There is nothing shy about this candlestick.
Created from an old table leg
it is epic in its height,
boldly colorful,
and daring in its mix of patterns.
Topped with a sassy candle
or a bottle of your favorite bubbly,
this big and bold number will garner some attention.
xoxo,
p
Linking up my colorful candleholder here:
| |
| |
Earlier this month I participated in an artisan event called The Traveling Door with a group of my artsy friends. Each of us has a different style and medium that we bring to the table. When people ask me what kind of art I do I usually tell them re-purposed or functional art. Typically they don't want to admit that they don't have a clue what I am talking about. It's a funny thing, when you say the words art or wine to someone. We often get all uptight about our knowledge or our perceived lack of knowledge on the subject. Why do we do that? Why is art so different from cooking or technology? I digress. Anyway, I can tell when they aren't with me because their faces kind of cloud over and their eyebrows knit and I can almost see them thinking, " Is she for real? Is she making this stuff up? " So then I start going into my schpeel of what it is that I do. Usually their eyes glaze over with boredom so I try and keep it short but occasionally I get someone who seems truly interested.
So not knowing which category you fall into, I will try and keep it short.
Re-purposed or functional art is taking something ordinary or sometimes hideous and giving it a new life by painting, staining or embellishing it to create something that is one-of-a-kind.
For example, this was a finial that I found in the clearance aisle at the Hob Lob.
Understated and classic yes, but also a bit of a yawn. In the Spring I like to work with brighter colors but for the Fall sale
I tend to stay with more neutrals or deeper colors. So this time I went with metallics.
I actually had two of these finials. Things get crazy right before a sale and I don't always get individual pictures of everything I painted. So the only after picture I have is a display picture from our Traveling Door event.
A little paint, a little bling for what could be holiday flair and voila! A noteworthy accessory for an end table, bookshelf or mantel.
Those are some coordinating candlesticks in the background and a lamp base that is a BeColorful take on an Ikea lamp.
But back to the finials.
I forgot to take a before picture but just like the other pieces, this one also started out as solid black.
To do something like this yourself you only need a good primer. I don't have a favorite for small pieces like this. Sworn to fun (whatever is on sale) and loyal to none is my motto here. You will also need an array of craft paint colors and maybe a paint pen or two for the finer details.
I like a piece like this that has lots of ins and outs or definite start and stop points for varying the pattern. Then let your imagination fly. Polka dots, stripes, swirls, hearts, stars, what ever floats your boat. :0
This one also got a few subtle sparkles to dress it up for the holidays but not so much that it couldn't be left out all year.
When you are finished give it a light coat of a clear finish. For a small piece like this I prefer a spray.
The beauty of this kind of project is that you can choose the element and the colors that will work in your home and then add coordinating pieces as you go.
So glad you stopped by.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
xoxo
P
I am also asked where I find my pieces. Some of them come right out of our home. Some from discount stores and thrift shops and every now and again someone thinks of me and gives me some of their cast offs. I also do commission work which is always exciting and eliminates the having to coming up with a piece to paint.
| |
| |
Twice a year I participate in an artisan event called
The Traveling Door.
As usual, I am way behind when it comes to the number of pieces that I have painted for this sale.
Will I ever learn? Probably not.
I did finish this piece earlier this week and since the sale is in November I thought it was appropriate to include a few Christmas items. I usually do a few lazy susans but I have never done anything with a Santa so this was a change up for me.
I think he turned out kind of fun.
So chalk up one more to the "finished list"
and now,
it's back to work for me.
:0
xoxo,
P
Linking my whimsical Santa here:
| |
| |
Sometimes I think up weird projects.
This was one of them but I was pleased with the result.
I had a plain glass vase that I probably received with a floral arrangement.
I taped it off and spray painted it gold.
Then, without removing the blue tape, I added some circle shapes cut from my Silhouette machine and spray painted the entire piece black.
There was a bit of bleed and some touch up was needed.
I didn't have a gold craft paint that was the same metallic level as the spray paint so I just painted over all the gold spots and gave it a shaded effect.
Next time I would try painting the entire piece first, even though the clear glass wouldn't show through and then add a layer of stripes and finally a layer of pattern.
There are so many options here that I think I will give this type of technique another whirl.
Thanks for stopping by.
xoxo,
P
LInking up my vase to
The Project Queen
| |
| |
The Traveling Door, an art group I participate in, will be having their Holiday Event in less than seven weeks.
