Tic Toc - An Upcycled Clock

So, what do you do with a broken clock that will cost more to fix than it would be worth?  You repurpose it, of course!!

 

We came upon this vintage grandfather clock a few months ago with the initial idea of fixing it.  The cost of the parts are outrageous, and since it's not an antique clock, I couldn't justify putting that kind of money into it when I really didn't love it.
 

After we stripped the rest of the parts (to sell on-line), I started searching Pinterest for ideas and found this really cool redesign by Mill City Antiques.

 

It got several coats of Navajo White by American Paint Company.  This is a chalk/clay paint and it was perfect for this project.  The inside got a couple of coats of APC paint in Dollar Bill.

The plexiglass where the face was got a couple of coats of chalkboard paint both inside and out.

I had a general plan, but as always, I came up with new ideas as I went along.  For instance, I knew that it was going to be a coat rack/umbrella stand on the inside....but I really didn't want to be able to see inside when the door is closed.  So, I created a reverse stencil and tacked it to the inside of the glass using spray adhesive.  Then, took a can of frosted glass spray and coated it several times. 

 

The bottom needed a little something, so I chose a hotel sign typography from the Graphics Fairy here and transferred it, then filled it in with a paint pen and sanded.

 

 

After a little distressing and some waxing - I seriously love the way it turned out!!  These pictures don't do it justice....I really need a new camera.

 

 

What do you think?  It will be available at the Vintage Therapy Market and Grand Opening at Deep Creek Vintage next weekend!

 

'Til next time!

 

 

 

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The "Wine Crate" Table

I picked up this table a little while back and it needed a lot of work.  As always, I look for inspiration in so many different places, but just couldn't find anything that screamed at me.  I loved the fact that it is solid oak, so I decided to keep the top natural. 

 

After refinishing the top and giving the legs a couple of coats of black paint, I stood back and looked at it with a critical eye.  It just needed a little something else.  So, I hunted through The Graphics Fairy site and found this French wine graphic.

 

 

I transferred it onto the leaves using the freezer paper method.  I opted not to go over it with paint because I wanted it to resemble an old wine crate - and I love how this transfer method gives it a time-worned look.  The legs were given a slight distressing and I gave it several of coats of satin poly.

 

 

I like the fact that it's very subtle, but yet a little whimsy.  There are two plank bottom chairs hanging in the garage that will be painted black to go with it. 

 

This table will be available in our tent at the Lucketts Spring Market this month!

 

 

 

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My Sweet Silhouette Chairs

 

 

 

My mind is always spinning thinking about new ideas to be crafty.  So much so that I often find myself still awake at 3:00 am "researching" the internet for ideas.  One of my most favorite sites is The Graphics Fairy.  This is THE place to find wonderful graphics in every imaginable subject and the possibilities are endless!  I daydream (or nightdream) about different and unique ways I can use her goods.

 

Enter this project that I have been trying to get off the ground.  I've had a pair of these chairs sitting in my office for months while I tried to figure out what I wanted to do with them. 

I had previously painted these in chalk paint and covered them in the fabric you see on the seat.  They were o.k. - but not the fun I wanted them to be.  So, I tore off the fancy fabric and recovered the bottom with drop cloth.  I loved the way the white popped.

 

 I knew I wanted to add something to the back...so, I went to my favorite source....the Graphics Fairy, of course!  Initially, I had planned to put a chandelier graphic on them, but it just didn't seem right.  Then I thought about a crown...but no.  When I spotted these ADORABLE silhouette images, I knew these were it! 

 

 

 

 

I cut the fabric to size, ironed with a non-starch stiffener, and transferred the images with the wax paper method.  I didn't take pictures of this step, but there is so much info on the internet on different ways to transfer.  For this project, I wanted the rough, aged look as opposed to the crisp look when using transfer paper.

 

I attached the fabric with upholstery nails and glued on the gimp.  I first tried the nailhead look, but it really didn't look good, so I took them off and left the trim clean. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

I must admit that I really like the way they turned out!  I think they would be adorable on either side of a fireplace, foyer or even a master suite.  No matter where they are placed, they will always look so sweet looking towards one another.  :)
 

 

Happy Crafting!

 

 

Susan

 

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