For now I will wonder and dream...

   

  I picked this old suitcase up at an auction and immediately wondered "Where has this piece traveled? What was carried in it? Who owned it? Was it ever lost in transit? 

  Yes, I am drawn to pieces with a history. I want to know the story, you know, the rest of that story! The black round suitcase has seen better days, the edges are frayed and the handle is worn.  Yet, wait for it...the key is tied to the handle.  Yeah! The lock and the latches on the side still work.  The fabric inside is worn, yet it has maintained it's color and pattern.  It still has that look of distinction! 

  Because of the condition of the suitcase, I decided to add some French typography to the top with a white oil Sharpie.  My obsession with French typography never ends, from suitcases, to windows, to furniture, if it doesn't move or bite....I see a potential canvas. 

  From the moment I spotted this suitcase at the auction, I have wondered "What adventures has this suitcase seen?" 

  It now has a new finish, a new breath of fresh air and is ready for a new adventure!  The black round suitcase is available at the Maumee Antique Mall, Maumee, Ohio.

  Adventure on, sweet suitcase! 

Peace, love & junk,

Geniece

You can find me on:

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Instagram:  Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Website:  

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Geniece & Jim

Traditional to True Shabby & Chic

  I picked this dresser up at an auction, it appeared to be in decent shape. {{Don't they all?}}. Well, sometimes your eyes can deceive you! Like so many dressers we buy, it needed an overhaul. The drawers needed tweeting, the wheels were broken and removed.  Several chunks were missing on the sides.  

  My hubby does all the repairs and preps everything for me.  He did remove the handles and filled one of the holes for each of the handles.  I prefer to use glass crystal knobs on my pieces, just my signature style! 

  Several coats of General Finishes Milk Paint in Antique White and it's ready for French typography. I have used this graphic before on a custom order with a very similar dresser.  Having done this graphic several times it only took my an hour or so with a black oil Sharpie.  Graphics can be found at The Graphics Fairy.com.  The graphics are complete.  I print my graphics out on graph paper {{yes, they do sell this at Office Max}} and then draw them by hand. The graph paper allows you to be able to block and determine where you start and spacing for your graphics. 

  Once the graphics are complete, it is ready for wax.  I prefer Ebony wax from BriWax.  Apply with a bristle brush and rub down with steel wool. Applying in small sections allows you to easily rub it into your piece and give it that finished look.  I use a black glaze on the top, so I can then use General Finishes Top Coat in Satin or Flat to protect the surface from stains and liquid damage.

  Off to the Maumee Antique Mall with this piece! Now, on to the next project! 

Thank you so much for checking in on my junk adventures! 

  Peace, love & junk! 

  geniece

    You can find me on: 

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Instagram:  Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Website:  

www.funkyjunkfromthecountry.com

Pinterest: @funkyjunkcntry

Geniece & Jim

From Tired to Time Table

  Check out this old drum table that I picked up at an auction last year.  I love this style of table, simple and elegant.  Again, I knew as soon as I seen it what I wanted to do with it. Any guesses so far?  Stay tuned! 

  

  After a good bath with vinegar and water it was ready for paint.  It would take three coats of General Finishes Milk Paint in Antique White.  With a little dry brushing in Driftwood in between coats, only to the top.  I want this piece to have that aged feeling.

  Next up, some numbers and a French typography graphic from The Graphics Fairy. I did use stencils for the numbers and then drew the graphics on with a black Oil Sharpie.  After everything is complete, I will add a black glaze over the top and Ebony wax on the rest of the piece.  Last thing to do, use General Finishs Flat Performce Polyurethane. 

  Yes, it is adorable, ready for a beautiful room! 

  Thank you so much for checking in on my junk adventures! 

  Peace, love & junk! 

  geniece

    You can find me on: 

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Instagram:  Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Website:  

www.funkyjunkfromthecountry.com

Pinterest: @funkyjunkcntry

Geniece & Jim

Happy New Year! 2016 You are going to be great!

  Can you believe it, a new year? So excited for 2016, new ideas, new projects, new adventures! 

  Well, my biggest adventure this year is going to be my 2 Barn Sales & Vintage Markets.  Yes girl, I said it, Funky Junk from the Country is having a summer barn sale & vintage market. It will be held right here in our barn and on our beautiful property {{10 acres}}.  Crazy right? Not at all, crazy fun! Our barn is huge and when cleared out and cleaned up, it is really very cool. Along with the Shabby Shack, the pond and the woods it is a beautiful setting. 

  Funky Junk from the Country will be the sponsor, and we are inviting 15+ additional antique/vintage dealers, repurposers and vintage dealers.  Add a couple food trucks, some live music, face painting and paint demonstrations, you won't want to miss it. 

  So mark your calendars for the first Funky Junk from the Country Barn Sale & Vintage Market set for Saturday, July 23, 2016, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. At the Funky Junk Barn in Monclova, Ohio.

  Stay tuned for more details! 

  Contact Geniece Schaber at Funkyjunkfromthecountry@gmail.com or call me at 419-351-8943.

    You can find me on: 

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Instagram:  Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Website:  

www.funkyjunkfromthecountry.com

Pinterest: @funkyjunkcntry

Geniece & Jim

  

I Have Been Looking for You for a Long Time!

  I have been looking for you for a long time! 

  Have you ever looked for that one piece for a long,  long time?  The piece that would steal your heart, you knew when you seen it, it was yours?  Well, I have several of those pieces in my head and in my heart!   Some are small and some are tall, rusty gold, fancy and flashy, oh you know what I mean....swoon worthy.

  As we were looking at the upcoming auctions for the week and noting pieces in the back of our minds that we wanted, there it was.  Mr. Funky Junk seen the same piece and said "We have to get that one".  Having heard that over the years, I just say okay, cool piece and keep looking.  You see, I like shiny baubles and old glass bottles, suitcases and... {{ I really could go on and on and on}}.  Mr. Funky Junk likes manly, big, heavy pieces of wood & metal! This piece had everything he was looking for.  He already had a price in mind and a plan.  All we had to do was wait until Tuesday for the auction, patiently wait.  Mr. Funky Junk has the patience of a Saint, one of the things that attracted me to him {along with his smile and handsome looks}.  So we would wait and act really calm and cool until Tuesday's auction. 

  Mr. Funky Junk already had a plan in mind even before we purchased it, woo, thank goodness we won that bid.  As the bids were going up and up, I elbowed my hubby, you know that elbow, the one that means, don't loose your mind over this piece {even though it was that one & only}. 

  This piece was well worn and that perfect patina, you can not recreate!  But, the doors were missing, you could see the cut outs for the hinges, no hinges, no doors.  So Mr. Funky Junk from the Country would build a set of doors out of some old table leafs and some spare wood.  He is a keeper! 

  Then to paint them and add graphics. This cabinet is amazing so nothing to fancy, just something to enhance it and add character. Ummmmm, this will take just a little bit of research on The Graphics Fairy website.  I have been fascinated with bees lately, the bee cabinet, the bee suitcase the bee sign, you can see where I'm going with this this.  Bees, bees everywhere! The Graphics Fairy website is so organized, you can find so many amazing graphics! 

  Well, the graphic was chosen and the Sharpies are ready.  Sharpie up and....wait for it...go!

  Now that the graphics are done, some Ebony wax to darken and age those doors to match that amazing patina. Yes, patina that has been years in the making. 

  If I could only sneak this piece into the house I would.  It would stand tall and proud in my dining room, everyone would ooh and ah, yes, stunning. Oh my, time to wake up, back to reality.  The hubby says I can not keep it. 

  After posting a pic on Instagram, I received an email that someone was interested.  She called me and came out to look at it, paid for it and we delivered it. Sigh, it went to a wonderful home.  A vintage collected and created is going to put it in her craft room and fill it up with vintage paper, metal and hardware.  

  This really is a once in a blue moon piece. Wow, now to search for another piece, just as stunning.

  Thank you for dropping by! 

  Peace, love & junk,

Geniece

You can find me on:

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Instagram:  Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Website:  

www.funkyjunkfromthecountry.com

Pinterest: @funkyjunkcntry

    Geniece & Jim

  

A time to be thankful......

 

  A time to be thankful.....

  This is the time of year when we reflect on what we are thankful for.  As you look back on the year, there are so many things that come to mind, gifts, health, babies, new jobs, yes we could go on and on.  Yet, what really matters ?

  As this year has been a difficult one for me personally, there is one thing that I am thankful for.  It makes me happy, joyful and sad all at the same time,

    My Dad, John T Shuff

  I am thankful that I was able to call this gentleman my father! For 55 years I had the most wonderful man calling me his daughter.  Not all times were great, not all times were bad, but my father was always that one person I could call for reason! He was always there to tell me I could get through it with my chin up and be a better person for it. My voice of reason, my reason to live life to it's fullest.

 

  Yes, we had an empty chair at our Thanksgiving table, but the love and aurora of my Dad was there and will be with us forever.  I love and miss you every minute of every day Dad, so until we meet again, that chair will always be at our table. I am thankful to love you to the moon and beyond, your daughter, Geniece.

   My, Dad, John T Shuff

  Take a moment and think about what you are truly thankful for......

  peace, love & junk,

  geniece 

    You can find me on: 

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Instagram:  Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Website:  

www.funkyjunkfromthecountry.com

Pinterest: @funkyjunkcntry

    Geniece & Jim

From Beast to Beauty

  From Beast to Beauty! 

