Difficult Decision

I’ve had some thinking to do the past month or so and have come to the decision that I am going to have to close my booth.  It has been almost a year since I opened it and I told myself then that I would give it a year.  As long as it paid its own way in the rent, I would continue.

Unfortunately, it has only paid for itself 6 months out of 12, with the past five months in a row being losses.  In the beginning of January, I asked about moving to a smaller booth because I seemed to be able to at least make the rent for that size.  They haven’t had one come up available and I can’t see realistically {and financially} continuing with it.

It has been a lot of fun and was something I always wanted to try.  I’m glad I at least had the opportunity. I won’t rule out doing it again in the future.  So for now I am doing some makeovers on the bigger things to move them out {because I don’t have room for them at my house} and will probably be bringing the smaller things home to put in my Etsy.

I expect it will be a few more weeks, just so I can try and sell everything I can. It’s a bummer, but it will relieve the stress and anxiety of “will I or won’t I make rent this month”.

French Market Cart Makeover

I had hoped to share a new sign I did today, but I am still waiting on the wording to arrive.  While waiting for that, I decided to move onto the next project.  About a year and a half ago, I bought one of these willow basket shopping carts from Joann’s. I added ruffle to the liner that came with it and posted about that here.

I had brought this to my booth to sell but it wasn’t moving, so I decided it was time for a makeover.  I originally bought the cart when I saw Laurie’s at Heaven’s Walk.  I brought the cart home from the booth and got out some light grey flat paint.  I would have liked to use French Linen chalk paint on this but the little bit I had left dried up.  I brushed a quick coat of paint on the inside and outside of the cart.

I decided to just add a fabric label to the front of the cart and used a left over scrap of dropcloth.  I probably should have ironed it first.

I used a French Market stencil that I had and some black craft paint.  A little hot glue in a couple of strategic places and it was attached.

Now this willow cart has a whole new look going for it and I’m hoping it will go home with someone soon!

Gluten Free Scones

I tried a new recipe today ~ gluten free scones using a recipe shared by Su at Butterfly and Bungalow.  The link will take you to her post on this recipe.

The only thing I varied from her recipe was that she makes up her own gluten free general flour mixture.  I take the lazy way out and used a prepackaged gluten free general flour mixture.  Gluten Free Pantry and Red Mills both have one that I’ve used.

They came out really good!  I added Craisins to mine; folding them in once I had mixed all the other ingredients together.  I’ve added the recipe in this post.

Sorry ~ I couldn’t wait and took a few bites! 

I also used 2% milk {because that’s what I keep in the house} over the whole organic milk that is in the recipe at Butterfly and Bungalow.

Gluten Free Scones

• 1 stick butter
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 Tsp. Vanilla
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 cups flour mixture
• 2 Tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/2 Tsp. Salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cream one stick of butter with half a cup of sugar, 2 large eggs, the teaspoon of vanilla and 1/3 cup of milk.

Then add 2 cups of the flour mix, 2 teaspoons of baking powder and the 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Mix together.

I folded in Craisins at this point.

Either shape with your hands onto a cookie sheet or I used a heart shaped tin I had sprayed with Pam.

Bake for 15 minutes.

I got 8 scones out of this mix.

Enjoy with the beverage of your choice.  I had mine with some hot chocolate, my favorite afternoon indulgence.

Next post, I should have a new sign to share!

Linking up with

Tasty Tuesday at The Comforts of Home

Table Makeover

I’m really not sure how to categorize this table.  It’s bigger than a side table, shorter than a sofa table, and smaller than even the smallest kitchen table.  I acquired {I say “acquired” because it’s a long story that involved tag switching and this was my suggested resolution to offset my loss} this from the antique mall where I have my booth.

Since colors don’t sell well for me in my booth I decided to do this table in black.  I painted the whole thing using CeCe Caldwell’s Beckley Coal.

Because it just looked too plain with the black paint, I wanted something to put on the top.  I decided to use one of the stencils I already have.

This paint definitely needs some clear wax otherwise it looks very flat and dull.  This piece is heading to my booth.

I think this table is versatile enough to be used in a number of ways ~ as a desk, an entry/foyer table, a tea table, and even a kitchen island.

Hopefully, someone will see the potential and take it home with them!

 

Candlestick Makeover

A couple of weeks ago, I bought this unfinished solid wood candlestick at Goodwill.

Since I was painting a table black, with CeCe Caldwell’s Beckley Coal, I decided to paint this candlestick black, too.

I gave it one coat and then sanded it a little bit.  I made sure to sand those pretty details on the bottom so they stood out.

Then some clear wax.

I decided to see how some crystals would look on those hooks.  There are four hooks.

I think it looks pretty, but I’m short one crystal.  I will have to see what I can find when I’m out and about or online.  For now, it is on my mantel and, with the one hook to the back, it is not noticeable that there is a crystal missing.

A quick makeover and now I have to get back to finishing up that table this week, so I can get it into my booth.

Linking up with:

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life