Easy DIY Shelves

I hate bank walls. They bother me immensely. They’re so lonely and bare and sad. But also kinda exciting. There’s so much that you can do to an empty wall. For example:

–Display books

–Chalkboard wall

–Photo wall 

I found this cool pottery set below at a garage sale for $8 and knew I wanted to display it somewhere in our house.

Set of 4 bowls and plates= $8 at garage sale. We found the coffee mugs in my grandmother’s basement.

Unfortunately, shelves are expensive. And I hate how many of them look. So, we decided to create our own. Here’s how:

Materials:

-2 long pieces of wood (cut to whatever length you choose)

-Shelf brackets

-Screws

-Power drill

-Level

Directions:

Figure out where you want your shelves to go on the wall (keep in mind you need to find studs for this to really work. Please note: the video I attached for finding studs has the following comment posted: “Also, the guy in this video is very sexy.” You’ve been warned). Mark with a pencil the exact location of the studs and where your brackets will go. Using your drill, attach the brackets to the wood. Finally, drill screws into the remaining bracket holes, attaching the shelf to the wall.

*Sorry I do not have pictures for this process- I didn’t know when we did these 2 years ago that I’d have this blog. Rats.

Total cost to make: about $18

Accessory breakdown: Both pictures, wine bottle, sifter, towel- gifts from friends and family; old cheese grater- $0.50 (will be used in a project, of course); old books, picture frame, mason jar, dried hydrangea- found around our house. Total cost of accessories (including pottery): $8.50. Amen.

So how much will it cost you to build similar shelves?

-2 pieces of wood: $6

-Brackets: $12 (includes approximate cost of screws used)

Total cost: $18

I can handle that.

Any other ideas for blank walls? Do share. 

Also, puppies:

Love.

 

Why estate sales are your new best friend

I have a love/hate relationship with estate sales. Sometimes, they’re incredible. For example, I bought these adorable Norman Rockwell pictures for $1 a piece at an estate sale.

Norman Rockwell pictures= $1

And this adorable, handmade casserole holder for $0.50.

Precious handmade casserole holder. The sweet lady who was downsizing her home made this and it’s just perfect.

But occasionally, I’ll come to an estate sale where I seriously. cannot. understand. your. life. I don’t mean the people that acquired all the stuff and for whatever reason (it’s not always death) are now selling their stuff. I mean the businesses that run the estate sale. I mean, I guess it is a business and they are trying to make money. But still. I saw an awesome piece of pottery at an estate sale recently. Guess how much?? $120. Like seriously?!?

Now, I’m not saying it wasn’t once worth $120 or even more. It was perfectly crafted and so beautiful. BUUUUUT. This is an estate sale where you’re literally trying to get rid of everything in the house. It ain’t happenin.

So, I get strangely excited about estate sales. Will it be a good one? Expensive? Horrendous? No one can know. Unless you’re awesome. Here’s how to be awesome:

1. Go to www.estatesales.net
2. Search your area and make a list of all the estate sales you could possibly go to this weekend (or whenever you have time). MAKE SURE TO WRITE DOWN THE NAME OF THE COMPANY THAT IS HOLDING THE SALE! I’ll get to that later.
3. Go to them! Have fun! Preferably, choose sales that are relatively close by so you can go on Thursday (usually the 1^st day) and again on Saturday (usually the last day). Many companies will sell everything for 50% on Saturday. You may be asking- well why don’t I just go on Saturday?? Keep reading. I’ll tell ya.
4. After your weekend of exploring different sales, critique the businesses. Ask yourself the following:
   1. Were their prices reasonable the first day? The last day?
   2. Were they willing to bundle (offer you a deal if you bought a lot of stuff)?
   3. How was the customer service?

You’ll notice certain estate sale businesses are worth attending, and others are not. Don’t waste time at the ones you know won’t deliver. I will not be attending any estate sales by the business with the $120 pottery NOR will I attend one held by the business that was terribly rude to M and me one time.

Here’s what I suggest as far as when to go: If you have the luxury, go on Thursday (usually the first day). You can scope out what they have and if you see something you really love, go ahead and buy it. If you can wait, however, until Saturday (usually the last day), you may be able to get half off or some awesome bundle deals. Beware though! If you wait until Saturday, you may miss something perfectly wonderful. It’s risky, I know.

I recently went to an awesome estate sale (put on by my favorite business). Since it’s summer (Only 16 days left for teacherfolk in this area. I will not cry, I will not cry…), Sr. and I were able to go on Thursday and again on Saturday. Check  out the awesome goodies we discovered:

$4 at estate sale

This is an awful fabric piece of art (?) with geese (?). It’s 3 feet by 4 feet and is just awful, but it only cost $1 and has a wooden frame that is perfect for reusing. The sheets on top of it cost $0.50 a piece. I’m working on redoing this for my sister’s new apartment…post coming soon 🙂

Old wooden ladder, $10

I am sooo excited about this project 🙂

I’m thinking something like this for the wooden ladder. Thoughts?

3 containers, filled with goodies. Each container cost $2

Our spoils. Details below.

