So what is this passion of mine exactly?
When people ask me what I do, I've been so hesitant to say that I own a small business. I'm not sure where this mindset of not owning up to it proudly comes from - maybe it's because I'm just getting started - but my confidence is growing and lately, I have started really owning it and being proud of it. It's hard for me to describe what I do in just a few words as I have so much that I want to do and create that my head spins!
Lets just start by saying Pinterest is my Google. Any idea or thing that I need to look more into, I open that first and start searching. My morning routine consists of waking up at 5:30 getting my coffee and doing research while the kids and dad sleep. It's my quiet "me" time. There is so much out there and at times it can be overwhelming but it truly is the place where I have found so much inspiration and it has also given me the confidence in refinishing a clients piece of furniture or making those cool industrial shelves for someone's home, which in turn really kicked off Chalk It Up!
I love making old things new and have even joked that the bulk pick up weeks in Phoenix are my favorite time of year. I have gotten several pieces off the curb, sometimes with the kids in tow, and brought them home. Friends will text or message me on Facebook telling me of something they saw on the side of the road they know I could make beautiful. Much to my husbands dismay, he'll come home to find "junk" in the garage and will wonder how on earth I could have a vision for the piece. He quickly finds out ;). I see beauty in all things old and "beat up" possibly because growing up on a farm, everything served a purpose no matter how old or beat up it was. Don't get me wrong, I love all the pretty and perfect things you see in stores, but I know, that if I search enough, I can find a similar piece and make it my own for a fraction of the cost. There's still something to be said for working with your hands and making your own masterpieces. My favorite spots to look are Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp.
Give me $500 and I could furnish any room in your house. Many people don't want to go through the hassle of looking for the perfect piece on these sites or communicating with the seller and then arranging the pick up. Well not me! I'll go on an adventure any day to get the piece I want and have made that service part of my business.
Don't be afraid to do something with those old pieces you have. A custom touch is the way to go. Just because Grandma's old hutch is beat up, doesn't mean there isn't life still in there or family stories to be told. Let's find the beauty in it again.
This piece (see below) was out for bulk pick up, and luckily my father-in-law was in the area to help me grab this behemoth. It was solid wood and had dove tailed drawers with unique, wood handles. I was able to sand it down, fix some broken areas, and paint it a beautiful matte black. Within a week of it being reborn, it was off to a new customer's home. Just as we should with people, don't judge a book by its cover.
Let me know if you're up for the challenge. I would love to help you create a space you love.
Until next time...
Marie
Lets just start by saying Pinterest is my Google. Any idea or thing that I need to look more into, I open that first and start searching. My morning routine consists of waking up at 5:30 getting my coffee and doing research while the kids and dad sleep. It's my quiet "me" time. There is so much out there and at times it can be overwhelming but it truly is the place where I have found so much inspiration and it has also given me the confidence in refinishing a clients piece of furniture or making those cool industrial shelves for someone's home, which in turn really kicked off Chalk It Up!
I love making old things new and have even joked that the bulk pick up weeks in Phoenix are my favorite time of year. I have gotten several pieces off the curb, sometimes with the kids in tow, and brought them home. Friends will text or message me on Facebook telling me of something they saw on the side of the road they know I could make beautiful. Much to my husbands dismay, he'll come home to find "junk" in the garage and will wonder how on earth I could have a vision for the piece. He quickly finds out ;). I see beauty in all things old and "beat up" possibly because growing up on a farm, everything served a purpose no matter how old or beat up it was. Don't get me wrong, I love all the pretty and perfect things you see in stores, but I know, that if I search enough, I can find a similar piece and make it my own for a fraction of the cost. There's still something to be said for working with your hands and making your own masterpieces. My favorite spots to look are Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp.
Give me $500 and I could furnish any room in your house. Many people don't want to go through the hassle of looking for the perfect piece on these sites or communicating with the seller and then arranging the pick up. Well not me! I'll go on an adventure any day to get the piece I want and have made that service part of my business.
Don't be afraid to do something with those old pieces you have. A custom touch is the way to go. Just because Grandma's old hutch is beat up, doesn't mean there isn't life still in there or family stories to be told. Let's find the beauty in it again.
 |
| AFTER |
This piece (see below) was out for bulk pick up, and luckily my father-in-law was in the area to help me grab this behemoth. It was solid wood and had dove tailed drawers with unique, wood handles. I was able to sand it down, fix some broken areas, and paint it a beautiful matte black. Within a week of it being reborn, it was off to a new customer's home. Just as we should with people, don't judge a book by its cover.
 |
| BEFORE |
Let me know if you're up for the challenge. I would love to help you create a space you love.
Until next time...
Marie