I have been busy working on pre-sold pieces and haven't had time to concentrate on pulling together things for this sale.
Panic is beginning to set in.
It always seems to be this way.
This week I finally was able to pull together my first piece, albeit a small one, for this fall show.
I don't even know what to call it.
A candy dish?
An ornate lidded box?
Dream Keeper?
I'll just call it colorful tchtochke
:0
xoxo,
P
| |
| |
One thing I've learned while pulling this post together is that photos taken in my studio at night with the overhead lighting either with or without a flash are not especially flattering or true to color.
So consider yourself warned.
That being said, I have a number of clients that are collectors of all things boldly and brightly colored.
These kinds of projects without boundries are among my favorites to do and an excuse for me to ramp up the color combinations and volume.
So in between decorating projects and party preparations I have been working on these two lively and extroverted pieces.
I started with this footstool.
In the beginning it was a sedate cherry finished piece with a traditonal crewel work upholstered top that I did myself sometime in the late 80's or early 90's.
I saved the crewel work and I will repurpose it somehow. In the meantime, I decided to give this footstool a radically new look that would be appropriate for the upcoming Traveling Door Open House and one of the color hungry followers that I hope to see there.
I still need to attach the hinges but other than that I am considering it done.
The colors and patterns in the fabric of the footstool inspired the candlestick.
No wall flowers allowed here. It's a BeColorful thang.
:)
Tomorrow night is Motivated Monday.
This week's theme is Front Doors.
Show us yours won't you?
Is it decorated for Fall yet?
I know, it's early. I didn't get my summer door candy up until somewhere around the first of July. So I understand if you aren't there yet. Maybe you could link up a picture of your front door inspiration if you haven't gotten around to actually dressing your door for Autumn.
Front door candy. Link up tomorrow night or just visit.
I love having you stop by.
xoxo,
P
LInking up my colorful creations here:
| |
| |
Well not really.
Kathy McCullen didn't come to my house but her art work did.
How lucky am I?
I found Kathy's blog, Amusing Muses, about three years ago when I first started blogging and I was looking to pull together my own studio.
I fell in love with her and her studio first and then her artwork.
These two pieces arrived last week. Just in time for our party.
They are both mixed media pieces.
I need to ask her how she gets that layered bleed through look.
It is something I would like to try my hand at too.
Maybe it is a trade secret.
She also added some paper elements that give the piece that great added dimension and texture.
For me to fall in love with a piece of art it has to evoke some sort of emotion. These two pieces did just that. They both are just happy exhilarating pieces that reflect the feeling I want in our home.
Second of all, they need to showcase the space where I intend to put them. For example, I knew I wanted one bolder more dramatic piece of wall art here as opposed to several smaller pieces. The subject matter was traditional enough to lend a feeling of sophistication but the colors were vibrant enough to give this piece and the entry a touch of whimsical light heartedness that I am drawn to and striving for.
Then, as an added bonus the black and white pattern in the canvas seemed to reflect the rugs and the oranges and pinks were a nice repeat of the copper ceiling in the living room and the raspberry dining room.
I wouldn't choose a piece for that reason alone but it was nice how it worked out that way.
Someday I may move things around again and hang the two paintings together because they compliment each other so well but for now the smaller piece is in the breezeway.
Again, another uplifting piece that seemed to have the perfect vibe and colors for this space.
I just wish I didn't have to look at that thermostat.
I think I will be framing the smaller piece but I'm not sure about the larger one. Sometimes I like the look of an unframed canvas.
Kathy McCullen,
Google her or just click here or here to see more of her work.
Don't buy it all now. Leave something for me, won't you?
xoxo,
P
| |
| |
This is a post I did earlier this week for Lemon Tree Creations.
Tonight I am sharing it with you.
Recently I had a friend ask me to paint a clock she had purchased as a wedding gift.
She was very specific in that she wanted something in the Stick's vibe.
If you are unfamiliar with Sticks it is a company that does amazing one-of-a-kind painted furniture and accessories in a very distinctive style.
It was fun to try my hand at this.
This is the clock as it was handed over to me last month.
It was a great piece even with the missing knob.
The flat surfaces made for a relatively easy design layout.
I also liked that it was painted black. I did not prime this piece because I like the look of the black peeking through just a bit when I pull the brush through the paint.
