I Was Framed

Remember when I showed you a mirror that I got at a local thrift shop?

Well, this weekend it went into transformation mode.

First, I did a little online looking for information about the mirror (utilizing an original sticker and trademark on the back). I am not one to encourage decreasing or defacing the value of something old - if it's worth a nice chunk. But if it's just so-so - then I say do what you want to make it more likeable for you. And if I have the information available, I usually try to do a little research on the item before making any changes to it.

So this is a Syroco Mirror. I took about  1 1/2 hours searching the internet for possible value of the piece that set me back $7.00. Most everything that I could find that was similar to it was in the $25 to $50 range. Now, don't get me wrong - $50 is a nice price - but I decided to bite the (gold) bullet and spray paint the gold mirror frame away anyway with my handy-dandy heirloom white.

After considerable consideration (well, maybe about 5 minutes) I decided that, for now anyway, I wanted to just hang the frame by itself and leave the mirror out.

I thought this little candle sconce hanging on the door on my back porch might like some company.

A couple small nails later, it was up. I liked it.

What do you think?

IMPORTANT DUMB NOTE:  This morning when I jumped on the internet while preparing this post, I did a quick search for the Syroco name again - you know, just to make sure I spelled it correctly. What do you think was the FIRST google search that came up in the list? Yup - a picture of a mirror - not exactly - but very similar to mine - valued at $299.  What?  Where was that picture when I was searching on Saturday? Either I was extremely blind or it was posted after my very thorough weekend search.

So what's a girl to do? I had no choice but to just giggle and shake my head. Another financial opportunity in ruins.

Free Frame Cottage Garden Brief Tutorial

One of my favorite thirft shops has a free-shelf. When things have been at the store a long time and not purchased, they will put some small items on the free-shelf. As you are leaving, you are invited to check it out and grab anything that tickles your free-fancy.

A couple weeks ago, two free frames started me on a new journey.

Free frames!

See?  They really were free.

First, I primed and painted them white. I love white....and purple.

Never. I repeat, NEVER forget about purple.

I decopaged parts of the frame with rippings of pages from an old, yellowed reference manual of some sort. I am a firm believer that books should not be destroyed on purpose (or for no purpose at all!), but when I got my hands on this one, it was already in shambles - so I am ok with that.

I added a few other adornments (rub-on's, etc.) and then sprayed with two coats of poly spray. You can use any kind of poly protector, but the spray is so easy to use.

Then I prepared some "gardens" with a recycled wool blanket for the background and different flowers, stems and leaves from recycled wool. The blue flower was created using an old button and crocheting a "slipcover" for it from very thin wool yarns. I used the pre-cut cardboard that came with the frames as the backing and discarded the glass pieces. I know, you'd think I could have found some way to use them, but there's a limit to what I can save...

Waa Laa! Two new simple-chic cottage garden pictures!

The one with the blue flower was already given to a friend for her birthday and the other one is now posted on Etsy. I'm very pleased with how they turned out. Hmmm...think I might run to my thrift shop again today and see what awaits me.