Use um, Use um goooodd…How-to Put your Thrift Store Finds to Use

Kuerig K-Cup Coffee Holder

found at: Unique

price: $2.00

how i'm using it: craft room supply storage, combined with these type of small storage jars from Hobby Lobby….

For some more tips on Thrift Store Goodies click here:

HAPPY HALF-BIRTHDAY TO ME: Thrift Store Finds

The Chanel is NOT real, but for 2 dollars #illtakeit

The LongChamp make-up bag which sells for 45 in stores - on the other hand - IS REAL. #99centsteal

Happy Thrifting!

xoxo,

Lo

The Creme de la CREAM Hand-painted & Distressed Nightstand DIY

My Friday night's project - DIY Furniture Distressing

I actually forgot to take a before of this piece - BUT as you can see in the top left photo it is an oak wood nightstand. The first step of this DIY is to use my always faithful Zinsser Cover Stain and prime the entire piece of furniture, be sure not to let any drips happen, if so wipe or sand them off prior to final painting. 

For this next piece i took an easy route and took the drawer out, took the hardware off and spray painted the whole thing…

After the drawer dried i bought a stencil from the Martha Stewart section at Home Depot for 2$ and used acrylic paint and a foam brush to paint on the stencils shape with a brown color.  After that brown paint dried, which is usually fairly quickly when it comes to acrylics, I then used a light gray mixed with a little touch of champagne metallic acrylic paint to give it a little sparkle for the next layer of stenciling - EXCEPT - this time i moved the stencil a little less than an 1/8 in. above the last one. 

The next step in this DIY was to take a small piece of sand paper (120/220) and begin lightly rubbing where something about the furnitures shape sticks out, i.e.: corners, edging, the feet, anywhere you think the piece would have "naturally worn down." Then I took my handy dandy foam brush and "strawflower" by Rustoleum Spray Paint and sprayed my foam brush and began lightly brushing over where i had just previously sanded, this will give it the old/vintage look…Followed by a quick brushing of dark wood stain over the distressed marks and don't forget to wipe off the stain immediately!

I love this piece personally because of the open space underneath the drawer storage, it would look wonderful with some books lined up underneath, or perhaps some wicker rectangular baskets for more storage, or even a couple chatskis for decoration…

Any questions or comments, feel free to leave them! :)

Enjoy!

xoxo

-Lo

THIS ONE IS FOR SALE IN MY ETSY SHOP :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/122406608/creme-de-la-cream-distressed-nightstand?

*SOLD*SOLD*SOLD*SOLD*SOLD*SOLD*SOLD*SOLD*SOLD*SOLD*

JunkGypsy Design in a customer's home:

 LOVE her style - and the colors! What a perfect fit!

DIY Distressed Monogram Frame

Ever wonder what you could do with all those old and leftover frames around your home? Don't have any frames? - Thrift stores usually have an abundunce of them for super cheap! I got mine at the thrift store Unique for 1.99 plus got an extra 50% for M.L.K. day weekend.

I forgot to take a "BEFORE" photo, but this is with a single coat of Zinsser Cover Stain Primer (No sanding).  

Next i simple measured, and taped out my stripes, you can do however you would like- thick, thin, chevron, polka dots, horizontal, vertical…

and then spray paint it.

*you could also spray paint the whole thing, let it dry, and THEN tape off the pattern so you get 2 different colors, i wanted to distress my frame once it was done so i chose to leave the white showing and then use Valspar's Antiquing Glaze from Lowe's. 

Let the paint dry and remove tape.

My paint had dripped a little under the taping BUT that is okay because that is the beauty of distressing a piece, it masks the OOPS!

Next you want to measure the frame, and also the inside of the frame.

outside measurement: 10.5x12.5 in.

inside measurement: 7x9 in.

Off to the craft store I go……

I picked up this Curlyz Unfinished Wooden Letter at Hobby Lobby for 3.49, you're going to drill a small hole at the top of the letter and then simply spray paint it the color of you choice. I thought this lagoon color would look neat with the frame colors.

Measure out how far down you would want the letter to hang down, and cut the appropriate amount of ribbon of your choice.

After you've cut your ribbon you're going to thread it through the hole we made earlier.  Next you're going to flip over the whole project and screw/nail the ribbon into the back of the frame (make sure its the right dangling height!)

 So far this is what your project should look like:

THIS DIY IS STILL IN THE WORKS PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER THIS WEEK FOR THE COMPLETED MONOGRAM FRAME DIY HOW-TO GUIDE!!!

Thanks

-Lo

A THRIFT SHOP BIBLE: 8 Simple Rules.

1. LOOK AT EVERYTHING. Never skip over a section because you never know what you may find on the back of the rack, or even in the wrong section! If you don't pick up each thing and examine it you may pass up the vintage Chanel Bag without even knowing it was there.

2. Know your brands, checking for labels is always a plus because who doesn't like the feeling of scoring a J.Crew Cardigan for 5 bucks?!

3. Always be open minded to the potential of the items. It CAN be fixed.
Broken can be fixed, scratched can be cured, chipped can be painted, bumpy can be sanded.

4. Be inventive! Part of buying an old item is giving it a new life. Scarves can become hair accessories, brooches can be pins that liven up a purse, a men’s belt can toughen up a girly floral ensemble. For the exceptionally crafty (and ambitious), evaluate the potential of different pieces. If a dress doesn’t fit but you love the fabric, could you re-sew it into something else?

