Found Goodness: A Rug and Some Boots
I was digging around in my buddy Trey's shop last week, and he was attempting to show me several pieces of furniture {which came back to the shop with me!}......but first things first.......I got completely sidetracked by this rug that was folded up in the corner. I started unfolding it and asking at the same time "what is this piece of gorgeousness?".....to which Trey replied...."oh, that.....is a hand looped and bound rug from Iran"......Seriously.....It now lives in my kitchen......BOOM!Also, I had to include my latest boot conquest. Zara boots in distressed gold leather.......ridiculously inexpensive due to a friend having two pairs that she found on sale, sale, sale.......They are now on my feet......BOOM!Temporal treasures I know......but when said treasures are such good deals....and so beautiful.....xo,Barb
FYI: Meet the Knack interns....I couldn't love them more
About a year ago I was approached by a local college ....about taking on interns at Knack. I had never had any kind of intern before but I decided to say yes, and it was the best thing I have ever done. I have been blessed with a total of 4 interns up to this point and at the moment I have two working for me at the same time! I was not sure I could keep two busy.....but I was wrong. Things have been so incredibly busy around the shop....and because of these two lovely ladies....I am able to keep up. Both of them are eager to learn, eager to please, hard workers, and super talented. After a few painting sessions the first week they were ready to go and can paint like champs!Vicky {on the left} is a senior studio art major and Emily {on the right} graduated in December with a degree in Interior design. I can't even tell you how privileged I am to have these two working with me at Knack...and I am so thankful for their joyful spirits, their creativity and the way they add sparkle to the time we get to spend together!Love these two.....xo,Barb
Introductions: A pretty little black desk named "Evadne"
This sweet little desk is solid as a rock and you just can't help but love the chunky drawers on one side and the slim leg on the other. So graceful, and beautiful!I have held onto this exquisite black and silver paper for some time now and knew as soon as I saw this piece that I had finally found the perfect match! I really, really love how she turned out! Black over maple wood is always a winning combination for me!The design plan for this piece includes black milk paint, burlap knobs, newsprint drawer liners {original to the piece}, water based polyurethane, and a sheet of fine wrapping paper.Evadne is available at Knack, and in the Etsy shop!xo,Barb
Etcetera: Foundling
My favorite Christmas present this year was my custom date ring stack from foundling ! I wear it any time I am not working at Knack because I am so worried I will ruin it! My ring numbers are: 7 for Jon and I's birthdays, a 6 for our anniversary, a 12 for my daughter's birthday, and an 8 for my son's birthday.
I love the design of these rings and the fact that they are so thin and "stackable"! They are comfortable to wear, remind me of the important things in life, and garner compliments all the time.
Visit foundling's beautiful shop today, and pick up a treat for yourself or someone you love.
Found Goodness: Ben Shahn, and my wheat print from the Goodwill
I am super excited to tell you all a story today about a print I found a few weeks ago at a local Goodwill store for $3. It had been an exceptionally great day of finds, and I was on my last stop before having to pick up my daughter from school. I always glance at the pictures and artwork...mainly looking for great frames...so it usually only takes me a few seconds to give them a glance and I am on my way. Well, on this day a particular piece caught my eye ....and it was this one pictured above. I found it incredibly simple yet appealing and tasteful. I loved how the artist added a little bit of geometric modernism to stalks of wheat....and the soft water colors won me over. The brown frame and country pink matte did not win me over however....and I knew I would change that asap. But, I was drawn to this piece somehow.....someway.....and knew it had potential.I dropped the piece off with my friend Teresa to be framed.....and when I picked it up last week, boy was I ever in for a surprise! The man who framed the piece is an art history buff who decided to look up the piece and see if he could find out more about it. Come to find out....the piece is called "Wheat Field" and is a signed print by the famous artist Ben Shahn. {click on the "Wheat Field" link to see how much my signed print is worth!} If this had been an original it would be worth lots and lots....but as a signed print, it is still not too shabby considering my mere $3 investment. Maybe one of these days I will have it appraised.....but for now I am just happy I picked a winner and will enjoy it being in my home.Happy hunting! I hope this week brings interesting finds your way! You just never ever know what treasures await!xo,Barb
Introductions: A collaborative chest of drawers named Helianthus
I think you all will probably remember the collaborative piece named Cumulonia that I did with Annie Koelle? Well, we put our minds and hands to work again....but this time on a chest of drawers. Again, I gave no direction for what I wanted on the drawers...I just base coated and told Annie to go to town and do her thing that she does so well.When Annie brought the drawers back, and we put them in the piece....I know this sounds crazy...but I literally felt the tears well up in my eyes at how beautiful this piece turned out. I am still trying to decide how I can pay Annie for her part of this piece and bring it home to live with me forever......I love it that much.....and my husband {JB} says the first time he saw this piece in person the only word he could think of was "stunning". It really is that beautiful...and I know these pictures do it some justice...but in person it literally speaks.She is quiet and soft, enveloping you into her beauty while at the same time commanding and intentional.......and her name is Helianthus.....because she is a wildflower in the sea of prairie grasses depicted on her drawer fronts.She will be gone in a wink so you better act fast! Helianthus is available locally at the shop or in the Etsy shop.xo,Barb