Closet Love

Back in November I picked up an interesting chandelier while thrifting with my sister. It was gold metal and had a milk-glass middle section. It was unique and cool (not to mention $4) so even though I had no where to put it, I snatched it up. It also had hideous glass lamp covers which I actually gave back to the thrift store people right at the counter.

Here I have the milk glass taped off.

Then it dawned on me. Obviously I need a chandelier in my closet! I was currently dealing with an awful florescent light strip - like the kind you sit under all day at school - which took a minute to warm up which drove me BONKERS. A chandelier was just what I needed. So predictably, I went with pink. And then went over the top with it and added glitter. Check out the process below - I got to spray paint in my sister's Dexter-esque kill room in her garage where she uses her paint sprayer to refinish furniture (she was painting the chandelier on the left for her office).

Milk glass revealed

 This chandelier also takes unusual fat bottomed bulbs. I think you can see this best in the picture above.

I used Martha Stewart glitter paint (also seen here) to add glitter on top of my spray paint job. It surprisingly stands out pretty well.

So about a month passed - and the glittery chandelier sat in a bag in my closet waiting to go up. I had an adorable pink rug, the perfect size for my closet, under the tree for Christmas (I may have done some of my husband's shopping for him) to complete the look. Or at least make a start at completing the look. I have big plans for new shelving in the future.

So after 2 more months... I finally convinced my husband to put up my chandelier as part of my Valentine's day present. I do feel like I should give him some credit here since we already have 3 chandeliers in the house - one of which he hung by himself (check them out here and here). I love it. It might be hanging a little low depending on how my re-shelving plan goes, but we can always shorten the chain. I also see some dangly beads or crystals in the future.

This picture is more true to color:

An awkward attempt to get the rug and the chandelier in the same shot:

I have also been working on another chandelier related project (my biggest yet) with my dad... details to come in a few days!

Feeling Fruity

In light of my nearly successful juice fast last week (after watching the documentary "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead"), I made these adorable fruit dinner napkins this past weekend for my Etsy store. They were so cute I had to share. They remind me of a picnic and vintage linens all at the same time.

Making Valentines

This year I made my Valentines with my sister in-law Sophie. I realize this post is late but I am all for celebrating love the whole month of February. Sophie and I had fun cutting, pasting, glittering, and super gluing (the wire hearts). See more wire art here. We used Martha Stewart glitter and glitter glue pen to trace and glitter the hearts after stamping them. Stamp from Michaels dollar bin.

These two Sophie made for her mom and grandparents. <3

Monogram Doormat - Part 2

About a month ago I posted about a monogram doormat my sister made for around $3. I am now the proud owner of one too!

Such an easy and inexpensive project to make. You do need a large set of letter stencils and a smaller set of letters and numbers, but letter and number stencils are a worthwhile investment.  I first laid out all my stencils and decided where they should go on the doormat.

Then I got started. Using paint is the fun part. We used folkart craft paint available at Joann's or Michaels. I did yellow to match my house. My sister made one for my mom too and used bright green. For a stenciling tutorial click here.

I used a blow dryer to speed up the drying process since you have to wait for each letter or number to dry before you can put down a different stencil next to it.

Almost done! One last step: Adding the border. I just eyeballed this part and put down painters tape to keep a sharp line.

Jewelry for Valentines Day

My husband and I have recently started a bit of a jewelry making business...

 

A few weeks ago I thought it would be a good idea to send T.J. some ideas for what I wanted for Valentines day. I sent him some links from Etsy thinking he could just order me a cute necklace or charm or something from there. Instead of spending the money, he thought "I can make those myself!" And low and behold he can - with his own twist that makes them even better. The two above are my Vday gifts... an E for Elizabeth and an adorable mini silver bow with a light pink bead on the right side. (I realize the pictures of my neck are kind of weird, so I apologize... weirding me out anyway!). Below are a few we cooked up for my Etsy store. If you want to check out my Etsy store you can click on the pictures below or click on the tab above that says "Shop - Etsy Store".