Something Simply Sexy 'n Silver!

I finally finished the silver lamp project.  It's funny because it doesn't really fit with my decor but I absolutely LOVE how it turned out.  Take a lamp that was purchased for 50 cents, a $2 dollar lampshade a 25 cent salt shaker and a little silver fabric (from a $1 tablecloth) and what do you get?  Something simply silver and sexy!!  Let me tell you a little more about how this came together.  I purchased the lamp from a local thrift store - it had been marked incorrectly at 50 cents and I expected to pay more when I got to the cashier but she said she was good with the price tag!  Yahoo!  I loved the candlestick shape and that it was wood.  I stared at it for a few weeks everytime I passed it on the kitchen table....then it hit me....silver!  Why not?  So like a good DIY'er I got my silver spray paint out and went to town.  I really liked how it turned out but wasn't sure about a shade.....bring on the next big hunt!  I went to every garage sale and thrift store within a 30 mile radius over the past several weeks in search of the perfect shade.  I brought many poor little shades home to try but none fit with my sexy new lamp.  Today, after a rainy tromp around the few hearty garage sale hosts in the neighbourhood we stopped at a thrift store we seem to never get to.  Mr. Biff waited in the car - he finds the interior of the store just too crammed - but I was on a quest and clutter be darned - here I come!  The store was having a 50% off sale and there, perched on another lamp was the shade of my dreams (ok, I don't really dream about lampshades unless they are on my head and I'm the one having FUN!).  I asked the proprieter if I could purchase just the shade and he hemmed and hawed and finally said "no".  He said he kind of liked the way it looked on the lamp that it was on.  "What if I bring you another shade?" (thinking of my lonely lampless shades at home).....another "no".  Then it hit me - the lamp was $8 including the shade and it was 50% off....what am I haggling over?????  So new lamp and sexy silver shade came home with me n' and Mr. Biff.   The remaining dilemma was a finial - the harp that came with the lamp had a tacky plastic loopy thing (no kidding!....loopy I say!)  so I scoured the soggy garage sales and found a small crystal salt shaker - if I turned it upside down maybe?  Finally a few rosettes made by following the lovely tutorial by  Jami at the Freckled Laundry (here).  When it was all said and done - I thought it looked too "spray painted" so I took some black glaze and buffed the cracks and crevices to age it a bit and take a bit of the shine off......here's the pieces as it went along.

Hi Ho Silver!!!

A little glaze to take down the shine.

Pass the salt please (would you put this on a lamp?)

I think I might be addicted to making rosettes now!

What do you think?  Sexy n' Silver?  I am happy to report that this lamp will be for sale on my Facebook page here.  It will also come to my booth next weekend downtown with all my jewels.

Because it is raining so hard here on the "Wet Coast"....I am getting some projects done.  Mr. Biff and I went to Skiff City today (our local community recycling store) and purchased a cool table, a Black and Decker workmate bench and bag full of glass stuff and other goodies to paint.  I am trying my hand at the French Label table that Lorrie at the Red Hen Home (here) made look so great!  I will post the pics before and after tomorrow along with some of the great finds Mr. Biff and I dug up this weekend.

Blessings to you,
Peg

Call Me a Magpie and Point Me to the BLING!

I don't know about where you live in the world but the summer here has been pretty much non-existent!  It's a good thing a crafty gal like me can find pretty bobbles to make inside the house since painting all the furniture projects I have lined up is out of the question!  That's one of the things I love about making jewelry - it's a rather portable hobby that you can do anywhere, any time the urge to be creative hits you.  Here are some things I have made over the past month or so.  These items are also listed on my Facebook page here and are for sale.  Mailing in Canada is usually about $1.25.


Hope you enjoy!

Hang In There.....

Wow - it's hard to describe how dependent I've become on my computer!  Our internet has not been working and so I have not been able to write here (or on Facebook) and have only monitored email on a kind of hit and miss basis.  I have so much to show & tell.....I will get back at it by Friday this week and promise to remain more consistent.

In the meantime I have been doing some fun projects and can't wait to show you.  I've been garage saling, thrifting and even had another visit to "skiff city" as Mr. Biff calls it - which is really our local community recycling depot store.  A big shout out "hey" to Tracy & Jackie who were there more appropriately disposing of their yard waste while I was diving through the debris treasures for pieces of chicken wire and little knick knacks.  My hero - Mr. Biff was able to purchase for a whole $2 the best ever wooden tool tray.  I tried to buy it on the last trip but the person working that day said - no, not for sale - it's holding all that stuff and where would I put the stuff (as she gave me a don't be so stupid look).  This time Mr. Biff just marched up and said, "have you got something I can put that crap stuff in so I can buy the box?" and she magically said "sure"......more power to you Mr. Biff - it's because you are so silly cute!!

I'll be back on Friday with pictures and more details of all the cool things you'll want to see that I've been doing....until then,
God Bless You & Yours,
Peg

A touch of silver and a quest for advice.....

This post is mostly to ask for feedback.....I bought a can of shiny silver spray paint with the intention of painting some shells and maybe a starfish or two - I got the idea from Susan at HomeRoad (here).  I was amazed at how beautiful they turned out and could imagine giving them as little gifts or better yet turning them into pendants for some funky necklaces.

Now here's where I need feedback - I have this idea that I could paint a lamp with the shiny paint and then glaze or somehow rub it to give it a natural aged looking patina.  I looked around blog land and can find many examples of beautiful silver leafing and even silver spray paint but I don't see any that have been antiqued and I am wondering if that's because it doesn't turn out? 

If you knew me - you would know - I am going to try it anyway - stay tuned for the results - I am going to test it out after work tomorrow night provided it's not too windy out.......

Check back with me tomorrow or leave me a comment, advice, help of any kind!

Blessings,
Peg