Jewelry Shopping

Thank you so much for your sweet comments about my new lady love.  I keep walking by the room and catching a slight glance at her!  She’s still so pretty!  I thought I’d share a couple more pictures to show you how I decorated her “on the cheap”.

I shopped the house to find some last minute end-of-summer decorations because…well…they’re free. 

The lantern was a Goodwill ($2.99) find.  The starfish is just hot glued over some burlap I glued to an ugly plaque.

You can’t go wrong with some seashells in a $4.00 Target tray.

I’m not overly happy with the tiered tray I purchased (for .99) and painted, but I thought it would be a good holder of craft trinkets once the room is transformed.

My favorite?  Cameras from my grandparents’ house.  I remember my grandpa using these when we were younger (and the huge row of bright bulbs to light up the room).  Technology has changed a bit, eh?

Well, I’ve received lots of questions on how I did it.  So, I’ll use bullets.  Have I told you how much I like bullets?  It’s good for my attention span (or lack thereof).

1.  Wipe the piece down very well with a TSP type of cleaner.  Mine had so many years worth of Pledge build-up that it was in desperate need.

2.  Don’t sand it at all.  I’m serious.  I didn’t touch it.  I made that very clear to my paint guy.  I did NOT want to sand this baby.

3.  Prime it with a Zinsser primer designated to cover glossy surfaces.  Yes, I’m too lazy to check the actual name.

4. Paint only the crevices with a paint brush.  ALL (I said ALL) flat surfaces should be painted with a foam roller brush meant for cabinets.  It’s the best way to get a smooth surface unless you spray it.  Also, use an oil based paint so the surface is even smoother.  It evens out better.  I used Benjamin Moore (of course).

5.  Spray paint the hinges silver.  Not my favorite or fool proof method, but it was cheaper than buying new ones.

6.  Spend 73 grueling minutes drilling holes (because you filled in the old ones with wood filler) for the new hardware.  Strip one of the screws with your drill bit, throw your drill on the floor, and swear at it.

7.  This is the hardest part.  Let it dry.  Let it dry.  Let it dry.  It takes forEVER, but it needs to set.

Well, I hope that answered your questions!  Feel free to let me know if you have more.  For now, I’m off to tend to this guy.

He fought the playground, and the playground won.  On the second day of school.