Shop Hours {August}

Flea Market {JULY}

Thank you to all who stopped by our shop at the flea market in July!  We are so encouraged by your kind words, encouragement, and support.  It's been very exciting getting to know our customers and seeing familiar faces each month!

July was another HOT month for shop dates...but are were so grateful for the sun and no rain clouds!

{THE CREATORS}

{THE SHOP}

We will have many more treasures for your home next month!  Kitchen sets, entry way tables, signs, headboard benches, chalkboards and all of your favorites!

We are excited to announce our newest treasure...

A kitchen farmhouse table & bench!  

Stayed tuned for pictures of this beauty coming soon!!!

Writing Desk: Pinterest Fail or Win?

 I got my hands on this gorgeous writing desk and chair. The desk wasn't in terrible condition, but it did have some rings, paint, and discoloration on it. And the chair; I don't think it had ever been reupholstered. Which is cool, but the fabric was in rough shape.

Normally, I don't have a problem painting furniture. But this one was so beautiful and the wood was in great condition, I just couldn't get myself to paint it. I have a hard time painting good, old, wood furniture. I think I've been watching too much Nicole Curtis, The "Rehab Addict" (love her!)!! I know painted furniture is really popular now, but after I polled friends on Facebook staining won.

It needed a fresh coat of stain because it was more of an orange, brassy (can you tell I do hair?!) color. And I personally like a more weathered color.

So, since I decided to re-stain it, I had to strip the coat of poly that was on it. I have never worked with a paint remover before so this is very new to me.

Normally I would just sand the finish off, but because this piece was so old and detailed that wasn't going to happen. So I went to my go-to resource for tutorials: Pinterest. Love that website! After I read a couple a ton of blog posts on other gals who had a successful experience, I got up the courage to do it!

I didn't want a chemical filled paint stripper, so I got Citristrip at The Home Depot. Paint stripper always kind of scared me but this stuff is "gentle".

 I put on my 4 pairs of gloves (yes 4! 2 were chemical gloves) and went to town. I put a thick coat of it on and followed the directions. Well, the directions said to let it sit for 30 mins - 24 hours. So naturally, I checked it every 15 mins.

Sometimes trying a new project can be intimidating. You read about other people's experiences and it looks so easy, anyone can do it. But then you try it, and it doesn't go so smoothly. I think they refer to it as a "Pinterest fail." Yes, I have "Pinterest fails". That's the part of being a DIY'er. You try new things and sometimes they turn out, yet sometimes they don't!

I wouldn't say this experiment for me was a "Pinterest fail" but it didn't turn out how I planned.

I let the stripper sit until I saw that it was coming off. It was a little messy, but it came off pretty easily. Since I was just removing poly, the stain color was still in the wood grain. I chose to stain it in Provincial by Minwax.

I wiped it down with mineral spirits and gave it a light sanding. After it was all cleaned off, I stained it. And it looked the exact same. So, being a hair stylist, in color theory if you have a level 7 and put a level 8 on, nothing will change because its not dark enough. So, assuming stain is similar (????) I figured it wasn't dark enough. So after it was dry, 

 I then went over it with Dark Walnut by Minwax

And it still looked the same. The exact same. No change. Maybe a little change. But really, no change. I applied 2 coats of this stain. And it still had that orange, gold tint.

So, this was when I had to step back, and tell the desk "we need a break." "It's not you, it's me. But it could totally be you, but it could totally be me."

I spend a lot of time with each piece I work on. Hours, and sometimes days. This is one of those pieces where I just need to step back and take some space away from it to get a clear head. Its totally fine the way it is. Just not what I was anticipating.

I'm pretty sure I didn't remove enough of the stain color in my sanding process and that's why it still looks the same. Hair color and stain, not the same!

Like I said, I wouldn't call this a fail. I achieved everything that it needed. It just didn't turn out the exact way I expected it to. But sometimes that happens!

Here's the desk after the 3 coats of stain.

Side by side there's a little difference. But I think its great the way it is:)
What are your thoughts?  Stain or paint?
Pinterest Fail or Win?

To be continued...

Projects Lately:: New Signs

Signs are always a great décor item that fills up a blank wall perfectly. This time around, I wanted to add a few new ones for the flea market. 

Here's some of the new ones I've made lately!



I love how they all turned out!

-Katie

You're Invited...

We are absolutely "giddy" to announce....

