Thursday, February 2, 2012

belts, belts and more belts!!!

Greetings,

As you all know, I am officially in LOVE with thrifting.  Well, as I stated in an earlier post, I recently decided to make something with belts from the thrift store.  The funny part about the belts is, when I came home with them, my sister wanted to keep one of them for herself.  So, as soon as I saw the belts, I knew EXACTLY what I was going to do with them and who the gift would be for.  I decided to glue the belts on a canvas, spelling out my friend's name.  My favorite item on the canvas is the zipper that I found to put on it!!!  The first letter is made from a chain belt that I took apart, I knew that I had to have the belt when I saw it. 

My friend is the manager of a boutique in Atlanta and also a stylist, so what better person for the belt art right?  So....here is the big unveiling and I hope you all like it.

Stay creative,

Charmel


The belts on canvas for Daryll.  It spells out his name!!  I LOVE the zipper on the end!!!


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Charmel's Creative Corner: picture frame

Charmel's Creative Corner: picture frame:  bare picture frame  Greetings, So, I wanted to show you all the finished picture frame that I told you about in the earlier post. ...

picture frame


bare picture frame

Greetings,

So, I wanted to show you all the finished picture frame that I told you about in the earlier post.  I picked up a picture frame from Goodwill last week and decided that I wanted to "upcycle" it.  I covered it with scrapbook paper for it's makeover.  Let me know what you all think.

Stay creative,

Charmel



measuring the paper for the frame

cutting paper for frame



strips measured and layed out, ready for adhering to frame

2 strips glued to frame, 2 more to go!!!

Voila!!! The finished product!!


Monday, January 23, 2012

Charmel's Creative Corner: more thrifting

Charmel's Creative Corner: more thrifting: Greetings, So, this weekend I went around Houston and found some resale and antique shops!!! My first stop was Texas Junk Company BUT they...

more thrifting

Greetings,

So, this weekend I went around Houston and found some resale and antique shops!!! My first stop was Texas Junk Company BUT they are closed until January 27th...BUMMER.  I can't wait to go back and look at all of the goodies they have!!!  Then I was off to Sand Dollar thrift and a few more thrift stores in that area.  When I arrived at Sand Dollar Thrift, I was not looking for any particular item.  I walked over to the belts and BAM, an idea hit me!!! I am going to make something with these belts!!! I did make something over the weekend BUT I can't post it until the recipient has give me the ok.  I forgot to take a pic of the belts before I put them to use.

Now, back to the antique shops!!! The antique shops are located on Westheimer and I was in HEAVEN!!!  LouB's was the first one that I entered, and it was AWESOME!!!  It is owned by an African-American woman!!!  There was also a younger guy in there helping her with the store and they were very friendly.  They had great pieces including typewriters, furniture and records!!!  For some strange reason, I am now becoming fascinated with vinyl records....you know what that means.... a PROJECT is coming soon!!! I purchased a record by the Wooten Brothers.  The Wooten Brothers are a funk band that plays in Nashville every Wednesday night at Third and Lindsley nightclub and they rock the house!!!


I almost forgot to mention the greatest find of my weekend!!!  While antiquing in the same area, I found another great shop!!   As you all know, I am from Shreveport LA.  There is an HBCU about an hour east of Shreveport, Grambling State University, of which a few of my lifelong friends are alums, I must say.  Well, low and behold in the store they had the Eddie Robinson commemorative coke bottle for sale!! That was the greatest find of the day for me and of course I had to purchase it.

All in all, my weekend was relaxing and rewarding because I found new stores!!!  I can't wait to share my new projects with you all.  The picture frames that I posted last week.....one of them is finished and a post is coming soon!!!!

Stay creative,

Charmel







Texas Junk Company, Houston TX

Eddie Robinson commemorative Coke bottle


Friday, January 20, 2012

Charmel's Creative Corner: Thrift store finds

Charmel's Creative Corner: Thrift store finds:  iron storage rack!!! LOVE!!  Greetings, As you all know from my last post, that I really enjoy thrifting. I went to Goodwill la...

Thrift store finds


iron storage rack!!! LOVE!!



Greetings,

As you all know from my last post, that I really enjoy thrifting.  I went to Goodwill last night and found a few cute things!  As we all know, crafties can acquire a lot of things and ALWAYS need storage.  So, I went in Goodwill and found an iron-rack that I am going to use to store some of my things.  I really want to paint it gold but haven't decided if I am going to do that yet.  I also found some picture frames and am going to do some things with them as well.  I am going to post my before pics now and in a few days I am going to post after pics!!!


I can't wait to show you all the new items!!

Stay creative,

Charmel

wood picture frame
wood picture frame!!

iron-rack for storage


iron-storage rack put to use!


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Charmel's Creative Corner: Valentine's Day and more

Charmel's Creative Corner: Valentine's Day and more: Greetings, As we all know Valentine's Day is coming soon!!! I know people are going to be scrambling to buy last-minute gifts. I am going...

Valentine's Day and more


Greetings,

As we all know Valentine's Day is coming soon!!! I know people are going to be scrambling to buy last-minute gifts. I am going to feature some items that I have made for V-day that can be worn any time of the year.  Since it comes around in the winter, I have a red and pink crocheted scarf available and also some wrist cuffs.  I hope you all enjoy my creations and please provide feedback. The wrist cuffs are 7 inches long and 3 inches wide. 

I know that I haven't posted any new entries recently and I have some new discoveries!!!!  I watch the Nate Berkus show whenever I can catch it and I LOVE it!!!  I enjoy watching him get items from thrift stores and redoing them.  There was a gentlemen on the show a few weeks ago that was awesome!!!  He goes into thrift stores and turns the pieces from drab to fab!!! Check out his blog, his name is Mr. Goodwill Hunting and he is fabulous!!!  Here is the link to his blog!! http://www.rashoncarraway.com/

I am looking for great places in Houston to do thrift store shopping!! I am going to check out some places today!!! 

Stay creative,

Charmel
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Charmelscorner



red and pink scarf

"bling" heart wrist cuff




heart wrist cuff