Finally Spring!

Hi Everyone! If you're like me, you have been waiting for some nice weather for quite some time. I am sooo glad it has finally arrived, & not just for obvious reasons. To be honest, I am one of those "crazies" that actually likes cold weather. And, I really don't like 75+ degree weather. However, when it comes to making some progress on my artwork, I really need some nice mild temps to get my finishes to cooperate.

I usually paint in my garage, which has a tenous heater. I can get my garage warm enough for my paint finishes in the winter, but that also means the doors are shut - so I tend to gas myself out sometimes. Anyway, now I can paint with reckless abandon - doors open, spray paint gun flying.

Here's a current project - these 2 panels used to be part of one door, which we sliced in half. After beginning to sand them, I discovered multiple layers of paint in varying colors. This does happen a lot, but on rare occasion, the color combination actually looks pretty good. This one is a winner! (lucky for me, & all you fans of interesting chippy paint).

Here's some close ups of the paint. These 2 pieces will now be more French country garden themed. A great sample of how sometimes the pieces I'm working with dictate the final outcome.

Look at all these cool sage-y greens, yellow, pink, & a little bit of aqua! Makes you wonder who painted what color & when......

This is off the subject, but here's a picture of my thermometer hanging outside my kitchen window (never mind that my window needs washing, please!). Yes, it's nice & sunny, but 88 degrees? No way. This thermometer gets crazy with the sun shining on it.

And.... at last... my beloved crud-tastic couch! I realized I never really posted a final picture of it. I've had it finished for a few weeks now. This is the biggest upholstery project I've tried thus far, & I have to say I'm pretty happy. Will I do this again? Hmmmm.. maybe ask me in a year. Or.... if the right piece comes along....

thanks for checking in! :) Amy

Inspiration from a hankerchief

HI Everyone - I've been working on a few vintage mirrors this week. I've used a Paris-themed design on many of my mirrors in the past, but this particular one had cleaner lines & looked a little "art-deco" to me (even though the frame started out a vibrant aqua color). Soooo... I knew I wanted to come up with something more American, 20's or 30's era. I started googling art deco hotels & architecture, & came up with the design you see on this mirror. Of course, I never copy an old sign word for word, but I like to use old signs & photos as inspiration - to create something that could have been realistic to a certain time period or fictional place.

Anyway, I looked over on my side table at a few old hankies I had received from my mom. She had them from her grandma - so I'm guessing they were originally made in the 20's or 30's? I've looked at them before, but never really stopped to think about how much time or artistry actually went into them. I found a beautiful scroll applique on one, & decided it would make a perfect side bracket to my lettering on the mirror. Check out the hankie:

And here's how it ended up painted on my mirror:

And.... the finished product! One note about this picture - no matter how hard I try, I have yet to master the art of photographing mirrors. Any tips? I'll keep trying, eventually I'll find a way to capture what it looks like in person. For now, I seem to get a lot of glare, flash, etc.

Another note about the hankies - do you think ladies from way back had hankie competitions? Some are so intricate & beautiful, you'd think they'd have some sort of "hankie-off" or enter them into the county fair. Hmmmm....

Here's some bonus pictures - my little border collie, who absolutely loves to lick my soap sitting in a dish on my bathroom shelves. What is up with this? I don't understand. Maybe she knows she's been bad & she's attempting to punish herself. I guess there are worse things for her to be licking - if you're a dog owner, you know what I mean.

After she's been caught licking the soap... her she is licking her chops. Mmmmmm.... Soapy!

Other news - I found out this week I've been accepted into the Fall Diddley Craft show in October - Belvidere, IL. I haven't done this show in the past, but I did the companion show last year (Fair Diddley, in May 2007). Fair Diddley went fairly well for me, considering it was only one day & it was 50 degrees & rainy. This year, I decided to go all out & try the 2 day fall show (Fall Diddley) with a double booth. Sooo... we will see how this goes. If you live up in Northern Illinois - come stop by! (see my website: www.secondchanceart.net, and click on "show schedule").

Bye for now - thanks for stopping by! :) Amy

How I love the Kane County Flea Market

Hi Everyone! This past saturday I dragged my Mom to the Kane County Flea Market. She's such a good sport - she says she likes going, but always ends up lugging around my unwieldy finds while I continue to slowly pick through potential buys. Here are some pictures from our outing:

Mom is trying to prevent me from taking her picture here - I was fast enough to get her picture before she could snatch my camera. Heh heh...

Most sane individuals would argue this piece is a waste of time. However, I thought it was a bonus that it came with a piece of the original ceiling stud it was wired through. Yes, this will take a little elbow grease, but should turn out to be a lovely "candelier" when I'm finished.

Behind me here is a lovely old dresser mirror with a great curvy frame. Destined to become a Parisian-themed artpiece for above someone's console table or maybe a dressing area?....... only time will tell...
Here I am next to my "old lady cart" (I apologize to any older women who have a cart like this). I've finally wised up a bit - having a set of wheels makes for fewer trips to the car.
Here's a terrific 9 pane window with some original hardware still attached. I hardly ever pay for windows, as I can usually find them around. This one was worth paying for though.

I couldn't leave the flea market without something completely ridiculous, which will probably become a gift for my sister. 80's music fans rejoice - here's Mr. Mister, Richard Marx, & Wham. You probably won't catch me wearing these at any of my art shows. I asked the vendor how much..... he said "$1 each". I responded "how about a quantity discount?" .... to which he said "okay, $2 for all three"....... now that's negotiating!

thanks for checking in! take care for now - Amy

Hi Everyone! Here's some pictures of a few things I found this weekend at the Antique Bazaar store in Lisle, IL. I thought this "2" would be a nice little decorative piece for my booth at shows or perhaps hanging somewhere. Since my new business cards (for Second Chance Art & Accessories) have been redesigned with a "2" on them, I'm now obsessed with finding cool old "2's" in different forms. I'm on the lookout for some old printing press 2's.

I love old label holders! I'm thinking these once belonged to a very organized handyman or an old hardware store..... hence the "carraige screw" label. I have been looking online for label holders lately since they are nice additions to many of the coat rack pieces I make from old doors. I've had trouble finding simple label holders in an antique-looking finish. Plenty available in shiny chrome or brass, but not many options in darker oiled bronze or antique brass. These definitely fit the bill, and I'd really prefer something with a little authentic patina anyway.

Looks like there's some glass-knob soup in my future! (a la hardware soup in my crockpot) A few hour bath in my slow cooker should help the paint slide right off of these. They will make lovely hangers for coats, aprons, jewelry, or what have you on some one of a kind piece.

These bin pulls are for me personally. I've got another personal project on deck after I'm done with my couch (see my previous posts on the fabulously crudtastic couch). Speaking of the couch, I'm working on getting the cushions covered today. I ran out of lipcord to use as the welt around the cushions. I've been to 3 different JoAnn stores in search of more (this is where I bought the cord that I've used on the actual couch). The store in Joliet didn't have ANY, which is not too shocking to me as they are not a "super JoAnn" - very disappointing. Bolingbrook JoAnn only had 5.5 yards (which I bought). Orland Park had 7.6 yards (which I bought). I think I'll need another 3 yards or so... we will see.... poor couch - it just wants to be finished! Bye for now.....thanks for checking in - Amy :)

Eureka! My own basement is a gold mine .....

Hi everyone - here's what's new. My husband & I went on a garbage date last night. It is still a little chilly to expect lots of finds from home renovations, etc. However, I figured my husband owed me a garbage date, since he skipped out on his own family's Easter dinner this past Saturday to play volleyball instead (I attended of course - his family is great!). Just when I thought we were coming home empty handed, the "alley of wonder" came through again. I found a nice skinny recessed panel door, which is pictured here along with some of my earlier finds.

These photos of the creepy ceiling joists with cob webs are from my very own basement. Not too long ago, I started prying old insulators from the joists - left from the knob & tube wiring era. I've collected about 40 so far. They cook up really nice in the hardware soup pot, because of their shiny porcelain finish (paint doesn't stick very well). I've used a few of these in the past as knobs on art pieces for coat hanging, etc. These pieces sold quickly - so I've decided to harvest all I can from my basement. I've got a few more to go down there - & then it will be onto my attic. I've already started to put the idea in my husband's head of a "attic insulator party" - hopefully he'll be willing to help me. I've found that if you call something a "party" & follow it up with ice cream, sometimes husbands are more willing to help with things.

