News / DIY Rustic

Kittie Kisses

ur gorgeous 2 kitties - they NEVER get along, so I can't even be mad at her for squashing my plant!
Read more →

Garden Upcycle

Garden upcycle! Not finished yet, but getting there.
Read more →

Stripped Wooden Floors

Whenever I've gone quiet on social media and my blog it usually means I'm up to something in my own home. This time is no different! We've had to get works done in the house (damp coursing, fully rewired - the joy of an older house!) so while it was already a mess, I started uncovering this beauty of a floor in my kitchen! I had no idea it'd still be good under all the thick layers upon layers black paint. Lots of work to go, but I do love a challenge! 

We used some fairly potent smelling paint stripper - caution and lots of ventilation and a mask is advised! Our house is an old Victorian redbrick oozing with old world charm and loveliness, however being 120 odd years old, in places the paint is 120 layers thick! This floor was no exception, and again because of it's age we needed to be careful with sanding as there was a risk of old paint containing lead, and being our kitchen floor, with an open shelving style galley kitchen - it would not be a good environment to have tiny lead particles floating around in. I am also fairly sure that the final coating of paint was an industrial style garage floor paint, quite the mess to remove. It was black, layered on until all definition between board was lots and scuffed to bits, never looking clean and very dark in an otherwise bright kitchen. It had to go.

I have always wanted a painted wooden floor, and although my head says to varnish or stain to a darker wooden finish (after all it will help to hide some of that dirt amiright?), alas the heart wants what the heart wants. Painted floorboards are notoriously not as hard-wearing as a good old fashioned varnished one, and although this will be quite a high traffic area I'm still going to give it a whirl. This will only be a temporary solution until we save to get something else, and is our first house after renting for many years so its great to be finally about to do what we want with our own home. Those trusty converse have seen quite a few upcycles in their time! Check back in to see the progress. Wish me luck!

Sanded wooden floor

Read more →

Upcycled Table

Upcycles often present themselves in the strangest of places and ways when you least expect it! I bought this fab second hand farmhouse style table for my own dining room. I had big plans to paint the legs and stain the top to a classy dark  oak colour. I want to add different coloured painted chairs eventually (when I find the right ones!). 

I collected the table from a lovely guy who helped load it into the van too. When I got it home and lay the table top against the wall with the underneath facing up I couldn't believe it, the underneath of the table was even nicer than the actual table top!  The before pic below is the table top as it's meant to be - a varnished pine finish, and then assembled with the underneath now as the top.

I love the rustic look and this has it by the bucket load, and was completely unintentional! What a happy little accident. It took a LOT of sanding to get it to a level and useable finish but I have completely fallen in love with it.
After an intense sanding (that I'm still not the better for) and sealing with a matt varnish to protect it, it now has pride of place in my dining room. Now that is some looking at things differently!

I actually decided against painting the legs entirely - once the top was finished, the wood just looked so lovely all rustic and worn so I left it as is, for now at least! :)

Table top before (the lighting was terrible!!)Upcycled Table 1

Table top after
Upcycled Table 2

Upcycled Table 3

Upcycled Table 4

Read more →

Great Interior Design Challenge - Upcycles

I am completely obsessed with The Great Interior Design Challenge!! I love seeing how each designer interprets the clients ideas, but especially love the upcycle challenges set each week by the judges. The designers are given a random selection of items to create something unique for their room.Take a look at some of the amazing things people have come up with here.

Great Interior Design Challenge - Upcycles

Read more →

Upcycled 7up Bottles

Hats off to 7up for this clever marketing campaign. As I always say, anything can be made unique and fabulous if you just look at things differently. 

By simply using some glue, tape and glitter, empty bottles have been upcycled to make them sparkle for the festive season. So simple to do, the kids will love it. 

Upcycled 7up Bottle

Read more →

Custom Commission Frame

A very unique commission....
A beautiful bride wanted a personal thank you gift for her friends mother who made her wedding dress for her big day. How lovely is that?!

I was asked if I could incorporate some fabric from the dress to make the picture - this is what I came up with! Handmade mini mannequin & dress with really cute sewing related theme. The dress is the same style as the dress the bride wore. What do you think? Please excuse the glaring light on the glass, it was so bright out!! 

I really enjoyed making this one, was great to work with the client on a rough idea, then let my imagination take over with this as the end result. Really happy with how it turned out, and the client and recipient were too. Yay! :)

 I love making special pieces to be gifted for that special occasion, please get in touch if you have an idea for a custom frame. 

Custom Thank You Frame 1

Custom Thank You Frame 2

 

Read more →

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas 

All go down at the Dublin Christmas Flea in Point Village but not complaining!Great response to my creations and some lovely feedback from customers. Makes all the mental long hours of prep worthwhile 

Come on down and say hello and pick up some unique Christmas gifts!

The Makery Dublin - Dublin Christmas Flea 1

The Makery Dublin - Dublin Christmas Flea 2

The Makery Dublin - Dublin Christmas Flea 3

The Makery Dublin - Dublin Christmas Flea 4

 

Read more →

Champagne Cork Snowmen

Adorable snowmen army! Loving these super cute little Christmas addition to the product line. It's also fun get raw materials to make these guys ;)

Getting ready for the Dublin Christmas Flea in Point village this weekend. These little cuties will be there with some other handmade decorations. Pop by and say hello 

Champagne Cork Snowmen

Read more →

Vintage Button Letter Canvas - Perfect for Nursery

New product - These adorable mini canvases have just the right amount of vintage style with vintage floral design, hessian background and butterflies cut from a vintage book. Used either inside the bedroom or playroom on on the door to let everyone know who's room it is. Please get in touch for customisation - on the online store now. You can get yours here

Vintage Button Initial Canvas

Vintage Button Letter Canvas 2

 

Read more →