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Come Join the FUN!

If you're not in town that day, next time you are, stop by The Unity Tree in Houghton Lake to view my gallery and check out all the cool items available in the store!

These owls are a hoot. Sorry, had to say that!

I got this idea from something I saw on Pinterest. The blog that had posted the idea was no longer online. So I winged it. (cringe)

I found two pieces of pallet wood laying around (you can use 1"x 4" or even 2"x4") and cut them to an 18" length on a 45 degree angle or there about if you are just cutting them on the fly (haha).

The whole idea here is to use scrap items you have laying around, so have fun with it.

I am loving all the new aqua and turquoise things available in the marketplace now, and decided to wash the pallet wood with that color. Owls are turquoise, right? Mine are.

I used packaging from some recently purchased markers for the wings for Mr Owl, and some faux sand paper I whipped up from textured paint on cardboard I had on hand for the wing for Mrs. Owl. Maybe you can find something you like to give the idea of wings and texture, on hand at your house. I glued them on with tacky glue, hanging them off the edge slightly. Then added upholstery tacks to Mrs just for looks. Every girl likes jewelry.

You should decide how you want to place the owls where you will be hanging them and if you want them off center, facing each other, facing apart, etc.. It may impact where you place the features (wings, eyes). Sorry about the tag on Mr. Owl's wing. I will try to take the blog photos before the items are at the Redeaux booth from now on.

I save all kinds of little odds and ends I have found in this journey through life. So, I rummaged through my collection to find round things I thought I could use to make the eyes. After collecting doodads and whatnots that suited my fancy, I realized I needed another larger item for one of the eyes. I went into my washer collection and found a fairly large one. It lacked personality, though. So I grabbed my StazOn ink and stamped on it with a script stamp to make it more visually appealing. I needed one more thing and found a bottle cap then glued a what not into it so that just the ruffled edge showed. I must caution you not to take this too seriously. Anything you happen to find will work. Key words are round and layers. I glued to layers together with tacky glue, then glued the "eyes" to the owl, overhanging one edge and being careful to place them off center.

Next, I needed a beak. I found some shell casings from my husband's target practice. I thought the brass was cool, so I kept them. See, waste not, want not. I squished them into a point (more or less) with some long nose pliers. I used a dremmel bit and drilled a hole through them with the help of a vise, then attached the beak with glue and a small brass brad.

Next come the horns and the feet. If possible, to create added interest, try to use different type nails for the horns and feet. You can even use different nails for each owl if you care too. I placed my horns off center at a slight angle and the feet at a noticable angle.

I used sawtooth hangers on the back.

That's it. A pretty easy, low stress project. Have fun and be creative.

I came across a forlorn (very forlorn) vintage metal vanity table at a community garage sale near my home. I liked the lines of it. The finish had worn off, the mirror broken and missing, the coated masonite top and shelf were scratched and frayed. The lady selling it told me it was hers when she was young and nearly cried when I said I wanted it. I promised her I'd love it up and do it proud. When I bought it my husband just rolled his eyes and thought I lost my mind.

I removed the top and shelf from the frame, then spray painted the frame flat black. While the photo does not adequately show it, when the black was dry, I over sprayed it with textured rust spray paint. I was careful not to put too much of the faux rust on it, just enough to make it beautiful.

Using pallet strips, I constructed the table top to fit, using a piece of quarter inch ply on the bottom cut to fit the opening for the top in the frame. I chose to overhang the top by about two inches on front and sides. The top received a coat of ivory chalk paint. I was careful to leave a few spots of bare wood peeking (I do mean peeking) through. I did not want the inner shelf white as well as it would overpower the thin metal frame. I "primed" it with a thin coat of ivory chalk paint. When dry used charcoal chalk paint over it. While still wet, I wiped some of the charcoal off in a few spots to imitate wear.

Next came the fun part. I found a vintage butterfly graphic and printed it onto freezer paper. Pulling it off the printer I placed it face down EXACTLY where I wanted it on the table. There's no readjusting, so plan well before hand. I taped it down using painters tape, then used the back of a soup spoon and burnished it carefully onto the table top. Make sure you get every little spot. If you're careful you can gently lift one corner to peek for confirmation. When you're satisfied, gently and carefully lift off the paper and let dry completely. You can touch up any areas you are unhappy with using thinned acrylic paint.

Next I made a walnut brown glaze and brushed on intermittent strokes to simulate wear, doing the same to the shelf as well. Don't forget the edges if they will show on yours, like they do on my table top.

Next I chalk board painted a piece of quarter inch hardboard (masonite) and cut it to size, and wired it into the mirror frame.

When the top and shelf were dry, I waxed them with dark wax to help age them a little more, while keeping them protected. Using u-shaped clamps about the size of the metal on the frame, I secured the top and shelf to the frame.

It's on it's way to my Redeaux booth and I'm hoping someone has the perfect place for it.

I am excited to announce the birth of my new booth at a local emporium called Dewey's in Houghton Lake. The booth is stocked with furniture and treasures I have redone, original artwork, prints, creations, art dolls, etc... If you're in town swing in and check it out. Hopefully you'll find something you just love and want to take home.

I have decided to blog here about my adventure and will posting project tutorials, furniture redos, and other hopefully interesting and informative posts. Join me on this journey by subscribing to the blog.

Thanks and hope to see you at Dewey's.

Lomography. Very cool.

Defined by the urban dictionary as:

a type of art photography in which color is emphasized. Traditionally, cameras such as the Holga, Lomo, Colorsplash, and Supersampler are used to create strange and unusual photographs. Lomographic photos are primarily characterized by vignettes (blurry and faded edges), random subjects, and nonadherance to traditional photography rules.

I started a new gallery this week called "Lomography Inspired". After recently falling in love with the look I could hardly wait to apply this new fad to my perspective. I love it. I hope you do too.

There are ten rules to lomography, which I find very freeing, and result in some interesting art. They are:

Take your camera everywhere you go
Use it any time – day and night
Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it
Try the shot from the hip
Approach the objects of your Lomographic desire as close as possible
Don't think
Be fast
You don't have to know beforehand what you captured on film
Afterwards either
Don't worry about any rules

Having so much fun creating these misfits, odd ducks and freaks of nature. LOL. I have always found it rewarding to create personalities, whether in 2D or 3D. The best part is they are made using items that would otherwise end up in the landfill. I can hardly wait to see the reaction at art shows this summer. If you are interested in purchasing, please use the contact button. Thanks!