Sunday, September 28, 2008

Soldering Class at the Red Shed ** Dallas / Fort Worth Altered Art classes

September 25th was the date of the Creative Soldering class at the Red Shed. Again, the instructors Jeanne Stregles and Michele Jones outdid themselves. When all the participants arrived, we were greeted with a look at fun and inspiring projects that can be created with Soldering skills.
Decorative and vintage bottles with antique jewelry and interesting items soldered to the top for display.

Gorgeous wall jewelry....
Necklaces, baubles and beads........


We knew we would be starting out with more "basic" projects, but we were still excited.
Again the tables were set with care with all of our instructions and equipment...

Of course, the famous "Runs with Scissors" cookies, lest we starve...
The weather was gorgeous so we move outside to the Red Shed patio, to receive our instruction...

Jeanne taught us how to cut glass....... How to grind glass and all those rough edges.......

We learned the basics of equipment, solder, (leaded or unleaded), flux, soldering styles, cleaning, antiquing and polishing....


Jeanne made it all look really easy. For some reason we didnt think it would be that easy, but she said we could do it so we jumped right in........




And the results? Here are just a few of the darling beveled charms that were made. It really wasn't that hard and just think what we could do when we practice a little more....






We can't wait to try more projects and to join more classes! We are already dreaming of projects of the future............



For more information about Altered Art and Soldering Classes at the Red Shed visit:


Thursday, September 18, 2008

Beautiful, Inspiring , Fun Antiques .... Our finds from Minnesota

Time to unveil what Michele M, Michele J, and Valarie, aka The Red Shed Girls, brought back from our Junk Bonanza Antiquing Trip to Minnesota. All of the items below are available for sale at The Red Shed, Cottage Chic Antiques, in Grapevine, Texas.

We love the beautiful, interesting, architectural based furniture that we found. This blue-green flip top table has a deep lacquered shabby finish. The cross bars are carved just as the sides. It is gorgeous.

We couldn't resist this interesting side table. Probably made from one leg of a larger table. The lion is intricately carved.
We will add some hooks to this to make a bench/hall tree. It is a one of a kind treasure made from a vintage door, mirror and dozens of separate antique architectural elements. This is a substantial piece that would really make a statement in your foyer.
Love this farm cabinet! Fifteen drawers and a cupboard to store all your crafts, jewelry or toiletries. This is a shelf also made for separate pieces. It almost looks like a piece of a table on your wall. It's darling!

We found lots of wonderful Architectural pieces that would look as great in your home as in your garden. Just drool........








Now for the really interesting, fun, and unique!
This is an antique gear mold. It is hand carved and made to press in sand and make an impression for the molten metal to create giant gears.
It is just gorgeous, and would look so striking above a fireplace, or on at tall wall open to a second story.
Designers, start your engines......
Huge vice clamps.............
Perfect white patina on this heavy steel wheel...... Large yarn spool....
Couldn't resist this cardboard dress form...

White swan made from corn husks.......
Large propeller..........
Nautical Light covers...........
The most interesting birdcage. The exterior ball rolls like a bingo cage, but the interior perch and food cups stay stationary. This one may not be vintage, but it is really unique!
Beautiful crochet handle hatbox...
Love this baby scale! How great will it be filled with Holiday gourds and bounty? Fabulous french lamp....
And of course, The Kitchen Sink! Heavy, Huge, Porcelain, and Wonderful. Perfect for your potting shed.
This is just a sampling. Of course we have lots of fun smaller items that we smuggled home in our suitcases. Valarie's suitcase was 25 pounds overweight at the airport!
Drop by the Red Shed, Monday-Friday 9-5 or during our Saturday Spectacular Sale on October 25th, to see the rest of our "booty".