Giveaway

The holidays are right around the corner, and I believe it’s better to give than to receive, so I’m giving away an original painting on Instagram. 

This is All The Noise and it measures 16x20 inches. It’s done in acrylics and graphite on stretched canvas. It is signed, titled, and dated on the back. To join the giveaway:

1. Follow me on Instagram @melissablaircarter

2. Like and Comment on this post

3. Tag a friend

The contest will end at noon on Friday 11/23/2018. I will announce the winner on Saturday morning. Good luck and thank you for following along! 

Social Media

 

Tonight I posted my 227th painting on Instagram, for the year. I'm still posting a painting everyday. I've managed to stick with it and today I woke up to find that I had 500+ followers on Instagram. I'm very grateful for anyone who follows me. I often worry about whether or not my paintings are good enough, or the lighting is good enough, or if my posts are interesting enough, or... So, thank you to everyone who finds me, my paintings, and my posts good enough to comment/like/follow. 

I have been enjoying this project of posting a painting everyday, even though some days it has been tough to accomplish. The commitment has forced me to paint more, which has been a great thing! However, the best part has been communicating with and following other people. I'm not lucky enough to be surrounded by lots of creative people in my everyday life, so social media has been an amazing way to connect with some amazing creatives. 

I have some thoughts on the downside of social media, too... It's tough for me because it feels a bit like a popularity contest and trying to be popular is out of my comfort zone. I was bullied in junior high school and I often still feel "not good enough" especially on social media. For me, Facebook is harder than Instagram because you have to "friend" people. I see people with tens of thousands of followers on Instagram and I wonder how much they curate/edit their photos. I know some bloggers are concerned with their social media accounts being an accurate reflection of their "brand". I think I'm not a "brand" I'm just me. Also, are we doing anyone any favors if we edit our photos so much that they are completely different from the original. I know a big time blogger who does that. Isn't that the same as photoshopping pictures in magazines to significantly alter the appearance of famous people? Don't most of us think magazines shouldn't do that? 

Well, I don't know. I don't have the answers. I guess I'm just going to keep doing my thing and being imperfect me. Again, thank you for following along. I greatly appreciate the company! 

Found Goods

I bought a PAIR of vintage chairs today!!!!! I found them in a local Goodwill store. It's rare that I find a pair of upholstered chairs, especially ones in good condition.

Here is a peak at them:

 They are in near perfection condition! It looks like there is a spot on the seat cushion of this chair, but it's just the lighting and the fabric. The fabric is a striped velvet! They are marked King Hickory.

Here's another look:

Aren't they fabulous??????

Found Goods

I wanted to share a project that I just started working on. It's a junk project. I bought these tables, last weekend:

These are 18th Century Classics by Drexel. I paid $75 for the pair. The finish is in rough condition, so I'm going to paint them. 

You can see in the picture that I have already started removing the loose finish with steel wool. My plan is to paint them white, with a bright color inside the drawers. I love the idea of painting a pink or bright coral in the drawers, but I think that will make them decidedly feminine. Will it? Since, I want to resell them, I don't want them to only appeal to women. So... I'm thinking about going with a chartreuse in the drawers. Thoughts? What color would you paint them?

 Also, I intend to keep the original hardware, but a friend suggested that I replace it. Would you keep the hardware as is or replace it? 

My goal is to finish them this weekend, which my be ambitious since it is raining today! I have the feeling that this project will either be an amazing transformation or an epic fail. 

Stayed tuned to find out how they turn out. You can also follow along on Instagram @melissablaircarter. I post there almost daily. I also have 365 days of art or painting (or whatever I'm calling it) posted there. I'm doing pretty well, so far. I haven't missed a day (yet)! 

Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is productive and FUN! 

Happy 2015!

Happy New Year friends! I'm barely getting this post in on the first day of 2015. Whew! 

