Treasure!

Well; this is quite obviously a spattering of posts based on my awesome thrift-store finds this weekend. I have one last little treasure to share...

A pewter forest-scape complete with a deer family!

This wall is a work in progress; as we continue to collect fun little bits and pieces; I will post the progression :)

Portraits are by Ryan Berkley

DIY Elevated Tray

I like to keep 'emergency backup' of little tidbits like lotion and lip gloss at work. I don't have a drawer to keep them in; so they are currently just scattered all over my desk. Well; I spotted the DIY Cake Stand project over at Design*Sponge quite a while ago and have done it a couple of times for various gifts and whatnot. This seemed like it would be the perfect catch-all for my bits and pieces at work! So, it was off to the thrift store to find a good plate and candle stand/vase. Of course; I didn't only find ONE excellent fit. I ended up making two.

More detailed project steps are available on the Design*Sponge site; but it is a pretty simple project. Just keep in mind that it is NOT dishwasher safe!

I used super glue to affix the candle stick to the silver-plated tray. And, I'll be honest. I'm not really one to measure; this was all eye-balled :)

The tray came a bit tarnished; but I like the age and character the spots give it.

All put together and waiting to go to work with me!

I just fell in love with this mushroom plate when I saw it! There are not any marks on it and it feels brand-new (even thought I'm guessing it is actually from the seventies). It doesn't really match my sunshine-y office; but it will work perfect for home!

This graceful brass candlestick-turned-stand fits beautifully with the mushrooms.

All finished and making itself at home on our bookshelf!

Stay tuned for one more thrifted treasure tomorrow!

Thrift Store DIY

Ever since we first drove by; I've been wanting to stop in to St. Vinnie's Thrift Store in Albany. On this lazy super-bowl Sunday; I finally found the time and boy was it worth it!! There is a TON of Danish Mid-Century Modern furniture as well as a good selection of Art-Deco area goodies. I went in search of some materials for a DIY project that I'll show you later this week; but found these great wall sconces while I was there. They were originally brass; which isn't terrible, I have brass ones elsewhere in the house, but I wanted these one black. So, I took advantage of the sunny weather and got to crafting!

Before

I ended up using 3 coats of metallic black spray paint.

After! On the wall of our eat-in kitchen. I sure wish that the wall was a dove gray; but I'm getting used to these white rental walls :)

Up close; you can see the detailing. These are really heavy sconces; I imagine that they could be solid brass. I'm super happy with the way they turned out! quick, easy, and a beautiful result!

Stay tuned for another DIY project later this week!!

Estate Jewels

I love estate jewelry...my engagement ring is circa 1930's art deco filigree. Portland has a lovely array of vintage and estate jewelry dealers. Here is a peek of a few of my faviorite baubles from from of the city's best...

Above: 1930's Art Deco. Below: Customized pearl ring. Both from Maloy's.

Above: Edwardian earrings. Below: vintage pendant. Both from Margulis

Ah, all so lovely :) I wish that Gilt had a website with images; it is another favorite of mine; definitely worth the visit next time you're on 23rd. They have a great mix of high and low. I really like the timeless, classic feel of these pieces. I also love the history that comes with it! Just think of the love stories :)

Business Cards

I attended a great little local event the other day with the goal of 'networking' (which I'm terrible at) and decided a few business cards were necessary. I'm currently working with my lovely friend Chelsea of Arugula Press to have some letter press ones done up; but they wouldn't have been ready in time for this event; so I decided to try a DIY version that I spotted over at Mint.

I found this great laser cut 'ribbon' tape at Michaels; and everything can be made better with a bit of glitter! In the end; the cards that worked out the best were the ones that I dipped the edges in a copper stamp pad rather then the glitter. It ended up being a bit to heavy with all the glue and glitter around the edge!

It was really simple to print them out at home thanks to the Office Max business card sheets.

and...the finished project!

If you're looking for more DIY business card ideas, check out the post that Ellie from Mint did over at Pitch; lots of great ideas! Or, she has a version available in her shop!

New Project Plans

We picked up a pair of vintage side tables at a garage sale in NE Portland a while ago and I am just beginning to settle on paint colors for them. I want to do a glossy, sleek navy accented with gray and yellow. I'm not sure that I want to do any yellow paint; or if I want the knobs to be yellow. Or I could do a yellow accent and a more traditional knob...decisions decisions! I'll post pics when the project is done!

Above: potential color options. Below: traditional knob from Restoration Hardware

Both below from Anthropologie

The only bit that I'm doubting is if it is too preppy...but is that necessarily a bad thing??

DIY Chevron

Just spotted this great DIY project that is perfect for renters who aren't allowed to paint (me!) over at Sabbe Interior Design. Click here for full project steps and more pictures!

Do you think I should do it? Perhaps gray and ivory?