Anyone who has an antiques booth, online, or Brick and mortar store would love to sell only big ticket, big profit items. The reality is, the "Smalls" as we call them in
The biz (Groan) make up a large percentage of our sales.
"Smalls" are all the little items we sell to fill up our shelves and fill in around the big ticket items
Over the Holiday I spent a fun day working on transforming some smalls
A small tool box
I painted yellow and then applied a waterslide decal with graphics from the Graphic Fairy
Two vintage metal frames
Got a coat of white paint and rose prints from an old Avon address book
An Old Avon jar, always a good seller when I...
...Spray the lid heirloom white and lightly distress
An antique mirror went from brown
To a fresh white with rose waterslide decals
A wire boot
Got a coat of white paint and along with the little picture some ribbon and bling
Candle sticks are a great seller...
...When I paint them white and hang a couple crystals on the arms. I get my crystals from Freedom Crystal
And that completed a day of smalls!
All ready for my booth at Orange Tree, nothing is priced over $20
A note for those who might want more details: I prepare everything before I paint by wiping it with a deglosser, you can find it in the paint department. I spray one coat of primer and then 2 coats of Rustoleum Heirloom white. Depending on the piece I follow with one coat of a clear satin acrylic spray or wipe on poly acrylic.
Happy Creating!
Carol
61 comments:
Carol - You did an amazing job on the tool box, I thought it was already like that! You made it so pretty and eye-catching!
I LOVE these inspiring antique store booth postings! You've just inspired me to go finish painting my junking pile, price it, and get it in my booths! xo
-pamela :)
so cute Carol! I recently found a candlestick like your that is now in my booth! :) I kept it silver though- Everything looks beautiful. Love the little tool box and rose prints. I'm going to have to go back and look at the waterslide links :) have a good one.
Carol,
You have done some beautiful items here...my fav is that wonderful caddy.
Blessings,
Linda
Lovely items!!
I'm preparing to open a shabby chic booth at our local peddlars mall and I'm soooo excited!!
Thank You for sharing your painting tips!!
Have a wonderful day!
Aledia~
Wow! You've been busy! Love the wire boot and the tool box looks terrific! Thanks for sharing.
I always get so many ideas from your blog. Thanks!
Janet
smalls... the bane of my existence. HOWEVER!!! If I had smalls as cool as yours perhaps I would not WANT to take them to my spot in the antique mall! LOL
Gorgeous!!! All of it!!!
;-D robelyn
Oh Auntie Carol.. I LOVE all your SMALLS especially the Tool Box and Avon Jar... SO please feel free to add them to my Cabinet... I do believe Cousin Brad and I need to have a LOOOOOOOOONG Talk.... :) I Love all your water slides... They sure do make for one FANCY detail... I must say I also LOVE the BIG items, Sideboard Tables, Dressers, Cabinets, ETC....
The small stuff really adds up. I always feel so inspired after I visit:-)
Hi Carol,
I love all your smalls! You are so talented at transforming. Beautiful work!!!
Dee
I love smalls... love them.
These are all superb...but the little jar is my favorite, what a sweet look it got. Love it.
oh, they will be gone sooooo fast!
'smalls' ...love 'em.
I don't even have a shop...but I got 'smalls'
have a great day!
Pat
Do you have a booth online or offline? I would love a link if you have an online booth. Beautiful work on the tool box... it's my favorite item. Hugs. Tammy
Carol, I think I should just drive to your place and take the table and entire display of your beautiful small things! Honestly, you are so good at this. I love everything you showed. I'm sure you will have no trouble selling these beauties.
Shannon
Oh my, I love the tool box! That transfer look like it belongs there. And the wire boot! So wicked! Wherever did you get it? I'd love one, maybe give it a saloon-girl twist with some black lace and feathers!
Beautiful work! Hugs Mary
love , love , love :)
Looks like you have been busy, its the little things that make a house a home {in my opinion}
great job as always
Claire xoxo
Carol, It's great to see more lovely transformations. I love the prints that you use from the Graphics fairy.
