Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Animal Magnetism

Would you like to bring more lightheartedness to your workspace or message center? I find that the more I surround myself with cheerful and creative tools and accessories, the more inspired I feel to knock out my best work (and to live my best life!)

Because I am obviously drawn to cute little vintage pins and brooches, I have amassed a collection of whimsical animal-shaped pieces over time. So, to make good use of them, I've created some magnets that are both functional and fun.


I have taken simple washers from the hardware store and then painted them to serve as anchors for the little jewelry critters. Magnets are attached to the backs, and they're ready! I'm partial to the frog in its brilliant green color and jeweled legs, and the mouse is a hoot - its little glasses move up and down! Won't these make work and reminder-notes more pleasant?


Next, I'm going to be making pretty vintage bauble magnets and push pins from earrings. You can find all of these new pieces in my Etsy shop, RMDesignLoft.

Have a creative day, Friends!

Julie



Sharing with: Share Your Cup, Celebrate Your Story, Thoughts of Home, French Country Cottage, Shabby Art Boutique, Vintage Charm, Pieced Pastimes, Cozy Little House, A Delightsome Life, Inspire Me Wednesdays


Copyright 2016 Renaissance Mermaid

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

June Meditations - On the Front Porch

June is usually a great month for porch-sitting, reading, relaxing with a cool drink, etc., but here in Nebraska, the temps have already climbed into the triple digits and the humidity is stifling. So I'm inviting you to my front porch for June Meditations and a little tour, but you might want to bring a fan!


Often times I like to build up wreaths, adding picks, branches, and flowers to make them nice and full. But this sweet wreath with its yellow berries just seems perfect to me in its simplicity. It could be bigger, or make a grander statement, but sometimes restraint and clean lines are best.


“The beauty of that June day was almost staggering. After the wet spring, everything that could turn green had outdone itself in greenness and everything that could even dream of blooming or blossoming was in bloom and blossom. The sunlight was a benediction. The breezes were so caressingly soft and intimate on the skin as to be embarrassing.”
―Dan Simmons, Drood


This corner of the porch is where I have made a decorative statement with a black iron shelf from HomeGoods, an old shutter (previously in our master bath, which you can see here...I must say my blog posts have improved since then, haha!), my artichoke garden sculpture, and the piece de resistance - a new Buddha head, also from HomeGoods. Do you love this as much as I do? I realize that using a Buddha statue is not original in the least - they are everywhere these days. I'd been debating about whether I should join the mass trend or forego it, knowing it would eventually pass. Then I saw this one and had to have it! I'm hoping it will bring some peace and happiness to everyone who comes through our front door.


“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”
―John Lubbock, The Use Of Life


As most of you know, I'm not much of a gardener, so I usually tend toward low-maintenance plants. Coleus is always in my planters, and dusty miller and asparagus fern are pretty easy, too. Often, I keep my color schemes pretty muted as with these greens, burgundies, and corals; although one of these years I might surprise us all and go wild with color...stay tuned! This year I'm trying begonias for a pop of cheerful color...we'll see how I do with them.


I've added new cushions this year, picked up the table inexpensively and painted the top green (it was teal before.) The chairs and pillow are making another appearance this summer, but may need to be replaced after another season or two. This spot is perfect for conversation and refreshments in the early morning or evening. And now it's time to get comfortable and enjoy the slow pace of summer.


"Chase your dreams, but always know the road that will lead you home again."
-Tim McGraw

Until next time...
Julie



Sharing with: Inspiration Thursday, Share Your Cup, Home and Garden Thursday, Thoughts of Home on Thursday, Vintage Charm
Shabby Art Boutique, French Country Cottage! Sweet Inspiration, Pieced Pastimes, The Charm of Home, Between Naps on the Porch

Monday, June 6, 2016

Vintage Jewelry Projects

Hey Friends! It's going to be the summer of painting projects here at Renaissance Mermaid, and I'm struggling a little to make time for the things that bring me joy (blogging, crafting, etc.) So wouldn't it be great if those painting projects would be leading to fun updates around our house? But alas, no, we'll be painting rental properties and my hubby's man cave in the basement, which isn't slated to be blog-worthy since I'm "letting" him dictate the decor...yikes! And, by the way, what normal person uses the word "alas"...? Haha! :)


I have managed to eek out enough time to create a couple of new items for my Etsy shop, because I've been lucky while hunting for project components.


For instance, take a look at the charming lithograph I stumbled upon when I was frolicking in Chicago, visiting my daughter and son-in-law a few weeks ago.


By sprucing up the wood frame with some deep teal paint and adding my signature vintage jewelry embellishments, I've upcycled an already quaint piece of art into a one-of-a-kind, 3-D treasure! I just love how it turned out and might have a hard time letting this piece leave my house.


This started out as an architectural salvage wood block that I found at the same artisan market where I bought my Frida Kahlo mermaid. I just so happened to have the perfect pewter brooch in my art stash to complete this great new piece! It's so much fun when projects come together effortlessly like this one did, with the sunburst-shaped embellishment complimenting the carving so well.


The box with the center jeweled brooch, that looks white in this photo, is actually a hand-painted textured effect that I did with pearl metallic paint in 2 shades of aqua/teal. It is so much prettier in person, honestly. Does anyone out there have tips for photographing shiny and sparkly things? I definitely don't know the tricks to capturing those types of finishes in photos.

Well, time to get back to the drudgery of man-cave painting, haha. I hope you're currently having more fun than that!

Julie


Sharing with: Between Naps on the Porch, Cozy Little House, The Scoop, Inspire Me Monday, Let's Talk Vintage, Inspiration Thursday, Thoughts of Home, Vintage Charm, French Country Cottage, Shabby Art Boutique, Wildly Original