!! ;)
actually no specialty....just try whatever appeals to me
I don't have one i'm afraid...One of the first things I made was bandana flowerpots... And dried flower candleholders...But they didn't sell to well... But I will put them back out this yr. Maybe with more exposer(the shop, not me) someone will like them...
Gigi - you crack me up. I think I have that disease too! Well, I'm always doing something but there's just not enough time in the day. I have enough junk for about 3 years worth of projects!
Leveta - I think you do a lot of things and I can't wait until we see your gourds and pumpkins.
Sue
lovecrafting
Member
SPRAY PAINT!!!! If it's not sitting still I will spray paint it (or so my DH says)
LuAnn
Member
I try my hand at some projects I see. I don't have any specialty--as my mom would say--"I'm a jack of all trades master of none."
LuAnn
I seem to go through phases, and finding something new to learn is a challange I'm always looking for. If I see something that I LOVE then I ask, How did they make that? Can I make it? I'm currently in the vintage window/message board phase. I also make magnets and thumb tacks (that "look" like type writer keys)to go with the message boards. I am still doing new things with them, so I'm not bored yet. And they have sold well so I can't complain.
LuAnn
Member
Thanks for the idea of using typewriter keys for thumb tacks. I may try that for my board at work. The ladies there think I'm not quite there and if I do this they will know I'm defintely not there (at least where they are concerned). LuAnn
I'm with you on the window message boards. I've got to get my fanny in gear and get some chalkboard paint out and get rolling (no pun intended)! I absolutely LOVE your typewriter key thumb tacks. Is there anyway you'd share your secrets on those? I think that they would go over well in my craft booths and in the shop I consign in. If you'd rather not share, I can certainly understand! LOL. Have you sold oodles of them? I think that they would be hot anywhere.
Thanks,
Sue
I have an old window frame that is prabably 100 yrs old that I got out of a 100 yr old house and the orignal part was log cabin. I want to make a chalkboard out of it but need a piece of plywood to finish it...
I TRY to focus on one thing, but then that stinkin' one thing multiplies and becomes 100, then again to become 1000...LOL I'm like you Sue! If you find a way to stop it, will you share? Other than than the 50 million things I love to do (and would love to have them all my specialty!) mine would have to be bags....I do indeed like to make purses. LOLOL But I won't duplicate a single one, so it keeps me from getting bored!!! I love the typewriter thumb tack idea too!!! Vintage sparkles make good magnets and thumb tacks, have ya'll made those and if so, are they selling well? I have some on my board of inspiration, but I haven't made any to sell!
Whew, Robelyn, I'm glad I'm not alone. I can't turn off the voices in my head! I can see why your bags are your "main" specialty as they are so fantastic. I've done some of the sparkle magnets along with vintage buttons and scrabble tiles and haven't sold a one.
Sue
paintwife
Member
I don't know if it's a specialty or just an obsession but there's something about making birdhouses, I can't stop. I think it started when I would see cute or pretty birdhouses that weren't functional. The hole or nesting box was too big or small or there was no way to clean them out.And if I was going to put up a birdhouse in my yard I wanted to see birds in it. I've probably made 25 or so and have plenty of ideas for more. Here are a couple I gave as gifts. the first one is a little twisted for my DD, the entrance is through the nose. I also made the cat for my DM a replica of her kitty Cosmos.
kitty_bird_house.JPG (33.1 KB, 0 downloads) 3 years old nostril.JPG (30.5 KB, 0 downloads) 3 years old bird_house_face.JPG (27.8 KB, 0 downloads) 3 years old
paintwife
Member
Last year at Thanksgiving dinner my then 6 yr old GS said "Grandma you've made everybody a birdhouse except me" Outta the mouths of babes. So I got busy and made him this one for X-Mas last year and he was thrilled to have bluebirds in it this spring.
Linda
spongebob.jpg (31.8 KB, 0 downloads) 3 years old OH how cute!!!My GK's would love that...
Such talent! Those are wonderful. Jan
Linda, those are really neat! I've never seen anything like them - especially the guy with the very big nostrils! LOL.
Sue
me too on wanting to try about evrything i like....but i think our main speciality is the big rehabbed furniture.... seriously using old doors windows and porch posts etc and making them into useable modern furniture..iu design and paint...but have a builder....
i love collage but cant see it selling....
we do sell tons of raw materials,junk doors windows spindles parts parts parts to other makers junkers and builders..AND i get to hear about their projects....
ann
www.magpiecottage.blogspot.com
Chelcass
Member
My main interest right now is Junk Birdhouses. My DH makes the birdhouses for me then I decorate them. All the birdhouses are built to spec for each bird we want to attract. So far the Bluebird houses are a big hit. We currently have one with 4 babies in it. Want to get going on totems as I have almost 2 sheds full of glassware..........any buying more..............lol
dianeinthevalley
Member
Love to try it all but as Gigi says, I can procrastinate alllllll day. If I would just get off my butt and put down the computer of turn off HGTV I might actually get something done. But I'll worry about that tomorrow. Diane
And Linda SELL THOSE BIRDHOUSES. THEY ARE ADORABLE!!!!
paintwife
Member
Thanks gals. I've been picking up lots of "Junque" (that's what DD calls my finds because of what I turn things into) to embellish my bird houses. I bought some cool old cheese graters today that will end up on a bird house somewhere.
Diane, I'm the Queen of procrastinators, I wanted to join their support group.....just haven't gotten around to it yet LOL
Linda
Maggie
Member
Good to know I'm not the only one. If I start something I'd better go ahead & finish or it might not get it done for quite a while.
SecondHandRosie
Member
I think my "speciality" must be just the ability to accumulate junk/raw materials, etc. I also accumulate vast amounts of photos, magazine articles, etc. Now, if I could just manage to put all of that together......LOL
SecondHandRosie...I hear you! I am certain my specialty is "gathering".
Kari
Rosie and Kari - I'm with you on that too! ROTFLMBO!!! I love those bird houses...so much talent and SO creative!!!
I seem to have to make "one of everything" then I sort of get it out of my system. If I see something, I think "wow" that's so cool! It may take me months to get to it, but I guess I like the challenge of seeing if I can make something new.
There are some things that I make more of... like shutter projects. Love 'em and they are easy!
Love the birdhouses! so cute Linda!
Blossom Lane
Member
My specialties seems to be reupholstering and furniture refurbishing.
Often, I can be found in my garage working with sandpaper, primer, and paint. I like to work on salvage pieces.
I can also be found in my kitchen...sewing away...covering my wicker cushions for the umpteenth time, creating valances or coronas for beds, throw pillows...etc. I love fabric. I even make my dog bandannas for every season.
I always hand-made every trick or treat costume my children wore! I would keep it a secret from everyone in the family and sometimes even my kids. We never actually did a lot of trick or treating. Mostly, we just surprised our family members. My kids have been: Santa and his Elf; Chickens; elderly people; Heinz ketchup and French's mustard; Cleopatra; a working stop light; a race car driver with car; Indian chief and squaw; Goldilocks and (my son dressed as) Grandma as a cute little old wolf (with earrings, glove, and purse); two gorilla's, an Arabian princess, a squirrel and acorn; and a flowering shrub.
Maybe my real calling is in the costume business.
csudderth
Member
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that procrastinates. I'm also an expert gatherer--it's the follow through that I'm not so good at.
Christy
BL as I posted in another post about the stool I'm redoing. When I cut the foam for the seat do I but the stool on top of it and mark it and then cut it a bit smaller then the stool? and when I put the covering on do I do the same thing and this time add a couple inches? I never done this before but should be pretty easy...Thanks...
Blossom Lane
Member
Leveta,
Confession: My first upholstery piece was not held together with upholstery tacks. It was held with....hot glue!! Hey, that hot glue does a bang up job on almost anything! Since most folks don't put chairs in the washer to clean them, I figured the glue would hold! LOL
PS. Nope...didn't sell the chair to some poor unsuspecting soul. I made it for my daughter's playhouse.
It sounds like you have exactly the right idea in going about your stool. I bought ($10.00) an ornate, wide dresser mirror--minus the actual--mirror that I am going to paint black and upholster with taupe/black toile fabric...much the same way in which you are upholstering your chair...with foam. Ultimately, it will be a twin size head board. Then I will sell it. Wish me skill!!! ha ha
Oh I have no doubt it will be beautiful...Make sure you post pic's...I have to metal sconces that I primered. What color do you think would sell the best?? I was thinking a light one...Opinions please...
Blossom Lane
Member
Are the sconces fancy or rustic? If fancy, I may shabby then with an off-white. Rustic calls for primitive colors. Are these for you, or do you plan to sell them?
When I get a chance today i'll take a pic...
Here are the sconces I was asking about...They are primered. I bought one last yr that was silver, and this past weekend I bought the other that was gold...
What colors are good this yr???
rsz_110_0310.jpg (193.4 KB, 0 downloads) 3 years old My antique gal says coral and seafoam green are getting hot. Not sure if that is true in all areas, but I'm buying some of those colors tomorrow when I go to WM.
Sue
Ewww I think those are great colors...Thanks bunches...
Blossom Lane
Member
I love what appears to look like a flower where the three "stems" join in the center of the sconce plate.
Have you thought of taking a small drill bit and drilling holes around the horizontal "wax-catching" part of the candle holders and hanging prisms? Of course, I WOULD think of that! I love prisms!
It would dress the sconces up a bit and add a delicate look. Our Wal Mart used to sell acrylic prisms...great price. Took their fabric dept. out, though.
There are so many things you can do with them. They are great!
BL love that ideal...Will check into that...What color do you think? I want everyones imput. What they see all over that looks to be THE color of this yr...
Blossom Lane
Member
Leveta,
I think the color depends on whether they are for your home or to sell.
I can't get over the fact that you bought a gold one last year, and then found a silver one a year later. Where did you find them?
They are going in my shop for resale. I found them in two different fleamarkets. Isn't that something...I couldn't believe my eyes. My sister was with me and I looked at her and said she you better get it...I'd kinda like to make them a little eleagent. Please look over my spelling, I have a hard time with sounds...
paintwife
Member
That's such a stroke of luck, finding two of the same. I've been seeing a lot of the soft green color on things lately. I think Gretas' idea of the prisms is a good one.
Linda
I do too... they have seafoam green spray paint at walmart... here I didn't even know that was the 'in' color... I painted a lamp and hanging light that color... it's a beautiful color... great find Leveta!
Blossom Lane
Member
I love the greens, too. You could also paint them off-white and shabby them. I guess I am easy to please; I even like the primer!! ha ha I think people will buy something for its appeal and paint it the color they want anyway. I am one of them! The sconces definitely have appeal! Great find(s)...amazing!
I like the primer too...Thats why I was leaning toward the lighter side. And I like the prisim ideal also...But I just wanted to know what colors are popular this yr in different places...
Leveta - I put a pair kind of similar to yours in the store I consign in. I had painted them a lighter shade of green than sea foam and I added two prisms to each. I can't remember what price I had on them but they sold like hotcakes within a week or two of hanging them up.
Sue
I do have a pretty green from last yr. Did you spray yours with metal primer. I used Krylon all purpose...I guess it will hold up. Seems to be ok...
I actually didn't use a primer. They were brassy/gold color and I sprayed them green. I distressed them for a bit of Shabby Chic (and a little bit of the brass showed through) and then sprayed with a clear coat to protect the chippy paint. I hope that helps...
Sue
How do you distress??
I just take a fine grit sandpaper and run it along the edges here and there to scuff off the fresh paint. Distressing is so forgiving so it doesn't have to come close to being perfect.
Leveta - I don't mean that I scuff up the paint before it cures - I just mean that I scuff off the top layer here and there - just a little bit.
I got ya...Thanks I may try that...When I get them done I will post for your opinions...
gigi
Member
what, leveta....no hot pink for your sconces?! WELL!!
(lol....thinking of the cart/skull post....lol)
dianeinthevalley
Member
So is hot pink now JR official color? Diane
Well not this pair, but you never know when it may show up....
heehee haha that hot pink sure does have a way of re-surfacing...ROFLMBO!!!!!!!!!!!
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