Repurposed Electrical Spool Clocks

Excited to finally be restocked with a few clocks, more are in the works too. This animated file moves at about the same speed as the weekend! SLOW DOWN already, I'm not ready to head back to work!

Enjoy the adventure, every minute.

May Mashup

A photo mashup of projects today.

Everything from bud vases - industrial benches - a trio of birds - even a snap shot of our setup at the Wild's Spring Boutique from last week.

No more words are really needed. Enjoy.

That's all for today, back to the shop to get working on some more custom creations!

~Crystal

Reclaimed Shiplap Pub Table

It has been a whirl wind month so far and we are only mid way through!

Lots of custom projects out the door and in the works. Although we love being uber busy, we do need to take a break now and again to recharge. So today was that much needed break day! {and well, I also needed to clean the house, do some laundry, mow the lawn, grocery shop...you know all those dreadful, never-ending tasks}

While I was busy folding load after load of clothes...I was reflecting on this months projects and all the things we've accomplished. We've had the opportunity to create some awesome projects for clients and spring sales.

One of the pieces I'm smitten with is this fantastic shiplap pub table and stools that we recently completed. {here are a a few pictures that I was able to grab in a rare sighting of the sunshine this week}

I absolutely love everything about this set and already have plans to make another with some slight variations but still utilizing the same GORGEOUS shiplap!

Thanks for taking the time to follow along in our creative journey...have a great week!

Crystal

Spring Sale Prep and Sneak Peek!

I haven't had much extra time to sit down and compose a post. Mostly because I'm in the shop every minute trying to get bunches of spring projects wrapped up but also because I'm trying to develop a new website and transition from just a blog to a more full fledged website. {Stay tuned for that change in the next month or so, hopefully!}

We have lots of projects coming together, some are new ideas and some are old favorites. Here are a few that I can share today...

Rolling island or display table/work station made with beautiful reclaimed ship lap.

Oh, how I love that character!

Then there are these new industrial bud vases. Made with test tubes so you can display fresh flowers or dried! I will have these available in various sizes.

A popular favorite from last year ... rustic planter boxes. Love that they are all a bit different in their rusty, chippy and weathered way.

And last but not least by any means, more preserved boxwood wreaths.

My next sale is Thursday, May 12th at The Wilds Golf Club in Prior Lake. If you are in the area and are looking for some fun shopping this is a must attend event!

Thanks for stopping by today! 

~Crystal

Reclaimed Barn Beam Succulent Planters

This time of year, every year, I start to crave the smell of dirt. Weird I know. It's comparable to how one might crave ice cream or chocolate. {a dirt craving is certainly a lot safer for my waist line than the alternative so I embrace it}

I had seen a pin on Pinterest a few days back of an adorable succulent planter made out of scrap wood. They were so darling! I couldn't get the thought out of my head so I knew I had to make some with the same feel but out of supplies I had on hand.

That all being said...let the petite planter building commence.

The wood I choose to use for this project came from a farm not too far from my house, really cool barn beams with oodles of character. {In the making of these planters I did have my eye protection on, not sure however if my flip flops meet OSHA safety standards}

Once I had a couple done I had to shoot some images so I could share them with you. From every angle shot I thought, oh aren't they cute form this way, oh and this way too! {sorry for all the pictures, but I just couldn't resist}

 The moral of the story today...embrace your cravings, you never know what the result might look like!

~Crystal

Linking Up:

Meegan Makes
The Creative Circle
Creative Corner
Talk of the Town
Inspire Me Monday 

What's your passion?

What do you love to do?

What makes you completely lose track of all time?

Drawing, singing, taking photos, crafting, gardening, biking, volunteering...whatever it might be, that my friend is your passion, your calling, and your gift. We all have that one unique thing that makes us happy and content. Some people are fortunate enough to find that passion early in their life, others might not find it until much later. But regardless, we all have it in us, the key is finding it!

So what's my passion?

Well if you've followed this blog for awhile you know that my passion is making custom decor out of reclaimed, repurposed and upcycled materials. It took me until a few years ago to actually recognize my passion and acknowledge it fully. I always wanted to make it more complicated...but it was really quite easy, and it was right in front of me for years, I just didn't see it.

-------------------

As luck would have it, just a few short weeks ago, I was given an opportunity to share my passion with my favorite local tv station. I was honored to have Bryan Piatt from Kare11 out to the shop to interview me for a segment he was putting together called Pick Your Passion. PYP is a series that features local Minnesotans and highlights their unique talents and passions.

I was a nervous wreck for the 24 hours leading up to Bryan coming out. You see, I'd prefer to be behind the camera, not in front of it! But the chance to share my story was such a fantastic opportunity that I knew I just had to do it. So I took a big breath...and told myself that I needed to push myself outside my comfort area and give it my best shot.

Here is a link to the video if you want to see the spot. 

