Amazing friends, welcome back! It’s time for another exciting edition of Thrift Shop Shakedown!! That’s where my favorite thrifting buddy, Nancy from Artsy Chicks Rule, and I take you thrifting with us, and we each choose something to make over. Then we show you what we did with the items we found!
We video the whole the whole shopping trip and share it with YOU! Maybe this will give y’all a tiny thrifting fix since we can’t thrift right now!
Enjoy the video!
If you have trouble viewing, see it on my YouTube channel HERE.
I hope you enjoyed that! There was much more bad dancing on my part (as always) but I spared you lol. Also, don’t forget to look for what Nancy chose to redo at the bottom of this post!!
We found a lot of great things on that trip! It seems that everything I found this time was small:
Some of these items like the Christmas village house won’t be getting made over. That might have been my favorite find! If you’ve ever seen my Christmas Village, you know how much I love them! I think that was $6. Also, the holiday box at the back, the lemons, and maybe the pretty pitcher don’t really need makeovers.
The star stocking holders will get a makeover closer to the holidays. The wreath at the back just needs a little TLC and the woven tray may just get some simple white dry brushing. Most of the rest of these items I added to my newest haul. See all those items I found in my garage HERE if you missed it.
Today I’m sharing what I did with the metal box with the grapes and the set of metal floral artwork.
First up is this wall hanger box thingy that I paid $3.98 for:
I started with a base coat of Fluff by Dixie Belle:
I’m so sorry I painted over your beautifully painted grapes, Dottie! It got two coats of the Fluff.
I knew the oval on the front would be an ideal spot for a small transfer. I used one of the transfers from a sheet of mini transfers (called Classic Vintage Labels by Re-designed by Prima):
I pulled out my new baby hydrangeas (that I found at JoAnns earlier this year) to create a pretty vignette:
I love how this one turned out!
Amazing what a little transfer adds!
And do you recognize the set of floral wall art??
These two pieces started out like this:
I probably would not have bought these normally, but they were so cheap at only $3.25 for both!
They got two coats of Fluff also and then I brought out my distressing block and “distressed” the raised areas using Coffee Bean:
I shared more on how to cheat a distressed look using the distressing block on this gorgeous mirror HERE.
I sealed these and the other piece with Dixie Belle’s Best Dang Wax in clear:
I don’t often use wax anymore, mostly because applying the Clear Coat is so much easier, but using a wet sealer on metal items can sometimes pull a pink hue through the paint. Wax does not. (I was wearing a hot pink shirt and that is what you see reflecting on the edges in that photo!) I could have used BOSS first, but for small pieces like this, wax is just as easy.
This set of wall art was just ho-hum before, and it isn’t too particularly exciting now, but it is simple and pretty…
I had originally planned to paint the flowers in with black paint, but opted to keep it simple instead.
I shared this $5 tool caddy in my bookcase makeover post recently and here it is again!
I’m so glad I kept this one! See what it originally looked like when I dragged it home HERE.
It’s fun to see what a couple of thrift store cast-offs can become, am I right? In this case, they became brand new wall decor!
Don’t forget to check out what Nancy is making over today!
She is sharing what she did with this tray she found on our trip:
See what she did with it HERE!
I hope you enjoyed shopping with us! If you want to see more of our thrifting videos, you can find them in my Video Library! 🙂
I’ll be back on Tuesday sharing what I did with this cutie pie of a bench!
UPDATE: See how this bench looks now HERE!!
I hope you have a great weekend, dear friends…stay safe!!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
I loved the video, you two are so funny! You also both find great things to make over. I love how your items turned out for todays make over, so cute now, amazing what a little paint can do. I think your dancing is funny in the videos, don’t edit it out, it gives me a good laugh, something we all need right now. Thanks to you and Nancy for brightening my day! You two are simply the best!!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! We do have a ton of fun thrifting together! And I will be sure to share ALL the dancing from now on ha ha! Have a fantastic day!! XOXO
Mary Esparza says
I love to go thrift store shopping. there are so many things people pass by, lucky for me lol. Thank yu for sharing all.
Christy says
Me too!! The thrill of the hunt is probably the most fun part…amazing what people discard! XOXO
Betty Bilnoski says
I loved both makeovers – yours & Nancy’s!
And I absolutely loved the thrifting video! It looked like so much fun. I’m looking forward to the makeovers.
Christy says
Thank you, Betty!! We always have fun together! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Loved seeing you two thrifting. Me and my sisters miss thrifting together. Maybe soon. Great job on the small items. Stay healthy.
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Janice! Thank you! My sisters would rather do anything than go thrifting with me, but that’s ok, I don’t have to fight them for the deals lol! You stay well too! XOXO
Phyllis says
I so look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays. These items are wonderful. I loved the thrifting video and can’t believe the low prices of some articles. You can make the most drab piece come alive. I am starting to make over some small pieces. I have a couple of larger pieces but the weather is not yet conducive to their transformation. My husband mowed grass on Tuesday, Wednesday it snowed. I am trying to be patient but seeing your wonderful pieces inspires me to want to begin painting. Thank you.
