How to Pour Money Down the Drain...

Miniature Parfum Necklaces, How to pour money down the drain!

The Challenge: Multiply existing inventory for the Shop without spending money. Uh, okay....Right up my alley.  You know, that dark, dreary, graffiti covered wall and shadowy-figure-lurking alley where I seem to get stuck between evil strangers and headlights belonging to an unknown car headed straight for me....yea, that alley.  Anyway, there I was. Sorting through the garage-store-all stirring up a mess and leaving it looking like a hurricane hit it.  But I did find some new possibilities!

The furniture will get their due but this week I would be creating items that can be easily sold as one of a kind Christmas gifts.  I pulled collectibles I've held for years that either didn't sell, passed their "trend" for collecting or just needed "tweaking".  They'd all passed my RESELLER'S RULE" (being: NEVER RESELL UNTIL INTERNET OR BOOK RESEARCH HAS BEEN DONE!) so off I went with armfuls of candidates.  Beginning with 4 boxes of vintage parfum bottle sets, I left for the kitchen.

 

 As I opened caps, nearly gagging, my mind travelled down memory lane.  How many shelves these little cuties had rested on? The Antique Store we once owned, the many Show booths, and even the ebay "will get to listing it" shelf in my closet, all held these "forgottens". I also imagined the original recipient. A woman, probably received the gift for Christmas or another holiday as a romantic measure from her "love".  As I toyed with ideas on how to re purpose, I glanced at my dated price tags on the boxes, $25. Remembering the research on ebay, I knew I'd checked them all years ago so I passed on a recent inquiry.

 Using Dawn Dish Detergent, I filled one side of the sink with 4 inches of soapy water.  The other side of the sink served as the drain where I poured one by one down the pipes.  They then rested for awhile in the soapy water.  Following a soaking, pipe cleaners borrowed from my "pipe smoking" husband, were used as tools to clean the chemicals from the inside of each tiny bottle.  After drying, I took a few for practice.  By using thin jewelry wire, broken chains, vintage jewelry remnants, jump rings, and lace pieces for opposing texture.

 

I had my visual.  Now that my supplies were assembled, I gathered my tools.  They aren't the ideal "jewelry designer's" tools because I would rather stab myself in the eye with the needle nose pliers than design something as intricate as jewelry.  However, I do know in retail, women are 4 times as likely to buy jewelry than anything else a reseller has to offer.  So off I went!

Scissors, small needle nose pliers, small wire cutters, super glue, hot glue, hot glue gun, and a few stick on embellishments from Hobby Lobby for extra character. (Rhinestones would've been awesome!)

I began with what I felt would be the most challenging part of the project, attaching the wire to grab onto the jump ring where the pendant would dangle from the chain without tipping forward or backward due to weight.  I took the bottle topper off and laid it aside. Then I took wire and wrapped it around the neck three times and twisted it for security
 leaving approximately 2 1/2 inches on each wire for creating a loop.

 

 Once the loop is twisted for strength, I attached the Jump Ring, leaving it open for the chain's link to catch.  I took several broken chains with varying weights, design and color finish. This would give extra character while focusing on the vintage look as well as recycling what I already have.  Afterwards. I attached them together with a jump ring securing each fragment of metal.  With a desire to keep each piece of jewelry extra long, the length totalled approximately 28 inches.
Now, I gathered a few items for an inspirational bottle that wouldn't only be pretty but have a message.  I chose "To Hope" for this one.  The words were scissor cut from an old newspaper and hot glued to a piece of cardboard off my super glue package. 

"To Hope" then was placed on a tiny lace doily remnant and affixed with a dab of super glue to the glass.
 Too bland, but vintage bling would then accent! (I always split designs into 3 visual parts: 60% Focal Point, 30 % Secondary Focal, 10% Highlight.) Next, came delicate vintage chain remnants.  Super glue and wire caused them to dangle from the neck.  Now, It was taking shape, much like this photo of another I created on  "PROMISED LOVE".

The last detail is the bottle stopper.  The original lid must be super glued and attached. I was tempted to embellish the stopper but soon realized the beauty of the glass could diminish with too much embellishing! Simply gluing the stopper in place was a better choice.  Some did seep over the edge, but additional remnants can cover that and it just further secures the project's details. (Some bottles even got filled with seed pearls and rhinestone flats). FUN!