I will have to give it several layers of top coat, though, to protect it.
I haven't done that yet. I'm letting everything cure first.
I started by painting the top
Then I worked out the sides.
My friend had a number of elements that she wanted incorporated into the face view of the clock, including the names of the bride and groom, the wedding date, and words that were significant to the bridal couple.
This is what I came up with.
This piece was perfect to pull in that surprise element I so love.
The clock opens up and is also a jewelry box.
How great is that?
So I stayed with the love theme and this is what will greet the bride when she pulls on that discover knob
and then again when she opens the drawer down below.
I hope she likes it.
I thought it was fun and definitely unique.
To see the site that inspired this piece click here.
Their work is absolutely amazing.
xoxo,
P
I am linking this post up here:
| |
| |
I am guest blogging today over at
Lemon Tree Creations.
It is my first experience at guest blogging.
Thank you ladies for the opportunity.
| |
| |
For those of you that follow BeColorful for the painted furniture and functional art, I just want to say I haven't changed course.
I may be a bit distracted with my first floor make over and hosting a party in a few weeks but I have also been painting.
I am actually working on several projects this week but nothing is finished or far enough along to really post about.
So, I went through some of my projects from earlier this year and remembered this festive feature.
I have a color loving client ( my favorite kind) that brought me this violin shaped tray and gave me carte blanche.
Gotta love that.
Knowing that she loves the bright happy hues and isn't afraid of mixing pattern I allowed myself to pull out all the stops, gave it the mixed media treatment and Voila!
I thought it was a fun representation of her.
Hopefully, next week I will be able to show you a finished vanity chair and some progress on a clock and game table.
Things are very busy here at BeColorful.
:0
To link up to the Motivated Monday Party here at BeColorful click here.
xoxo,
P
I will be linking up my artsy fartsy creation here:
| |
| |
A beColorful take on a wall clock.
I started with this
Painted it pink.
Added some arrows and polka dots with the help of a stencil
and voila!
A wall clock that gets noticed.
Now if it would only keep me on time.
:)
xoxo
P
This wall clock is available in colors and designs of your choosing
for $30 plus shipping.
Linking up to these creative parties:
| |
| |
So, what's up for today?
The "art" of repurposing.
What do I mean?
When you take something that is maybe a bit weary or dated looking
and give it new life or maybe an entirely different function.
It is creating something that is one-of-a-kind.
It is making that something that gets noticed - a conversation piece.
*
A client brought me this silverware chest and said I could paint it up any way I wanted. Gotta love that. :)
I'm not sure if she is keeping this for herself or if she plans to resell it in her shop.
When it first arrived here it looked a bit beyond well loved
but she saw that it had potential and I'm so glad that she did.
I really wasn't sure where I was going with this piece
other than I wanted to repeat this burgundy color in the painted design.
*
I started by sanding it down, priming it and then painting the entire chest that burgundy hue.
My original thought was burgundy and a soft green but somehow I reached for the copper instead.
To paint the diamond pattern I first painted out the border and then, with a ruler, drew a straight line from corner to corner.
Then measuring one inch out from my original line, I drew each subsequent line.
Next I repeated the same process but going in the opposite direction to create the harlequin design.
Green did eventually make its way in and this is how it looked as I finished it up.
I thought the knob dressed it up a bit and pulled the look together.
Originally it was meant to be used to store silver to prevent it from tarnishing so quickly. It could, of course, still be used that way but that is where the idea of repurposing comes into play.
What else could it be used for?
I thought it might be a fun way to store some favored brushes and art supplies.
I can see it on a vanity as a way to neatly store and conceal cosmetics...
tweezers, brow pencils, brushes, eyeliner and lipgloss.
It could work as a manicure station with nail polishes, cuticle sticks and files.
Perhaps it could help bring some order to all that jewelry overflow.
Earrings could hang on the knife loops and necklaces could be draped through the silverware slots.
Crazy? Maybe, but I think it is fun to see these things used in unexpected ways.
Any other ideas for this bejeweled beauty?
I'd love to pass them along to my client.
As always, I'm so glad you stopped by.
xoxo,
P
Joining in the party fun here:
| |
| |
I thought I would give the whole rug dilemma a rest
and write instead about this bright and bold jewelry box that I painted up last month for The Traveling Door.
I found her all plain, brown, and forlorn at the G.W.
