Antique Windmill ~ the rest of the story...

I almost forgot that I promised to let you know what happened with my windmill head that I shared with you in a previous post.  I still love it more than anything that I've ever found at a yard sale.  Even though I don't own it any more, the new owner has promised to share an image with me once she installs it on her wall.

I listed it on craigslist, and waited.  I did receive an offer almost immediately, but I did not accept it.  It was going to take more than that to "break up" with it.  After all, I was in love with it (and still am).  

It was taking up a lot of space in my garage, though, so I listed it on eBay.  When it didn't sell on auction, I moved it into my eBay store but left it on craigslist as well.

It didn't take long at all, and I received an inquiry from a very nice lady through craigslist.  She made me an offer I couldn't refuse.  So she and her 3 children drove from Lebanon, Mo. to pick it up.  I was afraid it wouldn't fit in her car with all those kids, but she was determined to make it work.  She loved it as much as I did so I know it went to a good home.  

I haven't received her image yet of it hung on her wall.  Perhaps her husband hasn't performed his "honey-do" yet?   When I receive it, I will share it with you in another post. Happy hunting, vintage lovers.  I hope you find your most favorite thing ever at the next sale...

How to Make Crackle Glass Insulators

I didn't realize that I hadn't written a post for almost three weeks until I wrote my earlier one today.  I try to post at least once a week.  So, to make up for not posting the last three weeks I am doing another one today on how to crackle insulators.  

There are insulator collectors from beginners to advanced.  I hope that the true collectors won't be horrified when I suggest crackling them.  There are so many around that aren't worth much that those are the ones I suggest crackling.  Some people collect crackled glass.  I am combining the two and offering crackled glass insulators for those who don't have one.  

Pick out some insulators that you wish to crackle

Wash them and place them in the oven at 350 degrees.  Bake them for a while ~ 15 minutes should do.

 Get a pan of ice water ready and then place the insulators one at a time in the water

As soon as they hit the water they will crack 

Then set them out to cool.  They will be very hot!

When they crackle, there might be little chips that come off here and there.  I usually crackle the ones that have chips and cracks anyway so I don't feel like I'm destroying good ones.  They make nice paperweights and there are tons of things you can make with them ~ lamps, candle holders, etc.  See Pinterest for more ideas and have fun!  

How to Upholster a Vintage Chair with a Vintage Painting! What?!

This is what I did this morning, and I thought I would share it with you.  I bought a cheap original painting on canvas at a yard sale on April 26.  When I was out picking Monday I bought a vintage chair that had seen its better days.

I took two wood pieces off the front of the seat and made a whitewash from 4 parts acrylic paint and one part water.

I then painted the two small pieces and the chair with the whitewash.  While it was drying...

I made a paper pattern of the chair seat and then cut the canvas painting off of the stretcher with a utility knife

 I then cut the canvas around the pattern using scissors

 Next I placed the canvas on the seat and wrapped it around to the bottom and stapled it underneath with a staple gun 

I don't have an image, but I took leftover canvas and covered the ugly wood bottom that you see in the image above

 There was enough canvas left (see above) that I can frame it and sell it as a matching painting to go with the chair 

And, voila, here you have a new whitewashed chair with a unique hand painted original seat!  Trust me, it is by no means a professional job, but it was a first attempt using this technique.  Now I will know how to do it a little better next time.  OJT ~ On the Job Training as they say.  If you decide to make one, please send me an image when you're done.  I'd love to see it!  Until next post, happy picking.

Bottles...

Bottles...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed my bottles.  Perhaps there are some you have never seen.