Getting my ArtSeY FaRtSEy (AF) Back

So, this past June I celebrated my 3rd Anniversary of my store.  When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them, that "I am living my dream". I really mean that....everyday I get to go to my shop and create, paint, meet great people and decorate. All of the things that I love to do and I make a pretty good living doing it. I get to try out my ideas and most of the time someone wants to buy them. A win- win for all of us.

So what is the problem with this you might ask? Well, when I first started out, I feel like I was more creative. Or perhaps, I should say,  felt like I could be more creative. Of course, I had more time then - I didn't have the customer traffic. I was talking to my husband the other day and asked him if he remembered when the store was first open....how everything was always so cute....all of the displays were perfect.... the floors always clean.....windows always washed? We would sit around in this gorgeous little store and wait for customers...but it looked great.

I spent a lot of time crafting, decoupaging dressers and tables, doing hand painting, hand lettering and sewing  and such.

Now, I have customers waiting at the door when we get to the store to open. Gone are the days, that our gorgeous displays last more than a day or two. 

Now, I am not complaining...I feel blessed for every single customer and for how busy our shop has become. 

Again, you might ask, "so what is the problem?"  Well, as our business has grown, it has become a matter of volume...the more you sell the more you have to paint to replace the inventory. When trying to increase our volume it is sometimes necessary to cut out the Artsey Fartsey stuff.  What I mean is that sometimes the plain  white or black or just blue is what sells.

Lately, I have been feeling not as satisfied with just painting something white. I want to make something different. Sometimes something blingy or unexpected....something one of kind.

Do you know the feeling? I don't just want to pump out the furniture. I want to be able to take time to make something really special. Not to say that I don't sometimes want to paint something white....I love that....but not just because I have to pump out something to fill my store.

So, I have decided that I have to find a happy medium. I need to be able to do some Artsey Fartsey (AF)stuff...and still fill the store with gorgeous things that are more mainstream.

Today, I was feeling AF.

Of course, I forgot a before picture.

I got this little solid wood desk that has a lift up top. I think it may have been a sewing machine or type writer cabinet in its previous life.

It had beautiful wood that was in bad shape in some places. I didn't want to paint all of this gorgeous wood but had to do something. I decided to leave the inserts and drawers without paint and did the top in a reverse stencil so that the wood grain would show through.

I happen to love it. I am curious to see what you think.

This color is CeCe Caldwells Vermont Slate and is a gorgeous charcoal, slate color.

You can order Ce Ce Colors online from us. Just click here.   Please know that I didn't end up doing this desk without some resistance. My Junk Hunk thinks it would be better with the top painted solid and the drawers painted two tone....what do you think? I know I am feeling better now.

Fall Classes for CeCe Caldwell Paint Workshops

I just finished putting together the class schedule for all of painting classes as well as our crafting classes through the end of the year. 

These classes are so darned much fun and make it so easy to be able to use our paints to transform your already owned pieces into amazing treasures.....a whole lot less than having to buy new furnishings!!!

Go and check out our schedule and if you like let us know which one you would like to participate in... We would love to have you.

Our monthly craft classes are great for a girls night out. Relax, laugh and craft away.
Each class includes dinner, drinks and all the supplies that you need to make some gorgeous decor for you home.

Sept. 27th - 6 - 9

We are putting together some spooky decor for your home. 

We will be doing embellished Halloween Bottles. We will teach you a couple of techniques - including bottle silvering and bottle darkening.
We will add vintage lace, custom graphics, folded papers, bit and bobs, stickers, tea dyed ribbons and lace and more to get a great look.
Here is a simple example but we will have more to see.

We will teach to you to make the ever popular sweater pumpkins - We supply the sweaters and embellishments. You can add sparkles or scary decor.

We will also make a cute Spooky Banner.

This is just one example of the banner that you can make....we will have more examples as well.

Choose 2 of these crafts for just $25.00 or Choose all three for $30.00.

