ON BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR

With the popularity of the local outdoor "craft show" or "flea market" comes the influx of new vendors seeking to ply their wares.  I say, the bigger the fraternity of sellers, the better.  I always come away with new ideas for displaying my products.  I love to discover how crafters are motivated to create their own personal designs.  Barring the occasional rainstorm, fun and camaraderie reign.

But.....there's always one bad apple in the bunch.  Hopefully, it's not you.  I work hard to assure it's not me.  See if you fit the profile:

1.  We all arrive at the same time (see #5).  With our trailers, and U-Haul trucks, and helpers.  So, are you the one who blocks the entire thruway until you have unloaded, set up your tent, merchandised (and re-merchandised) your items, got a cup of coffee, chatted a bit, took a few selfies......?  A pox be upon your house.

2.  Hey, about those traffic patterns....  Each outdoor show is unique, but they all have similar layouts that permit, or prohibit, buyer foot traffic.  We want people to see our displays and get up-close-and-personal with our products.  However, there is that "demilitarized zone" that belongs to vendors, where we keep our cleaning supplies, extra product, our point of sale devices, and our money.  We don't want customers there.  You are more likely to earn the Miss Congeniality award if you stop allowing people to be where we don't want them.

3.  Are you the one who comes over to my booth, compliments my products, asks a lot of "how to" questions, sneaks some iPhone photos, and then shows up next week with the same product?  I can't, even.

4.  Okay, this point will be made in the form of an allegory....  I make furniture and accessories from repurposed and recycled products.  Especially mirrors - barn wood, architectural salvage, etc.  I was recently selling at an outdoor event and was placed next to a vendor who sold screen printed clothing.  Customers like to try on clothing, so mirrors are pretty much a must-have for an apparel shop.  But, these gals didn't have the foresight to bring along a mirror for customers.  So, for each sale, they sent their customers over to my shop to check themselves out in my mirrors.  At the end of the day, I went over to see what they had for sale.  We chatted a bit and I chose a t-shirt I wished to purchase.  You'd think, after extending their customers my courtesy all day, I would have been gifted a t-shirt or at least extended a discount.  Nope.

5.  We all want to go home.  The show organizers usually frown upon tearing down early, so it's always a madhouse as hundreds of vendors try to pack up and load.  Refer back to #1 and be courteous.  We all want to go home.

Peace,
N

CLICK-IT OR TICK-ET (A LESSON IN SHOP SAFETY)

I'm impulsive.  And impatient.  But, learning…

There is nothing more important than protecting yourself from the dangers of your work area.  If you demolish and rebuild things like I do, you work around tools that are sharp and dangerous and use chemicals that are toxic to you.  This is one of those "do as I say, not as I do" blog posts.

Story #1:
Quite a few years ago, I needed to remove rust stains from fabric.  I went to the grocery store and bought a liquid rust remover, came home, popped the lid, and proceeded to scrub away.  Voila!  The rust magically disappeared.  Oh, and I never read the label.  That's the important part of the story.  I bought it at the grocery store, so it must be benign.  Right?

An hour or so later, my hands were on fire.  Not that "I touched a jalapeño pepper" kind of burn.  More like someone doused me with oil and lit a match.  On to the Emergency Room with the bottle in hand.

After several calls to the poison hotline, the ER lab had to concoct a custom ointment which I would have slathered on my hands for the next 72 hours.  Apparently, this "benign grocery store" stuff can disintegrate your bones like that scene in Harry Potter.  Awesome.  We got it in time.

Story #2:
My shop is in my basement.  To get to it, I had to pull a series of chains to turn on the lights.  As I groped in the dark for the first chain, I felt a searing pain in my left leg followed by lots of blood.  I accidentally ran into a power drill which I had left on the floor.  It wasn't actually running, but the drill bit was sharp and tiny.  And, after my "encounter", I couldn't find the tip of the bit.

After two weeks of convincing everyone that I had a drill bit in my leg (everyone said that it was impossible), another trip to the doctor.  Since a picture says a thousand words:

The lights are all on the switch at the top of the stairs, now.  

Story #3:

Ever had wood shavings swabbed out of your eye?  Yeah…..I did.

The moral of these stories is obvious.  Wear safety glasses.  Wear gloves appropriate to the chemical you are applying.  Keep tools stored away in a safe place.  Read the manual.  Read the label.  Read BEFORE, not AFTER.  