The Kane County Flea Market is such a fun, family adventure!  Whether you are redecorating your house, finding pieces for your baby's nursery, or looking to find something antique to add to your space we are all set and ready for you!

Tea for Three is the prettiest outdoor shop you'll see at the Flea Market.  Look for the little white tents with pennant banner borders...that's us!

We have refurbished pieces, kitchen sets, signs, chalkboards, vintage and antique finds 

and home decor treasures.  

Please help us kick off the Flea Market season May 31st from 12-5pm!

Projects Lately:: TeePee!

Last October at the Flea Market, I introduced the teepee to the flea market world. It's always fun to see people's responses to the little kid items I bring, like the kitchen sets! 

Well the teepee was just another jaw-dropper! 

I was so glad it found a home for a little one to enjoy!

Since it was a huge hit, I wanted to make another one for the June Flea Market. Here's what I came up with!

I love the grey chevron pattern on the bottom! Very tribal! And the best part? It folds up for easy storage!

I can just picture a little one sitting in the teepee reading a book about cowboys and indians!

Onto the next project!

-Katie

DIY:: Chevron Wood Art

Now that the weather is getting  "warmer", I've been able to do more work in the garage! Yayy! My favorite thing to do...Just grabbing some wood and seeing what I can make from it. I love it:)

I thought it could use a little more...awesome qualities. I've been obsessing with the chevron wood art (as I like to call it) lately, and I thought this little guy would be perfect for it! So here's how I did it!
I started off in the garage by getting the measurements and the pattern I wanted. I think it's fun when they go different directions so I had some going vertically and the rest in the "v" pattern. For the vertical cuts, I simply measured where the edges met flush and cut with my electric saw. Then drew a line down the center for where my "v" would meet.

To make the "v" flush with the vertical wood strips, I cut them at a 45 degree angle. I saved the corners of those cuts to fill in the little spots. I used 4 ft wood laths from menards. You get a bundle of 50 for $13.00! I use them up right away on all my projects:)

Once I got my angles cut, it was time to start making the pattern. I took the 4 ft wood laths and cut them at 16 in and alternated them to each side following the line I drew down the middle.

After I got to the other end of the table, I just measured where there was an over hang and cut. From here you can get a pretty good sense as to what the finished piece will look like! 

Time for the happy dance!

Next, its time to nail it in place! I used 5/8 gauge brad nails with the nail gun. Before I nailed them down I put some wood glue on them just to secure it more. This was my first time using the gorilla brand wood glue. My only complaint is it's really hard to squeeze. But it got the job done!

So this was the point in time where I run to annoy my Dad to get the air compressor filled with air! The whole aspect of a tank filled with air that could(but probably never will) blow up makes me nervous! Thanks Dad!

But once I get over that fear...I LOVE the nail gun! Its so much fun. Load up the nails, and glue as you go!

Now that it's all nailed down, it's time to cut off the edges that are hanging over!

This calls for the jig saw! I drew a line so I didn't cut too close to the actual edge.

After I got all the ends cut off, I went through and sanded down the perimeter and the top so everything was smooth!

Time for paint! I'm a fan of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, but the price is a little too pricey for me so I make my own version. I painted it in Grand Distinctions "Gravel".

By this time in the day the sun was shinning and it was so nice out! So of course I took off the winter jacket and brought my project outside and waved to all the neighbors that walked by:)

  

After I painted it, it was time for stain! I like the look of different shades so I went with 4 different Minwax stains.

1) Driftwood (which really doesn't look like driftwood. It turns out to be more of a blonde wood)

2)Special Walnut

3)Early American

4)Provincial

I randomly stained each one from lightest stain to darkest stain. I just didn't want the same shade next to each other but its ok if it is. Now step back and take it all in! Show off your awesome work to all the neighbors!

Now for the drawers. I wanted to stain them so I took off the nobs and sanded them down with the cat sander.

Viola! Gorg! Time for some tain! 

I stained them in Minwax special "Walnut":)

Since the chalk paint I made has plaster in it, it leaves a rough feeling after it dries. I like everything to be smooth and polished so I went through a lightly sanded it down.

I also scuffed up the stained wood a little. Just to give it some extra character!

And Ta-Da!  Here it is! Now all that's left to do is seal it up and bring it to the flea market!

I'm not going to lie, I'll be sad to see the beauty go! But off to the next project! Flea Market here we come!

-Katie