We will be serving a Baked Potato Bar including all of the goodies. Chili, cheese, onions, olives, bacon. Green Salad and your choice of desert and drinks.

Please email or call asap to register. Bring your friends - this is going to be so much fun!!!!

A kick in the pants by a new CeCe Caldwell Color - Myrtle Beach Sand

 I love what I do. Everyday single day I feel thankful and blessed about the fact that I get to do exactly what I love for a living. But even with that - sometimes - I am ashamed to say - sometimes I don't feel it. I am not inspired - I DON'T WANT TO PAINT!!! There I said it.

Sometimes a piece that is great doesn't speak to me - I wait and nothing but crickets....

So when the new CeCe Caldwell Colors arrived last week. I was so excited. I was ripping every box open as quickly as I could to see the little smudge on the top of each precious can . What gorgeous colors. Each color better than the last. Now my only problem is which to use first!!!

This little dresser is solid wood and had a lot of potential...I could see this but I couldn't figure out what to do with it.

Believe it or not - customers actually came in and said that they loved what I had done with it...lol. I think maybe I have done a few too many very distressed pieces as of late.

Anyway...

I had to sand the top of the dresser because of the awful paint job. It started coming off pretty easy so I decided to try to take it all off and stain the top. So that is just what I did. Took it all off and then stained it a Jacobean and then clear waxed the top...with a little buffing it shines.

Now to decide what to paint the bottom. I had just seen a wonderful armoire  painted in our New Michigan Pine. I started to paint this piece in Michigan Pine but it just didn't seem to do the trick...so next?

I painted a nice coat of  Myrtle Beach Sand over the Pine. I originally was not going to distress this piece but when I started to lightly sand I could see the Pine just peeking out...so..I distressed. Some places to the wood and some just to show the Pine peeking through.

After a clear wax, I added some light aging wax and buffed. I love this look.

A new color is sometimes all of the kick in the pants that I need. This piece is ready for adoption.

Check out all of our new colors....might just give you the kick in the pants that you are looking for.

Orphaned Decor and CeCe Caldwell are being featured at Redoux

I was lucky enough to be interviewed and featured at Redoux Blog this morning. This is a such a fun and creative place. Go over and visit Karen and all of her great ideas and projects.

You can find her here.

CeCe Caldwell Benefit Paint Workshop featuring CeCe Caldwell

I love the city that I live in and the people that live here. I was raised in Spokane. I have moved away a couple of times but always came back home....to Spokane. Of course, all of my family are here so that is one of the big reasons. One of the other reasons are because of the other wonderful people and organizations that are based in Spokane. 

One of the those wonderful organizations is Project H.O.P.E Spokane. 

 Our Mission: “Project H.O.P.E provides the means for disadvantaged youth in Spokane’s West Central and Emerson Garfield neighborhoods to escape poverty and gang affiliation through entrepreneurial initiatives.” 

 In response to gang fatalities, neighbors of West Central created Project H.O.P.E. (a 501c3, Not for Profit). First, there was a safe place, an open gym in a church. Then, it began to teach life skills. Four years ago, they’d grown to include five community gardens called Riverfront Farms, and a lawn care business called Jobs Not Jails, both run by at-risk-youth from the neighborhood along with a variety of volunteers.

During recent years Riverfront Farms has grown to include nine garden lots, and a Farmers’ Market. Riverfront also sells produce at stores that had not previously offered more “food” than a common gas station. 

 This year, they are re-landscaping several garden plots to be more productive and sustainable. One lot is oriented mostly for education purposes. They are all volunteers. 

This program is open to kids 8 - 18 and the amount that can participate is only limited by funding.

With this in mind -  Western Regions CeCe Caldwells Paint and Products, Debi Weber Design from Paradise Valley, AZ and Orphaned Decor Present

Project H.O.P.E Benefit Workshop

September 8^th, 2012

This class will be taught by Anne Skougard -  House of Anne– Western Region Distributer for CeCe Caldwells Paint. Anne has over 40 years of experience as a decorator and knows all of the tricks of the trade.

