It's for the Birds!

So I got some really good news today. Unfortunately, it had to come from bad news that I got the good news... but I am so very happy now that I am here.

I was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma a few weeks back. Gulp! Ya... This has been a rollercoaster of a month for me. It all started when I went to the dermatologist for a totally different minor dry spot on my arm which turned out to be practically nothing. The doctor chose to check me from head to toe since this was my first trip to a dermatologist. He found a mole that he was concerned about and biopsied it. A week later I'm hearing that I have skin cancer. After weeks of worry and a fairly quick surgery last wednesday, I received the news today that my margins are clean and I am back to being skin cancer free. Big sigh!

So now I feel like I can get back to my life again and refocus on my art. I had put aside a project that I was really eager to blog about. So I am excited to tell you about it today.

I had attended a class back on May 5th taught by Terri Brush. It was called Here Birdie Birdie... Birdcage and was held over at Melrose Vintage. It was my first time taking a class from her, but I guarantee it won't be my last. It was so much fun! Here are some photos from the class:

This is Terri's beautiful birdcage that she taught us all how to make. We also made a little soldered crown to place inside if we wished. I have soldered before, but it seems that I learn something new every time I take a soldering class. Especially if it is a new (to me) instructor. Everyone seems to have their own style.

 Terri and I.

 My friend Marianne Solem showing off her cage. 

The decorations in the room we were in were so much fun. I had to get a picture. I would love to use this idea for a birthday party for my daughter sometime. 

Now here is my finished piece. I wasn't able to finish it in class because I had a bit of a problem with the copper tape around the base coming off. So I came home and took it apart and re-did it. The photo above is of the cage before I applied the patina. I like it silver, but I think I like it much better now that it has the patina because it gives it that aged look. All the photos below have the patina.

I am really happy with how it turned out. I hope to make more and possibly make some paperclay birds to perch inside. I also cannot wait to take another class from Terri Brush! What fun!!

xoxo,

Shannon

Eleven!

Today is my husband and my 11th wedding anniversary. My husband Mike is such a huge inspiration and support for me. I have felt so blessed each and every day of our lives together. Not to mention that it is because of him that I can follow my dreams and spend time playing and creating and posting about it.

Thanks for loving me, allowing me to follow my dreams 

and for being such an amazing supporter of my art. 

I love you Michael!

I also wanted to pop in today and say an early Happy Memorial Day to everyone. A HUGE Thank You to all of the men and women who gave their lives and for those who continue to fight for our wonderful country!

Linked Up!

I was so excited to see an email in my inbox today from Smash*. They emailed to let me know that they linked my story of my Art Smash Book to their blog! This is very exciting!! 

Check it out here! 

*If you missed my original blog post about my Art Smash Book click here.*

I am also linked up to the Graphics Fairy blog for Brag Monday. I linked my 3 drawer shelf from my last posting. 

If you haven't been to either of these sites, they are fantastic and full of inspiration. I hope you are all having a wonderful Monday!

Paris Inspired 3 Drawer Shelf Make-Over

I came across this three drawer wall shelf today as I was rearranging some things in my bedroom and thought I would share the make-over with you. A very kind neighbor of mine named Jolene gave me this item to make over for her to re-sell and after seeing how in love with it I was after I finished it, she let me keep it! 

Unfortunately, I did not take a good before photo because I wasn't in a blog state of mind back when I did this. There are a few in-progress photos that I can share though. The photos are not spectacular, but you get the gist, right?

The piece was mustard yellow, lavender and forest green. All crackle paint. I started by using a citrus based paint stripper (it is safer than the alternative) to strip and scrape away as much paint as I could. There were quite a few layers.

Here is a closer view of the crackle paint.

Once I got most of the paint off, I sanded it down to get a bit more off and to be sure that it was smooth and ready for priming. I used a spray primer and then an antique white paint by Martha Stewart that came in a small paint sample - perfect size for this small project. I brushed that on. 

Once that was dry I printed out this image from The Graphics Fairy, used a graphite pencil on the back and transfered the pencil onto the piece. I then hand painted it on in black. I then went over the piece again with the sander to rough it up a bit and then I followed that up with a tea stained glaze. 

The inside of each of the drawers are lined with vintage sheet music that I mod podged on. The handles are from the Hobby Lobby (which I love because they have a great selection and are way less pricey than everywhere else I have tried - plus they will take the 40% off coupon right from your phone!). 

So that is my piece! I absolutely adore it. I think that next time I would like to try Ann Sloan paint. I am still on the fence about where to hang it though. After putting all that effort into it, it is hard to find just the perfect spot. 

Open For Business!!!

I am SO very excited to tell you that my Etsy shop has products in it! I have finished up my lampshades and they are now available to be purchased!! This is a big step for me - one that I have been thinking about for wayyyyy too long. It feels good to finally DO it.

Here are some pics of how the shades turned out:

So much prettier than their original looks, don't ya think?!?!

Now that I have fulfilled the goal of opening up my shop, I am going to work on crossing some others off my list as well. I feel empowered to DO IT instead of just DREAM about it.

DREAMING is fun, but DOING feels so much better!

Fun Finds...

This is what is on my desk these days. (Please pardon the mess!) I headed over to Melrose Vintage last week for their warehouse sale and came across these fantastic lampshades. In their original form they may not look so great, but I immediately saw promise in their metal structure and couldn't wait to take them home to transform them. I went right to work on stripping them down to their bones. 

This little guy was actually a recovered shade. There were two layers to take off.

I love both of the squarish ones. They have been the most fun to work with!

This one is my biggest. You can kind of tell the size by my water bottle in the background.

This last round shade was actually the first one that I worked on. I was so excited to rip it apart that I forgot to take a before photo - which explains the draped cover. I am in the process of fancying them up and should have photos for you soon. Once they are done, they will be the first addition to my etsy site. I cannot wait!

Here is a link to Melrose Vintage. I absolutely love that sweet shop. It is so full of inspiration. I am excited to be attending an art class there all day this Saturday taught by Terri Brush. If you have a love for vintage and crafting, I recommend you check the shop out... just be sure you have a good amount of time to spend there because it is chock full of goodies!