Christy says
Thank you, Phyllis!! We are very lucky with our thrift store prices for sure! And I hope you thaw out soon so you can get to painting!! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Hi there! Love the metal thing; I have one with a raised cherub and painted it black and started dry brushing with cotton….ugly, ugly, ugly! I was hoping you would do something with yours so I could see what magic you performed and voila! Your magical skills made yours look amazing! Loved your shopping video with Nancy! I can’t wait to get back to my favorite thrift store! Shopping at Goodwill is going to be different when they reopen; but we will have to be smart and stay safe. Have a great week end:)
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! Oh no…well sometimes things don’t exactly work out, but black is a great base if you plan to distress a little! Glad you enjoyed the video and yes, I too cannot wait to get back to thrift shopping! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Ohh, I love how both of these turned out Christy! Simple was perfect for the metal pieces and just love the other with the transfer and flowers. Can’t wait to go again! xoxo
Christy says
Thanks, Nancy! Sometimes less is more lol! Yes, me too!! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hey there Christy! I enjoyed watching the video. There was definitely slim pickins. I love that transfer. Is it one of the Label transfers? Not sure what its called. The entire vignette looked so pretty.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! I’m so glad you enjoyed the video! I usually can find a couple of cute furniture pieces at least, but not this time! Yes…it is one of the label transfers…I think you can find them on Etsy! XOXO
Kim says
As always, you inspire me! My bestie and I are itching to thrift together…and we figure when this whole mess is passed us, there is going to be lots to choose from in the stores because folks have been purging their homes!
Christy says
Aww thanks, Kim! Yes…our GoodWill has still been taking donations, so I know they are going to have a ton of stuff!! XOXO
Kris H. says
What a fun thrifting trip! I miss thrifting so much 🙁 I love seeing your transformations. I’m going to try a few of mine since you have inspired me – thanks!
Christy says
It was fun…we always have a laugh! I too miss thrifting!! And thank you…have fun with your projects! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Those wall plaques had no redeeming qualities that I could see, but you found their charm, as usual. The metal pocket was okay, but now it’s really lovely. I’m always amazed at your ability to take something that doesn’t have much appeal and turn it into something lovely. I’m also amazed that you continue to be drawn to underwear at thrift shops. What’s up with that, Christy? Your trip with Nancy gave me a little vicarious shopping thrill – not like I don’t have plenty of my own stuff already! Can’t wait to see what you do with the curvy little bench.
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie!! And ha ha…I don’t know what it is with me and underwear. I don’t search them out, I swear lol! Glad you could get a little taste of thrifting with our video…there are better days ahead, my friend! XOXO
Eva says
I can’t see the video. When I click on the link above it says it is private and not available. I also went directly to your YouTube page and don’t see it there.
Christy says
Oh no! I’m so sorry about that, Eva! I had it scheduled to go live on YouTube and it was set to private. It’s fixed now! 🙂 XOXO
Paula@SweetPea says
Great job on making over these two pieces, Christy! I loved the video with you and Nancy. I know that you two are ready to go thrifting again.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Paula! I’m glad you enjoyed the video! We were lucky to squeeze that in just before everything shut down. And yes, we are ready!! Take care! XOXO
Sherry Stuifbergen says
Of course, I like all that you do to make something look good! Good eye. Also, loved the video. I scanned the shelves with you! Your thrift shops are NICE! You both have a lot of fun together. I laughed with you! Thank you1
Christy says
Thank you, Sherry! Glad you had a laugh with us lol…I wish you all could come with us! XOXO
Carol Flynn says
Christy: beautiful restoration of the metal box, with the French Transfer! I am wondering if you have used Waterslide Laser Clear Decal Paper, and what the difference is between a transfer and a decal. Thank you!
Christy says
Thank you, Carol! I bought some water slide paper years ago and never tried it. I forgot all about it lol! I can’t speak for that, but the transfers are just rub-ons and they come like that ready to go. XOXO
Claudine says
Thanks so much for this share. 🙂 My daughter passed by while I was watching the video and she said “Mom, I can see the longing in your eyes”. lol
Christy says
Oh ha ha! You are so welcome! Girl, I miss thrifting too!!! XOXO
Pamela says
Would you ever consider doing a series where your readers could send a picture to you of something we’re hanging onto that we can’t figure out how to upcycle? I have 3 Sicilian tiles I removed from their worn out basket. Our daughter sent the basket to her dad for Father’s Day when she was living in Sicily.
Christy says
Hi Pamela! If you want to email a photo of the tiles, I can take a look. You can email me at christykjames@cox.net XO
Pamela says
Thank you. I cleaned and reorganized my craft supplies during the stay at home order and now I can’t find them! But I will. Pamela
Christy says
Oh no ha ha!
ROSE LEFEBVRE says
I LOVE the wall pocket! The B&W flower tho I liked better before painting. I would have only painted the frames.
Christy says
I prefer the wall pocket too, Rose! I did paint just the frames of the other two first, but they still didn’t look great and so I just filled them in completely. They were worth $3 though. 🙂 XOXO
Marie says
I’m so jealous of your Christmas village find – that’s a nice one! The metal box thingy looks so pretty now, Christy! Same with the wall plaques with just a fresh coat of white paint.
Christy says
That Christmas Village house was my favorite find! I was so excited and Nancy thought she filmed me finding it, but she hadn’t been recording lol. