Hello, everyone.
I hope the week has been kind to your so far.
I'm busy getting organized around here
so that I'm a bit more efficient with blogging and family life.
Do you ever just feel like you have 50 light bulbs going off all at once?
When I get that way, I freak out and need to write everything down.
I'll be sharing that "list" (and my idea sketches, etc.) on Wednesday
to give you a better sense of what will be going on in my little blog.
I did find a bit of time today
to refinish a few more pieces for my
front living room makeover.
I called this post, "cuter with pewter"
because that's what I did with them...
...just rubbed on a little of this stuff.
($9.99 at Michaels and I also had a 50% off coupon)
I was practicing, if you will, on an old birdcage purchased
from Target a few years ago, an old frame, and a mason jar lid
because I want to refinish my fireplace mantel with pewter.
I spray primed them white.
I used Valspar primer for the frame and Rustoleum metal primer for the lid and cage.
So shabby this way...I almost left them as is.
But, I didn't.
I just poured the pewter paint in a dish
and rubbed it on each piece with a
scrap piece of white felt.
The paint goes on pretty transparent
which gave the cage a lovely, weathered, glazed look.
They make a special primer in this paint line that might reduce the transparency.
I don't know. I do know that I wasn't going to cough up $9.99 to figure it out.
Using the cloth dipped in paint,
I lightly rubbed over the high points of the frame
to highlight the carved details.
I just love it!
This frame has a twin that I may keep pure white.
The lid is nothing special.
The pewter just hid the fruit design that I wanted g.o.n.e.
I am happy with the way these turned out,
but given the transparency of the paint,
I will not be tackling my fireplace mantel.
Anyhow, that's enough of the metallic projects for a while
or else I'm going to have to rename this joint "freckled metal."
On a completely separate note,
I make handmade paper.
Comment below if you'd be interested in a tutorial!
Hugs.
these are beautiful! makes me want to run out and get a bottle! I have a brown metal star that's dying for some sprucing!
Hand made paper? Yes, please!
Oh wow Jami!! They look fabulous - the white was very pretty too, but the pewter is just devine. You go girl!! And yes please to making paper!!
Thanks also for your typically kind and encouraging words regarding my completed water painting :-)
Cheers
Cath
Love this little tip. And I was just at Michael's today, darn should have got some. I will definitely try it out soon.
I always enjoy the little projects that you tackle. Seeing you do them makes it so much easier to make myeself do them. I know it is possible! I agree with Cath, the pewter is just devine!
Those look so pretty. I like the simplicity of them and yet they are so elegant. I was reading down through my google reader, saw your last sentence on how you make your own paper, and the next post in my google reader by handmadespark was about recycled paper! Thought you might like it.
http://www.handmadespark.com/blog/eco-spark-re-using-and-recycling-paper/
Um, yes we want a tutorial! I love the bird cage.
ha your title cracks me up! great work as always! love your blog and your style : )
*Gulp* Once again you've floored me. The bird cage is something I'll be dreaming about tonight.
they look fabulous, Jami! I scored some metal baskets at the dump shop yesterday, they are painted cream but I am going to paint them 'metallic' using Rustoleum Universal Hammered Silver...I can't wait but I have to as I need a fine day to do it!
xx Karen
Beautiful..thanks for sharing!
Hi Jami, love this technique. I've used this brand before and really do love it. The bronzer is gorgeous too! Great makeover on your items and even the jar lid looks wonderful!
xo,
Debra
This is the perfect thing for my Goodwill chandelier. I tried to do a silvery paint treatment on it, and now it's too shiny. Pewter is better!
Wow. You completely transformed that cage. It really brings out the detail. Were the directions to rub it on with a cloth, or was that your idea? It really went on perfectly and there were a lot of difficult surfaces to reach.
Hello Jamie!
I just gave you "The Domestically Gifted Blog Award"! I mean of course I'm going to give YOU one. You are so talented!
LOL freckled metal...that was good! That cage is AMAZING!!!!
