Rescuing Some Antique Frames

The rain (and the death of my palm sander) is hindering my project progress. So, today I'm going to share a couple of frames I fixed up for my cousin Jill a while back. You might remember that I fixed up an end table and a coffee table for her. Her mom (my great Aunt) had these in her garage and thought we could do something with them.

They were in pretty rough condition.

I wiped off the round one and painted it yellow. I used really light coats of paint and left some original black showing through.

The other one took a little more work. Aided with some warm soapy water, windex and a toothbrush, I attacked it.

I couldn't believe what it looked like underneath that layer of nasty. Two hours later I had this-

The plaster looked a little dingy so I dry brushed on a little paint to match the end table.

Here they are at Jill's.

 

I hope this rain stops sometime soon so I can get out and work in the sun. Check back this week for new projects :)

Sincerely,

Ashleigh

PS:

Sheet Metal Memo Board

A few months ago I was thrifting and happened upon a frame with broken glass. I wasn't sure what I'd use it for but I figured I'd think of something so I threw it in the cart. Up at the counter I asked for a discount since the glass was broken. I can't remember the exact number but I know I walked away with that frame for less than $2. This was an incredible deal seeing as I knew I didn't need the glass anyway. 

I brought home my find at it sat in my parents basement for a few months. Here's the broken beauty:

After Sarah sent me the calendar she designed {you can find it here} inspiration struck. I wanted something clean and a little more modern. I've used sheet metal in frames before but I've always painted it. This time I thought leaving it raw would be interesting.

I primed and spray painted the frame with a semi-gloss white enamel. Then I picked up this piece of sheet metal from Home Depot. I usually use scrap that my dad has at his machine shop because it's free, but he was busy and I didn't feel like making him dig some up.

I think I paid about $6 for this piece. I had my dad trim it down for me with a band saw but since it's thin you could easily do this with snips. Then he used the orbital sander to buff a nice finish on it. You could probably do this with steel wool or something similar.

I used plain magnets to keep it simple and add to the "industrial chic" look. My mom liked it, and it looked nice hanging in her bedroom, so I let her keep it.

Frame- $2

Sheet Metal- $6

Spray paint- $4

Magnets- Left over from a long time ago

Total: $12

Mom, don't say I never made you anything!

Anyway, you still have time to download a hi-res calendar for April if you'd like. You can find that here!

Let me know what you think!

Sincerely,

Ashleigh

PS Linking up to:







 

A Craigslist Frame PT. 2

By: Ashleigh

Hey everyone! If you're new to Sincerely you can read PT. 1 and get up to speed. If not, welcome to PT. 2 of the Craigslist frame saga.

This portion of the show is brought to you by the Pottery Barn Gilt Frame Card Holder (no longer available) that retailed for $150. 

$150 for a frame and some string?! I don't think so.

Here is my frame post cleaning:

I did like it empty, but you know... I can never leave well enough alone. So I ran to Lowe's for some 24 gauge galvanized steel wire.

Yep, that's a kitty paw.

I wasn't sure how I was going to attach the wire to the back. I couldn't pound in nails because the frame isn't that sturdy, and pounding in nails would have knocked more of the carving off of the front.  So I got out my trusty tool kit (that I borrowed from my mom) and found some thumb tacks. That I pushed in with my thumbs. OUCH. I put them in kind of haphazardly so the wires wouldn't be in perfect lines.

Then I started wrapping the wires around the tacks. If you ever decide to do this, make sure you pull the wires tight as you go along. Or you end up like me and have to unwind a bunch and start over because of your sagging wires.

This also happened to me. A tangled mess of wire.

Finally though, I got it all finished.

Then I had to take a break and make breakfast. I was worn out! And my thumbs were aching!

Now to the good stuff. I put it back on my desk and adorned the wires with some of my favorite things.

I can always count on my grandma, grandpa and uncle to send me cards for even the littlest holiday. So I love to have them out where I can see them. Sometimes getting one of those familiar envelopes in the mail is the only thing that gets me through the long weeks away from my family.

Here's a detail shot so you can see the awesome carving and aged patina on this frame.

I'm much happier with it now. 

Here's the cost breakdown:

Frame       $15

Wire         $4

Total:        $19

I think that beats the $150 Pottery Barn frame. For sure!

Hope you enjoyed!

Sincerely,

Ashleigh

PS: Linking up to:


Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
How To's Day at The Lettered Cottage