Tuesday, October 28, 2014

My Mercury Glass Tutorial (for those who are DIY challenged when it comes to doing it the "right" way)!

You know those "Do it Yourself" tutorials you see on Pinterest - the ones that tell you how to make your own Mercury Glass?   They make it seem like a piece of cake?   I am here to tell you that for some of us, it is not a piece of cake!  I consider myself kind of handy - I'm not totally unfortunate when it comes to "DIY" projects.  I failed on this one but I still like the way it turned out!  So, my tutorial is for those people who fret when it doesn't work the "right" way.  There's still hope!

I purchased a red painted glass bowl from the Goodwill.  The paint was scratched and missing on much of the inside.  I decided it would be fun to make my own Mercury Glass Bowl using this discarded bowl and following this tutorial from Pinterest on Making Mercury Glass the "right" way!  I purchased some Krylon Looking Glass spray paint and began my project - only for me, the paint was not covering, it was running, streaking and simply not cooperating.   The "right" way calls for spraying a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar over the paint after it dries and then dabbing it with a paper towel.  Ugh!  It wasn't working!  I had made too much of a streaky, runny mess!  At this point, I must confess,  I was ready to throw my $1.99 bowl away.  But after spending $9 on the paint, I wasn't about to give up.  Losing $1.99 is no big deal but make that $10.99 and I draw the line!   I decided the vinegar/water combo wasn't strong enough for the mess I had made.  I used pure Acetone (nail polish remover) mixed 50/50 with water and it worked.  I sprayed the acetone/water mixture on a paper towel (and added some salt to make it a little gritty) to dissolve the globs of runny and streaked paint.  Then I sprayed the acetone/water mixture and dabbed it all over.  I painted the whole bowl again with a thin coat of the Krylon Looking Glass paint and sprinkled it with art glitter.   I filled the bowl with pinecones, cinnamon sticks and dried apple slices.  I then finished it off with a little filigree of lace, ribbons, vintage millinery flowers and a vintage rhinestone earring.  Even though it's not the way it's supposed to be, I like the way my Mercury Glass bowl turned out!

I hope if you've tried and failed the "right" way, you'll give it another go!  I'm happy I did!
Hugs & Blessings,
Janice

Supplies:
Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint
Acetone Nail Polish Remover
Salt
Water
Spray Bottle
Paper Towels
Art Glitter

Finished Bowl

Supplies

Beginning Bowl

Make Sure to Paint Outdoors - the Paint has Strong Fumes
 Almost There!

The Inside
Glad I Didn't Give up ...
My second attempt!
I've also added a tutorial on how to make the
Tim Holtz Jumbo Tattered Flowers 
HAVE FUN!

Monday, October 20, 2014

Calling Kay's Kids!!!

Hi Kay,
This is a last ditch effort to contact you regarding winning my giveaway pumpkin!   My outgoing Microsoft Outlook does not work from the internet - it only works to respond to emails.   I am unable to contact you to let you know you are the winner!  I sure hope you see this post!    If you would email:  Janice@BoohBears.com  and give me your mailing address, I'll send your pumpkin on it's way!
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs & Blessings,
Janice

Kay's Kids is the Winner!


Sunday, October 5, 2014

Pretty Pumpkin Giveaway - Drawing next Sunday, October 12th at 12:00 noon Arizona Time

** CONGRATS KAYS KIDS - YOU ARE THE WINNER OF THE PUMPKIN!!!

It's been quite some time since I've had a blog giveaway and it's time to have another!  This time, the giveaway is one of my fabric pumpkins.  This particular pumpkin is made of a vintage/antique lace tablecloth with a cinnamon stick stem.  It is decorated with bright pink vintage millinery flowers, leaves, lace, fibers and finished off with a rhinestone button.  To be included in the drawing, simply leave a comment on this post with your contact information (in case you win!).    If you would like to join my blog, I would be honored but it is not mandatory to be included in the giveaway.  If you are unable to leave a comment, just message me and I'll add your name and contact information.  Thanks so much and have a wonderful Sunday!   Hugs & Blessings, Janice


Saturday, October 4, 2014

Hit the Jackpot!

Today was the Fall Teddy Bear and Doll Show in Phoenix and for years, I have met my friend, Joanne, at the show and we have shopped together.  Joanne recently moved to another state and this would have been the first show I have attended alone in ages.  I dragged my feet about going because it just isn't as fun to find lovely items by yourself.   I finally ended up going and I am so glad I did!   There were two Sister's who travelled from Minnesota to sell their Mother's stash of antique lace.   I ended up purchasing a LOT of antique lace from the Sisters.  I'll have so much fun using all the lovely lace!  Oh, and I found a beautiful antique wax headdress that I plan to mix with the flowers I removed from my Mom's headdress.  The lady only wanted $15 for the headdress.  All in all, it was a successful shopping trip to the Doll and Bear Show!   I thought I would share my find with my blog readers and hope you enjoy seeing the lovely things I found!
Have a blessed weekend.
Many hugs,
Janice

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Fun Goodwill Find Makeovers!

I really must stop "playing" and get busy on my bears but I keep finding things to makeover and I can't stop!    This morning I stopped at the Goodwill and found a frame and a dish that were pretty sad.  They screamed "Make me Over".   The dish was a very tarnished silver plated ornate shallow bowl and the frame, well it was a frame!  I thought it would work for hanging my ChelseaLeDesign handcrafted cards.  She makes the loveliest cards and after purchasing several, I couldn't part with them, so I decided to frame them and hang them in my sewing room.  I still have a few left and plan to frame those in the future.   I've included "Before and After" pictures of my dish and frame.  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, pastels, and Annie Sloan wax are the miracle workers here!
Have a wonderful evening ... I am really going to work on bears now!
Hugs & Blessings,
Janice