Those are perfect! I especially love the cage! When you mentioned you make homemade paper you took me back. It's been years, but I used to dabble in a little homemade paper making myself. I hope you're going to show us some of your creations!
Thank you so much for adding my button. You are one of the sweetest bloggers out there!
Turned out beautifully, but I agree - $9.99 is a bit expensive for that little bottle!
Love the changes!! They look fabulous. (Oh, and I emailed you about the bloglines thing... drop me a line back when you get a chance.)
All looks great Jami! I like the the way it all looks together as well. Freckled Laundry, Freckled Metal, heck, Freckled Paper, it all works for me, I am just an avid follower:)
Jami I just LOVE it all:))) Especially the metal finish~ so many great ideas:))
Blessings, Carol
http://raisedincotton.typepad.com
You are the best! What you need is a big wall calendar. Not a calendar that you hang on the wall, but something about 4 ft by 6 ft. They sell those big ones in Staples, but maybe you can make your own. When I get really stressed, I write every thing on shirt cardboards. (Does anyone know what those are anymore?) They are stiff and heavy. I make categories like Call,
Buy, Fix, Do. Not bad for a diagnosed, but unmedicated ADD person. Sometimes I never get around to a task, but it really helps. Ann
you are tempting me AGAIN! :)
Freckled metal!! That is funny!
Everything looks great in pewter. It's a nice change from black or white.
I don't know where you get all your energy...could you spare some?!
Thanks for the lovely birthday wishes Jami!!
Pamela xo
love the bird cage. handmade paper, um yeah! that sounds cool!
I would love to find out how to make paper!
I loved this pewter tutorial...do you think it would work on a galvanized tub to hold beverages?
I love the pewter! And thanks for the tutorial. I am going to try this one. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Jami, e-mail address coming up! aberob@earthlink.net, for you my dear:) We funny people must stick together!
Off I go to pewterfy (not to be confused with putrefy, because that would be gross) all of my metal thingamajigs. Okay, maybe not *all* because that would be overkill, but possibly some. Maybe one. What I mean to say is that I like this idea. Sorry I'm a nut.
~*I am so thrilled I found your blog! I love your creativity and your items are beautiful~*~Rachel (Im now a follower ;) )
What a great idea. I'm hoping they sell it England. I've got all sorts I could rub that on. Who fancies a com-pewter? Geddit? See what I did there?!!
oh freaking YUM. i love all things metallic, galvanized and rusty. i have an awful bird cage that this technique is perfect for. Oh girl, tfs.
Karen,
I didn't have an email or blog for you...The bottle says it can be used on ANY paintable surface. So, if you primed your bucket first with a metal primer, I don't see why it wouldn't work even with the condensation. Hugs.
I have not tried the elegant finished...it seems to work amazingly well. the Pewter is gorgeous! I use rub and buff a lot but I liks this look.
totally awesome!! Was wondering where you bought the pewter stuff from...drop me a line :) if u get a chance.
I haven't made paper in many years. Has it become any less time consuming?
What fun things to practice on and I think you are ready to tackle a larger project.
I'm gonna have to get some of that!
Jami, love the blog title! And I love what you did with the pewter finish to the frame and cage (which I'm totally coveting!). You so well articulated that feeling of '50 light bulbs going off all at once'. I can relate. It's all at once exhilarating and intimidating! Jenn
I think silver/pewter is making a comeback-everyone is wanting to add color to their whites-thanks for sharing!
I would love to see the tutorial on handmade paper! :)
Angie @ www.221vision.com
i love your page and your birdcage make over excellent
Thanks for highlighting a new product! I've recently watched your zinc faux finish tutorial & can't wait to find a farm table to DIY! I'm gonna go & find me some of this metallic paint a.s.a.p!
xo
your newest follower
Just gorgeous! I actually have had a bottle of this stuff for several years and have NEVER used it! I can't believe that is true, but it is. You have inspired me to get it out and try it. Thanks for sharing, everything looks lovely. Visiting from DIY.
Thank you so much for this inspiring post. I love that you went the extra mile with the pewter paint...it made all the difference in the world. I'll definitely be trying this ":o)