Seeing the light....

Hi Everyone!  I've been dealing with light fixtures lately.  From changing the lights on the outside of my house to changing a light fixture into an outlet but today I thought I would show you the new light fixture I made.  I recently moved some things around in my teeny tiny living room and needed a new light fixture....so I made one....out of a vent turbine.....

They were used in these parts on top of grain bins or on top of buildings and I just happened to come across one in one of my grain bins.  

But I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not and wasn't ready to possibly ruin it so I picked up another one and turned it into my hanging light.  My living room is so small that there isn't enough room for a table or a floor lamp so I needed one that would hang.

I used my Dremel to cut a hole in the top and remove the parts that made it turn so that I could add the light kit.  It took me about 20 minutes to cut the metal and ground down any sharp pieces.  Then I added the light kit and hung it in my living room.

I really like the way it turned out.  I like the industrial look of it and it's so appropriate here on the farm.  I left it plain, shiny metal, but I think it would look great painted too.

I'd like to make another one for the studio and maybe one for the kitchen....I just think they are cool.  What do you think?  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2014/01/catch-as-catch-can-148.html

New lighting...

Hi Everyone!  While my brother and his family were here for Christmas, I was able to spend a little one-on-one time with my brother and the members of his family.  It wasn't enough time because I still had Christmas orders to finish, plus I still had to go to work each day.  But it was really nice to have some time to work and talk with each of them.  My brother changed a light fixture in my bathroom into a plug-in (there weren't any outlets at all in the room).  And then he helped me change the light fixtures on the outside of my house.

I hated the old ones.  They'd been up there since the 80's.  When I moved in 10 years ago the fixtures were gold and I hated them but couldn't afford to change them, so I painted them black.  And that was fine for 10 years.  But I was tired of them and wanted a change.

So I ordered some new ones, two for the front porch and one for the back porch.  And while my brother was here, we changed them.

I took the old ones down and put up the plates that the lights attach to.  And then my brother wired them in and attached them to the plate.  And I love them.

They are Dark Sky fixtures that direct the light downward where it matters and not up into the sky where it doesn't.  Plus I love that I don't have to get the ladder out and remove tiny screws to be able to change the light bulbs!  YEAH!

Thanks to my brother for the help!  So what do you think?  Better?  I think so.  Thanks for stopping by.

Decisions and a Few New Finds....

Hi Everyone!  It seems these last couple of weeks have just flown by.  I have tried several times to sit down and write a post, but I couldn't find my "voice" to write.  Have you ever had that problem?  I have finally started working on a few projects and have a couple of big projects planned around my house (it's only taken me 10 years).  And I've been trying to make some decisions regarding my business like which fairs to attend, how many and when the best time to schedule open houses at the studio and whether or not to put items on consignment at a local shop (just to name a few things) plus I took some time for myself.  I love to read but go in spurts, reading non stop and then not being able to concentrate.  This last week as been one of the those non stop readathons.  Since Friday, I have read six complete books and have started number 7.

But I believe I am finding my "voice" again and am ready to get back to work.  So I thought I'd begin by showing you a couple of new finds.  I'd say recent, but I picked these up the weekend of my studio Open House and just haven't shared them with you yet.

 My Uncle Bill brought me a stack of windows that he saved from going to the landfill.  Thanks Uncle Bill!

My dear, sweet friend Lynett brought me a bunch of items she'd picked up for me.  Isn't this beefy headboard and foot board great!

 I love this headboard with it's classic shape and can't wait to turn it into a bench...maybe one with storage.

 Lynett also brought me this Jenny Lind high chair.  It's in great shape!  I can't wait to paint this one and put it in my studio.

 And then there was this baby.  It was a little pricey and needs some work, but I couldn't resist it.  It's missing some trim pieces, but I think I can recreate them.

I believe it had been a stereo cabinet that you had to open the doors to expose the speakers.  I can't wait to work on this!  I'm planning on replacing the top because it is warped and I don't believe it is original to this piece based on the hinge marks on the base that are not on the top.  Then I think I'll add another shelf to the space on the left so it can be used as a buffet or TV stand.  But all of these will have to wait for a while.  As I'm getting ready to begin work on a remodel in my bathroom, more on that later.  Have you found any great items lately?  Thanks for stopping by.

Happy New Year!....

Hi Everyone!  Happy New Year!  Here's hoping 2014 is filled with happiness and prosperity.

