Found Goodness Found Goodness

Found Goodness: My new pink suede boots

I was perusing the Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Miracle Hill thrift stores last Thursday looking for specific pieces of furniture... and of course I did not find any furniture under 200.00, so no deals there.....BUT....I did totally score these awesome Kate Spade boots!! They are genuine leather, never worn, still had the tissue in the toes.....and they were 8.00! Yes, I said 8.00......ridiculous. Ridiculously good indeed.......Merry Christmas to me.....xo,Barb

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FYI FYI

FYI: Two of my favorite girls were born on this day.......

Today is a super special day because it is the birthday of two very special people in my life.....my daughter, Brynn....and my sister, Sarah. I remember when it came time to schedule the C-section for my daughter to be born, and I had a couple dates to choose from.....one being my sisters birthday....and my sister graciously agreed to share her birthday with Brynn.I can't believe that my youngest child turns 14 today....where has the time gone? She is so beautiful it hurts.....her heart is so big.....her singing starts at the crack of dawn every day and never stops, her joy is infectious, her love of animals is precious, her spirit is strong, she never meets a stranger, and she never holds back. I was so touched when I picked her up from her school trip last week, and she came running off the bus yelling "MOMMY!" and ran over to me for the biggest hug. I am so glad that she is not "to cool" to show affection in front of her peers....and the fact that in that moment she just loved with reckless abandon......like she always does. I love this kid.....forever. Happiest of birthdays to you my child.......can't wait to celebrate you today!......and then there is my baby sister, Sarah. I talk about her here sometimes because she has a wonderful little shop called Cranny, where she makes the prettiest things.......but more importantly because I love her so much and am so proud of her. If you do not read her blog you should start.....her photography and words are so achingly beautiful it will make you want to be a better person. The way she captures her precious boys {my fantastic nephews}, the way she chooses to live her life more abundantly, the love for her husband, the love of being a mom, being completely devoted to her children and family, her gorgeous handwriting.....my sister is an inspiration to me. I love you "Sakes" and hope you have a super special day! I wish we could be together today........xo,Barb

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Introductions Introductions

Introductions: A hutch named " Antonia "

This lovely hutch is one that my dad scouted out and purchased for me a while back......and she has sat very patiently while I worked on "more exciting" pieces. This past week though....it was finally her turn....and I mixed up some custom milk paint and went to town.I removed the glass doors, as I felt like they totally dated the piece, and because I wanted to open it up and make it a bit more modern. I sculpted and covered the hinge areas with wood filler max {I may have even totally bragged to my dad a bit about how awesome my sculpting job turned out!}. Wood filler max is a bit more solid and has an actual grit to it, so it works much better than regular wood filler when you have a larger area to work with.....and when you need a little "grit" for blending reasons. This is not the wood filler you would want to use for filling hardware holes.....it is too rough and will show in your final finish.I wanted this piece to have a heavy "washed" look, and that  is why I chose the milk paint...but also why I finished it the way I did. I love how it turned out, and once again am never disappointed with a milk paint finish. It delivers every time.Some of you have asked me about using a bonding agent with milk paint, and whether I personally use one....and I can honestly say that in all the years I have been painting with milk paint I have never once used a bonding agent. It is totally unnecessary in my personal opinion and cancels out the whole reason I use milk paint in the first place. I also never use anything but a sanding block when distressing milk paint, and find that using chisels and putty knives is not necessary. Milk paint distresses where it wants, leaving a more natural look than if I were to go in and start trying to force it.This is of course....my professional opinion.....but I have worked with these paints for years and have experienced consistent and proven results along with beautiful and sought after finishes that stand behind those opinions.If miss Antonia has stolen your heart.....she is available in the Knack Etsy shop and can be shipped nationwide.......right to your very own doorstep!xo,Barb

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Etcetera Etcetera

Etcetera: New matchboxes, and a new year coming....with big plans

This post will be a bit all over the place...but that is what the word "etcetera" exemplifies right?So, today is the perfect day to talk about new matchbox designs arriving in the shop...love these new horse head designs......and exciting plans for the new year!2013 is already shaping up for Knack....and the horses are pushing against that gate just ready to shoot out and fly! I am super thankful to have two new interns starting in January. I will introduce them to you all properly next month. I am really excited that Emily is an interior design major, and Victoria is a studio art major ....so each one brings different creative gifts and talents to the table. Both girls have sweet personalities and are eager to get in here and learn the ropes of being a creative business owner....and for that I am excited and thankful. It is going to be a busy Spring {think....book release!} and I am very thankful for the extra helping hands that I will have on my team.One of the big changes for Knack will be that I am bringing everything under one roof! For the first time in Knack history, I will no longer have an antique booth.....but will have everything housed right here in the shop.... at Knack. This new location {11 Lois Ave.} has proven over and over to be the perfect place for the growth of Knack. With the separate work space in the back and the gorgeous shop in the front, it is absolutely perfect for everything that I do here at Knack. Even though it is a very, very hard decision for me to leave Antiques on Augusta....{part of my heart is there, and I am forever grateful for the people and experiences over these last 6 years}...the time has come. I am very excited to have everything in one place, and to really develop the shop location into what I have thought about and planned for, for a while now.In addition to having the shop up and running, with regular business hours, there will also be a shopping cart added to the website so that you can purchase not only furniture....but also any of the other goodies that are available in the shop! I am really excited about this option....and you should be too! With the click of a button you can purchase the items of your choice! Woo hoo! No more emails and phone calls back and forth.....even though I will still gladly do that if you feel so inclined!I have a few secrets up my sleeve that will hopefully develop into full blown, tangible events so that I can tell you about those as well......For now....have a great weekend....and finish Christmas shopping if you have not done so already! These next few weeks will be so special and fun filled! Enjoy the Christmas season and treasure the time spent together!xo,Barb 

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Found Goodness Found Goodness

Found goodness: They don't make 'em like they used to

My dad has been cleaning out his workshop and garage......and he decided it was time to part with this old Thermos ice chest.I was happy to accept his offer....and even though there is a large crack on the inside, it is nothing a little plastic bag won't fix {or maybe some bondo action}! I can't wait to use this lovely guy for parties....paired with a revolver bottle opener. {of course!}xo,Barb

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Quotage Quotage

Quotage: Stop and smell the roses

image via pinterest via substance over stuff

Sometimes I think being busy becomes a badge of honor.......that we wear proudly....because it makes us feel important and big. We are busy doing good things....busy doing useless things, busy doing everything.....Here is a challenge: intentionally choose to not be busy.....but rather to stop.....sit....relax....savor.......enjoy.xo,Barb

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FYI FYI

FYI: Shop News

I took this picture of the shop a couple weeks ago....and I just love the way it looks with the greenery! I had to share......Also......for those of you who haven't already seen "IT" on Facebook or Instagram......the personal copies of my book "Furniture Makeovers" arrived...and...... I took the liberty to snap "a couple" shots of them on every surface imaginable in the shop! :} I can't wait for promotion and all of the fun stuff  that will start very soon now in the new year! I am so excited!....and speaking of the shop........we will have regular hours starting in the new year! Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday Knack will be open from 9 am - 2 pm! Knack will also be open the first Friday night and Saturday of every month. Friday night hours will be 6-9 pm and then Saturday 11-3!Just a little fyi.....heads up.xo,Barb

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