Here's the latest couch pictures. This weekend I finished upholstering the back, put on the gimp trim & nailheads. Almost done! Just cushion covers to sew. The cushions are a little scary. I've debated whether I should open them up, or just leave them as-is & sew covers to put over them. I'm leaning toward covering over them. If I open them up & there happens to be something living in them I might really freak out - I guess I really don't want to know what they are stuffed with.

thanks for checking in - take care!
Amy

My beloved couch is turning the corner!

Hi Everyone -

Here's the latest picture of my beloved crusty couch I promised. It's definitely a slow going project, but since I plan on keeping it, I only allow myself to work on it in my "free" time. I don't feel guilty working on personal projects during a portion of my weekends (if plans allow). It's starting to come together though, which motivates me to just knock it out. Not to mention - I don't want to get to the point where I ignore the fact that there's a half baked antique couch in the middle of my living room. I can't have company over until it's done!

On the business side of things, I began a business card redesign a few weeks ago. After I laid out a design, I had Mercurio Brothers printing (in California) print them up for me using a letterpress. Check them out - I can't wait to start giving them away!

thanks for checking in - take care! Amy

Second Chance Art & Accessories is at it again....

Hi Everyone -

Just thought I'd share what I've been up to this weekend. I attended the Country Living Magazine's 3rd annual Women Entrepeneur's Event, in Chicago. Of course, I dragged my ever-positive Mother with me to take it all in. She's so smiley...... The event consisted of a seminar with different speakers on relevant business topics. I went to the event for the first time last year, & it's what got me thinking about longer term plans for Second Chance Art & Accessories.

Anyway.... I must say I am again inspired to keep my mind open to new markets & avenues to sell Second Chance Art & Accessories. Thanks to Country Living for inspiring me, & around 600 other attendees. I am a loyal subscriber to the magazine, thanks to the fact that they also love old, crusty stuff!

I also applied in advance to "pitch my product" to some editors from the magazine, prior to the seminar. Country Living provides this opportunity to women with a business & product to promote. I felt honored to have been given the opportunity (especially since I did this last year, & they wanted to hear me again!). The staff at the magazine is extremely helpful, supportive, and friendly. During my 5 minute "pitch" slot, the judges made me feel right at home.

I've included a picture of my sister & I, getting ready to drag my unwieldy artwork down to the waiting area. She appears to be snorting - she had a pretty nasty cold. My Mom is taking the picture.

I've also included a photo of proof that Border Collies DO sleep, when they come home from the kennel after a weekend of nonstop barking (this is my guess at what goes on there). Olive the usually incorrigible is konked out on my husband's lap.

I promise an update on the fabulously crudtastic couch in my next post - it's gonna be good! :)

Amy

Fabu-maps!

Hi everyone....

I was able to go to the Kane County Flea Market this past weekend after many months of flea-market drought. They actually cancelled the flea market for january & february due to construction on the fairgrounds. I almost went in January, but checked the flea market website before I went - & realized it would be a long drive for nothing.

Anyway... there's definitely fewer dealers there during the cold months. But I was able to find 2 great 1920's era maps that will no doubt become part of something fabulous. Check out the photo of one of them draped over my couch project (see previous posts). I also found some great hunks of old door with original privacy glass, and some old hooks & doorknobs. In fact, I cooked up some doorknob soup just this morning! (see the previous post - "hardware soup")

I've also included a photo of the tiny amount of progress made on my beloved crud-tastic couch. You can see the dogs in the pictures - Polly is checking out the progress, and Olive assumed I'm taking the picture of her, not the map. Check out Olive's crazy eye color; we've actually been asked if there's something wrong with her. Nope! Just God's creativity!

take care :)

Amy

Fabulously Crud-tastic!

Hi Everyone ...... first of all, I must say that I'm breaking some sort of blogging world record (for me, anyway). I must be on a major role, or maybe I feel I'm now accountable to provide an update on my couch reupholstery project.