Using CeCe Caldwell’s All Green, NO VOC’s Paints and Waxes – you will learn how to use this amazing Clay and Chalk Based paint – water distressing, sand paper distressing, layering colors, crackle finishes, proper waxing techniques and use of Satin Finish and more.

 The Ce Ce Caldwell   CeCe Caldwells Paints will also be in the house to answer all of your questions and show us some of her tricks as well.

In the afternoon, you will spend time completing a take home project provided by the Western Region.

This class is limited to 35 people per class so that we can provide everyone with one on one help as needed.

Western Region Retailers will be on hand to help you with techniques and project questions and suggestions.

Debi Weber from Debi Weber Designs  will also be in attendance and happy to answer any decorating questions that you may have.

So much talent under one roof….you don’t want to miss this event.

Refreshments, Sweets, Coffee and Tea Bar,  and a Box Lunch will be provided.

You will also be entered into a drawing to win some great prizes.

*Everything is included – just wear your painting clothes and be ready to have fun.

Book you place today by calling 509-216-7689 - emailing Orphaneddecor@yahoo.com or come into the shop.

You can also register online at http://www.orphaneddecor.blogspot.com  under classes.

A large portion of each registration will be donated to Project H.O.P.E Spokane.

This is your chance to meet CeCe in person. You can also get all of those answers to the questions that you have been wondering about....

Can you paint linoleum? Can you use the paint outdoors?  Can you mix colors? Can you wax and then use Satin finish? What other goodies are coming down the road from CeCe?

You can ask the experts.

Cost is $195.00 for a full day of fun and painting.  $100.00 Deposit upon registration and $95.00 before the class.

Farm Chicks - The Show, The Party

Farm Chicks was amazing. Amazing for a lot of reasons. Not only is there every kind of great junk but there are so many incredible displays not to mention creative ideas.

There are also the people. Lots and lots of happy people. On Saturday the early shoppers came in and quickly made their way around the loop. They were giddy with excitement. Then came the throngs. I do mean throngs.

We were in Bay 1, which is off of the main hallway and when the doors opened it sounded like a herd of stampeding elephants. You also heard hoops and hollers of excited gals. It made me big laugh right out loud.

They were dressed in vintage crinolines, tiaras, party hats, tea hats, cowboy boots, lots of bling and fancy aprons. They all came with great smiles and appreciation for all of the work that we put into our little part of the world for that weekend. They came to see and imagine and to buy - over 6000 of them.

My junk hunk came to help - thank you babe - and he said he has never seen so many happy women in his life. They were singing and laughing and pointing. It was a party atmosphere. We were so glad that we were invited.

I have a few pictures of some of  what I could see - it was hard to get away from the booth for even a few minutes - but you will get the idea.

I loved this display. It was so gorgeous.

June Bug

The Mad Cow

Lipstick Gypsies

Funky Junk Sisters

Lipstick Gypsies

Past Blessings Farm

Our Booth - Orphaned Decor

Funky Junk Jennifer

Garden Party

This is just a few of the wonderful vendors that were at the show. Just a few of the pics that we took on the few times that we could get away.

If you didn't get to come to she show this year make sure you come and party with us next year.

Farm Chicks

That's right!! We are vendors of the show that we all love. We are going to Farm Chicks!! If you have never been to Farm Chicks then you have no idea what you are missing out on. It is the most Junk Eye Candy that you have ever seen if your life. The displays are over the top incredible and the amazing ideas will get your creative juices flowing like crazy.  The show is June 2nd & 3rd at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds. Admission is only $7.00. You can find anything that you can imagine at this show.

We are going to be in Bay 1 and we are bringing lots of rusty, crusty, junky and beautiful finds. Lots of amazing handmade goodies too.

Here are just a few.

Come out and see our goodies and the other amazing goods.