Hopefully the sign in your shop won't read, "Accident free for 15 minutes".

Peace,

N

HOW TO RUIN AN ANTIQUE

Have a valuable antique?  Its "patina" is its glory.  Destroying that glory can turn a $10,000 table into a $100 table.  But, on the other hand.....

Most vintage finds are not precious antiques.  They are just old.  There is nothing beautiful about inoperative drawers or deep scratches.  Or dirt.  If you hear someone call dirt "patina", tell them to eat off of that "patina" or let their kids play around it.  Suddenly, "patina" isn't so pretty.

I would rather see a well-worn piece of vintage furniture have a new lease on life.  The trick is to keep some of its inherent character while still making it attractive and usable.  Like putting lipstick on a pig.

I was recently at a barn sale in a trendy community.  Dozens of women (notice the obvious exclusion here) lined up in the cold rain to get a chance to snag a vintage find - plunking down big bills for broken chairs, filthy industrial salvage, and random bits and pieces of Americana.  I was in that same line, but predominantly as an observer.  I saw the vintage finds as opportunities to create something.  I didn't just see a similar item on Junk Gypsies and think I needed it to complete my decor.  As I watched the tenth woman walk away with a proud smile carrying her new found treasure, it dawned on me - people will buy anything if they think it's cool.  Next thing you know, they're in the hospital being treated for some random bacterial infection.

Here is an example from my store.  

I was recently gifted with a small, 1923 salesman's sample dresser to utilize in a repurposing project.  A salesman of that era (sans internet or catalogs) would carry around miniature samples of the products he sold.  Here is a pic of the original item:

Before I started, I researched on eBay and found one for sale through an antiques dealer for $695.00.  Notice I said "for sale", not "sold".  I had to decide whether to leave it in its original condition or give it a facelift.  It wasn't so much the potential sale that spoke to me.  It was condition.

None of the drawers worked.  The mirror did not reflect.  It was growing mildew or some other fungus type thing.  The finish was deeply scratched.  If you gave it a quick push with one finger, it would come apart.  

Would the near 100 year history of this little guy be best served by putting it in on display, as is?  Remember, it was a salesman's sample and never intended to serve a utilitarian purpose.  Yes, it was darling.  But, I wouldn't pay $695 for it just to stare at it and know that it is old.  Sorry, antique buffs. 

So, I gave it a new purpose in a new millennium.  Some would crucify me for destroying that precious "patina".  I think it's great that this cute little piece has a reincarnation.   You reside on whichever side of the fence you wish.  I bet your house smells funny.

Peace,

Nancy

ADVERTISING AFTERLIFE

Things to do with a recycled billboard....

According to statistics, the average human attention span is 8 seconds.  (Assuming that, you are no longer reading, but I shall continue anyway.)  With a maximum word count of 8-10 words, billboard advertisers can get the message across, even when the viewer is in a fast-moving vehicle.  Unfortunately, we are less likely to pay attention to it twice - so that same billboard changes nearly 10 times a month.

So, what happens to them?  They are often sold as heavy duty tarps to cover boats or trailers.  The reseller can't advertise them for their graphic content, so if you buy one, you 'get-what-you-get'.   Since they have only been exposed to the elements for a short while, they are often in excellent condition with  the only signs of wear around the edges where they have been fastened.  The small amount of dirt on the tarp can be easily cleaned off with soapy water.

The vinyl material is strong, tear resistant, and waterproof.  When cut up, the colorful bits and pieces of words and pictures make for some fun repurposed creations.

Here are some of my recycled billboard creations:

1.  Outdoor Bench

I found this Art Deco bronze bench at an antique mart.  The top was upholstered with a very tattered needlepoint.  I removed the seat and gave it a new lease on life.  This fun piece would easily survive outdoors but would also make a cool shoes-on/shoes-off bench for an entry way or bedroom.

2.  Mirror

Done in four sections of vinyl-covered plywood, this mirror is quirky but stylish!

Vintage hinges adorn the seams.

3.  Messenger bags - Here are some of my creations:

Have fun out there.

Peace,
Nancy

IF IT QUACKS LIKE A DUCK.....

Okay, kids, I just visited a blog (which shall remain nameless) about "repurposing".  It is full of dressers which have been repainted, and baskets which have been repainted, and tables which have been repainted.....you get the idea.