Now, I had several pieces completed but all 26 had been started and were drying when I decided to research ONE MORE TIME!  In search of a price range on this finished product, I checked etsy.  A regular seller retails beautiful bottles with less detail and plastic caps for $16.  I then checked ebay.  The search turned up Miniature Vintage Perfume Bottle (undecorated as is with perfume inside)SOLD PRICE $57!  and again, $64, $110, $105, $75, $46, and $98!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                       UH OH!

Well, I messed up on the one thing I've always known better than!  I took the bottles and showed them at a party to get feedback on pricing and preferences a few days before placing them in the shop as Christmas Stock.  The feedback was astounding and will continue to design the necklaces as now I find it therapeutic to recycle with oddities found just laying in junk drawers and garage boxes.  But I do believe I'll do better research before they hit the sink....as this is how you, beautifully, POUR MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN! 

 

 

Once the collection was complete, they became Christmas Stock in the FrillSeekerz Winnie Trade Days Store.  The first customer, Ashley, posed for us wearing one of the two she purchased.  She's so darling that anything she wears is a statement about how to wear recycled with pride!

 Thank you, Ashley, for the encouragement on our continuing efforts to recycle the old with soulful inspiration!

 

Make your own Christmas Tree

My favorite Holiday tree was free. 

During my divorce, I took my children, then ages 8,7 and 2 and left Dallas with a bag of toys and a few clothes for a simpler life in the country. I hadn't landed a job yet and was very fortunate to have scored the most charming yellow frame home nestled in the woods in North Texas.  (Much like the one above by dreamstime) The home was large enough for the four of us and had tons of feminine touches that just whispered, "A girly head-of-the-house lives here". 

The kids and I had only been there a couple months when Christmas approached.  I never let on that finances were nearly non-existent.  I believe it was my son that asked a second time about a Christmas tree.  I never liked spending the Holiday budget on decorations much less a tree but always had.  This year it wasn't a choice.

The kids and I went  walking on a Holiday adventure with Halloween buckets, trash bags, scissors and a knife.  They, of course asked for my plan.  Aas usual I didn't have one but explained we were going to build a tree and all the ornaments.  My faith in improvisation and a vague reply pacified each of them.

We meandered through the winter woods and gathered anything and everything they found appealing.

Branches, twigs, leaves and dried flowers came home with us that day.ffed in our Halloween bucket, a pillow case and a garbage bag.  Even a few large stones accompanied us as they were to serve as a base to support our tree. 

We then separated according to thickness.  I took shoe strings, bread ties and torn fabrics and secured twigs together and then stretched out wire hangers for the larger support.  I stuck it down in the Halloween bucket that I knew would be filled with the stones for steadiness.  Hairspray then became an adhesive where the kids had the most fun of all!  They threw flour mixed with glitter all over the homemade tree.  Some stuck. Some didn't.  But it did have a cool look, much like the decorative floral picks you see in craft stores today! Plus, it was so much more memorable than having to be pushed around in a shopping cart and told not to "touch"!

The decorations....Hours of play based solely on improvisational skills, imagination and individual taste.  The leaves were dusted with glitter after stringing thread through them to hang through the tree. 

The baby's breath and other dried flowers were hung upside down and tied after scrunching them into a round shape as if a ball.  Twigs became hearts, a straw bundle became stick men type elves, and silver foil was cut into snowflakes.  Rustic Glamour with simplicity in mind is how one might describe it, but to me, it was .....

                                     My Favorite Christmas Tree that happened to be FREE! 

I hope you'll comment on memorable "homemades" you've shared through the years.....

HGTV doesn't paint furniture like this!

The "Mud Mastermind" will be sharing her dirty mind in this segment of "how to paint with colors you already have".  The shade is called, (by my husband) Mud. "oooh, lovely! she says sarcastically"....

                                                                 Materials:




                                                          Beginning with a victim.....

Hopefully you have a furniture piece with SOLID WOOD and extra details, such as spindles or carvings that can catch some of the aging technique I'll share at the end of the blog.
              