100 file folders= $0.25

4 books for my middle schoolers= $4

4 rulers= $1

100 assorted cards/envelopes= $1.25

Box of 30 tubes of watercolor and paint brushes for good friends= $5

Watering can= $3

Milk glass vase= $0.50

Rusted cheese grater (for project, not grating cheese. Not trying to kill myself)= $0.50

Bag of kid scissors= $0.75

Helmet= $4

Not pictured:

Sabre saw= $15

Extension cord= $4

Heavy-duty measuring tape= $4

I didn’t buy these, but here’s a look at some of the other things we could have bought at this sale, just to give you an idea of how awesome these sales are!

Each pot was $1 or less.

One of the tables displaying their glassware, all reasonably priced.

One of the boxes of picture frames. All frames $1

Roll top desk=$35. Would be perfect for painting and finishing.

Do you have any treasures from estate sales? Do share. 

Also…

This is just cute. Nothing to do with estate sales.

Piggy back ride. Again, not related to estate sales at all.

Wood project?

WE GOT A NEW FENCE. So. Excited. Sr. and I have a wonderful home…but the yard is janky. Forreal. The owners before us kindly left us the following: chain link fence, completed wooden fence, partial wooden fence, chicken coop (whaat?), brick, flagstone, and all sorts of bizarre fixtures throughout the yard. Needless to say, it needed (still needs) some MAJOR updates. So, we’re slowly but surely attempting to improve it.

Today, we came one step closer to my dream of magical backyard times by installing a new, complete, perfect fence. This may be a (kinda) DIY blog, but we definitely didn’t DIO (ourselves, duh). We’re not quite yet at the huge fence building level of handiness.

New fence!

Yep. They’re going to love it.

Anyway, the pups are happy.I know because Riley peed on it (as close as she could, at least). But really, Riley’s always happy. Unfortunately for her, she can’t climb this one like the chain link we previously had. Yep. That monster actually escaped (multiple times) by climbing the fence. She had a little help from a stump, but still. She climbed it.

What is this face Fin is making? So regal/special. Bless his heart.

Perfect puppy watching seat. Also good for being eaten by mosquitos.

Another plus: We have tons of leftover wood the builders so graciously left. My wonderful sister, Kitten Sorceress, made this AMAZING/practical/perfect bottle opener with salvaged wood:

Obviously, we use it often.

If we didn’t already have one, I would make it. But, she’s awesome and did it first. If you’re interested in making one, here’s a great tutorial.

Not sure what project I’ll do with all my leftover wood, but here are a few ideas I love on Pinterest:

Horse gate hanger

Wallpaper on wood

Beer carrier– this looks a wee bit complicated, but I know Sr. would LOVE it. Beer people.

And really ANYTHING at this awesome website (another FunkyJunk Interiors project- this lady is awesome!)

What do y’all suggest? What project should I tackle next?

My firstborn

I may not have actually birthed Finley, but he is my baby. He will always hold a special place in my heart, even when he’s barking for no apparent reason.

Snow puppy Finley

Here are a few of the things I love about this crazy pup:

1. He is great around kids. He would probably offer them rides if he spoke English (still working on that one).
2. He allows me to do all of the following: hug him, kiss his face multiple times, lie on him, etc. Please note: I say “allows” because he’s not a cuddler. Unlike Riley, Fin would prefer to observe from a distance. Even still, he is a sweetheart that tolerates my hovering and touchiness.
3. He looks out for Riley. Watch out cats. Finley will defend Riley all day long. Only HE can pin her to the ground and wrestle with her. No one else. The end.

He’s so happy all the time.

Really, like I tell him all the time, he’s my best friend.

Sweet Finley trying to make me feel better on a sick day

Bonus: Finley’s other names

Fin, Fin Man, Finny, Finaree, Finsey Mackenzie (when he’s especially gentlemanly), Thinley (he’s losing weight! Go Fin!), The Beast

So handsome

Cheesin hard

T-REX FIN

Puppy Toy Storage

Riley joined our family in June after we found her at a rescue organization. See adorable picture below from adoption day.

Happy adopted puppy. Her original name was “Strudel.” No.

So. Precious.

With her adoption came the obvious next step: buy more dog toys! You know you do it. How can you not? Besides, we knew Finley would enjoy some new toys as well.

There was only one problem. Toys were literally everywhere. Under the couch. On the couch. Inside the couch (I’m exaggerating a wee bit. They’re not actually allowed on the furniture but I think Finley sneaks when we’re in the kitchen).

EVERYWHERE. TOYS.

Anyway, needless to say, I needed somethin real fast-like. Unfortunately, as I will occasionally complain about throughout this blog, adding something to your “TO FIND AT GARAGE SALE” does not magically make said item appear at your next garage sale adventure.

Thankfully, I just so happened to be saling (as I will hereby refer to going to garage sales) with my dear friend, M. She is a warrior at sales, upcycling, and anything antique. She recently found the cutest place nearby that sells the most gorgeous antiques, custom-made furniture, and goodies. The best part: they are very reasonably priced, which is good because I’m not going if it’s expensive. I’m spoiled now by garage sales. It’s hard, y’all.

So, after circling the store about 27 times, I finally decided on the perfect antique crate for my dog toys. I loved the practicality of the piece, but it obviously had to match my house. Duh. With a $5 price tag, I couldn’t beat it.

Riley’s not impressed.

Now it’s filled with toys that my happy pups drag out each day. Still working on getting the pups to put them back in the crate though…

Waiting “patiently” to get the toys BACK out after I put them up for these photos.

Where do you keep your dog toys? Can your furbabies put away their toys? Share your ways, Master.

-Tea