Kelly
In love with all "the smalls." The tool box is my favorite though.
All your smalls are just beautiful! My favorite is the tool box!
They may be "smalls in the biz" but they are huge in the charm department. Your transformations are always the best and become elegant delights. Happy selling dear...
Hi Carol,
I love the smalls...
The little avon jar is so sweet!
Love those roses too...
All the Best,
Christine
Wow! Thank you for the before/after shots. I love the avon jar it came up a treat. You have given me so many ideas. I hope twenty twelve is everything you wish for and more. I am so glad I found you. I will follow on my way out so I can revisit. I hope you can find the time to come visit me and do the same. I look forward to engaging throughout the year. Cheers SpecialK XoXo
Love all your "smalls". Spraypaint is our best friend, isn't it? Makes a world of difference.
Hope you're having a good week!
Nancy
Yes, those smalls add to the pay check! It was nice enough to spray paint today..just a couple of things :)
I bet they sell quickly!
Warmly,
deb
Hi Carol! Email me your address and I will send you the Square reader! :) yay! Pinkpostcard@comcast.net
I'll be there this weekend! Can't wait to see. I think I'm liking that boot!! Would definitely be adorable in my house!!
Hi Carol, those are cute small things, we tend to sell lots of small things over here too, they are perfect for the cruise line shoppers to carry back home.
Sylvia
Hi Carol, I ask the same question, do you do your stuff on line? as well. You certainly are an inspiration.
When my daughter had her shop in Boise, I loved to go in after Rene from Miss Gracie's had restocked her area, because I knew I would always find some smalls that I would love. I love going into shops and coming out with some great smalls because my house has no more room for the big stuff and yet it satisfies my love of hunting and gathering.
You sure created some beauties Carol!
hugs...
Great makes! I love your alternations and I love your talent! these are brilliant!
Hugs,
It's all just lovely. I am really in love with that tool chest painted yellow. I have one that I want to leave rustic, but now I'm on the hunt for one to paint like that.
I love Heirloom White. My family teases that no one should stand still around here lest he find himself painted in it.
That's because I live with a bunch of smarty pants.
Happy New Year Carol!!
I have not heard the term smalls but it fits perfectly for what you are discribing. I love everything that you have done and just know that the smalls won't last long.
Thanks for stopping by, it's good to see you. One of my resolutions is to blog more often and visit too.
Char
I didn't know you had a booth! I'm thinking of opening one soon. Thanks for the inspiration and the painting tips. ♥
What a great post. I hope someday I will be as creative as you and merchandise as well. Your blog is an inspiration for me every time I read it : )
Hi Carol,
I agree it's the small stuff that sells the best, at least that's been my short experience in my booth. Never tried the deglosser but will have to look for it at my next trip to Home Depot.
Hi Carol, I am within 20 minutes of your antique booth so I will surely have to check it out.
Just lovely....would fit right into my decor; especially my studio.
Happy weekend,
Barb
I am such a fan of your blog. I totally get the smalls, because my sisters and my booth makes lots of money selling smalls. We love the big ticket sales, but it's the smalls that pay the "bills" and help keep the sales going. You have such wonderful ideas, I love them!
great post! I just found your blog. I recently opened a small shop and I need all of the help I can get! I tend to pick up smalls that need a little tweak and my challenge is to find time to do the tweaking. ;-)
I have a lot of the gold frames...white is good, do you distress them also?
Oh my gosh, I am so happy I found your blog! So much great information. And the best part is that I just moved to FL and am 6.5 miles from your antique booth! Can you tell me more about the Shabby Flea Market, like when it is held? Thank you so much! Happy Dance!!!
couldn't make it without the smalls anymore. yours are wonderful !
