Bring on the Bling

     The coral necklace you bought in Hawaii is tangled with the locket your high school sweetheart gave you, and the Mardi Gras beads you kept after the party last year have broken and scattered in your dresser drawer.  You want to wear your favorite pearls, but they've disappeared underneath several stray chains in your jewelry box, and the matching earrings are nowhere to be found.  There's got to be a better way!  The question is, why do you hide the baubles you love so much away?  If displayed well, your jewelry can be just as pretty (and organized) as when you actually wear it.  Here are some ideas for bringing out your bling.
     First, it's time to tackle the tangle.  Place all of your jewelry on a table and take your time unraveling and sorting the pieces.  Discard anything that you don't wear or that doesn't hold sentimental value.  Make sure your earrings match and all have their backs, and repair any damaged pieces.  Now you're ready to get creative.
     Take a look around for potential jewelry holders.  Here are a number of of non-traditional items for display.  Choose a look that will enhance the style of your bedroom and will be easily accessible when you dress.

• Lean a vintage ladder with small, round rungs against a wall and hang your necklaces and/or scarves over the rungs.  Make sure the wood has been sanded and varnished for a smooth finish that won't catch chain or fabric.
  
• Staple chicken wire or screen onto the back of an ornate frame.  You can hang necklaces and bracelets from the wire or attach earrings and pins to the screen, then hang the piece on the wall.  An empty window frame or antique dresser mirror without the glass could work as frames as well.
  
• Drape necklaces around the necks of porcelain dolls. Set the dolls on your dressers and nightstands.
• Lean vintage mattress springs against a wall, or attach them to the wall making sure you screw into studs to hold the weight.  Hang the jewelry directly onto the springs or use S hooks for easy removal.
  
• Use pretty glass bowls or cups to sort bracelets, rings, and earrings, and drape necklaces over the sides for a cascading effect.
  
• Mount small curtain rods to both sides of your window and hang necklaces from the rods.  Sunshine will catch glass beads and gems and make a lovely, sparkly display.  If you have double hung windows, you could also attach small, glass knobs to the top of the window frame and hang necklaces from them.
  
• Stand a vintage mannequin in a corner and hang your necklaces or scarves on her.
  
• Use a coat rack for necklaces.  Racks can be hung in the closet, on a wall, or on the back of a door.  You could take this idea to the next level and attach decorative knobs to the bottom of an antique mirror.  Not only will this piece display your jewelry nicely on a wall, but you can use the mirror to check the jewelry once you put it on.
  
   
• Rings can be displayed on vintage glove makers' molds, porcelain hands used by department stores for display in the fifties, or on vintage office memo holders.  These usually have a decorative metal base and sharp metal prong that was intended to hold bits of paper.
  

     The jewelry you choose subtly reveals your taste and personality and can enhance a room just as much as it does your clothing.  Once you have your displays in place, you may find you enjoy looking at your jewelry as much as you do wearing it!

Polishing Your Planters

   

     You found some great vintage planters at the thrift store for a super price, but they are covered with white build up and soil stains.  Are they worth the risk? Don't pass them up--a few household ingredients and a little elbow grease will have them looking as good as new and ready for planting.  The white build up is most likely a combination of calcium, minerals, and salt from fertilizers and hard water.  Here's what you do to get rid of the build up:

• First, use a brush to remove as much of the soil, build up, cobwebs, and other gunk as you can from the planter.  An old toilet brush or dish brush would work fine.
• Next, soak the pot in a vinegar/water mix for about half an hour.  Use 1 cup of vinegar (no more than 5% acidity) to 4 cups water.  Keep in mind that the less vinegar you use, the longer you'll have to soak the pot.  You will probably hear or see bubbling during this stage--it's just the vinegar doing its job.
• If the residue wipes off easily, this part is done.  However, if stubborn build up persists, use undiluted vinegar and your brush to power off the remaining stains.  You may have to resort to soaking the piece in undiluted vinegar followed by an equal soak in clear water to get off the worst build up.
• Now scrub the pots in soapy water and rinse before filling with fresh potting soil and pretty plants.

     These are also great steps to follow for terra cotta pots.  When finished cleaning the pots, you can add mosaic stones, use black board paint or pre-made black board stickers for labels, or paint designs to create a custom look for your patio displays.

Repurposing Wooden Ladders

     As the weather begins to warm and spring makes its appearance, many of us head outside to clean out garden sheds and garages.  One item you should never throw out is an old wooden ladder.  Ladders can be repurposed into a number of useful and eye catching projects.  Some require refinishing the ladder or cutting it down, but many utilize the ladder just as it is after a good cleaning.  Here are some ideas you might try, keeping in mind that ladder size and shape will dictate its uses:

• Lean a ladder against a bedroom or closet wall and hang jewelry or scarves on the rungs.  You should sand and varnish the ladder so scarf fabric doesn't snag on the wood.  You could also use this ladder against a living room or bedroom wall as a quilt holder.
  
