Who is ready for Spring!!!   

ME!   ME!   ME!!!

I'm so excited about the upcoming DIY Classes offered at the Paint Studio.  Here are a few pics of the projects we will be creating (see below).  If you're interested, please message me or jump to the https://southernjunkchic.vpweb.com/paint-it-studio" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Paint It Studio page to pay for a class.

Come have fun with us!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Jennifer

Whew! 

Does anybody else collect too much stuff??!!  Even for your booth, storage, garage, or store???

I know I do!  I've seen the term "Destashing" and I thought I knew what it meant, but when I used it and a fellow junker asked me what it meant, then I wasn't so sure. 

So I did what everybody does when they need to know something... I googled it (because I don't have Alexa)!  Google says it's the process of removing something from one's collection.  BOOM!   That's it exactly!

To remove from one's collection...

After consulting with several fellow collectors (better known as hoarders), we decided to have a "Destashing" party!!  LOL!  We will be removing many, many, MANY items from our collections the 3rd weekend in February. 

February 15, 16 & 17 to be exact.  From 9am - 4pm on Friday and Saturday and from noon - 4pm on Sunday.  The "Destashing" event will be held at my studio and we are going to spill out into the parking lot.  The address is 3744 Annex Avenue Suite B, Nashville, TN 37209.  My business neighbor will also be openingn his garage door.  He buys storage unit contents at auctions and his warehouse packed full of goodies too!!  

Please come out and help us unload!   So we can just turn around and buy more!!   Can't wait to meet you there!  Find me and introduce yourself!  I love meeting fellow junkers and DIY'ers and just plain ole buyers and collectors!

As always, thanks for reading!!

Jennifer

Who else has an Etsy shop?  or sell on Ebay??

I have had accounts with both Etsy and Ebay for years but have not been consistent about posting items for sale. I often compare the pricing to see if it's a better deal to sell online versus selling in person or at my antique booths - or listing on your Facebook store or your website.

I would love to hear about your experiences.  Several years ago I compared the fees on Etsy and Ebay and they were comparable to the commissions that the local Nashville antique malls charged - minus the rent you would have to pay.

Here are some of the unique things I have found about each site:

• Etsy has a unique niche audience made mostly of those who are looking for handmade or vintage items, creatives and those looking for one of a kind or unique items.  There are about 40 million active users on Etsy versus 75 million buyers on Ebay.  Ebay has been in business since 1995 and is the largest online buy/sell market with a global reach.

• Etsy has a listing fee of 20 cents and your item can stay posted for up to 4 months or until it sells (with a relist fee of 20 cents).  You pay a fee of 3.5% of the sell price.

• Ebay will allow you to list up to 50 items free in one month, after that each listing is 35 cents.  You can set it up to auto renew every 30 days or manually renew.  The sell fees vary, but are mostly 10% of the selling price (guitars are 3.5%, heavy equipment 2%, and 12% on books, dvds, movies and music - excluding vinyl).  So the higher your item is priced, the more ebay gets.  

I have listened to many, many, many online webinars on how to make your listings stand out - most refer to having fabulous images and popular key words and a great description.

Another marketplace is Amamazon seller - but I haven't investigated this yet! (Have you?)  I also have items listed in my Facebook store and on my website - both linked to PayPal. You do have more control over those listings and fees - but you have to know how to create the listings or pay someone to do it.  Facebook is a little confusing because there are so many options for companies to use for payment methods.  Creating listings on your website can be fairly easy, especially if you use a company that provides free tech support that can help you.  I have vistaprint and they have been fabulous.  I have also used Host Gator and they are great.  GoDaddy will assist you to a point but then refer you to their pay for service tech support.  When I set both of these up, I had to google and search a good little bit to find options and how to's. 

Whatever you decide, I think using one or both will increase your customer reach.  You just have to decide it the time to photograph, create a description and list the item is worth your time!

Hope you enjoyed the info!

Jennifer

I shared this info on my #TipTuesday this week on Instagram and FB!  (I'd love for you to follow me there too!) 

Are you a fan of wallpaper?! 

It was huge in the 80s, but this isn't the same look.  It's bold colors and huge floral patterns that seem to be trending!  Who knew?!  But I love it!  Some have referred to it as "Granny Floral", but it's the Jessica McClintock of the new! 

I've searched pinterest to find where people are using this new wallpaper...and it's everywhere!  Bedrooms (of course!), bathrooms, dens, kitchens! 

Every room of the house. 

Check out these inspiration pics...