                                                      A couple brushes

 2 cheap brushes  like above, found at Home Improvement Stores, referred to as chip brushes and run around a dollar each. They clean with soap and water when using latex paints but can be disposable as well.


                                                             Primer in a can (water based)

                                                Leftover Paint or Hardware Store Ooops
                                                        (also recommend water based)
                                                        

                                                       Red, Blue, Yellow and Black Craft Paint

 

 

 

 

A container with a lid (metal not recommended)

 

 

A Metal Household Spatula or Frosting Spreader

 

 

 

 

 

 plus

 

 

 

 

 WATER and a RAG

 

Now that you have your supplies, take the furniture piece and check for dust, oil, loose nails, hardware and any other distractions.

 

Realize, I DID NOT MENTION STRIPPING OR SANDING! Very rarely, and I do mean very rarely, has sanding been a part of the equation when a simpler method is available. 

 

MIXING your COLOR

In this project, we're looking for neutral tones so.....

Here is a guide:

If your oops or leftover paint is:

Too Red or Pink? Add Green (blue+yellow)

Too Green? Add Red or Pink

Too Yellow? Add Blue + Red

Too Blue? Add Red + Yellow

 

The colors above will probably be too bright and clear for a distressed, antiqued finish but by following the directions below, you'll find the shade you need. 

Mix

 

Pour your oops paint into your coffee can, 2/3 full.  Add 1 cup of Primer. Stir. (I prefer stirring with the standard kitchen wire whisk). Add a squeeze of red, yellow or blue craft paint. I don't do a lot of blue simply because I like the warmer side of neutrals.  Now Black. Why Black? It mutes brighter tones and gives a hint of age.  I call this graying down.  If your color is too dark, add the lightest color you have until you reach target color. It WILL darken after dried! Don't be afraid to add water both for lightening and thinning if needed.  Often times Hardware store leftovers are too thick.

Brush

  Brush on with the idea of always keeping stokes straight. Try to do one stroke from top to bottom without breaks in between. Your first coat may be a bit transparent due to the primer. If so, go over it again in a few hours when its dry.  With the chair or dresser or table is almost dry and feels a bit tacky to the touch, get out your kitchen spatula.

Scrape

Scrape with your spatula or a kitchen butter knife (or both) gently around corners and edges. You will see the scraped paint bunch up.  Remove after drying with your fingers or a rag.

 

 Once you have a smooth surface,  You can take it one step further and add dimension and instant antiquing with something else you may have in the cabinet.....

Antiquing

Shoe Polish in a Brown shade.

Using your chip brush, add brown polish to crevices and scraped areas. You will think you've messed up your fabulous new project!  You have not.  Get a generous supply in these areas and then wipe. The wiping is to soften strokes and remove excess.  No Sealer or Poly urethane needed as this is a part of the character.

 

Finished Project

 

 

 

Time Spent?

Application: 30 minutes

Drying:  3 hours 18 minutes

Scraping: 15 minutes

Antiquing/Wiping: 5 minutes

 

I actually could've been 1/2 way done in the time it took to do this DIY blog!  However, I get so many requests through the store on the kind of paint to use in painting furniture along with the questions on how to distress furniture.  There are so many methods out there but I have made a living on using what I have readily available. Both for profit margin and because I just don't believe in waste, I have learned many shortcuts for time and budget that I thought I'd share this one. Hope you enjoy and please comment if you have questions or ideas.  I will do a follow up blog on why I prefer one method over another so stay tuned!!!

 

 

$1 Table? Will you take 50 cents?

Heaven will be full of garage sales, flea markets and an endless supply of glue sticks, I'm sure of it!
My little taste of heaven has dirt paths and willing participants in the trade of money for used goods.

In preparation for my semi annual Antique Show in Warrenton, Texas, I was rummaging through the early arrivals at Winnie Old Time Trade Days.  I wasn't sure what I was looking but am quite certain I told my husband I had a mission. (Otherwise he would never have graced me with his presence in those fields!). I ran across a dealer with very few items displayed.  That's my "pity stop". (I always try to buy at least something just to help them out). But their trailer interested me more than the goods sprawled across a table. Poking out from behind a twisted comforter was a table. It had been painted and possibly glazed but I believe its just exposure to humidity that caused it to have a 2 dimensional paint effect.  I asked, and yes. Its owner replied, "One dollar" SOLD! Thrilled, I toted my new friend home.