• Hang a ladder horizontally over a kitchen island and use S hooks to make it into a pot rack.
  
   
• Stand it against a garage or in the garden, and the ladder can be used as a trellis.  Attach three of them, two on each side and one across the top, to make a garden arbor.  You could incorporate the arbor into a vintage wedding or use it inside over the head of a bed to hold flowing fabric or bunting for a focal point in the bedroom.
  
  
  
  
• Using eye hooks to secure the frames, attach family photos to the rungs.  The display could be placed in almost any room against a wall.  You could also hang the ladder flat against a wall at eye level and attach the frames to the sides of the ladder for a horizontal display.
  
• Use a ladder in a closet to store your high heeled shoes on the rungs.

• Place a ladder in a bathroom to hold guest towels.  You could also attach baskets to the rungs to hold rolled towels, toilet paper, or blow dryers.  A small step ladder next to the tub can hold a pretty tray with candles or bath salts.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Modify the ladder so the rungs can be detached and use it as a ribbon rack in your craft room.
  
• Screw small boxes to the rungs and make the ladder into a planter that can be leaned against a porch wall.  If you use a two-sided ladder, the planter becomes mobile.  You can place it anywhere in the yard or garden.  Paint the ladder for a cheerful zing of color.
  
  
  
  
• If you have a business, ladders can be useful as displays.  Hang magazines on the rungs in a waiting room.  A pair of two-sided ladders the same size can hold long boards attached to the rungs, forming shelves.  Ladders can also be hung from ceilings or attached to the top of corner wall partitions to hold displays.  Baskets, bunting, seasonal florals, and crates all look great on ladders.
  
  
  
  
• Lay a one sided ladder flat on the ground in the garden to form natural partitions for herb plants.
  
• Hang a ladder flat against a wall and use as a book or display shelf.  If hung on a fence, a ladder makes a fun receptacle for potted plants.
  
• Attach S hooks to a ladder in the potting shed, and it makes a great way to store hand tools.  Hang it from the ceiling, and you can dry herbs and flowers tied to its rungs.

Old ladders are endlessly useful and inexpensive to acquire if you don’t happen to have any available to repurpose.  With a little imagination, you may find multiple ways to give new life to a worn out piece that might have otherwise been thrown away.

Caring for Old Books

   

   
     Antique and vintage books are fun to collect.  In order to retain the value of your volumes once you get them home, it is important to store your books correctly.  Stress and weight on books affects the bindings, particularly at the spine.  Here are some tips for storing your books effectively:

• Books should be kept in cool, dry rooms away from direct sunlight.  Avoid basements or attics where water and humidity can mold pages and dry areas that can cause brittleness and disintegration of glue.  65-70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for book storage.                                                                                
• Place books on smooth, sturdy shelving to keep covers and jackets from tearing or chipping, and avoid painted shelves as covers can adhere to the paint.
• Store books by size.  Large books can become stressed or indented when stored next to a smaller book.
  
• Always place books upright, even in boxes.  Storing volumes flat loosens bindings and stresses spines.
• Do not allow books to lean on the shelf.  Books must be kept upright to avoid weakened bindings or distorted shapes.  Use bookends to support partially full shelves of books.
• Do not store books too tightly on the shelf.  Books pushed together suffer damaged spines and rubbing.  You should be able to easily slip a piece of paper between stored books.
• Clean books with a feather duster.  Do not use chemicals or household cleaners around books.

Proper care of your treasured collection will ensure lasting value and enjoyment for years to come.

Sweater Savvy

     As winter slowly winds down and you transition your closets into spring clothing selections, don’t be too hasty to weed out those old, tired sweaters.  They can be upcycled into crafty, cute, and practical projects.  Most are easy to accomplish, but you will have to do a little work to secure the seams when you cut the sweater.  Reuse the existing seams as much as possible.  When you have to cut across the stitches, either roll the rough edge over and hot glue it, or sew one or two straight seams along the cut to keep the sweater from unraveling.  You can also felt the material to keep it stable.  You can often get two to three projects out of one old sweater.  Here are some ideas:

• Sleeves can become boot socks or boot cuffs.  Stitch lace or buttons on the cuff as embellishments.

                                           

• Sleeves can also double as coffee or tea mug cozies.  Button decorations look great on these as well.  Make the cozy a little longer, and it becomes a wine bottle cover.

