We bought these two German metal mugs about 10 years ago... We can still remember the sweet German lady that sold them to us at a San Clemente garage sale.
We always thought they were soooo cute... obviously we are the only ones that see their cute side because they never sold!!!
Yep, 10 years later, they are still here....
Rita, a fellow dealer, once told us: "Everything sells if you live long enough" Let us add that Rita turned 80 a few years back...
We don't have Rita's patience...
...if they don't sell now after this quick makeover, we are going to start thinking that they are meant to stay.
Will Rita be right or will we have new desk accessories??
Update: Since writing this post, last Thursday, the mugs have SOLD! Was it the number makeover that helped, or was it their "time to go"?... We will never know!
"Patience is also a form of action" ~Auguste Rodin~
When you are in this crazy world of buying and selling furniture, sometimes you need a plan B...or C...
When we bought this cute coffee table a couple of years ago at the Long Beach Flea Market it had the original pink paint distressed to perfection. Before we got to the parking lot, 3 people wanted to buy it... 3!! Of course, we didn't sell it. We took it to the store and worked in a beautiful display featuring our new treasure.
We don't have pictures of the pink finish, but trust us...it was dreamy! After a few months, we realized that NOBODY was interested in a pink coffee table...where are those 3 people now???? Not in our store!!!
Here's when plan B was put in motion... a coat of 2 of white paint...
and back to the store...
long enough to know that NOBODY wants to buy coffee tables anymore...or at least not THIS coffee table! Back to the garage.
After months of table seclusion, a little voice whispered in our ear..."3's a charm" It's time for Plan C. 3 inch foam...
a cover and trim...
same wonderful details...
and our vintage coffee table....ottoman is ready to be adopted...
In the meantime, we'll think of Plan D just in case!
"When you are through changing, you are through" ~Bruce Barton~
If you need a Plan B, don't miss Faded Charm The Shabby Chic Cottage
The work table has been messy lately. Glitter, lace, stamps,
Buttons, vintage jewelry and postcards....
An order of altered books is being sent to a new store, new for us, that is. Some of you have probably visited "The Hen House" in Lafayette, California If you have you know how much fun this place and it's owner La Contessa are!
If you are far away, you can always visit the Hen's website: HERE
Another store carrying our stuff is "The Cottage" in Laguna Beach The girls at the Cottage have been selling lots of altered books and are now carrying our pillow covers....
We came up with some exclusive designs for this wonderful store... Sexy mermaids...
and vintage Laguna postcards perfect for tourists looking to take home a little California fun..
Thank you so much to these 2 stores and all the other small businesses around the country that help us and many artists and stay at home moms pursue a dream... and thanks to YOU for supporting your local small store!
Waiting for the Decoupage Medium to dry, always makes us nervous.
Why?
Decoupaged Ironstone Platter Take 1: wrinkles!
Decoupaged Ironstone Platter Take 2: More wrinkles
Decoupaged Ironstone Platter Take 3: you know...
We finally got it right!
and once we did, we couldn't stop...
Practice makes it perfect!!
TIP: To avoid the wrinkles, we glued the image to our plates using spray glue. Huge difference! The image dried perfectly flat, a light decoupage medium coat was applied later to protect the image.
Our own digital work using graphics from: The graphics fairy Playing with brushes
We share a passion for all things old, cottage and chic! After 10 years of retailing, we have closed our San Clemente store but you can find us now at our Space in Country Roads, Orange, CA (Space #135)
We are constantly shopping for vintage and antique treasures: ironstone, china, linens, accessories and small pieces of furniture that we can rescue and give a new life to, so don't be surprised to see at the Flea Market on Sundays mornings!
Thank you for visiting us,
Clara & Marcela