Halloween project ideas - as seen at Fall Diddley

Hi Everyone! This past weekend Second Chance Art & Accessories exhibited at Fall Diddley, in Belvidere, IL. Prior to the show, I collected some different gourds to use as part of my display. A few years back I had created a way to add a little sparkle to my pumpkins at home, & I've been doing this each year since. I brought some of my sparkle-y stemmed pumpkins with to the show, and had a few requests on how to recreate this - so here's a few tips-

Pumpkins with sparkle:
1. use basic acrylic paint to carefully paint the stem of your pumpkin or gourd. I've used dark brown & black here, but really any fall color could be used. In the past I've used maroon, purple, gold, etc.
2. while the paint is still wet, sprinkle on your favorite glitter! here I've used a very small grain irridescent glitter - purchased from a craft store. I used several varieties of glitter - in white, gold, and silvery tints.
3. Try the same technique to paint a design on the pumpkin's flesh - I've got a "2" here to represent Second Chance Art & Accessories - but this is a great way to put your address, or whatever you'd like on the pumpkin.



These two pictures (below) where taken with a soft flash on my camera, outside after dark. A very fun effect in the evening if you've got some soft lights in the vicinity!
Here's a look at my booth display at Fall Diddley:
Here's my Mom & I taking one of those "take it yourself" photos - pretty good, huh?
Here's what bored Dads do when they get suckered into helping out for the weekend - find a tree & read!
I see now the husband (at right) has followed suit from my Father. Bless their hearts! At least they had something to read. They both thought there was a 20:1 ratio of women to men at this fair. Ha!
Thanks for stopping by - Next up for Second Chance Art - knocking out special orders with finish dates in the next month, having a "sanding party", and getting some really unique & special items in the works for my next show. Stay tuned! :) Amy

We're registered!

Hi everyone! I've been a bad blogger lately, due to "hectic life schedule" issues. Hey, I just invented a new term! I'm sure this might describe the life of many of you, doesn't it?

Anyway, here's what's up with Second Chance Art & Accessories lately. I had applied for a trademark registration a long time ago... and after a few glitches (ie - trying to fill out the application myself without professional legal help), and about 1.5 years (& real legal help) - we're now officially registered! I decided to pursue the registration status to protect & promote the Second Chance Art & Accessories "brand" - I haven't figure out what the future will hold, but I've got a few different directions in mind. We'll see where the road leads as we continue to travel down it. Here's a peek at my registration certificate!


I've been to a few flea markets in the last month - here's some goodies my Mom & I found at the Sandwich Antiques market on Sept. 28:
Here's a picture of my mom, sister, & I as we load up the finds from a local flea market this past weekend.
Here's a few "interesting" items we saw at the same local flea market - but they didn't make the cut for Second Chance Art & Accessories. I'm not sure I understand what this was or is - half of a man with a construction hat on. Anyone know what this was for? Maybe he is actually captain hook, since he has no hands. Hmmm...
All I can say here is: Ewwwww! I'm definitely the squeemish type when it comes to bugs of any kind.
On a different note - I've been trying to ramp up my inventory for my next show, which is Fall Diddley - this weekend in Belvedere, IL. (Boone County Fairgrounds - oct 11-12). My parents (who are invaluable to me as volunteer "slave" labor) helped me assemble a large number of "his/hers" windows the other day - one of Second Chance Art & Accessories' most popular items. Hopefully if you come looking for these in the future - I'll have something in stock that fits your color scheme. Yes, they really do seem to go on forever. (not really - but I do have quite a few right now).
Anyway - if you're in the vicinity - come visit the booth at Fall Diddley - Second Chance Art & Accessories is in building #3, booth #25-26. Hopefully it will be a fun weekend! The next scheduled show will be the One of a Kind Show & Sale at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago - Dec. 4-7.

take care -
:) Amy

Want windows? I have some!

Hi Everyone - check out my window stash in the garage! It's a little overwhelming sometimes. I recently stocked up a little on some multipane windows from the Kane County flea market, and acquired some additional windows from a kind soul who came into my booth at the Frankfort Fall Fest, asking if I needed some.

Anyway, I think I have around 150-200 at any one time. You can see here my "inventory" system, which shows blue tape labels with an ID number & size. I have these all recorded on a spreadsheet, so I know what I've got for custom orders. I'll bet you're glad this isn't your garage!

