Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Wonderfully Busy

  I always believed that retirement meant sitting in a cozy spot reading a good book.  Every once in a while I'd pat the dog on the head or head out to the kitchen for a fresh cup of tea, but for the most part it would be  quiet and restful.  Oh, maybe I'd head to the beach for a walk or I'd bicycle to the store for exercise.

  NOT SO for this woman!  No idea how I've managed it but not only is my plate full to the point of spilling over all edges, but I seem to have multiple plates!  I remain involved with the community - I strongly believe that nobody has a right to complain about anything if he or she doesn't do everything possible to make it right.  And I still help out my uncle, who lives in my guest house.  But I'm truly enjoying my creative side and selling my unique items to help boost my limited income that's challenged by the rising cost of living.  Each piece I paint is unique.  I've been reminded by several friends that I could sell more furniture faster if they were more neutral but I have to say, I just can't do it.  Each piece calls to me and I just have to do what it says.  For example:

  No, this piece will not go into just any home.  I call it "Construction Zone" because of painted stripes and the yellow squares remind me of one.  The cabinet was a drab, damaged art deco piece and the outcome just looks right to me.  So, it sits in its place and waits.  And I believe the right buyer will come.  Any. Day. Now.

  Just a week ago, I had my best week ever at the shop.  I'd had a lovely lunch at a restaurant nearby with friends who had been co-workers for nearly 20 years and they came to see what I've been up to.  One bought my Mother Goose table for her daughter, who is expecting.

 "It's perfect!" She said, and explained that she had read to her daughter from the very same book I had decoupaged on the piece and planned to give her the book along with it.








  Another friend chose the large mirror with a frame I had decoupaged with dictionary pages. Here's a corner of it.

 She wondered if I could customize it for her cabin in Colorado.  Of course!  I plan to have it finished for her to take next time she goes in early March.  It will include her blue/green colors and some woodsy effects.  I can't wait to see what I come up with!

  On the same day, someone purchased my desk and chair set, something that had been in my space nearly from the beginning back in November.  Many had stopped to admire it but that desk just had to wait for just the right owner.


  So the good news was that several pieces had sold but the bad news was that my space looked pretty darned empty and I had very little furniture ready to go.  I did have this piece ready and it went in right away.  (Update 2/22/12 - the piece sold yesterday!)


  And this shabby chic table didn't take long to re-work.  One of my all-time favorites, it had housed some sort of a machine, possibly a sewing machine.  I painted the inside a beautiful shade of blue that will be a beautiful display area and placed a piece of glass over it.  It sold It sold less than 4 hours after I'd placed it.

  Then I plucked another end-table out of the garage and painted it.  I'll show step-by-step how I did a quick job of painting the diamonds on top and on the drawer in a future blog.


  And then there is the oak chair.  I found it stripped to the original wood but it wasn't in great shape.  Here it is, before, in an unflattering position on its back on my dining room table.  I had wondered what color to paint it when I found just the right fabric for the seat.  Did I dare paint it bright green?


Yes!  Although I toned it down a little when I distressed and added the dark wax.  And I just had to add the number "12."  No idea why I chose 12, but I did.


  What's next?  The same friend who bought the Mother Goose table asked me to keep an eye out for a small trunk that would corral her granddaughter's American Girl doll collection.  I found the perfect candidate the very next day and it's a go.  Here it is in its original tacky state.  Metallic gold and some sort of red paint.


  When I'm finished, it will be a magnificent girly purple and pink!  So, time's flying by and I'd better get moving.  Planning to write again soon but - you know how my retirement is going!

1 comment:

  1. Love all of your art!!! You are one very talented girl! Okay - really- who - wants just plain ol furniture when she could have these pieces of art! I am so happy that you are getting your hands dirty and your heart happy!!!!
    Big hug!

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