My thoughts on the bargains found is this....The thrill of the hunt is accompanied by adrenaline and finishes off with wonder.  Wondering what it is that stirs so much adrenaline and self-accomplishment when finding a good deal.  We "thrifties" share this (what my husband calls an illness) passion for the unknown "loves". We ask, "Do I restyle the salvaged piece or offer it as is? Is it now a keeper"? But the greater question is: What is the thrill that drives the addiction? Is it really HOW WONDERFUL the piece is or is it THE PRICE?  Look for yourself.  Did the piece become more attractive AFTER seeing the price?  Here are just a few pics....

                                

                                                 Warrenton Antique Show Shabby Farm Table $15.00

Estate Sale Disassembled Concrete Fountain  and laying in pieces among bushes outside $20.00

                                        Garage Sale Vintage Lilli Ann Suede and Fur Coat $5

Now imagine each item with the PAID FOR price being cut in half.  NOW, are they even more attractive?

Being a shopper has always been an emotional event. But as a seller, we want to give our customers the same feeling we feel. We want them to walk away feeling like a "winner".  This is done in several ways but finding a bargain evokes self-accomplishment.  Allowing the buyer the option of pricing is in itself, giving them a sense of control.  They will always look at their item and know they found, priced and took ownership by EARNING their treasure. ...
                                                               found on a dirt path.

Are you stealing?

In any workplace, you stand the risk of having your hard work stolen for another's gain. Is it simply enough to get paid and look in the mirror and know you did your best?

Recently a lawsuit against Pinterest proved that, "no", its not enough. A person has the right to protect their intellectual property, whether it be their craft or their process tho reach the end result, otherwise face the charges.  Pinterest implemented a program, according to reports from the Washington Post, where the up loader (or owner) has the ability to utilize a "opt out" position when posting their original content.  This means they can prevent their image from being re-pinned to another's board. There's also a 500 word limit on the thread attaching to "pins" so a DIY or blog regarding the manufacturing details won't be easy to do.  The debate continues over whether this is enough protection for the intellectual property owner.  My thought? The jury's still out on this one.

I've always been bothered by copycats.  I'm not saying people have always copied me. I'm saying its always bothered me.  So many have said, "feel flattered"! Well, when someone steals your wallet, are you flattered? 

A sweet lady came into my FrillSeekerz shop about a year ago and bought several purses. She came in again and shared her love of the bag but ALSO how much she'd enjoyed making some just like those I'd made.  She stated how she was also looking forward to the extra income her new purses could provide for her.    Realizing how much income these bags have produced for me on etsy, I wasn't  excited for her but instead surprised at her naivete'.  Was it nerve or ignorance?  Why should I care?  After all, I don't do the same design for long at all. Trends change and truly creative souls evolve as does their craft.  It still bothered me. I gave her a "gentle" warning by using reference to copyright "umbrellas". She brushed it off as did I.

A year later, I was approached by a regular client who I supply her bridal shop.  She discussed with me our "no compete" clause on our contractual agreement.  This is when Angel informed me of my purses being carried next door to her shop.  After assuring her I would protect her interest and honor my contract, I did my research.  And yes, this same individual is, indeed, doing my purses as well as bridal sashes, table runners and flip flops and selling them next door to my commercial client. After contacting the mall owner, I was given the woman's contact information and left mine. She called. I was firm and definite with my intentions to sue and the grounds.  The merchandise was removed but now has appeared under her name in other locations.  I do plan to follow through with legal actions.

My question is this, when we've all been inspired by others, when is it crossing the line?  I believe when it is for financial gain and the product has more than 90% likeness, the reproduction belongs to the original designer.  If credits are not given, its the same as stealing.  The profits gained from another's design do not belong to the copycat.  I do realize the original designer takes a chance when posting images for the world to see BUT they should have that right.  I should have the right to display my goods in my store and believe that another creative soul will acknowledge the difference between admiration, inspiration and theft.  And quite frankly, nurturing that creative part of my soul means taking pride in the fact that I did it!

What's your take? Do you simply get inspired or do you steal?