New Work, Recent Etsy Sold Items & My Perspective, Etc.

11x17 acrylic & mixed media on canvas

Hebrews 13:2

This past week I completed a small painting, with Hebrews 13:2 as inspriation. It is done using simple imagery of a starry night sky, a few house shapes and suggestions of rocks, canyons, etc. that make up the terrain around my city. It is painted in black, ochre, metallic gold and sliver, and white. Painting is a nice way to relax and get in "the zone."

I also wanted to show you some items I've sold on Etsy recently...for those of you who are considering opening an Etsy shop - do it. 

Especially if you frequent thrift stores.It is an easy way to find good homes for cool things you see but don't choose to use in your own home. 

You know...the things you see and think, "How cool!" 

You grab them, put them in your cart, knowing they don't "go" anywhere in your home, but you love them anyway. 

You don't like the idea of leaving them on the shelf, unloved, un-appreciated. You KNOW they belong somewhere better. In a nice loving home where they will be highlighted and possibly given a place of honor. 

Maybe you have some things just like them already, and you love them, but don't need them.

 But you know SOMEONE is looking for one just like this. 

Because it's just plain cool. And it's vintage.

 They don't make them like this anymore.

You see them in magazines and you recognize their "cool factor." So you grab them, knowing it's a tad risky.

You might even wish you had more room, or even another garage, so you could keep this in case you change your style sometime...stranger things have happened.

Then you realize that's silly. If your style changes, there will be more cool stuff out there. So you decide to list it. 

If you create your own items, it is a great way to find more customers than yourself. :)

I can't say there's a down side to Etsy. For me, the hardest part is to estimate shipping when you LIST an item. I've tried calculating a faraway place, and still sometimes I end up eating a portion of the postage. Still, it is a positive experience for me, and I plan to keep doing it. 

Word for the Day:

Hebrews 13:2

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertainedangels unawares. 

Possibly Linking With:
Sunday
http://www.twiggstudios.com	Sunday Show-off Link Party
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/	Nifty Thrifty Sunday
http://thoughtsfromalice.blogspot.com/	Sundays at Home
Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com	Mod Mix Monday
http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com	Revival Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/	The Scoop
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/	Inspire Me Tuesday
http://cityfarmhouse.com/	Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/	Show Me What Ya Got
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com	Cottage Style Party
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/	Penny Pinching Party
http://tarnishedroyalty.com/	Drop it or Swap it Party
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://staceyembracingchange.com/	Creative Inspirations
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/	Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/	Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://www.commonground-do.com/	Vintage Inspiration Friday
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/	Fabulously Creative Friday
Saturday
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/	Party Junk
http://too-much-time.com	Get Schooled Saturday
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday

Thrifty Life Thursday #18 and Features from Last Week...

Since I have no photos to show you of a few recent thrifty finds, I'll share my bedroom view out Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs. It was lovely. Blooming trees, budding bulbs, a sweet garden bench and a footbridge...I could get used to that. 

(Insert the sound of a stereo needle scratching a vintage record album here.)

Today, I have a clogged kitchen sink with cracked p trap, a broken washing machine, lots and lots of things on my calendar that draw me away from doing the un-fun work around my house. Three plus trips to various hardware stores to find the correct p trap for my 1945 house, and I still don't have it, washing dishes in a plastic tub and pouring the dishwater down the toilet...thank you for paper plates and disposable cups!

Still, life is good. I am loved. I am full and warm and have more than I need. Tonight I enjoyed happy hour with three sweet friends, two of whom live far away. It was sweet. I am thankful. 

You can be thankful for the lack of photos of my house, my kitchen sink, etc. I am also thankful for YOU for bringing more loveliness into my life, even virtually and from a distance. 

Have a peek at this week's features from last week's party:

Tania from Farragoz Designer's Notebook shared a lovely post about specialty-painting two mismatched glass front cabinets in her home to create a stunning display of wonderful items!

Jann from Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen shared a garden birdcage stand she salvaged and created, along with other wonderful garden ideas and photos. 

Patti, of Ivy & Elephants, shared a most fabulously whimsical collection of vintage salt & pepper shakers - you must see them to appreciate them! (Those girls have the most unusual and wonderful collections between them!)

How 'bout this bread and butter set? Amazing. 

Please pray I find the perfect p trap to fix my sink, so I can do something a little more fun than plumbing, which is NOT my gift. (I have a nice semi-empty front bedroom waiting for me...)

Have you been to any garage sales, thrift stores, flea markets, or have you found anything wonderful on the curb? We want to see it!

THRIFTY LIFE THURSDAY #18

Gathering Guidelines:

This is a gathering for people who enjoy hunting for treasures 

that may have previous experience or lived a former life elsewhere. 

Please share items that are second-hand or are composed of second-hand materials.

Types of Posts to Share:

• Home decor, furniture, collectibles, garden items and even wearables are welcome, as long as they have a second-hand element.
• Please, no food items, new pieces from "real" stores, or crafts, unless made with upcycled, thrifty finds.