I was a little sad to see 2014 go, but only because it seemed to fly by sooooo quickly. On the other hand, I'm glad to be starting a new year, because I had lots of drama & chaos in 2014. The top on my list of resolutions has to be less drama & chaos in 2015. However, today was a bit crazy pants, so I may not be off to a very good start. Fingers crossed!

Anyway... I want to spend more time painting this year, so I am challenging myself to paint something everyday & post it on Instagram. I will try to post some of them here also. You can follow along on IG @melissablaircarter.

Here is the first one:

 

Running Up Hill. 11x14. Acrylic on paper.

This should be interesting. You may remember that it took more than a year to finish 365 days of junk. Wish me luck, please.

I will still be posting my junk finds here also. I post them on Instagram also. 

I hope everyone has a happy, healthy 2015! 

Found Goods

Tall Brass Candlesticks 

Here is a pair of large brass candle holders or candlesticks. They are at least 18 inches tall and are in great condition. I bought the pair, for $6.56, from a local Goodwill Store!

Found Goods

Small Round Pedestal Table

 

I just love this little table! I think it has great lines. I purchased it, yesterday, from a local Goodwill Store. I paid $4.94 for it!

The first pic shows the table just after I started putting some stain/finish on one of the legs. (I really do suck at remembering to take before photos). The second, shows the top of the table, after I applied the finish. And... The last is a pic of the entire table with the finish on. 

Overall, I would say the table was in good condition when I purchased it. I guess it had been stripped and/or sanded and just left in an unfinished state. It could have been left that way. It had sort or a "primitive" feel to it. It also could have been painted or painted and distressed. I'm sure that chalk paint would have been great on it. This table would make an amazing shabby chic piece. For me, I just wanted a nice darkish stained finish. So, I rubbed on some Minwax Wood Finish, in Special Walnut. I just applied it with a soft cloth. It honestly took me 10 min or less, and I let it dry last night. Now, it's ready to go.

There are no marking on the table, makers mark or name. The only real damage to speak of, is an area on one of the legs that was repaired. The repair is not very noticeable and the table is still super sturdy. Such a steal at $4.94!

Found Goods

Mid Century Modern Mr. & Mrs. Chairs

Did I ever show these to you guys?

Hello flower power, right?????? This is a really cool pair of mid century modern chairs, with the original upholstery.  They are in surprisingly good condition. I think these are considered mister and misses chairs. The taller one for him and the shorter one for her, obvs. I am pretty sure these are by Adrian Pearsall, for Craft Associates. Although, there has been some debate about whether they are Pearsall chairs. If you look for chairs and couches by Pearsall and Craft Associates, you will find some that are very similar if not identical, The full tags have been removed, but partial tags still remain which list Pennsylvania on them. Craft Associates was based in Pennsylvania. So... There you have it (in my opinion).

Most of my finds come from thrift or Goodwill Store, however, these did not. It was a friend of a friend sort of thing, Someone I know, knew a guy who needed some fast money and was willing to sell these chairs. I ended up buying them for $250. SCORE!

Found Goods

Asian Inspired Wall Plaques

Here are 2 Asian inspired wall plaques. One features a little girl, while the other has a little boy on it. They are just over 13 inches tall and measure approx 11 1/2 inches wide. They are made if plaster and have wire on the back to hang them. It is surprising how heavy they are! 

I bought them from a local Goodwill Store for $5.95, each. 

Found Goods

Vintage Pillows

Pillows and linens are something you can easily find in thrift stores. Here are 2 vintage pillows that I purchased from a local Goodwill Store. The first one has a bird stitched into it. It is made of a course linen sort of fabric. I just thought the bird was fun and funky. The second one is a strawberry needlepoint pillow, with red & white gingham fabric on the back. I think the needlework detail is amazing! As you can see, the strawberry pillow was $1.91. I am fairly certain that the bird pillow was $1.91 also. Oh... Both are in very good condition. I wouldn't buy a dirty pillow (even a decorative one) because that's just GROSS!

