Semi - DIY

We encourage art, handmade and cooperative projects around here. This DIY/IKEA hack was my suggestion but Ben is doing all the work on our Custom Lack coffee tables.

Ben's work, partially complete

 I've seen similar tables with the legs custom painted before but I really wanted a personalized piece of family furniture where one of Ben's drawings could take center stage so I asked him to draw on the stop of stackable IKEA tables. (I think they're $7.99 each.) We can use one or both put together or stack them in a corner when we don't need them.

Ben did a quick sketch and set to work. He lightly sketched a basic outline with pencil right onto the tables. It was his idea to have the design work all the way across two tables so they look like one big drawing when placed side by side (see photo 4). They're a very dark brown but "read" as black so we chose white, oil-based, fine point, Sharpie paint pens which have a great finish and give him a lot of control. 

When they're complete we're going to coat them with a matte varnish so the paint doesn't scratch. A friend also suggested having a piece of glass cut to fit the top if you are going to stack them and want an upscale, shiny finish.

Have a great weekend! 

The End of Summer

We are squeezing the end out of summer vacation fun with school officially starting on Wednesday. 

I usually do a bead clear out this time of year so there will be some in the shop throughout the next week. I'm breaking my own rule of never selling any of my carved beads - only a couple though. 

Updating the shop

I'm processing photos to get some new pieces in the shop today. (A necessary but least favorite part of the job.) I've worked all week to do as much curing as possible before the heat wave hits so I don't have to have the oven on today. This weekend I'll sit in A/C and carve and bead...and bead and carve. 

Buoy Necklace...with pink. I know, PINK? I'm truthfully not a pink person so I'm not sure how this happened.

Maybe I'll listen to some Rockabyebaby; they turn pop songs into lullabies. Imagine putting a baby to sleep to I Want to Rock All Night by Kiss - these folks can make it happen!  Walking on the Moon by the Police is probably my favorite. (scroll down and click the sample). Hysterical and yet comforting at the same  time ;-)  Have a great weekend!