I knew I could bring her back to life.
I got such great feedback on this obelisk that I had painted a few weeks earlier
that I decided to use a similar color scheme on this piece.
So here she is after the first few blocks of color.
In the past I have painted jewelry boxes in more neutral colors that would fit in almost any bedroom but I decided to throw caution to the wind on this one.
I would
"Listen to my heart above all other voices"
Not only am I a fan of bright and bold hues but I also like to mix patterns when I create a painted piece.
So, I blew this baby up with both...
Then, when ever possible, and if the right quote comes to mind, I like to add words to a piece.
I just think it makes it a bit more interesting.
I saw this quote somewhere and knew I wanted to use it.
I thought it worked here.
Thanks for visiting.
Have a colorful weekend and don't forget to listen to your heart.
To link up to this week's Motivated Monday click here.
xoxo,
P
I could use a little inspiration myself so I will be linking up my jewelry box and these fun parties and searching out other colorful painted pieces.
| |
| |
Funky boxes are one of my favorite things to make.
I have done numerous of these "remote boxes" for The Traveling Door market
but this is the first time I used a wood burning tool on one.
I had tried working with one before but apparently my old burner just didn't have enough oomph or it didn't have the burning tip that I needed.
I knew it shouldn't be that hard so earlier this year I bought
a new wood burning tool. This one is by Weller and I do like it better.
I'm definitely still learning the best way to use it and I even went to Youtube to see if there were some good teaching videos but I really didn't find any.
I've tried two different tips and definitely prefer one over the other.
In the end I guess it is just a slow process but if you have any helpful hints to share I would love to hear them.
My first attempt with the new burner was on this All You Need Is Love box that could be used to store remotes or whatever your little heart desires.
When I started, it was just a plain box with a hinge closure on the front.
I had this heart shape knob in my stash and decided to switch out the brass closure and add a pull knob to the top.
The knob is what inspired the entire design.
I've always felt that a piece like this is so much more interesting if it has a fun element of surprise when you lift the lid.
So, with that in mind, I carried on with the All You Need Is Love Beatles lyric on the inside.
The heart is just painted on and the wings were decoupaged from an old book i had laying around.
I didn't burn the inside. It was just too hard of an angle.
I did burn the inside of my second remote box though.
I just wish I had taken some more pictures while this piece was still at home.
I don't have any images of the sides or back.
Too bad. So sad. It was really pretty stellar if I do say so myself.
:)
Same process. I removed the latch and added a knob and some feet.
This one would have a time theme.
The ends of the piece were black and white stripes and the back was a black and white damask design.
Here is the only image I have of the front.
This black and white image was done with a mask.
This was the only picture of the whole piece and it was taken from a distance then cropped but at least you can kind of see how the look came together.
More on some of those other pieces later.
:)
They are all sold.
Big smiles here.
So how did I finish the inside of this box?
With a bit of burning, painting, and decoupage.
I'm on a roll now. I have all kinds of box theme ideas racing through my head.
So now I'm on the hunt for table top boxes.
On another note, remember this table?
I am so flattered that Amanda from Home and Garden Craft Gossip chose a table I did last summer - a table I really struggled with - as one of her featured tables on today's post.
Her blog is delightful and she has some really great resources if you are into painted furniture. I was more than honored to be in such fine design company. Be sure and check out her blog and the other fabulous designs by clicking here.
Thanks Amanda.
You made my day.
xoxo
P
linking up my post here:
| |
| |
Haha.
Seriously no Picasso aspirations here but I do think it is curious that I have been doing so much with blues and aquas lately.
I've been painting like a manic woman to get things ready for the upcoming Traveling Door Market.
So these aren't pieces that I am doing for our home. No, with these items I am free to create in any color scheme. Turquoise, though,is where my heart has been leaning.
This obelisk was a fun piece to pull together.
It was just a plain, solid colored, gray/brown sedate looking sculpture element until I got my hands on it.
Yes, I forgot to do the before picture.
I looked in my Susan Sargent book for some color scheme inspirations and I'm so glad I did.
I never would have thought to pull that darker blue in too but
I like the dimension it adds.
I spray painted the entire piece green and then took it from there.
This elongated bowl was a TJ Maxx find.
Alas, again no before picture but it was a stained wood piece.
I loved the shape and couldn't wait to recreate it.
