Monday, December 22, 2014

Reinventing Thrift Store Finds for Gifts!

I spend a lot of time in thrift stores…..
especially around the holidays..
Next time you're in one, 
take a good look around and see what looks like 
it might just have another life left in it.
Here are some of my finds/revamps:
A wooden tray...
Gets painted...
Traced letters...
Painted letters..
The addition of some knobs and decorative painting...
Customized little girls wall hook rack!
Ugly ass mini drawers…...
Painted in three shades of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint:
Louis Blue
Versailles
Cream
Stamped, sanded and waxed..
Much improved!
Great for stationery, jewelry, makeup..
Nice looking frame……...
With some fabric covered foamcore,
it becomes a beautiful memo board!
Another nice frame with a boring finish...
Pops with some turquoise paint, wax, and gold gilding wax.
I used it to frame a piece of fabric..
Frames are a dime a dozen……...
These got a paint job and now display fun art.
Vintage metal cabinet……...
After painting and decoupaging an eye chart….
Quite "eye catching" now….(yuk, yuk)
and great storage!
Another jewelry box……….
Gets a more interesting paint finish..
Love the knobs and surrounds.
An old cracked mirror in a great frame...
Is now a chalkboard!
And this says it all.
Happy Holidays 
to all my readers out there!!!!
May your holidays be happy and bright,
With peace on earth, 
and all that's right!!
Amen.








Friday, December 19, 2014

Nautical Inspired Reinventions - Last Minute Holiday Gifts???

Still looking for that perfect, one-of-a-kind Christmas gift 
for one of your beach loving friends?????
Sailing enthusiast?
Fisherman?

Look what Santa and the elves are working on over here!!
These are coming right off the production line,
just in time for putting under your tree!
So definitely contact me if you're interested!!!!
 Hand lettering on a rustic painted piece of scrap wood...
 And some unique hooks - including a whale tale…
make an awesome place to hang windbreakers,
bags, whatever.
Nautical Wall Hook Rack: $55
 BEFORE: And look at these...
 Pair of old victorian parlor chairs seriously need a makeover!!!!!
 After pulling off all the trim,
 I painted the wood in Annie Sloan Old White.
 Then distress sanded and waxed with clear and dark.
 These are gonna be really fun!
 One finished……….
a cheery little parlor chair with
a sea turtle front.
The seat fabric looks like ripply water!
In a fresh palette of green and orange.
 Surprise octopi on the back..
 And chair number two will be getting a crabby makeover...
 You know how Santa likes to mix things up……...
He's working away over here!
This pair of unique parlor chairs: $250.
These would be the bomb in an entryway with a small
table…..

Thanks to all of my readers for your interest in SheShe's work!!!!!
For now, back to the grind!!!


Thursday, December 18, 2014

A Peppermint Table -Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…

I have to give total credit to my fellow RVA Antiques dealer pal,
Libby Hines, for this idea!
I purchased this awesome "giant peppermint" from her recently….
She made it from the top of an old outdoor table….
I sold it as folk art.
It really was very cool…..
and very "Christmasy"...
So it got me thinking.
I've had this little table set forever…
but it hasn't sold...
so why not reinvent it…again….
I removed the top...
I just pencilled off sections……like a giant pie.!
Then I sanded sown the original paint job,
and repainted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - emperor's silk and old white.
Oops, i made a booboo and put red on a white piece, 
but i sort of like it;)
Here it is all painted...
distress sanded….
And here is the finished top after I waxed…….
But I'm not going to sell just the top as art.
I'm going to use the actual tabletop...
so...
 I found this victorian plant stand that's been in my garage,
awaiting the perfect use……
I added some metal plates to the top..
 I painted the pedestal in Old White.
 Attached it to the top, and ta dah!
Peppermint table!!!
(Thanks for the idea, Libby!!!)
The perfect spot for Santa to take a break,
and enjoy his cookies and milk!
In my booth at Greenwood Antiques for $125.
(There are still many last minute & unique Christmas gifts
to be had at both antique malls!
One have one week…GO!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

A set of Frenchy Chairs for a Frenchy Table

I've been looking forever for a set of french chairs to go 
with this table in my booth:
(The chairs keep selling, 
but the table is still there!)

I scored yesterday, 
with this set I found at Susan's Selections.
 So who cares if they're Louis XVI vs XV style…..
French is french!
Right now, they have a dated blonde finish.
And granny fabric seats;)
 I removed the seats...
I removed the piping and staples from the seat bottoms..
I base painted the chairs with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.
 I'm using almost a wash effect with the paint…
so some of the grain still peeks through.
For a little extra zing, I added Paris Grey to the inside channel
along the seat fronts.
 Beautiful!
A little distressing….
Remember this upholstered bench I did awhile back?
I used a printed canvas rug for the upholstery...
 I had just enough left of that rug to cover the seats.
It's a nice thick canvas and will be really durable.
 Back to the chair finish: I decided to add a stain layer.
I used Rustoleum Wood Stain in Weathered Wood.
 Then I added a bit more, mixing with Minwax Stain in Dark Walnut.
 I hit all the edges with the dark stain…
it looks like the wood peeking through...
Same with the backs….
 They look like they have some history now!
(If I could find my King Gold guilding wax, 
I'd hit some of the edges with gold highlights…)
 My my, these are quite tasty!
Set of chairs: $245
Table: $265
Combo: $475

I can't wait til I see them together.
The perfect marriage!