Feel the fear and do it anyway

Today I am delivering my first wholesale order. Woo-Hoo ! It is a custom bottlecap assortment for a very cool, local specialty dog store, Bad Dog Frida (I love it that my first sale has to do with doggies). As well as some dog silhouettes, paw-prints and phrases like WOOF and BARK, their adorable logo is featured on various magnet sets and keychains. 64 pieces in all.

Besides just delivering the product, I offered to come up with a few display options. For the magnet sets, I used metal flashing (for roofs) and covered it in some cute grass paper. Then I took a scrap piece of wood (rustically painted), nailed in some worn nails (found at the ReStore), and used that as a way to prop up the magnet sets. It is compact, decorative and most importantly....recycled.

For the single magnets, I used that same metal flashing and inserted it into an old frame I painted in the same Green Cricket hue. Very cash wrap friendly.

This all happened because I decided to take a chance. I was browsing in the store one day and started talking to one of the owners, Carmen, about toys for my dog. When she asked what kind? I pulled out the bottlecap keychain that I have of Miss Abby. After commenting about how cute she was (of course), she seemed to linger on the keychain itself for awhile commenting on how cool it was. While driving home, I kicked myself for not speaking up and saying in the moment..."well- I sell them, here is all the info." Two weeks passed and I was still thinking about that missed opportunity, but then in some fearless moment, I thought what the hell, I am just going to send her an email. Well, I got one back asking when I could come in to show her some options for the store. I was floored to say the least.

My sister Amy once told me, if you are going to think of what is the WORST that can happen, shouldn't you also think, what is the BEST that can happen ? Taking those first scary steps in a new venture is tough, whether it be starting your own business or any other risk, but it only when we step outside that level of comfort, that we grow and become the things we have imagined for ourselves. Fear will creep into all of our lives at some point, often stopping us dead in our tracks. The key is to catch it when it is not paying attention. Act impulsively in that short window when you are feeling brave. Make that call, submit that screenplay, register for that class, whatever it is that will expand your experiences. After all, you are already thinking about the worst.....why not the best!

cast your vote

This Saturday is the third annual Earth Hour. A call to awareness for all us wanting to see more drastic change in how we treat our planet. Started in Sydney in 2007 by the World Wildlife Federation, 2.2 homes turned of their lights with hopes of sending of message that change needs to come. This year they are hoping for 1 billion. Over 74 countries have already pledged to make this visual statement, and all over the globe landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Sydney Opera House will go black.

When you turn off your lights this Saturday you are casting a vote that will be presented at the Global Climate Change Conference later this year in Copenhagen. Sign up today at Earth Hour and let your voice be heard and on Saturday at 8:30 (your time) flip those switches. Light some candles, cuddle up by a fire and get your kids involved so they will see that one family CAN make a difference. We are all in this together, so see you in the dark.

the Celeste chair

Introducing the Celeste Chair. Isn't she fabulous.
As you remember, this is what she looked like before when I rescued her from a thrift store in Chicago....great bones, but quite lack luster.

After trying a few different shades of fuchsia, I finally found the perfect match. Allium Poof from Dutch Boy (don't you love the name). I used semi-gloss latex for that super sleek boutique feel and gave it many, many coats....like 7

Finishing her off, I tacked on a heavy, almost pique, black and white floral print. It resembles cherry blossom branches, but from some angles it looks a little animal print-ish. Something for everyone.

A real showpiece for that special nook or boudoir. It is quite lightweight, yet very sturdy with a nice roomy seat and curvy armrests. I am putting this one up in my shop later today for others to enjoy.

Spring things

While poking around on Etsy this first day of Spring, I discovered these wonderful things.

Enjoy !

CountryDreaming


Bubbletime



redhotpottery

Ooooo look...shiny thing

I have to admit I am often distracted by shiny, sparkly things. Yesterday I visited my local ReStore to see what treasures I could find and while checking out some trim for another project, I see this long sparkling board out of the corner of my eye.

When I investigate, I see that it is a 12 foot long 1 X 4 plank mostly covered in a really fabulous mosaic pattern. Before I look at the price, I usually try to guess what I think it would be. (helps me decide if it is really a value or something I can live without.) This one, $5.00 ...are you kidding me? Although I am not very knowledgeable about mosaics, to think of all the work someone put in to make that... I just had to give it a new life. The really cool thing is although about 30% of the tiles are missing, there are lines where the new ones need to go. Like paint by numbers, but with grout and tile. I have been wanting to give mosaics a try, but have always been a bit intimidated. This is a perfect way to jump in, use some old glass bits, and give this beauty a new home in my backyard. I am thinking of using it as a decorative trim along the wall of the patio.

So to the great people who thought enough to salvage and donate this to the ReStore "thank you" and to the artist (wherever you may be) know that your work will soon be appreciated in a whole new light.

St. Patrick's Day

On this lovely St Patrick's Day morn, a view of the exquisite 14th century Duluce Castle in Northern Ireland. With landscapes like this, you can see why Irish eyes are smiling.

Erin go bragh !
(translation...Ireland forever)

St. Urho

Happy Saint Urho's Day!

For those of you not familiar, St. Urho is famous for ridding ancient Finland of all the pesky grasshoppers that were destroying the grape crops (or so the myth states). Created in Northern Minnesota in the early 1950's, St. Urho's day is held the day before that "other saint" Patrick's big day and instead of wearing just green...one should wear green and purple, to symbolize the grapes of course.

Although I am all for another excuse for celebrating, with the grasshopper being so closely related to the beloved CRICKET...I am not sure I am a fan of this one. Case in point, the statue above located in Menagha, MN. Yes, that is St Urho impaling a grasshopper, with his trident. Now that just seems like overkill, right ?