I would love it filled with apples.
I finished this little lidded bowl earlier this week.
Again, I went with the blue palate.
I'm a fickle girl though.
Sworn to fun and loyal to none.
I saw a really pretty yellow on the paint shelf.
I think I'm feeling a bit sunny now.
:)
Happy Easter.
XOXO
P
Linking up my blue creations at these fun parties:
| |
| |
Start with one of these
and add one of these.
Grab yourself some fabric paint and a tiny paint brush.
Then channel your motivational side.
Voila! An Enlightened bit of Wisdom to highlight your world.
xoxo,
P
I will be linking up and partying here:
| |
| |
Move another item into the "done" column for the upcoming
Traveling Door Market.
When I purchased this 30 " candlestick it didn't look anything like this.
I almost forgot to take the before pic but remembered just as I was putting on the first coat of orange paint.
( Reality shot of the studio
when I am in my manic creative phase)
I don't usually have a master plan in mind when I start a project like this.
All I knew starting out was that I was going to be going with a pink and orange theme in various patterns.
I started by painting random sections of the candlestick orange but the paint wasn't covering very well. I hadn't bothered to prime this piece because I was thinking it wouldn't get a lot of hard use like a table top or one of my lazy susans. I should have though because I think the paint would have covered better.
Then I remembered reading on one of the other funky painting blogs that they painted everything white first so that the colors were brighter and clearer. I decided to give that a try and it worked wonderfully.
After painting the rest of the candlestick white I went back in and strategically added sections of raspberry and green.
Then the fun begins.
Adding checks swirls and stripes,
florals and polka dots.
Pull it all together and you have a BeColorful Candlestick.
Pam style.
I wasn't sure if I liked the candlestick with the candle or the rattan globe so I took photos of both. :)
Make it a great weekend.
XOXO
P
I am linking up my funky candlestick at these fun parties:
| |
| |
A while back a client gave me a birdhouse she wanted to have painted up.
It looked like this.
It was up to me to bring on the color.
The front was like a coloring book.
It was the roof and sides where I could have some unleashed fun.
A bit of paint, some stamping and some embellishments.
Too bad one my favorite sides is the back side that hangs on the wall.
It definitely works in my Waterloo Smoothie colored room but she is thinking of putting it in her freshly painted sparkling pear green kitchen.
I can't wait to see some pinks and oranges reds and aquas in this space.
You couldn't help but be happy in a room like this.
This colorful birdhouse should fit right in.
If you haven't linked up yet to Motivated Monday I'd love to have you join the party.
XOXO,
P
I will be linking up this post here:
| |
| |
Tally up another project completed for The Traveling Door Market.
I decided to call her Bloomin' Susan.
Can you tell I'm longing for Spring?
I started out with an unfinished wooden lazy susan and sanded and primed it then painted the whole piece yellow.
Next I used a charger plate as a template to trace my inside circle.
The flowers are a free hand design.
Paint the border red and the edge white then add the black stripes.
Finish with some polka dots and a coat of poly and call it done.
Less than six weeks now until The Traveling Door so no rest for the weary.
Onto the next project.
xoxo,
P
Linking here:
| |
| |
Welcome to Motivated Monday.
A meeting place to share your inspiration and creativity and be motivated by other's creations.
Link up whatever you were motivated to finish or were inspired by and hope to accomplish. Decorating, art, writing, photography. Bring it on.
We all want to share in your inspiration.
As for me, well I did a bit of painting this week.
I must be in my turquoise period.
I finished up that Wonderfully Wacky Mirror in turquoise
and then went on to paint this unusually shaped wooden bowl.
Again, I went with turquoise and flowers.
I'm feeling the spring vibe.
This was a wooden bowl I purchased at TJ Maxx
and then gave it the BeColorful treatment.
Chalk up another project finished for The Traveling Door.
I will be linking up my colorful bowl here:
And now it is time for the March 21st Motivated Monday.
I loved what you all sent this way last week but I wanted to be sure that you all saw this absolutely amazing trompe l'oeil telephone booth submitted by Never Enough Time Creations. I am in total awe.
Unbelievable. Plus she offers the rest of us a great tutorial on how she did the basic booth. Love it.
If you are in the mood for an organizational project be sure and check out Paisley Passion's reorganized craft space. She has some great new ideas for keeping things in order.
XOXO,
P
| |
| |