Here's a few finds from my latest flea market outing - a couple of great old frames, an old mirror, & a suitcase I couldn't pass up, since it looks like a hershey bar.

More great doorknob escutcheon plates - some will no doubt end up in hardware soup! (my not so high tech paint removal process)

Here's a mini army of cool old hooks, I just love these! Don't they remind you of grade school?

thanks for stopping by - My next show is up in Belvedere, IL at the Boone County Fairgrounds - Fall Diddley - Oct. 11-12. If you're in the area, be sure to stop in! :) Amy

Frankfort Fall Festival

Hi Everyone! thanks to all who stopped by the Second Chance Art & Accessories booth this past weekend at the Frankfort Fall Festival. We had beautiful weather & a great time! Here are some pictures from the weekend:

My business sign, next to my flowerpot urn "tent weights". Yes, the urns are filled mostly with concrete, with a little room for dirt. Very heavy - all the better to attach to my tent poles & prevent tipping. More than meets the eye, huh?

Here's a shot of the entire booth - I must say it's much easier to display everything in 2 booths. I'm leaning toward having 2 booths at most shows in the future.

Here's another flower pot - but this one's not filled with concrete, just dirt. It dries out quickly though - lots of trips back & forth to the water fountain!
More shots of the booth display:


Here's a cute little cockapoo, riding in her owner's purse. How adorable! I'm quite intrigued by the "ornamental dog" thing. My dog would jump right out, & I'd need a duffle bag to fit her in. ha!

Here's my sister, who will probably be mad I posted this picture of her eating some sort of fried carnival food. Mmmmmm.. potato chips.
Here's my Dad - always a trooper. I'm so lucky to have parents who are a HUGE help to me. I think here he's trying to stay awake.. we were worried he'd tip off the chair when the afternoon got warm & eyelids got heavy.
Here's some of that carnival food I refered to earlier. I'm amazed they can get this much on the plate. I also witnessed my family members eating some sort of sausage wrapped in pizza.... yikes! The dietitian in me is still alive & well. I guess I need to start bringing big bags of fruit to my shows.

Anyway..... Up next for me in the next few days: updating all my customer email & address lists, and updating my website. Usually it takes me a week or so to get the website straightened out after a show. I plan to take a few weeks to get some of my custom orders finished. Then I'll keep working on orders & prepare for my next show in Belvedere, IL (Fall Diddley).

thanks for stopping by! :) take care - Amy

Seasonal Artwork and other things on deck...

Hi Everyone -

here's what I've been up to lately -

Getting ready for the Frankfort Fall Festival, over Labor Day weekend! I invaded my parents' house today, to mooch some slave labor help from my Dad, who helps me get a lot of my artwork buttoned up. Here's a few pictures of things we finished today:

This is an old casement window (above) with vintage privacy glass in a "starburst" sort of pattern. I've refinished the frame, which is quite chunky & cool. A great conversation piece for your mantle at Christmas! Windows with this type of glass are difficult to find.. I do have few more on deck though, hopefully I can get them done shortly. This design was inspired by the glass - I thought it looked a little like frost on a cold morning. (BTW, 1843 is when A Christmas Carol was written by Dickens)

Here is one of three windows that I've painted to resemble a street sign, for your Halloween decor! (Fans of classic horror movies rejoice - hopefully all these places are familiar to you!) This window was inspired by the original finish on the frame - upon sanding, I discovered black, green, and a violet-blue color. In my opinion, a great combo for Halloween!

Okay, here's another picture of a Second Chance Art & Accessories classic design - again, demonstrating my technical prowess.... ha! Actually, I do know how to rotate pictures, but I did not catch this one before I uploaded it. And... my DSL uploading speed is much slower than my downloading speed - so I know it would take me another 15 minutes to get it straightened out. Anyway, consider it a little extra exercise for your neck...

Okay, this picture is of some of the loot I picked up at the Sandwich Antiques market this past weekend. By the way, if you like antique & flea markets, this one is worth checking out. Who wouldn't want to visit a town named Sandwich? Lucky for me, it's only about an hour drive northwest. In the pile are some great doors with potential coatrack-sized panels, and some 6 pane windows with old wavy glass.

Here's the pile of loot on my lawn. After returning from a flea market, I always spread it out to take inventory of what I found (for accounting purposes, etc). My neighbors must think I'm nuts! (we share a driveway, so this pile is very close to them also).

