Showing posts with label vintage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vintage. Show all posts

DIY antiqued antique mirror

4.09.2014

So last summer I was scouring my in-laws old farm house (yet again!) after they'd cleaned out their attic. In amongst the treasures was a small old window. It just looked like a small window because you could see right through the glass, but on closer inspection, I realized that it was a mirror! Almost all of the silvering had come off (sniff!). The wood finish was cracking from changes in temperature and age and was so rustic and pretty looking.

When I went to wash off the grime with just a little water, the silvering completely cleaned off to show the quality beveled glass. And the wooden frame? You would have to break wood off the back to get the glass out, so I wanted the glass to stay.

But I wanted it to be a mirror. Hmm.

I looked into re-silvering but had a terrible time finding someone to do it. The man I talked to literally said that everyone that used to do it was dead. The reason no one does it anymore is because the chemicals used to take the old silvering off were banned because of how crazy dangerous they are! However, since my mirror was already de-silvered, I just needed the mirror coating put back on.

No luck.

I did talk to a guy who wanted about $200 for an un-perfected silvering method he was working on. I said, "Uh, no thanks."

Then I ran into an online tutorial (the link is for a more recent version) for a similar, albeit faux, look with Looking Glass spray paint from the hobby store.

$7 with coupon? Yes, please!

I broke it out last weekend to *finally* work on this long-time-coming DIY and here is the result.

I didn't re-read the tutorial before I got into it, and I wish I would've. I followed the instructions on the can to use 5 thin coats instead of the one thick coat Jenny recommends. I think the bright sunshine plus the extra time sealed in some of the smaller droplets I would've liked to rubbed off. Oh well.

It was also difficult to see exactly where all of the water/vinegar drops landed and I think I would've made some of them a little less uniform for a more authentic look.

I topped it off with a few coats of black spray paint (so instead of seeing through the spots where the looking glass spray was wiped away, it would look black like an antique mirror) and added two small eye hooks and a picture hanging wire. 

Overall I'm pleased! My "new" mirror has found a home on the wall near our bed. I'm working on a several more changes before I reveal the whole bedroom look (if I can call it that, ha!). So stay tuned!

:-)

a little Easter shop update (4/14)

4.07.2014

I haven't had a shop update in awhile! Easter seemed like an appropriate time to get a few fun little things out even though baby clothing sales are down. ;-)

Some cute pieces! Click over here to browse.






Easter is coming!

Shop Update: 40s and 50s patterns!

12.22.2013

Merry Christmas!! It will be pretty quiet over here until January. I'll be making some changes and working on a little bit different content - a change I'm excited about!

And as we ring in a New Year, I'll be excited to hear your goals, plans and words for the fresh year.

Here's a little ode to the 50s housewife ... don't you want one of these to wear?











Find the rest in my shop!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

shop update {september}

9.13.2013

This is the time of year when beefing up your Etsy shop tends to pay off. It seems like November and January have been the biggest months in sales for the past 2 years. We'll see about this year!

Here are some of the new pieces. Find them in the shop HERE!










And some sweet patterns. 





:-)

a vintage-themed baby shower {gender neutral}

8.28.2013

A sweet friend and I threw a baby shower for her sister over the weekend. It was so much fun to put together because the mama-to-be is as crazy about vintage as I am! My main inspiration came from THIS photography post.

And I designed the invitation, too. Isn't it sweet?



Did I mention how much fun it was? I pulled things from Pinterest, my shop and my own stash and we added lots of vintage and antique family items like toys, clothing and photos.

The "baby" pennant banner idea came from HERE and don't you just love the coffee filter poms?! Gorgeous, easy and fun to make! Invest a little time and have something great. (Find the tutorial HERE.)










There was a bassinet (which my amazing friend, Sarah, found on the side of the road in amazing condition!), a diaper cake, salt water taffy and plenty of food.








Here are the sweet sisters - due about 3 months apart! I had so much fun celebrating with them. And both aren't finding out the gender until baby is born! How crazy, fun and exciting. (And vintage? ha!)



(A quick obligatory photo of my with the sweet mama - and a peek at my party dress compliments of my grandma again! Isn't the neckline delicious?!)

*couple of new shop items" (no. 3)

8.15.2013

Final shop post! The last pieces. Find them HERE!





See you soon with more project posts!