What's out in wall designs??? Damask!  NO!!!!!  Say it ain't so!  I still love Damask designs!! 

Have you tried the new bold floral wallpaper yet?!!  I'm trying to find a space right now!  I think I am going to paper one of my studio walls.  Now I just have to narrow down which design...so many choices!!

Suggestions are welcome!!!

Thanks for hanging out for a bit on my blog...

Jennifer

Have you been keeping up with all the new home decor trends that are being predicted for 2019?  

If you buy and sell antique and vintage items, whether it's in a booth or online, it's always good to keep up with the trends.  You know your staples that will always sell, but this helps give you an idea of what else to look for when you're out picking.

The powers that be are saying that Minimalism is out and Maximalism is in for 2019.  This is great news for sellers.  This means our small sales should take off!  But what kind of smalls?  And how much is too much?  Great questions!  I'll be sharing a little bit each day on the upcoming trends for 2019.

I'm excited about Maximalism, because I love having lots of what some call clutter.  I love having little vingnettes of things I have collected while out picking along with family treasures.  What about you?  Are you a minimalist or a maximalist?  Or somewhere in between?

Do you have a booth at an antique mall or shop?  Does your space reflect either of these styles?

Below are some examples of the new trends coming in 2019...

Stay tuned for more new trends!

Jennifer

Hi y’all! Painted mason jars are still very popular in the South, and are such a fun and easy project to do.

They are great for wedding decorations, table decorations, or as farmhouse décor for your own home!

Here’s what you need:

Clear mason jars, any size and style

Some type of Paint – either spray paint, acrylic paint, latex or chalk paint

I use spray paint because it’s easier for me and you can do a great ombre effect

Paint brush if not using spray paint, and a few sponges like you use in the kitchen or makeup sponges

Sanding sponge or sandpaper

Embellishments:

Hot glue gun

Flowers, jewelry, burlap, fabric scraps, twine, etc. whatever you want to add to your jars

You’ll need some table space to work, so I’d recommend covering it with something like a disposable tablecloth from dollar tree or a plastic trash bag.  I also use gloves or you're have lovely painted finger tips! 

I painted a bunch of jars at one time, so I set up an assembly line of sorts in the back yard. I used Krylon spray I purchased from Wal-Mart. You can use the cheap stuff, especially if you’re going to distress them. I noticed that the cheaper spray paints scratched and scuffed more easily than the more expensive sprays. And with the cheaper sprays, I think they only come in a gloss finish. Some brands offer a flat and a satin option. The flat options look very similar to chalk paint. You are also limited in color choices with the cheap brands (Dollar General has the basic colors), but if you’re adding lots of embellishments, it may not matter. I love the ombre look on the jars, so I used 2 and 3 different spray paint colors to create this look. I chose a white as the base color and then 2 shades of blues and pinks for the jars I created. If you don’t want ombre, you can just spray or paint the entire jar the same color. It’s really all what you want to do.

I ran the jars through the dishwasher to make sure they were clean of any grit and grime. Once that’s done, you’re ready to start painting. I sprayed the entire jar the white or cream. If you’re doing the ombre effect, whatever your lightest color is, use that. I learned that it was easier to place the jars upside down and spray them. This ensures that the sides and bottom all get sprayed. (The picture below was after I flipped them up and was ready for the ombre colors.)

If you’re using a brush for this step, I used an inexpensive chip brush from the big box stores, you can also use a sponge brush or even a makeup sponge. I have found that when using paint, you will see some brush strokes. If you don’t want those to show, you may have to paint it with 2 or 3 thin coats for a total coverage.

Once this coat dries, you’re ready to apply the middle color of the ombre. I usually hold the jar by the top opening, but you can also leave it sitting on a table – just make sure you watch your spray and don’t have other jars sitting too close. I eyeball and spray the middle of the jar, making sure to go all the way around. Also make sure you don’t get the spray can and the jar too close or the paint has a tendency to drip - hold it about a foot away. I don’t worry too much about getting full coverage on the lower/bottom part of the jar, just the middle for this spray. If you’re painting, a sponge will work best for this step.

Now you’re ready for the darkest color on the ombre. You can either hold the jar, or place it upside down on the table. But again, make sure you keep other jars at a safe distance so they don’t accidentally get sprayed.  I start spraying at the bottom and just barely meet the middle color, but you can spray the design whatever you like.  

I don’t spray or paint the inside of the jars, so they are safe for water or whatever items you want.

Once your jars are dry, you’re ready to embellish with whatever you like. I love the shabby chic look, so at this point I scuff them up with a sanding sponge, rubbing the raised edges of any wording and rims. I used a hot glue gun to add twine and acrylic gems and that worked great. You can also use mod podge or other glue.  I cut some one inch fabric strips and tied them around the rims to add a little extra color.

I hope this gives you some inspiration to create some fabulous painted mason jars!!  Thanks for reading ~

Jennifer

Lemon Buffet

This French Provençal buffet had sat in my garage for over a year before I finally made myself drag it out and paint it. I love how it turned out!!!  The hardest part of this project was moving it out of the garage, and then loading it in my truck.

Please check out my facebook page ~ https://www.facebook.com/SouthernJunkChic/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Southern Junk Chic. 

Since I had to move it myself, I decided to paint it right there in the drive way (I’m sure my HOA loved that…they tend to complain about every little thing). I also sanded it using my electric sander – so much easier than using elbow, but messy.

Don't judge my garage...it also serves as storage for my antique gems!!

I painted it with some leftover latex paint that was a light yellow greenish color - two coats using a small cabinet sponge roller and a chip brush - painted hardware and all!!  Then I white washed it with some Annie Sloan snow white chalk paint.  To do this, I watered down the chalk paint about 50-50 water to paint.  I painted that mixture on with a chip brush, and wiped it off with a kitchen towel.  It left a mottled white wash over the yellow paint - really toned it down alot!!  When I painted this it was in the sunshine, so it helped the white wash mixture dry faster and in an uneven fashion.  I love that!!  It even crackeld in a few spots.  I used a sanding sponge and sanded the edges and hardware slightly.  I also rubbed the edges with a wet cloth to distress more without getting too far down to the wood.

I took it to the antique mall later that day and it sold within a few days!!  Woohoo!  That's what I love to happen!!

As always, thanks for checking out my blog!!

Jennifer     ~     Southern Junk Chic

A Makeover to “Chair-ish”

     This was a paint project I did in 2013.  This was a new experience then and fun project. It was my first attempt at using a stencil on fabric with chalk paint and I think it really turned out great!

Please check out my facebook page too ~ Southern Junk Chic!

     Of course I forgot to take a before picture of the exact chair, but I had another chair that was just like it but without arms. I bought the trio (two chairs and a loveseat) for a really great price and have been waiting for inspiration. They were all in pretty bad shape with the veneer all chipping off on the detail in the backs (the chair below was in the worst condition). The chair with arms was the sturdiest and needed the least tlc, so I chose it .

     At that time (2013) there weren't many chalk paint choices available as it was just gaining momentum in the US.  I had been using Annie Sloan chalk paint for a few years which I purchased from one of the first ASCP stockists in Jackson, MS.  I painted the whole thing – fabric, trim and all. I mixed several colors together to get these nice calm combination of blue and green colors (old white, louis blue, antibes green, and provence). I painted the fabric a little different shade of blue to highlight it. Then I stenciled with old white and didn’t try to be perfect about it, just dabbed the fabric where I could, and went back over any obvious blank spots. (I think I purchased the stencil at Michaels.) 

     Perfectionists be ware of this type of painting…it will drive you crazy! It won’t be perfect, but that’s the thing of it – it’s not supposed to be, at least with my stuff. This way no one knows if you did it on purpose or if it was an accident!  To finish it, I waxed the whole thing – fabric and all.

I wish I had taken better pictures. I was in a rush and before I could get back to my booth to take more, it had sold! Yay, but boo for the blog…Hope you get the idea though.

As always, thanks for checking out my blog!!  Hope you enjoyed it!

Jennifer     ~     Southern Junk Chic

Ok ladies, I knew it would happen and didn't know what to anticipate, but ugh!!!  The hot flashes have begun! 

     They started this past summer - seemingly suddenly.  I would wake up in the middle of the night and my shins would feel like they are on fire!  That's how it started.  I just knew I had bone cancer or something like that - or some weird mosquito disease...this was just too unusual, not "just" hot flashes!  I'm not old enough to have hot flashes!  Am I old enough to have hot flashes?  I'm only 49!  Wait, I'm 49? When did I get that old?  I don't feel that old!!  

     The burning shins turned into full body flashes about a month later - just in time for the hottest part of the summer in the south!  August!!  And they didn't contain themselves to just night time.  I started having them suddenly during the day.  And not just a glistening, it would be full on sweating, all of the sudden for no reason!  Ugh!  This was awful!!!  I've heard how bad they could be but just didn't believe it.  I went to the gyn to try to figure out what I could do to control these personal sauna events or at least lessen them.  She said there was nothing proven to work, that they would eventually go away.  But I said what about black cohosh?  What about what Dr. Oz said?  There had to be something?!!!  I left so disappointed.  I had meetings to go to, and people to meet, how do you explain having a hot flash at a meeting when you're giving a presentation?!  Oh the joys of life!  

     During this time, my niece and I had plans to search for treasures on the Hwy 127 yard sale starting at Chattanooga and going south into Alabama.  It was awfully hot already, in addition to the hot flashes!  The sweaty flashes did help catch the ever so slight breezes as we rushed from one sale to another.  I did also find out that I can no longer stand to wear tshirts made with any sort of poly blend!  Well, I can, but feel like my skin is just itching to death or its just so uncomfortable that all I can think about is getting home so I can change into a 100% cotton tee.  And who knew how challenging they would be to find!  You can find a poly blend tee any and everywhere and for really cheap (under $10), but a 100% cotton tee is at least $20!  (but they do last longer and don't pill as easily.)  I will never forget the moment I had a full on body sweat while shopping with my niece.  We were at the Habitat store buying old doors to make a headboard for her new bed in her new apartment.  I was holding a plastic dropcloth package, and sweat just started dripping down my arm where the plastic was touching me.  I wondered what in the world was happening, and then I realized, mother nature...thankfully it was a construction-y type store and everyone else was as sweaty as I was getting - but still!  Menopause moments...they happen!

     I'm still learning what sets off a flash.  I love spicey food and have found that it seems to bring them on.  So if I'm on a date, I try to skip anything like that.  There's nothing worse than a first date with Mr. Right and breaking out in a full body sweat!  Not attractive at all!  I'll mention my hair deflation in another post...that's huge nightmare for a big haired girl!  I'll share my favorite tips and tricks and favorite products.

     Just a heads up ~ This blog includes affiliate links to products on Amazon below.  This means that I get paid a teeny tiny bit on anything that is ordered using the links listed below.  (And by teeny tiny, I mean really teeny tiny.)  Monster Moose the Weimaraner thanks you because it might be enough to buy him a $1 chew toy I will never recommend anything I don't personally love and use myself!

     My mom accidentally found a WONDERFUL product!  (She still has hot flashes - oh lawdy, I hope mine don't last that long!)  I think her find might be a lifesaver for night time hot flashes.  She was shopping for a new mattress and the sales clerk told her about the "new"  cooling gel technology.  She said she had hear mixed reviews and that it didn't really work.  He, in true salesman fashion, assured her that it really did and offered her a money back refund if she didn't like it, so she gave it a shot.  She decided to try the king sized pillows first - Tempur-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow-King by Tempur-Pedic

It wasn't cheap, so she was very hesitant. (And did not tell my dad what they really cost!)  I didn't believe it would work either, but had the opportunity to test one out when I visited her at Thanksgiving.  I must say I was shocked and wowed!  They really do cool, and not just initially - ALL NIGHT LONG!  I'm so impressed with the pillows. 

     I found them much cheaper on Amazon ~ the king is what she purchased.  The Tempur-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow-King by Tempur-Pedic runs about $100 and the TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow, Queen runs about $50.  I know that sounds high, but I promise it works and you will love it if you get hot when you sleep!  (Do you flip your pillows like me to get the cool side?!)  I just bought two new king pillows by serta, but can't stand the polyester filling.  Makes me so hot!!  This cooling gel stuff ~ it's GENIUS!!!  Needless to say, I immediately got on Amazon and ordered myself one.  (I just got an email saying it has shipped!! EEK!)  My Amazon Prime membership gets me in trouble sometimes - it's just so easy to order and get something the next day.  I've had buyers remorse on more than one occasion - thank goodness for the fb buy sell trades, where I can resell whatever I don't love!  If I hadn't tried these pillows out, I would never have believed it for myself!  I can only imagine what the mattress is like - but it runs in the $4,000 range - out of my budget for now.  The pillow is made of memory foam and has the gel inserts on both sides, so you can flip it, but you won't need to.  It comes with a 100% cotton cover with a zipper closure which is washable.  (See pics below.)

The only downside to this pillow is that I will have to make sure my monster furbaby Moose doesn't grab it to chew on!  He loves his pillows!  This is him below, trying to sneak onto the bed.  Doesn't he look pitiful?!  (Well, he's not...he's a big ole hot mess!)