5. Every piece you buy you should feel a rush of excitement about it or about its potential for the future.

6. Thrift Alone, I've always gotten my best purchases when I go alone.

7. Dress lightly, it can become a marathon in a thrift shop muscling through rack after rack.

8. Have fun. :)



So you STILL don't think you're good at "Thrifting"?:
Here are a few common items to keep an eye out for the next time you're at the thrift store.

1. Dishes: You can find mismatched dishes in a range of colors and patterns at any thrift shop. Use them to build a collection, hang a wall of plates, or make them into mirrors.
2. Artwork: If you're thinking of hanging a wall of collaged/clustered artwork, thrift shops are a great place to build a cheap, out-of-the-ordinary collection - or even just use the frames - for other projects such as my "Distressed DIY Monogram Frame". Such an easy and fun project!
3. Lamps: Sometimes all a lamp needs is a new shade and a good cleaning to make it brand new.
4. Shelves and Secretaries: Storage pieces are always useful around the house. Clean up shelves with paint or wallpaper. Although old-fashioned, secretaries are really useful pieces that can easily transform into a home office, bar, or linen closet.
5. Anything Wooden can be EASILY sanded, painted, stained and repurposed to something neat! As shown in my "Think Outside the Box" Blog Post!
6. Trunks, Suitcases, and File Cabinets: Industrial trunks and storage pieces or vintage suitcases are easy to find at flea markets and thrift shops. Clean them up and use them as coffee/occasional tables, Blanket Storage, Photo Storage, and tough trunks can even be used as an entryway bench!
7. Dining Chairs: Thrift stores ALWAYS have a selection of chairs in need of some lovin', and many of times there isn't a full set, why not try to mix and match and paint the chairs with colors! This is a gorgeous/different than the usual look that i love. 
8. Dining Tables: Simple thrift store tables can be used for kitchens, dining rooms, or repurposed as a desk. If the table is scuffed or needs some DIY love, SAND IT, PAINT IT, STAIN IT, or simply cover with a table cloth :)
9. Rocking Chairs: Rockers are great for a child's room, a porch, or even a corner that needs a big piece. If the chair you find seems to be a little dull, paint & distress it!
10. Fabric: If you've got basic sewing skills, thrift stores are the perfect place to look for fabric scraps to use for pillows, napkins, tablecloths, curtains or anything else that could use a stash of mismatched prints. Be sure to wash really good before using them!

Simply takes "No Time At All" DIY Vintage Watch Face Charm Bracelet

THE ORIGINAL $129.00

One of those GREAT things you stumble upon and simply NEED to have in your jewelry box but you just can't bare to spend the $129…..make your own! here's how:

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

4 or 5 Vintage Leather Strap Watches (try to get different faces)

1 pkg. split rings (silver or gold)

1 pkg. toggle charm

*optional: extra heart or dangle charms as seen in my version*

Create a collection of old watches from thrift stores and garage sales, vintage watches with leather bands and different face shapes and styles are recommended. I happened to be at the Thrift Store, Unique, on just the right day- 50% off day! Once you have about 4 or 5, depending on the size of your wrist, using scissors, begin cutting the leather straps off of each face, so all you have left is that cute little watch face. Your work surface should look like so:

Next you're going to begin connecting the watch faces using one split ring between 2 watch faces. connecting in the optional charms wherever you seem fit. 

MY COMPLETED VERSION:

goodluck!

-Lo

You can't MAKE-UP how easy… DIY Make-up Vanity Table

The Original Find:

I knew I always wanted a nice spacious table to sit at with a big mirror in front of me, but I never thought for a second I would let MONTHS pass by staring at a wall using a TV tray as a makeup vanity! and this is where my journey began-I searched, and searched....and searched for the perfect table. I was on the hunt for something classy, not childish, simple, yet chic, with character to it but not too loud. With no luck I let my make-up table dreams go to the back burner- until I got my new internship at an Antique/Vintage Furniture Store. I spotted this table but was a little unsure about its size. Couple weeks passed and I decided to buy it, it wasn't the right color wood for my room (my current furniture is dark wood, espresso/ebony) so I figured I'd take it home and see what I could do! MY FIRST TIME SANDING-success! 

I used 220 and 120 sanding grit papers and a 4 dollar sanding block from Home Depot and sanded along the grain of the desk top, legs, side, inside, outside, underneath, middle, end, bottom, and edges...and then I slept. (hand sandin is exhausting and a work out-but well worth this outcome!) ;) 

Took a trip to good ol Home Depot and got some wood conditioner by Minwax, dark wood stain by Minwax, wax protectant by Minwax, staining brush, a cloth rag, and a face mask. 

When I got home I began preparing the wood to become a whole new table by using the wood conditioner for oil stains. I basically painted this on (along the wood grain as well) and went out and ran some errands, after about 4 hours, I began my first coat of wood stain, using the stain brush I coated on the stain, leaving it to take in the color for about 10 minutes, then wiping off the access and allowing the desk to dry for the night. 

Next day, repeat stain process, stain, wipe off excess, and allow to dry-I prefer over night because I usually do these DIY's at night so it only seems fit! 

Repeat these steps until you achieve the color you prefer, when the furniture is completely dry you can begin to polish on the wax protectant or any other sealer you prefer, by using a cloth rag and going along with the grain. Allow 15 minutes and then wipe off excess wax and you're complete! 

After drying I found an old piece of glass shelving at a thrift shop for 3$ and decided this was the perfect way to keep my bronzer and eye shadow powders from ruining my newly stained table:

FINISHED and put in my room:

Here's my DIY make-up table before & after…

***MORE PHOTOS - SCROLL DOWN***