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything and I apologize for my long absence!  Following my Holiday Open House I had to have oral surgery (nothing major) and I took it easy for a couple of days and then hit the ground running to complete a very long list of orders.  I finished the last one up in the early morning hours on Christmas Eve and then delivered it that day.  My original plan had been to complete all orders about a week before that so I would have plenty of time to clean up the shop and my house before my brother and his family arrived for a week.  I missed some family time while finishing up all the orders.  And I had inventory to do right after Christmas at work.  Thank goodness my brother and his family understood.

But I have taken an entire week off without doing too much but going to work.  And my plan is to continue to take the rest of this week off.  It sure seems strange to not have any projects going on!  My list of projects is growing for the new year and I can hardly wait to get started on them!  And I promise to share them all with you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Holiday Open House Review....

Hi Everyone!  This weekend was the Holiday Open House at my Studio.  It was a great weekend and the weather was wonderful.  A big thank you to all the customers, friends and family that stopped by, to my parents for all their help, to Pam and Stacey for the Christmas cookies and treats, and Lynett for spending two days away from her family to help me out.  Thank-you Everyone!  (Word of warning, it's a long post and picture heavy).

 I made a sign for the Studio using one of the headboards I had...it's not finished but it was done enough for the Open House.

 My mother put this together as a welcome to the Studio.  She did a great job on it!  Thanks Mom!

 Even the front porch is dressed up for Christmas.  I found this bucket out in the garage when I was getting my Christmas decorations out so I got it out and cleaned it up.  I also found a brand new 4' tree in my stash and decided to use it on the porch.

 I made a Sled and Snowflake Wreath for the front door.  But I'm just going to let you look at the pictures and I'll do a follow up on some of the details.

A few masculine decorated Christmas trees...a hunting one, a fishing one and hunting/fishing one (the large one).

And a fishing wreath with a bait bucket on it.

It was a great weekend.  I sold a couple of larger pieces like the rolling cart, the lagoon stool, the black/cream/green footstool, the mantel clock, some signs, a lot of trees (both plain and decorated), ornaments, and a lot of little things.  I'll share more in another post.  Thanks again to all my helpers and everyone that came out to shop or just to say hi.  It was fun!  And as always, thanks for stopping by.

Painted Armoire...

Hi Everyone!  I'm almost ready for the Holiday Open House this weekend.  I just have a little cleaning to do and then I'll be ready.  One of the things on my to do list for the Open House was to paint the armoire in my studio.

 This is the only picture of it that I could find.  It's a nice big, heavy, pine piece that I use to store supplies in, but I hate that orange color.  I've been meaning to paint it all year and finally got it done.

 I painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and Louis Blue.

 I lightly sanded it but didn't want to reveal too much of that orange wood.

The details look great (much better in person).  And now it fits in with the studio so much better than the orange did.  How would you have painted it?

I have so much to share with you of the Studio so look for lots of pictures after this weekend.  The Studio is full and decorated for Christmas.  So if you're in the area this weekend, stop by and say hello! Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/11/catch-as-catch-can-138.html
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/11/anything-blue-friday-week-33.html 
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/11/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link-party-15/

Painted buffet....

Hi Everyone!  It's beginning to look like Christmas...in my Studio.  I spent the weekend rearranging the studio to accommodate all the furniture that has been out in the shop in anticipate of my upcoming Open House.  But before I got to far into it, I decided I had better get the buffet painted that I purchased at the auction this summer.  The before picture...

 I loved this piece as soon as I saw it advertised for the auction...but I didn't love the orange color.

 I still can't believe I was the winning bidder on this piece.  I brought it home and it's been sitting in the studio, untouched, ever since.  Until Friday night that is....

 I love the legs!  They are gorgeous!

 And the details are incredible!

 I painted it in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.  I distressed it lightly.

 I love how the paint brought out the details....

 ...and I was able to reuse the hardware...I just cleaned them up a bit.

As soon as it was painted, it just made me smile.  I think it looks so much better this way.  What do you think?  Would you distress it a bit more?...or leave it lightly distressed?  And even though I love it, it will be for sale at my Open House on November 9th and 10th.  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.alderberryhill.com/make-the-scene-monday-98/
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2013/10/knick-of-time-tuesday-110-vintage.html
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2013/10/201st-power-paint-party.html
http://madeinaday.com/2013/10/31/made-u-look-linky-91/
http://startathome.blogspot.com/2013/10/furniture-and-paint-party-21.html
http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/10/catch-as-catch-can-137.html
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/10/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link-part/