• Hand-me-downs and curbside finds are welcome, as are items found in thrift stores, garage sales, antique shops, flea markets and other interesting places.
• Treasures may be listed as you found them, or with your updates, tweaks, and re-purposes; befores and afters are both welcome.

• Items need not be "vintage" but must be pre-owned or second hand.

• Posts including Etsy and other shop links are welcome! For visitor enjoyment, please link to your blog post, not directly to your Etsy shop. 

Etiquette:

• Though it is not a requirement, it would be lovely if you would follow Revisionary Life some way - via Blogger, Pinterest or Facebook or subscribe via email. Links are located in my sidebar to the right.

• Please link your post (not your blog address) back to Revisionary Life.             
• Please visit at least one other party friend.

• I'd love for you to comment and introduce yourself if we've never met before. :) Otherwise, don't feel obligated to leave a comment. 

Features:

• Featured items must meet the criteria above. 
• Only posts that link back may be featured.
• I will try to email you and let you know if you were featured!

Word for the Day:
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Seven Reasons to LOVE Thrift Stores, Flea Markets & Garage Sales

You might think reason numero uno would be price...but no.

Except for the pillow, EVERYTHING in the above photo was either free (church storage building clean-out) 

or was purchased at a thrift store or garage sale. EVERYTHING. Even the faux flowers and artwork.

Reason #1 - QUALITY

Old stuff is REAL. Real wood, glass, ceramic, metal, etc. 
More than likely, your thrift store piece is not made of resin or plastic. It has already stood the test of time. A little cleaning (maybe some glue or paint or stain) and you're good for another 50 years. 

Detail of my $60 sofa after its $1.50 Makeover

Reason #2 - PRICE

Not only is it nearly impossible to find the quality in new stuff that you find in old stuff, but if you DID find it, it would be extremely expensive. People may THINK antiques are expensive, but compare them to the prices of new furniture...
Old stuff has nicer wood, cooler carvings, amazing hardware and even casters. 

Except for the Bible, the art glass piece next to the ceramic bottle and a Walmart lamp shade, 

everything in this photo was found curbside, at a thrift store or garage sale. Even the topiary.

Reason #3 - STYLE

If you're reading this, most likely you are not someone who prefers to go into a furniture store and purchase a total room of matching furniture. You want to express your individuality and have a home with layers, textures and history. If you weren't blessed (like my friend Marsha) to have a family who kept all the cool old stuff, you have to seek it out. My grandmother wanted everything new and shiny, chrome and glass. She grew up in the Great Depression. She was not sentimental, and sold things in garage sales for pennies. 
NOTE: If you are blessed to have family pieces, it's a great connection! USE them.

Now, I go to other people's grandmother's garage sales. :) I have a home full of adopted history. I LOVE mixing old and new, fancy and plain, rough and refined. It excites my sensibilities!

Reason #4 - IT IS NO BIG DEAL
If something breaks, it's not precious. It's great for houses with children, and for single fifty-something clutzes alike. 
If it can't be fixed, it can be replaced. No tears. No regrets. Things can remain in their proper place - less important than people and good times spent together.

Reason #5 - IT IS "GREEN"
I like the idea of "saving" something from a landfill and giving it a new life in a new environment. Even though I would do this even if it weren't green, this is a bigger deal for some people than it is for me. 

Picture frame turned faux antique mirror

Reason #6 - IT IS GUILT-FREE
If you decide you suddenly want to go all-white, or change your color palette, or for some reason you just look around one day and decide it's time to change EVERYTHING, you can do it without regret. If you don't spend much for your stuff, you can give it away, sell it (probably for MORE than you spent), or repaint it. You probably won't be destroying the value of a priceless antique...but it is wise to look for marks on the underside of your furniture, just in case you decide to paint a Heywood-Wakefield table aqua. 

Reason #7 - ADVENTURE!
Seriously - you NEVER know what you'll find that will excite you so much you end up redecorating a whole room! And you CAN do it, since you won't pay much for the new-old stuff and you didn't pay much for the old-old stuff! (See #6) 

Word for the Day:
Luke 12:15
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Possibly Linking With:
Sunday
http://www.twiggstudios.com	Sunday Show-off Link Party
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/	Nifty Thrifty Sunday
http://thoughtsfromalice.blogspot.com/	Sundays at Home
Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com	Mod Mix Monday
http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com	Revival Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/	The Scoop
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/	Inspire Me Tuesday
http://cityfarmhouse.com/	Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/	Show Me What Ya Got
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com	Cottage Style Party
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/	Penny Pinching Party
http://tarnishedroyalty.com/	Drop it or Swap it Party
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://staceyembracingchange.com/	Creative Inspirations
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/	Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/	Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://www.commonground-do.com/	Vintage Inspiration Friday
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/	Fabulously Creative Friday
Saturday
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/	Party Junk
http://too-much-time.com	Get Schooled Saturday
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday