Okio B Designs: 2015

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year!

Jeanine

Wow, has it really been over a week since I last posted?! Between the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the fact I have my first cold of the season, I haven't been able to get much crafting done. Well, I did have time to stop by the Dollar Store earlier this week...

And I did find a little time between bouts of rain to give these Dollar Store candle holders a little Mercury glass makeover.

This was almost an epic fail.

You see, once I gave each holder a few coats of Krylon's Looking Glass spray paint, it started to rain. Except I didn't realize it was raining and left my garage door open where the holders were drying.

So the paint got wet and took forever to dry. It got a little gloppy too and then started peeling. UGH! I didn't panic and let the paint completely dry overnight (in a closed garage!). When I came out the next day, I was able to fix most of it.

Phew - that was a close one! I added some tea-stained seam binding to each holder and called it a day.

Jeanine

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Sometimes all you need is a little chalk paint.

I made this top hat a few years ago. I wanted to give it a makeover but couldn't get the sheet music off.

Isn't it amazing what a little paint can do?

Jeanine

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I'm giving my porch a bit of a ski chalet look this year for the holidays. It's still a work in progress, but I wanted to share some recent touches.

I picked up the plaid pillows ($19.99 each) from Marshall's last week. They have snowflakes on the other side, but I adore the plaid so I tucked the snowflakes to the back. We've had the blanket for a few seasons now. I think it was a gift from my mom.

I wanted to make a wood hot cocoa bar sign, but since I'm trying to stay on budget, I found this free printable on Pinterest. The frame is from Ikea from a few years ago and the mugs are from the Dollar Store.

Isn't this cup of cheer printable the sweetest? Also found it on Pinterest.

All that's missing is some actual hot cocoa! And here's what's brewing on the other side of the porch.

I still have a ton of faux presents to add, but the weather has been wet the last couple of days here. We got the LL Bean sleigh when our boys were toddlers. I'm so happy to be using it again!

Jeanine

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I'm a little late in posting this, but the winner of the World Vision necklace is (as picked by Random.org)...

Ashley Kolpak!

Ashley, I'll be in touch to get your shipping address shortly or you can also email me at jeanineb4etsy(at)yahoo(dotcom).

Congrats!

Jeanine

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Photo courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Wishing all my blogging buddies a very happy Thanksgiving! Don't forget to enter my giveaway. I'll be picking a winner tomorrow.

Jeanine

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**This giveaway is closed.**

Who doesn't love gifts that give back? Every holiday season I try to pay it forward in some small way, so when the folks at World Vision reached out regarding their Christmas catalog, how could I not help spread the word?

Each item in the World Vision catalog (or click on the link to go directly to their site) literally helps save lives by lifting children and families out of poverty. Seriously, you can make a donation of $100 to provide a family with 8 chickens. Or you can purchase hand-crafted items, like this beautiful turquoise bracelet, and the money helps poverty-stricken families.

And how beautiful is this hand-crafted necklace...

With matching earrings?

Since 1996, the World Vision Gift Catalog has grown in popularity as a gift-giving alternative. Last year alone, more than 822,000 people were helped through funds generated by the Catalog.

The Company is so generous that it is allowing me to offer a turquoise necklace to one lucky winner. All you have to do to enter is:

1. Become a follower of my blog or let me know in a comment that you already are;

2. Like World Vision on Facebook (just click on link) or follow them on Twitter (just click on word Twitter).

That's it. Super simple, right? I'll pick a winner on Friday, November 27th at 5 p.m. EST. Open to US residents only (sorry!).

Good luck! Meanwhile, I have my eye on some ducks from the catalog...

Jeanine

Note: I received a product sample from World Vision, however all opinions and text are my own.

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Looking for a quick, inexpensive gift idea for the holidays? How about these sweet faux Mercury glass Mason jars...

I've posted about the faux mercury glass technique before. I, myself, dug it up on Pinterest. Basically you need a can of Krylon's Looking Glass spray paint and a spray bottle with 50/50 water and vinegar mixture.

You spray a few coats of Looking Glass onto your Mason jar and let dry. Then you follow up with a few spritzes of your water/vinegar mixture and then wipe in random spots for a "Mercury glass" look. Follow up with one more coat of Looking Glass depending upon your tastes.

I added a little vintage lace and bling to mine, and these adorable Mason jar tops I picked up from Target (they were only a few dollars each if I remember correctly). Add tea light candles and you have a beautiful gift for a friend, co-worker, etc. that won't break the bank.

Jeanine

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I popped into Ikea yesterday to scope out living room chairs. I left without the chairs, but look at all these holiday goodies I picked up.

I had to stop myself from buying out the entire Christmas section of the store. Seriously, there is so much holiday cuteness there this year.

I plan to use these on my dining room table. Can't you see them filled with tiny glass ornaments?

I couldn't resist these little fabric snowmen. They are even more adorable in person.

These metal stars hold star candles of course, but you could also use them for pillars. They come in red and gray.

My Ikea is only 15 minutes away, but if you live farther it's definitely worth the trip this holiday season!

Jeanine

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Happy to say I survived the craft fair last weekend. It was a great day. I sold a bunch of items and met some lovely people. Now that it's over, I'm back to business adding Christmas items to my Etsy.

(Xmas stickers)

At first I felt guilty listing Christmas items before Halloween, but given the way Target, Marshall's, Home Goods, etc. look, I figure if they can do it, so can I!

(Jenga/Scrabble ornament)

These Jenga/Scrabble ornaments were inspired by both my friend Susan from Homeroad and Pinterest. I used vintage Scrabble pieces and a grungy bell for some of them. Others just use the letters and Jenga wood block.

(Merry Xmas ornament)

For this batch, I added some mini frames and French book paper. I hand-stamped the merry using random rubber stamps.

(Petite photo hanger)

Even these mini photo hangers got a Christmas touch!

We also have a new addition to our family. He's been keeping us very busy. Meet Oliver "Ollie" Milo B. He's a rescue kitty and is just a bundle of energy. Note: the beer carton is Mr. B's; not Ollie's. =)

Jeanine

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Has it really been over a week since I last posted?! I've been so busy trying to get things ready for the craft fair this weekend. I am working on a mock table as we speak, so I can have an idea of how I want to place things.

I thought this was a cute way to display my French clothes pins. The basket was a garage sale find from a couple of years ago and I love how the pins look in there.

Another garage sale find that I made over has found its way onto the table. I'm tucking my tags in here. My husband suggested putting in the shredded sheet music to prop them up. I knew I kept him around for a reason.

I'm using a vintage Pepsi crate, mason jars and peat pots to hold my French script candles.

I whipped up these new tags over the weekend. Whatever doesn't sell will end up back in my Etsy. Fingers crossed. I don't have a lot of luck selling on Long Island. It appears most of my Etsy customers live outside of New York. We shall see...

Jeanine

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My favorite church thrift store had its annual fair on Saturday, so I popped in while my boys were busy camping. This fair never disappoints.

Check out these beautiful ironstone plates I picked up. Eight for $7. I couldn't grab them fast enough. Here's a close-up.

I also picked up these little angels.

I'm going to jazz them up for my craft fair next month.

I also picked up these peppermint candles. These will work perfectly for the Xmas theme I'm planning for our porch this year.

Not a bad haul for $10!

Jeanine

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I'm busy working on projects for an upcoming craft fair. I don't want to bore anyone with 50,000 posts on Xmas pieces when it isn't even Halloween yet.

Just letting you know, I'm still here.

Creating, dreaming and prepping.

Jeanine

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As I mentioned a few posts back, I'm doing a craft show next month. I haven't done one in over 5 years. I'm nervous and excited all at once. Thankfully, it has really helped to get my creative juices flowing again. Here are a few things I whipped up over the weekend.

I think these little wood spoons are my favorite. They are food-safe and measure about 4 inches. I did some with Noel and some with...

Joy.

I painted these metal reindeer tags white and then added some German glass glitter. It's hard to see in the photo, but it's there.

I also used German glass glitter for these Joyeux Noel ornaments.

Right now everything is in my Etsy until the craft show. It's a little weird to be in Christmas mode when it isn't even Halloween yet. But you know how that goes...

Jeanine

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My local church thrift store has been a little hit or miss lately, so I was super excited with my latest haul!

I picked up three Mason jars which I'll be using to create more faux Mercury-glass.

I was intrigued by this book. It's from the 1950s/60s and I'm always amazed at what kids did back them. My boys get a kick out of these books too. They don't understand a world without an iPad or video games. Also, can you see the little angel cookie cutter in front of the book. Super cute!