This holiday trivia brought to you by my mom. Reason #1259 why I love her...as a retired elementary school teacher, she is always enlightening us with random fun facts - St. Urho being just one of them. Thanks Mom !

the next big thing

On a recent trip down to Chicago, I found this beauty buried under a bunch of old baskets at Village Discount ( a thrift store chain). I was drawn to the great lines and of course its hidden potential. It is my big project for the weekend/week. Although I have not decided 100% on a color scheme....I have a few crafty ideas.

hungry like the wolf

Nathan & I just found out we got into the Wolfman triathlon at the end of this summer. We are so psyched !

I heard about the Wolfman right after we had finished our first tri a few years back and have wanted to apply ever since. Held in Langlade, Wisconsin (near Green Bay), this rather small 300 person sprint tri is a bit different than most in that the swim leg is substituted with a 3 mile kayak down the Wolf River, followed by a 13 mile mountain bike and ending with a 3.5 mile trail run. Since space is so limited, they choose the participants based on who gets their application in first. We had ours ready and postmarked Jan 31st and have been anxiously awaiting ever since.

The really cool thing is now we need to get kayaks. Ever since we moved to Madison (which is surrounded by lakes) we have wanted to get our own and now we have the perfect excuse....training!

Although they are not cheap, if you get the right one, they can last you a lifetime. Lucky for us, this weekend there is a HUGE paddlesport exhibition and sale at the Alliant Energy Center here in Madison - Canoecopia ! Put on by a local outfitter, it is a mecca of all things paddle related. Hopefully we will score some good deals and we will soon be spending many a summer afternoon paddling across the calm waters watching the sunset.

Flicker image found here

in the pink

Check out this this fabulous sight. A pink bottlenose dolphin. Recently discovered in an inland lake in Louisiana, this beautiful creature is only 1 of 14 ever spotted. It is an albino... red eyes and all. According to biologists, the calf seems to be very healthy and although it is quite light sensitive, often surfaces for numerous photo ops with its mum.

When interviewed, the charter Captain Rue who first saw it, had this to say about the pink dolphin. "It was absolutely stunningly pink. I had never seen anything like it. It is the same color throughout the whole body and it looks like it just came out of a paint booth. "

For more photos and facts about this 'bubblegum bottlenose' and other fabulous aquatic images check out Seaway Blog

-images provided by Caters News

I see London, I see France

As promised, here is how I chose to transform the rusted patio table frame I recently found. It turned out even better than I had hoped.

After brushing off any loose paint or dirt with a wire brush, I painted the frame with multiple coats of a very Spring-y greenish yellow.

Using a piece of MDF (medium density fiberboard) that Nathan so kindly cut for me, I glued on a reproduction of a Paris street map.

Since the MDF was cut so it popped right in, Nate had the great idea of making it reversible. Brilliant...two tables in one! So on the other side, I have a vintage looking street map of London. The lacquer on top had not quite curred (it can take 72 hrs), so this is how it looks from underneath.

It is going to be fabulous on our porch and will be perfect for happy hour. Feeling like a pint ? Use the London side. A glass of Bordeaux ? Then Paris it is. To prevent any staining or watermarks, I finished it off by pouring on a thick poly resin. It gives it a nice glassy look, as well as being very durable.

I really enjoyed this one week challenge. It was great to give myself a timeline and really discipline myself to focus on just one thing.

drip drip drip

Is this the most beautiful faucet you have ever seen ? No, it is not the burnished copper gooseneck one, attached to the huge farmhouse sink in my 'dream kitchen' file, but it is perfect to me, why ???.... because it does not drip.

For almost a year now, the faucet that came with our house has been getting more and more corroded and the drips started becoming more and more regular. We hated to invest the money to put a new one in, knowing that when we do start the kitchen redo, we would just have to replace it again. But, after finding a basic economy model for under $20 bucks (and the guilt of knowing how much water we were wasting) the mission had begun.

With help for the USGS site, you can calculate the amount of water being wasted in your home due to a dripping faucet. It is a HUGE motivating factor to do something about it when you see in black and white how much you are wasting. For us, it was 2 gallons a day, which was 1,041 gallons a year. Ugh. So much for my carbon footprint. Nate bravely took on the task, knowing that because of the old pipes and horrible corrosion, this $20 faucet might end up costing us hundreds in plumbing repairs. But, his skills once again prevailed and our new, drip less one was installed in a less than an hour. Silence never sounded so sweet.

As a have mentioned before, I am very lucky to have Nate (for numerous reasons), but local handymen or even neighbors are a great (and economical) alternative to the contracted union plumber. Craigslist, Angielist, Rent a Husband or your neighborhood association are great resources to tackle those nagging and wasteful projects.

the long way home

There is a small winding road that follows a part of our local arboretum. Every now and then I take it home from work. We had just received a fresh coat of snow and the sun was sparking off of every branch and just beckoning me to take the long way home. While making the turn back onto the main road, this darling patio table frame was patiently waiting on the curb for someone to give it a new life. I am thinking it once had a glass top and when it broke, it was tossed to the curb and replaced by a new shiny one. Their loss, my gain.

There are some castoffs that sit in my studio for months before inspiration strikes, for others, it is instantaneous. As I was loading this one into my truck, the color scheme, the idea for a new top, and an image of the finished product was clear in my head. I love it when that happens.

Because of this flood of inspiration, both from the table and a new found fellow salvage blogger, I am challenging myself to present a finished product to you all by this Friday. Wish me luck.