Anyway... On a personal note, I start teaching classes at JJC next wednesday (yes, I am actually a registered dietitian! This semester I just have one class, making more time for artwork). My husband & I also bought a house recently to fix up for ourselves. We will be moving once we get a little more work done in the house... not too far from where we live now though. Minooka, IL - heard of it?

thanks for stopping in - hope to see you at the booth at the Frankfort Fall Festival (august 30-31, sept 1 - booth #520-521!) take care - Amy :)

Gold Coast Art Fest

Hi Everyone! Hope all is well.... Second Chance Art & Accessories was at the Gold Coast Art Fest this past weekend - the weather & the crowds were great! Here's a few pictures from the weekend...

My sign, painted on a portion of an old door (shocking, I know!)... I just love the leathery texture of the old varnish!

Here's a booth shot before the show started.

Another booth shot....
Here's our "office" behind the tent...

Husband pretending to sleep... probably so he doesn't have to talk to me... does anyone else have this problem?

This sideways picture is the husband actually sleeping. I'm a little worried he might tip off the chair, but that would be pretty funny, wouldn't it? Of course, I tried to rotate this one - but decided to leave it to demonstrate my awesome technical skills. Ha!

Here's our feet - My Mom & I... for some reason, I haven't posted many feet photos this year. Last year, I had many of these. I'll have to resume the tradition.

Beautiful flowers in a planter outside the "Flair House" - which was behind my booth...

Okay... because I'm fascinated by small dogs that are truly just companions, I asked permission to photograph a few. I loooove dogs, but mine are sort of "utility dogs." In my mind, this means they have a purpose other than companionship (ie. running partner, newspaper fetcher, etc.)

This cutie above has his own doggie sunglasses!

Talk about relaxing... this dog remained in this position the entire time I talked with the owner.

I cannot imagine either of my dogs riding in a backpack. This priviledge must be reserved for those less than 10 lbs....

This little guy is just plain cute.

Alright, here's my own cuties sunbathing on our back steps. Polly (aka "the bacon") looks relaxed as usual. Olive, the scruffy one, is about to get all of her hair clipped off due to her owner (that's me) neglecting to brush out her matted fur. Shame on me! Spending too much time making art again....

Here they are again, sitting on the landing as I make them "Staaaaaay." They love to rush down into the basement, trampling all in their path. Polly looks like some sort of ghost, as usual. I have a very difficult time capturing her yellowish-brown eyes. She always comes out evil-looking. Olive really does look a little evil due to her mottled eye color (both are combos of blue & brown - she looks, and is, a little crazy!)

Anyway... enough rambling for now. Thanks so much for stopping by the booth this past weekend! The next show for Second Chance Art & Accessories is the Frankfort Fall Festival over Labor Day weekend, so I'll be getting ready with some new seasonal artwork. Take care - Amy :)

Is it psychic in here, or is it just my mom?

Recently, while helping Amy prepare some frames for future use as Second Chance Art, her mom, Carol, made an interesting discovery. Not only did she find something valuable tucked inside a flea market find, but she kind of knew it was there before she found it.

Here she describes the experience in an e-mail:

"Yesterday I spent the day at Aimer's helping scrape windows and clean mirrors. I worked on her dining room table. She worked in the garage. While we were eating lunch I said I daydreamed about taking one of her mirrors apart and finding money taped to the back side of the mirror.

"An hour later, I slid the back off one of those perfume trays she makes into 'Powder Room' signs. There was an envelope. I held my breath for a second. I turned it over and could see through the small see-through window that there was money in it.

"I put everything back and went to the back door and called to (Amy) in the garage if she could come in for a minute. Then I hurried down to the basement and asked Derek (Mr. Second Chance Art) if he could come up for a minute. In the kitchen I told her that my daydream had come true. Then I showed them the tray, took off the back, turned over the envelope and took out the money.

"There were four ten-dollar bills and a five. They were from the 1950's and 60's. The envelope said JL Hudson Co, Detroit. I used to babysit for the JL Hudson family when I was in high school. They were the owners of Hudson's, but came from Detroit on weekends to their "get-away" house a short ways from my Oxford house.

"It was so fun to find the money. We decided that Amy should use it to buy a new dress for the Gold Coast Show."

The money


The envelope




Carol, with Amy in Amy's new house.