NEWS FLASH!!!!  Turning a dresser into a dresser is not "repurposing".

To reclaim:  to rescue from and undesirable state.

So, when you find that nasty old coffee table and you clean it up, sand it, and repaint it so that you have and un-nasty new-appearing coffee table, you have RECLAIMED it.  Bravo!

To recycle:  to convert waste into reusable material or return material to a previous stage in a cyclic process.

Sound complicated?  Well, just picture all of those glass bottles in the landfill being crunched up so their glass molecules can be used again to make new bottles, or even household products such as kitchen tiles and countertops.  Like metals, glass can be recycled endlessly.

To repurpose:  to find another use for an item.

Now, the magic begins.  Found a barn door and turned it into a table?  Voila!  Repurposed.  Took some old factory spools and stacked them to make a way-cool candle holder???  You got it.  Repurposed.  

(yes, repurposing is a form of recycling)

Peace,

N

A+ PRODUCTS IN A B- WORLD

Repurposing projects can be hit or miss unless you have the right ammunition.  Here are five of my can't-live-without products:

5. 3-M Multipurpose Adhesive

The upside is that it sticks almost anything to anything else.  The downside is that it gets your whole area sticky if you are not careful.  I always spray on top of an old cardboard box placed on a huge piece of flat scrap cardboard.  Your sprayed item is easier to work with if you let it get a bit tacky before handling it and leave an edge hanging over the cardboard box when you spray (a place to grab it without needing to de-stickify yourself).

   

4. E6000 Glue

It says "industrial strength" and it means it.  This product

works great on beads, cabochons, and crystals.  You have

a few minutes to play with the positioning before it begins to

set up.  The only complaint I have is the metal tube.  It is often either difficult to squeeze or it oozes out of the top all by itself. I squirt a small amount onto a piece of scrap plastic and close the top right away.  A toothpick scoops up the desired amount of glue and places it in the exact location you need it.

3. Evaporust

If you're a junker, you know that "patina" is great, but 

"crusty rust" just looks crappy.  Pour a small amount of 

this stuff in a plastic container and drop in your screws, bolts,

keys, gears, whatever.  In anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours (depending on the amount of rust), your vintage item will look "vintage" and not "junky".

2.  Rustoleum Ultra Cover 2X

It comes in Satin, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss finishes and creates a beautiful, hard finish that can be handled quickly.  If you're like me, you're impatient and don't like to wait 24 hours for finish to dry.  The trick here is to spray on two LIGHT coats about 15 minutes apart to avoid drips and runs - and ALWAYS spray on a horizontal surface.  I used Triple Thick before this, but found that even days later, handling the item left fingerprint marks.  This one dries harder.

1.  Krud Kutter Grafitti Remover

I often shop flea markets where a seller has used permanent marker to price their items (ugh!).  This handy stuff will remove that and more.  I've used it on marker, spray paint, and stickers with great success. Remember to wear gloves!              





Peace,
N

FIVE COOL HANDLES FOR CIGAR BOX PURSES

So, you've jumped on the cigar box purse bandwagon....congrats!  They are trendy and fun. Boxes are super easy to find online, but hardware is another story.  Here are my personal favorites for unique handles:

                      
#5 BEADED

The beadable frame comes in several options for fastening to the box.  Generally, you unscrew one of the ends and add your own large hole beads. This choice is totally customizable for color and style, but beware the high retail prices for large hole beads.  I buy in bulk through Amazon.

#4 WEBBING

You can find 1" webbing in many colors and patterns. Pick up a couple of d-rings at the hardware or craft store, fold the webbing over the straight end, hand stitch to secure, and you have a handle!

#3  A BELT

I frequently go into the little girl's department of the local discount store and check out the belts.  Make a big loop by fastening the closure or buckle and attach to your purse with d-rings. Cute!

#2 PARACORD

Paracord survival bracelets, lanyards, belts, etc. are super popular right now. In a pinch, you can unknot the handle for a 10' rope.  Paracord comes in dozens of colors and is super durable. Go online to learn how to tie the knots.  It takes me about ten minutes to make a handle.  

#1 GEAR TIES
I found these in the hardware section of Target! They are 12" long and come in lots of bright colors. Totally bendable to any shape, they are super fun and easy to attach. 

Peace,

N