Thrift Store GOLD

Some of you may have noticed that there is always a gap between my posts. I was never a person who could create, snap, post. It's just too all over the place for me. I usually create for a few days, rest, then snap and post. It's just my organization style. You know, one step at a time. So I apologize for the delay, but usually, after a delay, I'm good for at least 2 posts!

Aside from that small rant this post was suppose to be about my recent thrift store find. I go to my local thrift store often and the place is very hit or miss. Plus, now they have a new pricing woman and I swear she's slightly crazy. I never thought I would call a thrift store expensive but some of the stuff makes my eyes bug.

On Wednesday I hit u my local thrift and found a few kids books (I collect children's literature. I'm a elementary school teacher remember!), a large styrofoam ball (usually like $5.00 at Michael's for $0.50), a game for my students, and then I came across this......


BUT I can't show you yet! First I have to explain that when I'm at a thrift store I'm always looking for things to re-vamp or make incredible again. This on the other hand I fell in love with AS IS. It was perfect, and sitting there for $1.25 I bought it. I have NO WHERE to put it, as I still live with my rents, but I wanted NEEDED it. So, it will it around until I eventually get a place of my own and then I have my first decorative piece.

Okay, did I make you wait enough? Here it is....

Exciting right!!!! It's a black tray with a blue sparkly damask pattern and I'm downright giddy about it for the amount I paid. 

Goodness I'm a nerd!

Washer Jewelry Continued

I started experimenting with alcohol inks. I took a washer and dyed it. Then i used the "As Seen on TV E-Z engraver" and engraved my name into it. I still have to string it. 

Check out the awesome color blending. 

Then I did the same thing to the smaller washers and made a bracelet. I need to do another coat though. It seems to be wearing off. 

I also made another one of these bracelets in this pattern:

to match. It came out really awesome but I gave it away for Christmas before I could take a picture. 

Washer Jewelry

I saw a blog that had some washer jewelry. I'm a big fan of making things out of odd materials so I knew I had to try it. I also added a fabric flower on mine to add my own touch. All I did to make the flower was cut a strip of the teal fabric and sew in and out down one side. Pull it tight and it curls and makes a flower shape. Sewed it close and hot glued the buttons on.

This picture was taken before i decided to add the flower. Not so sure I like how it looks on.

After I added the flower. The final piece.

Flower up close.

After that necklace I had one washer remaining. So I took some paper left from here and E-6000'd it onto the washer. After it dried I coated it with diamond glaze and let dry again. Then, I strung it and added a red bow for a feminine touch. I like this one.

I'm obsessed with this damask pattern!

Magnetic Board Revamp

Half the time I craft to deal with stress. Stress from my students, my lack of a teaching job, my parents, anything. Well, lately i've been crafting up a storm, half of the stuff I have no use for, but I make it anyway (I won't lie, most of the ideas I get from other bloggers, and I then attempt to create them myself. I will provide links whenever possible!). So yesterday I was at the local thrift shop and I found this kids magnetic board for $1.25. It was ugly (i tried to find a pic online but to no avail), but I knew it had a great shape and could turn it into something awesome. I mod podged a damask paper onto it, painted the edges, turned the pink magnetic board into a magnetic/chalk board, and attached the pink flower. The magnets actually came with the original board, i contemplated changing them, but I thought they looked kind of cute. Needless to say, I am very happy with the results, now I just have to figure out what to do with it.

I learned to do the AWESOME flowers here: I don't know this woman, but she has taught me a lot! haha

Let me know what you think! That is, if anyone actually starts to read this! Haha.