So, here it is! The bottom photo shows the couch (with even more fabric & padding removed, and somewhat detached from the frame - note the lovely clamps I have holding layers together) with primer on the frame. The top photo shows the final paint finish on the frame (a little aging added), and the beginnings of replacing fabric on the seat.

I just realized that the fabric I've chosen looks a lot like my chocolate lab, which could be great for hiding dog hair.... but bad for keeping the dog off the couch. How will I see her? It's practically dog cammo. I do have another dog, a calico-looking little border collie, that is every color except dark brown. Therefore, I will probably be using my lint brush often on this couch. Speaking of my border collie (Olive), you can see her rear in the photo - how funny!

On the art side of things, I did manage to score an excellent raised panel door this morning while jogging. It's a nice shade of orange - which would normally make people cringe...... but I'm thinking perhaps some great fall & halloween themed second chance "door panel art"! We'll see what happens to it.

:) take care - Amy

Price paid for 4 lovely old doors = 1 scraped up bumper....

Hi Everyone - I know this is some sort of bloggin miracle, seeing that I'm actually posting again within the same week as my last post. Maybe I'm getting better at this!

So the other day, my hubby was gone the whole day playing volleyball - leaving me at home by myself. I think he was feeling a little bad for me when he returned, because he offered to take me on a "garbage date" (see my previous posts). I have been longing for one of these outings since the weather was a little more cooperative. This longing has also been fueled by the cancelation of the Kane County Flea Market in January & February, due to construction on the fair grounds (yes - it's NEVER supposed to be closed, but I guess there's a first for everything).

Anyway, we set off together in his truck, not expecting to find much - since home improvement projects seem to correlate with fair weather. We started up a steep hill - we did fine until about 30-40 feet up the hill... at which point we started sliding backwards, courtesy of the nice layer of wet, glazy ice coating the hill, and the truck being back wheel drive. After sitting on the hill sort of wedged against a cinder block retaining wall for about 10 minutes, my husband finally just started spinning the wheels - which jarred us loose & let us slide back down the hill a bit. Of course, he's scraping his bumper against the wall as we go. Ugh. We ended up sliding/backing down the hill & just skipping that alley.

Soo.... I'm feeling bad at this point, because we probably weren't going to find anything good.. and now my husband's truck has a battle scar (see the photo). We decided to venture down one last alley - which I've dubbed "the alley of wonder" because I've never gone down it & come home empty handed. Lo an behold - we found 4 lovely stained recessed paneled doors, with original hardware (unpainted!). How exciting for me - enough to cancel the "sliding down the hill episode" from my mind. (probably not my husband's mind though).

I guess in the future we probably won't be going down alleys with hills during "ice season" - but this experience contradicts the theory that there's nothing to be found in the winter...... perhaps more cold weather garbage dates are on the horizon??

:) take care - Amy

Am I crazy, or what??

Okay... it appears that I'm sticking with my pattern of posting every other month, which I'm sure is quite upsetting to those who are good at this blogging thing - right? Anyway... some blogging is better than no blogging!

Here's a picture of what I've been up to lately, or what I'll be up to in the near future. This lovely old couch was obtained on one of my husband & I's "missions" around the neighborhood. Well.... actually, I spotted it while running with my dog, and was compelled to bring my hubby back with his truck to get it - in the rain, of course! The carvings were so beautiful, I felt I had to give it a second chance. Don't ask what my husband thinks of this - maybe he doesn't share my fondness for beautiful, but wet, stained, & broken antique furniture.

After this poor artifact sat in my basement storage area for over a year (it's now thoroughly dry), I finally decided to drag it out & give it whirl. It's initial state was pretty sorry (missing a leg on the left corner, nasty old upholstery, etc). I've now stripped off all the fabric, and dragged it over to my Dad's for "surgery" - in which he's magically figured out how to add a similar new leg where previously missing. Did I mention we didn't recover the missing leg?

Now it's time to paint the frame (I decided against stripping & restaining, given the large number of scratches & "biffs" in the frame). And then.....new upholstery! Wish me luck - hopefully I'll have more pictures once it's a little more presentable.

