Success

     For the last few weeks I have been working on projects, planting flowers, and spreading mulch to get ready for my first "Open Garage" this past Monday. Of course, I had a lot of help from my friends and family! :) As my nights grew longer and my alarm clock remained set for the wee hours of the morning, I neglected my blog...once again! I have been so busy making the projects that I have had very little time to write about them. But my dear friend, Carly decided to share my blog on FACEBOOK! So, I decided that I needed to update. :)
     As Monday rolled around I began doubting my decision to put my work on display. There were so many people continuously sending encouragement and tips my way. So, after all of the bruises, fears, and exhaustion I opened my home and shop to my family and friends. I set a goal and far surpassed it in a way that I never dreamed. The success of the "open garage" has opened my eyes to the possibilities of Restored Charm. Here are some of the things that I sold at the "open garage."

 

     My next step was finally deciding to create a Facebook page. With the help of my Facebook guru friend, we created the Restored Charm page. Slowly, but surely I am adding pictures and inviting friends. 

     As I wrap up an incredibly hectic, yet successful week, I am excited at what the future holds for my little business. I am thankful to my family and friends for their constant help, encouragement, and support. Now...back to the shop to finish up some orders. :) 

Lindsey

Busy Bee

After my last post I had every intention of writing once or twice a week. As you can see, that didn't happen. I have been so busy after work and on the weekends making my projects that I haven't opened my computer since my last post. Last weekend my Daddy came to town. In a whirlwind of about 24 hours, my garage was transformed from a junk yard to a creative workspace and display area for my antiques and projects. The next step is to get concrete poured for the garage.
On the advertisement front, I designed and ordered my first set of business cards. I love the way they turned out. I have also decided to have an "Open Garage Sale" for friends and family on May 21st. I will make some smaller things to sell that day and the larger items can be ordered. Here are some of the things that I have restored. :)
Although I have filled many of my afternoons with projects, I have still found the time to spend some much needed time with my friends. It still amazes me what wonderfully supportive people I have around me. Some are my critics that drive me to make better projects, some are my best customers, and others provide me with laughter and fun to keep me energized! I couldn't do it without them! As usual, I am off to make more projects.

Love,
Lindsey

MIA

Well...I'm back. :) I guess the best way to explain my absence is that I have been a little busy and a little distracted with work, gardening, and dealing with thieves. Yes, that's right...while I was enjoying my spring break kayaking with my little sis, my lawn mower was stolen. But why dwell on the negative! Now, kayaking...is something everyone should try it! Allison and I spent the day Monday on the Broad River in Danielsville, GA, camped Monday night, and then decided to go down the river again on Tuesday. Between the rapids, Idgie, and a halfway inflated air mattress to sleep on, we couldn't stop laughing! In case you want to experience this yourself...here is the link to The Broad River Outpost. http://www.broadriveroutpost.com/ This is a shot of Idgie, after we made it safely through a crazy rapid! I think she enjoyed it!


Over the last month, I have spent quite a bit of time and collecting things from my MawMaw's house and off the side of the street. I was called a, "Lagrange Picker" earlier today! :) I haven't spent a lot of time working on projects because I made a decision to wait on pursuing the building to sell my things. Instead, I am going to make and sell my treasures out of my garage. So, spread the word and let know if you need anything for your home or garden! In March, I made these birthday decorations for my niece, Kayla's, 3rd birthday. Also, I just finished a pair of shutter plant stands...sorry, they are already sold. But there is more where that came from. :)

While I have taken a little time off from the arts and crafts side of things, I have been staying busy by tilling my yard, adding fertilizer, and accumulating various plants for my window box and yard. I built the window box last year when I couldn't find one long enough to fit my window. Then, I painted it turquoise...my favorite color. Gardening has become quite the obsession and in the process, I have even met some new neighborhood friends who gave me some plans to add to my collection. I will post a picture of the yard when everything blooms!
Sorry for not posting lately, but I promise to write again soon! Happy Spring! :)

Presidents' Day Scavenger Hunt...

I have taken full advantage of my day off today and loaded my poor Xterra down with "junk" several times. It definitely took a beating. First, I played around in my garage, which has lately taken on the junk yard look. I definitely don't hate it. I worked on a sign for a friend and then went to pick up a couple of old doors that I recently purchased. On the way, I spotted free wooden fruit crates for the taking and I loaded my front seat down with as many as possible. If it's free...it's for me!

After realizing that I hadn't seen my Grandparents in a while, I ventured out to my old neck of the woods. I love spending time with them and looking around their house makes my mind race with ideas. Although our visits are now confined to my "Grandaddy's Room" in the back of the house, I don't mind one bit. I explain to my Grandaddy what I have been doing and he seems interested and even mentions that I can have some of his "treasures" down at the shop. He also tells me that there are a few picture frames that I might be interested in upstairs. He motioned how to find them with his giant hands that have seen so many years they could tell a story all on their own. Our conversation then turned to advice on cutting a piece of wood at a 45 degree angle, but we are continuously interrupted by my precious Grandmother saying, "You are so pretty. Well you've always been pretty, but now you're just gorgeous." Imagine all of this in the thickest, Scarlett O'Hara accent. After a short visit with my uncle, I head down to the shop to see what I can find. Man, did I hit the jackpot!!! My family is one of those large southern families that daily visits for us would seem like a family reunion to some. My cousins ask what I am doing and are also very supportive of my new venture. More relatives show up and we visit for a short time. Finally, I head home to unload my loot. I was so excited about it all that I kept looking out my window admiring my stash! :)

My Daddy said he is working on a few tool ideas for me and I can't wait to see what his genius mind creates! He decided that he would refurbish one of his old tools for me to use on my projects and this is what it looks like...for now!

