February 20, 2012

Vintage Suitcases


It seems there is not a suitcase in sight and then suddenly I have more suitcases than I know what to do with!  
Oops they are piling up!
The Polka dot and travel sticker ones have already sold in my booth.......Next up
Some pink paint and water slide decals with graphics from Graphics Fairy......

....Next 
I love these round suitcases, more paint and decals.  Taping over the handles is necessary, because the paint will get sticky and never dry on these rubber handles.  Then I tape the rest of the hardware and spray a coat of primer followed by one or 2 coats of spray paint
I finish with two coats of wipe on poly acrylic to make them durable and scratch resistant
I price them between $25-$32,I always have a couple in my booth.
These two cuties I made for the "Fancy Flea" in April in Lakeland Florida

I am in Fancy Flea high gear preparations!! I am having trouble keeping merchandise in the antiques booth and refinishing product for the Flea...Oh, what a great problem to have! 


They will be great for transporting and displaying merchandise and of course they will be for sale! 

Happy Creating!
Carol





44 comments:

Sylvia said...

Hi Carol,

The suitcases turned out beautiful, no wonder I can't find any..haha

Love those windows too!

Sylvia

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh they look beautiful, wow.I wish now I had kept our oldones of my mums.

Bliss said...

I wondered who took that avocado suitcase I put at the end of the driveway, it was you! It never would of gone there to begin with if I would have known then about painting a suitcase.

~Bliss~

Terra said...

You transformed these to things of beauty and charm.

Scarlett said...

So beautiful! Thank you for sharing how to create this look, i really want to give it a go myself. For the pink paint, what type of paint did you use? Scarlett x

danka said...

Sliczne

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Yes, Carol, that is a great problem to have! : ) They are really pretty and I think they will make great display pieces for you too when you got to Fancy Flea. Of course, they will probably sell, so I hope you have plans for anything that may be coming home with you!

Marilyn said...

They do look pretty!! Did you use that spray painter to spray them? I hope it is still working because I found one yesterday and brought it home with me to use this summer!♥♫

Gina said...

They are all so pretty, I hope you sell them all at The Fancy Flea!

Old Time Cindy said...

Lovely! They look like they're fun to do.

Our Hopeful Home said...

I have three dark vintage suitcases that I wish were lighter in color. Now I guess I'll just have to change that myself! Thanks for the tips.

camp and cottage living said...

Carol
I'm not at all surprised to hear you have trouble keeping your booth stocked. Your pieces turn out so nice. I love the old round ones best too. I never run across those here where I live. What were they used for?

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Carol,
After seeing your beautiful suitcases I'm wanting to find some to alter. See what you've done!!

I found out the hard way that I should have taped the handles. I ended up covering one handle that was all sticky. I covered it with lace and it looked good, but taping is a great idea.

Love all of your designs. You are really getting geared up for the Fancy Flea.

hugs
Sissie

Cheryl said...

Love the suitcases. Your creativeness is always outstanding!
Have fun,
Cheryl

Charlotte Wilson said...

don't you love those water slide decals! I just tried them recently.
Your suit cases are divine!

♥charlotte

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

LOL it IS a good problem to have !
you can use the paint for plastic to do the handles.
(())

laxsupermom said...

Your vintage cases are so pretty! I have a few rescued cases that are just begging to be made over. Thanks for sharing.

Melodee said...

so so pretty Carol!

Anonymous said...

Soo cute! Do you have problems with the spray paint getting sticky on the suitcases? I had some problems last summer with that but might of been the humidity? Traci

Rona Gregory said...

They are all gorgeous Carol but I especially love the round one!

xxx

❁Velma ~Down Our Country Road❁ said...

Glad to know that your darling suitcases are selling so well as I have several stacked up in my sewing room waiting for me to transform them. I hope I have as much good luck as you have!

Dawnll said...

I have been searching for suitcases for a couple months now-I found two a couple weeks ago, they were locked and no way to open! I was so bummed.
LOVE what you did ...beautiful

kristiB said...

So pretty and girly love them! Wishing you all the best for "The Fancy Flea" , I know you will be Huge hit!!!

Stampindamour said...

Carol - these are real beauties!!! You will probably sell out of these at Fancy Flea! xo

-pamela :)

Sisters Treasures said...

What a beautiful job you've done with your suitcases. I've painted a few also, but I'm going to have to try the water slide decals. I wish I could make it to Florida to attend your "Fancy Flea"... I'm sure you'll do great with all your beautiful things.
Betsy

Unknown said...

No wonder I can't find any! You do a great job with these. Lunch was fun. Let's do it again soon.

Unknown said...

Girl, I love these!!!! The roses and the round one are to die for!!! You are stunning! These will sell like hot cakes! :D

Hugs,

Debbie said...

The round ones are my very favorite. My favorite aunt (who was one of my favorite people EVER) had one for her cosmetics. I always thought it was so frou frou and wanted one too.

(Of course for THIS face, I need a steamer trunk to hold all my spackle.)

Katie said...

Another fabulous craft! Do you ever sleep?! I can't wait to meet you and see all of your sweet crafts at the Fancy Flea...XoXo

Julie L. Light said...

One can't have enough suitcases! I keep fabric in mine.
I love the polka dot suitcase because it's so different from any others I've seen!
Have a fabulous day!
Julie

Little Susie Home Maker said...

Oh, my goodness, I used to carry around this ugly bright orange one, But it sure was easy to spot at the airport! This is such a pretty upgrade for these old cases. I just love that round one!
Blessings,
Susie

Anonymous said...

FAB! I finally was brave enough to dottify mine and posted about it today! ♥

famfa said...

Jack of all trades - just read your profile. Love the cases. Brilliant

Little Miss Maggie said...

Carol, I have been passing these up left and right. Sometimes I think you are genius. Can't wait to find some of these and make the transformation. Thanks so much for another wonderful idea!

Heart Vintage Design said...

I love the painting idea. Some of the colors out there aren't that great. What kind of finish do you put on to protect them?

Debbiedoos said...

those are darling Carol. I would buy one for sure. I don't ever see cute ones, or ones in good shape.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Carol,
You are just the best! As I was scrolling down, I was thinking of what questions to ask you about these beauties and next, I see you answered them already. I have 3 suitcases that I bought 2 years ago and as soon as the weather gets warmer, these are the projects that I want to do first. Thanks for always sharing so freely!!

Hugs,
Deb

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I would LOVE to come down and help you with your Fancy Flea market! Buying for it, I mean! LOL! Your suitcases are stinkin sweet! Love the round one!
Thanks for the curtain idea...it's on my "to do" list!
Warmly,
deb

Tiedupmemories said...

Sweet suitcases! I love that polka dotted one! Too cute!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh my goodness these are all so pretty!

hopeandjoyhome said...

Wonderful as always! I have 2 train cases awaiting spray paint right now..if it will ever quit raining and /or warm up!

Createology said...

I can easily see why your inventory keeps selling...everything you touch becomes magic decor. So perfectly elegant yet romantic yet useable. Blissful creating my dear.

Anonymous said...

that polka dot one is the cat's meow. you must make some more of those for the Fancy Flea!!

Ginger Lemon said...

Very pretty! I love roses :)