May 27, 2014

Making Jewelry With Pieces Of Vintage Earring, Brooches, Shoe Clips, And Necklaces

Well, now I think I'm a jewelry maker!  ...It all started when I found a jar of keys at an estate sale and decided to transform them to sell at the Polka Dot Flea.


I had seen the key necklaces made by Betsy at My Salvaged Treasures ...Oh my-Oh my; if you don't follow Betsy's blog you are really missing out.  Not only is she a fabulous published jewelry artist, she is a fabulous everything artist!  So creative and one of those bloggers who doesn't know what a superstar she is.  Don't you love modest bloggers?

Well, once I got started making jewelry...I couldn't stop!



Every piece is one of a kind and all were made with vintage jewels:  Bits and pieces of vintage earring, brooches, shoe clips, and necklaces.






I always said I would never try making jewelry.  Well, never say never!   This is the first time I have dabbled in it.   I'm sure if I continue making jewelry I will look back at this-my first attempt-and groan.  But...we all have to start somewhere, right?!

I am going to display the jewelry at the Polka Dot Flea on the top-half of a dress form from Barr Display.  I set the form on a box just high enough for the crinoline to skim the table.  Then used a second crinoline as a table cover.



The bracelets are displayed on rolled up lace and old doilies.

Well, I can cross "jewelry making" off my list. ...Not that I have mastered it by a long (looong) shot; just that I have tried it!  


OMG!!!!  The Polka Dot Flea is just DAYS away!

Happy Creating!
Carol

May 20, 2014

Buttons For Sale At The Polka Dot Flea

I have Soooo many vintage buttons that I have decided to sell some at the Polka Dot Flea


I had an old wooden box that I painted and lined with pattern paper then glued on a few graphics with the price



I don't know why but......I love buttons!


I hope the Polka Dot Flea shoppers love buttons.....I think $2.00 a card is a pretty fair price?


Be sure to check out the Polka Dot Flea website and FB page!




Happy Creating!
Carol

May 12, 2014

How To Cover A Lamp Shade With Lace

I'm back to my fluffy ways! 


When a friend gave me two wire lamp shades all I could think was .....Lace!


I first cut out panels of lace to cover small sections of the shade then used Fabri-Tac to adhere it.....


....And used clips while it dried


After the glue dried I trimmed close to the wire and then cut the next section, repeating the process of glueing panels...Does that make sense? 


Lace is a very forgiving, it can be layered over itself and you will not be able to see where the lace meets


I used a lace trim around the top and bottom, then rolled up the lace to make a flower, added a pearl to the center, and glued a couple strands of beads to hang down 



So there you have it another fluffy, shabby, girlie project.....I want to be rusty and industrial but,...I just can't help myself!  

I need to join a self help group..Shabby Anonymous?

I priced these at $18 each to sell at the Polka Dot Flea.


Just a little Polka Dot Flea update: Every vendor spot is filled and there is a waiting list.  There is also a waiting list for the waiting list!  I can hardly believe it!  Applications continue to come in everyday with people wanting to apply for the NEXT Polka Dot Flea!  Orlando so needed an indoor show.

  I'm excited, but nervous...Will the customers come...Have I done enough?  I won't know until June 7th!  Make me feel better...Are any of you local girls planning to attend...Anyone...Anyone (lol)!
   
Happy Creating
Carol

May 8, 2014

Decor For The Polka Dot Flea Venue

I have been busy working on decor for the Polka Dot Flea....I have 7000 sq feet to decorate!


I am going to ask you to use your imagination a little on this post

The front of the Polka Dot Flea venue has this great front porch

I showed you the bike I'm going to lean up against the railing...


.......And the vintage sheet music flowers for the flower boxes....


...But I needed something to hang between the posts.

So, when I made this garland for my booth at the Flea I thought eureka....


.........This would be perfect to hang between the front porch poles of the venue with a Polka Dot Flea sign 


I am so lucky to have Barr Display not only as a sponsor for the Flea, but a vendor too.   They are letting me use stanchions (Those rope things they use at theaters) to direct the shoppers...



  ......(I'm dreaming big, thinking tons of people) to the ticket booth.



They come with blue ropes that I just HAD to cover with polka dot fabric...Details...It's all in the details

The first thing shoppers will see when they walk in the door is the Swimming Hole


Now, I had one more area I had to address....A 7000 sq foot building with 30 foot ceilings...Yikkes!


I envisioned polka dots....100's of polka dots hanging from the ceiling.....Are you starting to get the vision?   


It took me 2 weeks to cut 100's of foam board polka dots then paint, decorate, and string them with fishline.


  A huge thank you goes out to my blogging friend Francie from The Scented Cottage.....


...Who sent me 80 silver pie crust covers.  She saved the covers knowing she would use them on some project......I'm so glad it was my project, it saved me another 2 weeks of work!

One last project was a 140 foot flag garland to string across the ceiling


Everything for the Polka Dot Flea is coming along great.....And coming up fast!


I would love for you to visit the Polka Dot Flea website HERE
Or 
Follow the Polka Dot Flea on FB HERE


Happy Creating!
Carol

May 4, 2014

Adjectives Market and Unhinged

 If you live in Orlando or you're just visiting, be sure to stop in at Adjectives Market.  This shop has over a 100 dealers in 20,000 square ft.  Featuring the best in Vintage, Antiques and Art.



It is one of those places that I Feel Cool walking in the door.....Heaven knows I'm not cool, but it's great to feel that way for a couple hours.   They have all different styles and era's of merchandise.

So, here's my biggest decision....Should I start shopping upstairs or downstairs?








Adjectives Market is one of the Polka Dot Flea sponsors and this last weekend I was busy handing out Polka Dot Flea postcards at the grand opening of their new venture across the street.  

Adjectives Unhinged


Unhinged is a great, unique concept  

It's a place where vendors can rent storage units with roll up garage doors.  The doors are left open during store hours


 The units are filled with mostly unfinished furniture which customers can purchase, or they can pay more and have the piece customized with a paint finish of their choice.


 Here's the really cool part..If you rent a space at Unhinged you can use their fully equipped work room.... 



......With all the tools you could possibly need for furniture rehab. How great would this be if you lived in an apartment or simply wanted the mess out of your garage. 


I'm comforted to know that when It's time for me to move into a nursing home, I will still have a place to get my junking on (lol!)

Adjectives Unhinged also has 2 huge classrooms for teaching classes to the public on everything from paint techniques to upholstery

Adjectives Market....Another place to visit in Orlando besides Disney World!

Happy Creating!
Carol