  As soon as I seen this piece I knew I wanted it.  Oh those great bones and detail just called my name! Having repaired several other armoires, I knew the work involved.  Don't be fooled, this piece had some issues, a big hole in the back {how does that happen}.  The left side was loosing all of its veneer, we knew some of it could be saved, yet quite a bit of it would have to be replaced.  Better yet, I knew the beautiful reward of a gorgeous piece of furniture to cherish forever! 

  Finding it at an auction, you may or may not be the winning bidder.  We always have a max price in mind as to what we will pay, and on occasion we go crazy, temporary loss of mind and go over budget!  With all the work involved with the veneer, we won the bid well below our budget. A winner!  

  I nick named this piece the "Beast" because we had to load it on our junk truck, bring it home, unload again and put it on a cart.  It has more than earned its name the "Beast".  Who knew it would be that heavy.  Calgon take me away after just pushing it into the studio!

  Mr. Funky Junk had to place it on its side to repair the big hole in the back and to repair and rebuild the veneer on the left side. My hubby, Mr. Funky Junk is the love of my life and my partner in junk.  {He is a retired policeman and my hero too.} Okay, enough mooshyness!  He may ask for a raise, hah!

  The Bakelite handles were removed, several were broken and will be packaged up and head off to the Maumee Antique Mall in our booth for sale.  They are very pretty and retro, yet not in my vision for this piece.   In order for my hubby to repair the veneer, we removed the drawers { ALWAYS number them} and checked them out.  Next step, turn it on it's side, clamps, glue, bondo and elbow grease where all used to repair this side.  

  So I asked my hubby if he took a pic of the side while in repairs, answer: "No, did you want me to? " Ugh, "YES"!

  Well no repair pics in action, it's ready for paint! Getting ready to put my paint brush in action.  Fast forward, moved it into my studio {the room next door} and started painting.

 

  I use General Finishes Milk Paint in antique white.  It's my go to paint for all of my projects.  Depending on the piece, it could take three or four coats of paint, allowing drying time in between. I use a brush and do not spray my pieces.  Yes, it is a ton of work and takes time to complete.  After typography and an ebony wax, you will understand.  My style is unique and I love it! 

  Next step, my all time favorite way to spend an hour........browsing The Graphics Fairy website for beautiful graphics.  Go check out Karen's fabulous site www.thegraphicsfairy.com, you will be amazed.  I have seen this graphic completed on another piece of furniture and it was beautiful.  Not a hard choice, I could already imagine it completed.  Print out the graphics on graph paper, gather my oil Sharpies and I am ready! Hear me roar and watch my draw! 

  I always start in the middle of my project and work my way out to the sides and the entire piece.  Nothing is perfect,  I always have a white oil Sharpie on hand as well, it gets a workout! Quite often I have to get up, walk away and then stand back and check it out.  Just to make sure I am on the right path and make any adjustments. Like anything else, some projects are easier than others.  Other pieces just ooze a certain graphic and I have to go with it! 

  The drawing is complete. Amazing detail makes this graphic fabulous.  This one was challenging and took me two days, a total of 6 hours.  The first night I had to walk away and relax.  My eyes were seeing double and I couldn't focus.  My second day was fine and I could stand back and admire the completed design.  

  Now on to the real work, waxing the entire piece.  My go to wax is Monbri in Ebony, using a bristle brush and lots of steel wool.  When buying steel wool, I prefer no. 2 or no.3.  To course will leave scratches and to fine will make you feel like your arm will never move again.  Words of wisdom, wear surgical gloves, the wax will stain your fingers and the steel wool will leave your hands raw.  Does this sound fun yet?

  Apply the wax with your brush in small sections and then wait a few minutes before waxing.  If you prefer a darker more aged look, you may have to wax and remove several times.  Don't apply the wax very heavy thinking it will be easier...because it won't be!  Waxing and rubbing with steel wool is hard work, but the results are well worth it!  The steel wool and wax will tone down the graphics and give it that aged, shabby chic style that I love.

  The left side has been waxed and rubbed with steel wool.  The right has only graphics added.  The older you want the piece to look, the more waxing and steel wool you will need to use.

  You can again see the side and bottom right drawer have been waxed and rubbed.  I will be adding glass crystal knobs and then final pics before the big reveal.  Can you see the "Beast" transforming into the "Beauty"?  Ooohhhhh, I can! {sigh}

  It looks completely different now.  Just wondering how many people would bid on it now? It has five (5) deep dove tailed drawers and the closet space {on the left side} with a wood bar for all of your hanging clothes. 

  This one was a challenge, yet I have wanted to tackle this graphic for some time, I'm happy I did!

  Thank you for hanging out with me for this "Beast" into a "Beauty".

As always, peace, love & junk, 

geniece 

    You can find me on: 

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Instagram:  Funkyjunkfromthecountry 

Website:  

www.funkyjunkfromthecountry.com

Pinterest: @funkyjunkcntry

Etsy Shop:  JunkfromtheCountry

    Geniece & Jim

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