Hi Carol, First let me say, thanks so much for asking about my sister. She is doing well, and some of her other complications are clearing up as well. She had a wonderful holiday. And then, the wedding bouquet you made is one of the prettiest things I have seen. I sure hope she uses it. It's gorgeous!! I went to my booth yesterday and it was a total wreck. I think something has sold because I don't see it and then I find it hidden behind something or under my shelving. I think people hide things until they decide they don't want it. Amazing! I had plans to redo in a new theme for January but decided instead to run a huge furniture sale to see if I could move some things. I have so much more to bring in. We shall see. Love all the pretty smalls you made. xoxo
love your smalls, carol:) the avon jar is so sweet!
Lovely goodies, Carol...wonderful transformations!
I will take one of each oh my goodness your smalls are simply delightful!
Happy Pink Saturday.
Hugs,
Olivia
Everything looks beautiful!! Someone had a very busy, productive day! Great results too!
Hugs, Diane
Hi Carol, Everything is wonderful. I love seeing all the transformations. When I had my booths in 3 antique malls (busy time for sure) I also had lots of "smalls" as we refer to in the business.
Your redesigns are gorgeous and I am sure won't last long.
Thanks for stopping by Always so great to see you.
XO CM
Carol,
Love your creative transformations!
I too, am always dragging bits and pieces home. I can always see it's "potential" and love turning junk into something fabulous. I drive my hubby crazy. LOL.
I always enjoy visiting and seeing what you have been up to.
Thank you for inspiring us.
Best,
Elizabeth
I love all of your "Smalls." Wish I lived closer to your booth. I bet it is fabulous Carol! I have been trying to get my Etsy shop up and running, but I am such a procrastinator for some reason... XoXo
Carol you never cease to amaze me. Such lovelies to add to your booth. I bet they are gone by now. Would love to come down and see you. Maybe we can grab a coffee or lunch in the next few weeks?
carol, your work is fenomenal and so delicate and at the same time unique and old fashioned ...LOVE IT!!
I have mssed reading you!
Happy new year and enjoya healthy 2012 with the ones you love!
Hi Carol! Visited your booth today and LOVED it! So adorable!!! You have beautiful things and I am happy to say that cute little wire boot is now mine!! I had my eye on that from when you first posted it and I'm so happy it was waiting for me! So sorry I did not get to see you, though! I love the place you are at and my friends and I had such fun browsing around today. Hopefully I'll catch you next time!!
HAPPY 2012 CAROL, to you and your family. May it be full of JOY and HAPPINESS.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR article in November Romantic Homes. That is my favorite magazine. The gun rack you turned into the beautiful plate holder...I hate to say it but that gun rack was u..g..l..y. You turned a vulcher into a swan.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOU...YOU SHARE HOW TO MAKE YOUR BEAUTIFUL CREATIONS...Not all of us can afford classes or to even buy these beautiful works of art.
I am trying this year to post more of what I am making and faithfully visit the blogs I follow.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO
SUGAR HUGS
Dear Carol:
Your smalls are gorgeous! Love the mirror and who can pass up a vintage avon vanity jar?
Inspiring as always!
xo
Roselle
Talk about eye candy...wow!! Such lovelies you have created. At first, I had a hard time deciding which I liked the best and, after much debate, I finally settled on the antique mirror. Now, if I only lived closer...
I want to thank you for sharing so many of your creative ideas. You continually inspire me.
I love the box, really they are all cute stuff. I can see how the smalls sell fast.
I love the transfer on the wooden box! Have a great week!
Sandy xox
You're always an inspiration, Carol! Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Dear Carol...Oh, I love your clever creations...Each one is so wonderfully transformed!
I wish you well, my friend!
Carolynn
Wow. This is like magical transformations! You sure got this figured out, and what a delight to find your blog and see how you explain them. Gives me the courage to try this myself. I have a table I picked up at a yard sale that i was thinking of re-staining, but I think this will look perfect!
Blessings,
Susie
from
http://littlesusiehomemaker-lilsusiehomaker.blogspot.com/
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