     Other things I've tried include keeping the bedroom cool at night - my house was already like a meat locker, or so my friends tell me.  I have a ceiling fan and a column fan to help with breezes and white noise.  I still constantly kick the covers off and on when the menopause madness kicks in...so I'm looking forward to the new pillow.  What have you tried for your flashes?  Anything that has wow'd you?  Please share!!!  Anything to help with these menopause madness moments is greatly appreciated!!! 

     Thanks for reading my personal craziness blog.  I hope it was at least a little bit entertaining!  And don't forget to share any hot flash tips - really, I'm serious!! 

See y'all later!     Jennifer ~ Southern Junk Chic

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Have you ever tried making Salt Dough Ornaments?  I had never made them until a few years ago.  They are so easy and fun!  And a very inexpensive craft project!!   Warning - these are not edible!!  Decoration only!  

I wondered what I could do to decorate them besides painting with acrylic paint.  Then I thought - I love stamping and had been creating hand made Christmas cards and wondered how stamps and ink would work on the dough....well, it does!!!  

Here's what you'll need to make the salt dough ornaments:

1 cup table salt  (the white iodized kind, I haven't tried with pink sea salt)

2 cups of all-purpose flour (self-rising flour will cause the ornaments to puff some)

3/4 to a cup water (or more as needed) room temperature

Rolling pin

Cookie sheet (I covered with aluminum foil for easy cleaning)

Toothpick or straw to make a hole for the ribbon or string

Cookie cutters

Stamps

Ink pads in colors of your choice

Ribbon, embroidery thread, or twine

     Mix the salt and flour in a medium sized bowl.  I used bleached flour, so the ornaments were a light to slightly off white color.  (I also experiemented with adding white acrylic paint to the mixture to brighten the dough.  I couldn't tell a big difference.)  You can also add a cup of cinnamon to make them more gingerbread colored - and awesome smelling.  You'll just have to adjust the water, adding a bit more as needed.  I tried these too, but forgot to take pics.  Sorry!!  

     Add water slowly and starting with 3/4 of a cup and then gradually adding more as needed.  You don't want it too sticky!!  If that accidentally happens, just add a little more flour.  When it's all blended and comes together to form a ball, put it onto a plastic cutting sheet or whatever you typically use when you roll out dough.  Shake a little flour on the surface so it won't stick and knead it (squish it in your hands) for a few minutes, then get out your rolling pin and roll out as much as you can like you are making a pie crust.  I tried to get it as thin as I could, about a 1/4 of an inch, but this is just my preference.  You can make it as thick or as thin as you'd like.  

     When you'e got the dough rolled to your liking, you can either stamp the solid dough form first and then use cookie cutter shapes or the opposite order.  I did both ways.  The first way ensures you get all the stamped image you like in the cut shape.  So get out your cookie cutters and cut away!! I used all kinds of shapes ~ snowflakes, round ornaments, dog bones, trees, snowmen, etc.  You can also add ink to your stamps and get a little color in addition to the image of the stamp.  I used the regular ink that I would on paper - you're not going to eat the ornaments anyway.  Let me say that now just in case - DO NOT EAT THESE ORNAMENTS!!!  Continue stamping, inking and cutting away!!  You can also add acrylic paint if you want to at this point.  I liked the way the ink pad and stamps looked so I didn't.

     Don't forget to make a small hole in each so you can thread a ribbon or twine.  You can do this with a toothpick or a drink straw.  Just make sure it's big enough for whatever thread you're planning to use.   Once I have the ornaments cut and stamped, I lay them on a cookie sheet.  I used a foil lined one.  No oil or spray is needed.  Bake the ornamants at 200 F for 2 to 3 hours depending on how thick you made them.  Mine were usually dry enough by 2 hours.  Higher temps might cook faster, but will cause your dough to brown a little around the edges.  After they have baked for 2-3 hours, take them out and let them cool off.  Once they are cool, they are ready to string up as ornaments or as a garland.  That's it, you're done!!

     The round ones below were made with self rising flour.  You can see they were a little thicker after baking than the ones above.  They both look great, so it's really your preference.

I hope you enjoyed this little project!!  I've kept them for several years now (3 to be exact).  They haven't molded or attracted any sort of bugs.  I keep them in a shoe box.  Some I packaged in celophane packages to resell and they are still ok too.  I guess all the salt makes them less attractive to bugs, and they don't have enough water for mold. So as long as they don't get broken, you can continue to use them year after year!!

Let me know if you try it and please share pics!!

                  See y'all later!!    Jennifer   ~   Southern Junk Chic