• Using your hands as size guides, cut out mitten shapes from the body of the sweater.  Stitch, embellish, and piece different fabrics together for custom looks.

• Create custom sweater pants for your baby or toddler.  Sweater booties are also a great way to keep little feet warm.
• Customize your cuts to make dog sweaters for your furry friends.
• Cut off the arms and neck and use just the body of the sweater from chest down to create an infinity or neck scarf.

• Glue sweater fabric onto a wood bangle for a new look on your wrist.  Fabric glue or Krylon Spray Adhesive works well for this project.
• Fashion a new lampshade cover using adhesive on the old lampshade to hold the sweater fabric in place.

• Design a sweater pillow, using stuffing or a pillow form on the inside.

• Make a cute stuffed animal.  There are numerous patterns available on-line.
• Create holiday decorations such as pumpkins or stockings, or cover round ornaments with the sweater fabric.

• Upcycle a belt for the handle and stitch the sweater for the base, and you have a purse or laptop cover.
• Make a hot water bottle cozy out of the sweater body.
• Attach strips of the sweater to gift wrap for a custom design.
• Reupholster chair seats with sweater fabric.
• Make an ottoman or pouf cover.

• Cut and stitch a strip that fits around your head for an ear warmer.  Add flower embellishments.
• Cover a boring vase, lamp base, candle holder, or flower pot with sweater material for a fresh look.
• Create a new piece of clothing or a quilt by stitching together sweater squares.  Mix and match colors and designs for a funky, fun look.

No matter what level your DIY ability is, there is a sweater project you can accomplish. Now you don’t have to throw out those old favorites—you can enjoy them in a variety of new, unexpected places.

The Fenton Art Glass Company

 

   
     The Fenton Art Glass Company was the largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the United States.  Founded in 1905 by brothers Frank and John Fenton, the company started out in Martins Ferry, Ohio in an old glass factory building.  The brothers launched the company with $284.86.  Early Fenton pieces were made using glass blanks from other companies, but the brothers soon decided to produce their own glass.  The company moved to a new building in Williamstown, WV in 1907.

     Frank Fenton desired to produce new and unusual colors, and from 1905 to 1920, the Fenton Company reflected influences from Tiffany and Steuben artists.  In 1907, Fenton introduced "Iridescent" glass, known today as "Carnival" glass.

     During the Depression, Fenton produced practical items such as mixing bowls and tableware, but after WWII, the company returned to making beautiful hand blown and hand painted glassware.  In 1952, milk glass "Hobnail" became Fenton's flagship pattern.

     Fenton ceased "traditional" glassmaking at the Williamstown factory in July of 2011.

Today, the factory produces jewelry specializing in glass beads and teardrop earrings.  Visitors can observe jewelry making and view the large glass inventory still in the factory.

  Fenton may be purchased at the factory gift shop or in antique shops around the world.  Collectors may display one or two fine pieces, or they may focus on Fenton specialties such as shoes, baskets, hand painted pieces, cats or other animals, lamps, or specific colors or styles of glass.  Fenton values vary depending on age, rarity, and condition.

Teddy Bear Tales

 

    The teddy bear owes its name to our 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt, and a a border dispute between two states.  On November 14, 1902, Roosevelt was in the south working with Mississippi and Louisiana to solve the states' land issues.  When he had spare time, he liked to be outdoors and was invited to attend a bear hunt in Mississippi.  During the hunt, the party found a wounded young bear that had just killed a hunting dog, and Roosevelt ordered the bear to be put down to end its suffering.  The media caught wind of the incident, and The Washington Post ran an editorial cartoon created by Clifford K. Berryman that illustrated the event.  The cartoon was captioned "Drawing the Line in Mississippi" and depicted both the state dispute and the bear hunt.  The first cartoon showed the bear as a fierce animal, but Berryman later redrew the cartoon showing the animal as a cuddly cub.  The cartoon and news story was widely read and popular, and within a year, the cartoon bear was transformed into a child's toy and called the teddy bear.

     No one knows who the first true maker of the teddy bear was, but a man named Morris Michtom, who owned a small novelty and candy store in Brooklyn, New York, officially made a bear to sell in his store.  Michtom sent President Roosevelt a bear and asked his permission to use the teddy bear name.  Roosevelt said yes, and Michtom and a company named Butler Brothers began mass-producing the teddy bear.

Within a year, Michtom was able to expand the ideal Novelty and Toy Company, and the rest is history.

     Today there are many styles and sizes of teddy bears available, and many, like Gund and Steiff bears, are popular collectibles.

Information source:  About.com