                                                                                            photo credit Kare11

 I feel like I've grown tremendously because of this experience. It was uncomfortable, but Bryan was so friendly and helped calm my jitters which made me sorta forget there was even a camera running. I'm grateful for this chance to push myself and tell a little bit about what makes me tick and my passion.

What I hope for you...is that you continue to pursue your passion, work hard at your unique talent and share your gift with the world.

Thanks for coming by the UP blog today.

Crystal

Signs + Side Tables

I was doing some spring cleaning in our storage building last week and found that I have a cache of smaller tables that were screaming to get pulled out and worked on. {Well, it might have actually been Paul requesting I make some room in the building...but nonetheless} I think I pulled out 6 tables total: a pair of end tables, two coffee tables and two cute side tables.

The first pair to get a makeover were these lovelies.

Such a great pair of end tables, there were some minor veneer issues that I had to address but other then that, these were really in great condition.

I did a custom blue color mix of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, I'm calling it midnight blue. It's rich and sophisticated and looks appropriate with the original hardware.

The drawers needed a good cleaning but are in fantastic shape and glide in and out with ease.

A couple new signs were created this week as well. 

The first is this large tree. There is something about tree imagery that I just love. And this piece is no different. At about 28" wide it will be a great focal point over a fireplace, on a gallery wall, in a family room or just about anywhere in a home for that matter.

And the second is a nautical inspired little anchor. We live in Minnesota after all and just about everyone lives on a lake, has a cabin or a is lucky enough to have boat. So who doesn't need an industrial inspired anchor to adorn their walls!

 I've got several other table and sign projects in the works, so this will be a busy week ahead too.

Our first Spring sale is scheduled for Thursday May, 12th at the Wilds Golf Course in Prior Lake. Mark your calendar and let your friends know. It will be a fun night out! More details to come as well as some sneak peaks at what we will be bringing to the show.

Best,

Crystal 

Thrift Store Lamp Makeover

If you've shopped for new lamps lately, you know exactly how limited the selection is and how expensive new can be! Almost everywhere you look however, {garage sales, auctions, thrift stores, even your basement} there are old, dated lamps in need of a refresh. You don't need to go out and spend a bunch of money on new lamps, just take a few hours and refresh those dated ones and do so for much less money too!

I bought this pair of metal lamps last summer. They were in working condition, just very worn and dingy looking. You can see the dirty, brassy, yucky finish for yourself...

For a quick, modern refresh, I broke out the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® {ASCP}. Graphite was the color of choice for this project. The beauty of chalk paint, is that there is no prep needed. Just clean the dust from the surface and get on with the painting.

After two light coats of paint, I gently sanded the edges to expose a bit of the original finish.

I then applied ASCP dark wax to both lamp bases.

A new couple new harps and lamp shades and we are back in business.
{harps are the wire lamp part that typically mounts below the lamp socket and supports your lamp shade}

This is a great way to give new life to old lamps. You can pick any number of Chalk Paint colors; a neutral, something fresh or a bold pop of color. Really the options are endless.

 Oh and to brighten the mood {and in honor of the first week of spring} I bought myself some flowers. Love the use of succulents in these gorgeous bouquets, so fresh and spring-ish!

Hope you enjoyed this DIY project.

Enjoy your week! 

Crystal

Linking up:

In the New House
DIY Like a Boss 

Clocks, Chest of Drawers and a Classic Desk Set

Man these first couple days after Daylight Savings each spring are so darn hard to adjust to. I'm sure most of it is a mental game I play with myself, but that lost hour throws me way off. It usually takes a good week to get myself adjusted to the change. The silver lining...we've made it through another winter and the days are getting longer! Whew!

Even with one less hour of production time in the studio last weekend, we still managed to get some new clocks, a beautiful chest of drawers and a classy desk/chair set completed. With the nice temps outside, it was really great having the doors open and being able to enjoy the fresh air.

First I'll share one of the new 37" clocks. No stain! Seriously, just clear coat. The color of that wood is outrageous! I love the variations of red, brown and tan. {I've included a progress picture showing the wood pre-sealer so you can appreciate how much the wood came to life with just that satin top coat.}

And then there was this lovely lady, a 5 drawer beauty that is well constructed and functions like new. She was simply in need of a new look to bring her more up to date. The entire piece is finished in Old White and sealed with clear wax. I decided to keep the original hardware but refresh it with some gold gilding. This piece is ready for years of use again!

And last, but certainly not least, this Drexel desk set. Finished in Graphite and dark wax. I refinished the top and left the wood grain shine through. The chair also got an update with new upholstery...a beautiful textured fabric that is far more appropriate for the classy new look.

So there you have it, all the projects that were wrapped up last weekend. {despite that lost hour}

Until next time!

Crystal

Linking Up:
What Meegan Makes
Curly Crafty Mom