Thursday, February 16, 2012

Opening Week

The opening week of Green Queen Boutique was a huge success. With a few hurdles along the way, many late nights completing more projects, and sleepless nights dreaming up new ideas, I couldn't be more pleased. The overall reception of my pieces had been amazing and I was lucky enough to sell more in one week then I did in my two and a half months at the last location. I guess what they say, "location is everything", is true. Although I don't have any before and afters on my pieces, I do have many after pics to share...



A hanging light fixture made from a bamboo birdhouse.
A turquoise dresser, distressed and glazed with burnt sienna, next to a heavily distressed black dresser.



A dry brushed and hand painted numbered dresser.













A sweet little vanity with glass knobs.
Wooden table top finials made from bedposts and other wooden pieces.



For more pics from opening day and to see what the other businesses are selling, "Like" Green Queen Boutique on facebook.

reuse. repurpose. reinvent

Friday, January 20, 2012

It's a For Real, No Joke, Business!

It has been two months since my last post. So much has happened to me in these last two months, I can't even begin to put them all on "paper". There have been major ups and downs. The low points have made me reach higher and motivate me to do more then I thought I could. I have been waiting to share my exciting news with everyone and now is the time...

I am going into business! A real business, with a storefront location, and everything! I will be located in beautiful Owego, NY on River Row. The back of the store overlooks the Susquehanna River. The store front didn't fare too well after the epic flood of fall 2011 so it is still in the process of being renovated. Hopefully we will be in there soon and open for business in the first half of February. Isn't she a beauty?



How this all came to fruition is a story for another day, but I am not doing this alone. There are three wonderful and talented ladies that are joining me. I will highlight each one in a future blog post. The store is called Serendipity. Don't you just *LOVE* the name? It will have creations from Green Queen Boutique, Briar Patch Candles, Sugarcoat Couture, and Lisa B. Designs.

I have been busy getting furniture pieces ready for sale. I need a manicure so bad...paint has become one with my hands and nails. Pics will follow(of the furniture - NOT my hands)! I am constantly forgetting that step - but it is great to share them so I need to remember. Until then...

reuse. repurpose. reinvent

Friday, November 18, 2011

Holiday Open House

The time is here! Tomorrow morning I will officially be out there with the public. Green Queen Boutique makes it's debut at Avenue Antiques. I have been non-stop-busy refinishing furniture, designing wall hangings, and making Christmas decor to fill my booth. I have met some great people this week at the store and look forward to meeting more tomorrow. Here is a little sneak peak of my booth.



I have been so preoccupied that I didn't even think to take pictures - well that is not entirely true. The thought did fly in and out of my brain over the last week, but I just failed to make it a priority. My husband said I will regret it if I don't take any pictures, and he is right. I plan on taking as many I can as soon as the store opens, before anything sells. Now as I am restocking I will take pictures, and even may try my hands at a tutorial or two. If anyone is local - I would love to see you at Avenue Antiques tomorrow from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Come in for a visit, enjoy some coffee and snacks, and do some holiday shopping while you are there!

reuse. repurpose. reinvent

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

retail...Here I Come!

I have taken the first steps in completing my long term goal. I have decided to go retail. I will be setting up shop in a great arts and antique shop Avenue Antique Gallery. I have been ridiculously busy making more furniture pieces, as well as some Christmas items, to be ready for their holiday open house on November 19th. The plan is to set up shop this weekend, then fine tune it throughout the rest of the week. If all goes as planned my grand opening will be the same day at the open house. I am beyond excited and can't keep a clear thought in my head. I will share more as this whole crazy adventure begins! Wish me luck!

reuse. repurpose. reinvent

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

I am a Roadkill Rescuer!

The other day I was checking out all the cool blogs I go to on daily basis and again stumbled on the coolest blog, Roadkill Rescue.

The whole idea is finding junk that other people are throwing away - lost gems found on the curb - and repurpose them or bring new life to a piece you would be proud to own. HELLO! This is what I have been doing forever. Even though I am so new to blogging and haven't found my groove yet, I decided to submit one of my past projects thinking that maybe I had a slight chance of being featured on this blog. Within the hour that I submitted my project, I received the most wonderful email back from the site's author, Beckie, who is so sweet to tell me how much she liked my project. It made my day! She also told me that I would be featured on her blog! So...today is that day! The endtable makeover I did for my daughter is the featured project. So go on over and check it out, and while your are there, take the time to look at all of Beckie's amazing blogs below.

reuse. repurpose. reinvent




Visit thecsiproject.com

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

She's Here!



It is the package I have been waiting for, the one I have dreams about, the one that will make my life more creative and easier....my Silhouette SD! I have named her Betty and have high hopes that she will bring lots of happiness to my life. I will be posting more soon - I have some great projects planned with Betty that I can't wait to share. Until then...



reuse. repurpose. reinvent

Saturday, May 28, 2011

From End Table to Doll Bed

My daughter just celebrated her seventh birthday. We got her an American Girl Doll that she has been wanting forever. She has the knock-off, My Generation Doll, from Target, but still wanted the doll that looked just like her. I knew I wanted to make a bed for her doll, but when I saw this end table at the curb, I knew I could reconfigure it into a bunk bed for both babies. My goal was to spend less then $5.00 on all supplies, including the bedding. I was able to accomplish this and had everything in my work shop or linen closet, with the exception of four L-brackets at 79 cents each! Bargain!


BEFORE...

















AFTER...













I unscrewed the entire table. I then cut the legs down, used the smaller section for the feet on the bed, and the longer sections for the posts between the top and bottom bunk.






The top posts are the spindles that separated the two table tops from each other on the end table. They are topped off with wooded cabinet knobs. The head and foot boards are scrap pieces of lumber and trim from other projects on I had on hand.

Once is was all reassembled, I spray painted it white to match her bedroom.




For the mattress, my daughter had a princess couch, the kind that is foam and folds up to a couch or out for a bed. It had seen its better days, but the foam inside was perfect. I cut it to size and used some duct tape to piece it together. With an old mattress protector, I wrapped it like a package and secured with duct tape. The bottom sheet is a pillow case, the blanket is baby flannel, and the quilt is a pillow sham, all in storage, from my linen closet. I made the pillow from scrap cotton fabric and batting.




I think it turned out great...but the best part is that my daughter is thrilled her babies have a place to sleep!









reuse. repurpose. reinvent



This project was featured on Roadkill Rescues.






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