Whether you were working in an office or piddling around the house, I hope everyone enjoyed their day as much as I did!

Love,
Lindsey

Business Fever!!!

Since my last post I decided that I have what I am diagnosing as, "Business Fever." When I lay down at night, I plan out what the room of my shop would look like and how it would be decorated. Of course, it keeps me awake at night making my early mornings almost unbearable. I ride around LaGrange almost everyday calling the numbers to check out their price. Most phone calls end with, "Thank you so much, but it's a bit out of my price range." However, one place I found isn't perfect, but just might be the place to start. So, for the last couple of weeks I have been crunching numbers to see if it is even financially possible. Finally, I told myself that if the building is still for rent in May, I might just take a leap of faith and start Restored Charm...the store. :) I could spend my summer working and making things to see if this crazy restaurant/antique store idea is even worth it.

My birthday is coming up in about a month and my wish list has been completely taken over with tools and supplies to make my projects a little easier. I need a few of these items, because I have spent the last week or so enduring terrible back pain. Not really sure what caused it, but I will have to be careful when making some of my projects. My thoughts quickly turned to one of those back braces with suspenders. I think I could rock it! :)

Last week I was talking to a friend who asked me to make her a shelf for her baby's room. Of course, this isn't just any shelf...I will be using an old door and turning it into a corner shelving unit for her to use. It has been so much fun planning everything out and starting to make my first real project for sale. In the process, I have run into a few obstacles which immediately meant break-time for Lindsey and a phone call to my Daddy. He says he will be down in a couple of days for a visit and "we will work it all out." Got to love a supportive Daddy! So, that's where I am for now...taking requests. :) I have a few other small projects going and will post pictures soon! For now, let me know if you know of a cheap building for rent and pray my back remains healthy! Love to all!

Antiques and Biscuits? Yes, please!!!

Over the last 4 years, I have spent my time teaching Math to 3rd graders. Some people ask, "so you always wanted to be a teacher?" The short answer is...NO. :) I was not the child who grew up playing school with my sisters. Instead, I found sticks to make forts or my Daddy's tools to play with, my favorite being an old table vice grip. It was perfect to hold random objects for me to hammer, paint, or redesign. But, here I am...a Masters degree holding educator and this is how it all came to be...

After graduating from The University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) I started working for a local church in hopes of opening a full day preschool for them. This is what I planned to do with my Child and Family Development degree one day. As I realized that this plan was not what it first seemed to be, I took the GACE (certification test for educators) after it was suggested by a close friend. My thoughts were that a family would appreciate that the owner/director of a preschool was a certified teacher. Surprisingly enough, I passed the test and quit my job at the church. Now, what to do, what to do?!?! I got it...GO TO ITALY FOR 10 DAYS!! And that's exactly what I did. I had dinner with my older sister, Kelley, after I got back and I told her with all seriousness, "I am moving to Italy for one year." She kindly said I was crazy and explained the importance of a Master level degree. This coming from the girl who is currently finishing a Doctorate. :) She said, "Get your degree and then you can go." I look at her as if to say, "Oh, you're gonna let me go then." I didn't like the ultimatum, but I knew she was right. I still had my reservations, but figured I would think on it throughout the summer. I was getting ready to go back to Athens, and then it happened...I was called in for an interview at Ethel Kight, an Elementary School. I explained that I was in shorts, a t-shirt, and flip flops with no resume and I was heading out of town. I was urged to come in and that's how it happened. I was hired and in a whirlwind of about two weeks, I had to figure out how to teach, decorate a classroom, and learn to set an alarm clock. After a few months, I began my Master's degree like Kelley said to do. After my first year of teaching, I had seen kids get sick from all ends, cut out more letters, and met with more parents than I ever imagined possible. On the last day, I was informed that I would now be a 3rd grade math teacher. Wahooo....Math is for me! :) I thought this may be the perfect place, maybe I was cut out to be a teacher. Words will never be able to express the highs and lows of being in a classroom full of 8 and 9 year-olds. I will save those stories for later. Last month, I finished my Master's degree in Elementary Education and the only thing I want to do is go antique shopping with my extra cash! :)

So, that's what I do and here is my plan for the future...I want to open a small restaurant with a simple organic menu that is decorated with antiques and things that I make to sell. In my short 26 years of living, I have never been this excited about anything work related. I am consumed by the thought of decorating the place and filling it with the things that make me happy...antiques, food, and people! I have talked with my Daddy, who I turn to for all important decisions. With my fingers crossed, I waited for his response on the other end of the phone. He was so supportive and has even begun collecting things for me to use. LOVE HIM!!! That's it...that's as far as I have planned for now. The next step, choosing a name and perfecting my Grandmother's biscuit recipe!! :)

And away we go...

For as long as I can remember, I've loved making new stuff out of old things. When I was little, my Daddy's junk pile became a jackpot for my creative endeavors. As I got older, I admired the random oddities hanging from the roof of my grandparent's pavilion. My mind wondered where they came from and the stories they could tell.

Now, I am a new home-owner and I decided that I would fill my home with those stories. Over the last year and a half, I have searched local antique shops, yard sales, and family barns for "antiques" to make my house a home. I actually started a blog the summer after I bought my house, even naming it "Home Sweet Home." Real original...perhaps that's why it never got the first post from me. :) My plan was to blog about the treasures I found, tell of the struggles of being a young home-owner, and share pictures of things I had made.

Here I am, almost a year and a half later and ready to tell my story. But I think I will put a twist on this blog attempt...I am going to tell you how I made my house the precious home that I love, but also share a little bit about me and my plan for the future.
And away we go...