Found Goods

Metal Lunch Boxes

I found all three of these metal lunch boxes, together, in a local Goodwill Store. There is Wonder Woman, Star Trek, and John Wayne. They are no old, but have that vintage look to them. And... They don't have thermoses with them. I just think they are fun and remind me of my childhood. Wonder Woman is my favorite one! I paid $2.92 for each.

What's Next?

Do I hear you  wondering what's next??????

Now that I have finished with 365 Days Of Junk, I will continue driving around the ATL looking for crazy good stuff that has been gotten rid of!

I am going to continue to post my finds, because I really do shop almost everyday. For reals! I am not kidding. I sell (or plan to sell) most of my junk, but the real fun is in the hunt! I'm going to call my new posts about junk, "Found Goods". What do you think? I chose that, because I post about good stuff that I find, mostly in thrift stores.

I am also going to post more about my art. I'm trying to get more comfortable about sharing it, but that is really tough for me. Anyway, I would like to be a working artist and make a good living at it (in addition to junking - because I can't help myself). I can't help myself when it comes to painting and junk. I will updating the art in my Etsy shop over the next several days.

I am also going to make more of an effort to post about food. I love food, too (probably a little too much, since my pants are tight). Oh... I am working on some posts about junking and how I find good stuff. Just some tips and tricks that I've learned along the way. I will just continue to post about my real life. It's a circus and a museum around here!

Even though I'm terribly shy, I love love love connecting with new people! I hope you will come back to see more of my finds. Also, Instagram is my favorite form of social media. I love posting there. If you would like to follow along, I'm @melissablaircarter on Instagram.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 365

Fendi Floral Mary Jane Shoes

So... This is the last post in the 365 Days Of Junk series, which was supposed to take 365 days. Guess what!?!?!?!?! It has taken nearly twice that long. It has been a crazy, dare I say hellish, year+. Oh my!

I thought I would end 365 Days Of Junk with a really great find. For the finale, I chose these Fendi Mary James. Aren't they gorgeous????? Do you see the first pic? I found these in a local Goodwill Store for $12.91!!!!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?????? I am sure they are authentic. The quality is AMAZING. They have leather soles (except for a no-slip rubber insert in the middle which has FFs on it), Fendi stamped in the buckles, and embroidered flowers with seed beads on the Fendi monogram canvas. They are in amazing condition too. Wanna know the problem????? They are just a bit too small for me. Of course!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 364

Dan Post Cowgirl Boots

I love these sooooo much! Of course, they are too small for me! That's usually how it works... I find great shoes and boots but they are not in my size. Anyway... These are women's Dan Post cowboy/cowgirl boots. The upper part is black with green stitching. The bottom is green. I'm not sure if the bottom parts are some type pf reptile skin, or if they leather made to look like skin. They are in good condition, with some scuffing to the toes. I bought them from Goodwill, for the regular boot price ($6.96)! Now, i just need to find a pair of red, lizard skin, cowboy boots in my size... I guess I'd better keep on shoppin.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 363

Metal Flamingo Plant Stand

This is a metal plant stand, shaped like a flamingo. Can you see it? It stands approximately 2.5 feet tall. It is made of metal welded together. It is the kind of that that you would put outside. It has a round metal base, that probably would not be stable on a solid floor. It kind of needs to be sitting on the ground with some dirt on top of it. The hole to hold a plant is in the body of the bird. I found it in a Goodwill Store for either $2.92 , $4.94, or $5.95. I honestly cannot remember. I think it's shoppers amnesia.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 362

Dan Post Ostrich Cowboy Boots

Did I ever show you these Dan Post Cowboy boots? They are full quill ostrich skin/leather on the bottom. I bought them from a local Goodwill Store. They were specially price at $15.91, but they were still a steal, right?  They are in good condition, but do have a water spot near the toe of the left boot. Great find!