More business info.... I've just found out I'll be exhibiting at the Wells Street Art Festival this summer (exciting! I haven't done this show in the past). I'm working on a business card redesign, and have also re-submitted my trademark application for "Second Chance Art & Accessories" - this time, with the help of a lawyer. (the story behind my first application could be a whole new post...).

As always - thanks for your support... and I will keep trying to post more often. :) Amy

Mmmmmm.... hardware soup!

Hi Everyone ..... Okay, it's been a while, again, since my last post. I think I'll just have to admit that I'm definitely not the "blogging" type. Anyway.. here's what I'm up to lately with Second Chance Art & Accessories.

I exhibited at my last show of the year in November (15-18th) at the Odeum in Villa Park. Thanks to everyone who stopped by my booth - I appreciate it! I've since been working on a few custom orders, checking out other shows that I might apply to for next year, and finishing up my semester of teaching at Joliet Junior College.

The pictures are from a little recipe I like to call "harware soup" - sounds yummy! This is a pretty disgusting, yet satisfying pastime I have of cleaning old painted hardware that I think would be great on some Second Chance Art piece. The crockpot only has 2 legs, yet it works just fine for this job. (we've improvised to add a third leg). Amazing what you might find under layers & layers of old paint!

Anyway..... I'm in the process of checking out & applying to shows for 2008. I'll also be tweaking my website here & there. thanks for your support, and have a Merry Christmas! :) Amy

Door chopping "Party"

Hi everyone - I don't think it's been THAT long since my last post, so maybe I'm getting better at this. I'm sure in the blogging world my time between posts is like an eternity though......

A few weeks ago my husband & I went over to my parents' house (as we often do) for the purpose of a "door cutting party". I have been accused by my husband of calling unpleasant things a "party" just so they sound better than they really are. Personally, I think cutting up old doors into more usable pieces is an ideal afternoon - but I guess my unpaid labor disagrees with me.

Anyway, at least the "door pile" in my parents' garage no longer exists. Instead, there is a lovely new pile of door pieces on a nice new shelf my husband built for me in our very own garage.

I've included some pictures from the "party" above. Hopefully all these pieces will inspire some great new art that will be ready for my next show in November! (11/15-11/18, Odeum in Villa park, IL)

talk to you soon - :) Amy

6 Shows down, 1 to go --

Hi everyone! Once again, it's been a while since my last post. Something inside of me would rather be painting or sanding - instead of sharing my inner thoughts and feelings. Anyway... thanks to everyone who stopped by my booth at the Frankfort Fall Festival over Labor Day weekend, and at the Lakeview East Fine Art Festival on Sept 8 & 9 (I added this show at the last minute, very unlike me!).

It's been a busy month for me! I've been building up new inventory in preparation for these past 2 shows. Thanks to all my wonderful customers, I've now got my work cut out for me doing commissioned pieces, & rebuilding inventory for my next show in November.

Here's some photos from the past 2 weekends - both shots, my sister & I, and my husband and father participating in some sort of tubular meat eating contest. Mmmmmm... sausage.

I'll try to check in more often, as usual.... to let you know what goes on behind the scenes with my Second Chance Art & Accessories! thanks ........ Amy

On the hunt for potential Second Chance Art......

I'm about 3 weeks away from my next show, the Frankfort Fall Festival over Labor Day Weekend (Sat-Mon). I can't believe the summer is flying by so quickly!

In the mean time, I've been working on custom orders, finishing up the class I've been teaching at Joliet Junior College, and scouring garage sales, flea markets, etc - for potential Second Chance Art! Not to mention garbage dates....... (see my previous posts)

To continue with the "foot" theme I've begun to establish in my previous post, I've taken a picture of my Mom & I's feet as we sit on the back of her vehicle at the Sandwich Antique Market, Sunday July 22. The second pic is my Mom (she probably won't like this) - after we've eaten lunch & loaded the first round of finds into the vehicle. It's much easier to keep looking with an empty backpack, empty hands, & a full stomach!

Stop by my booth at the Frankfort Fall Festival over Labor Day weekend to see what I've transformed the next round of stuff into. Hope to see you there - :)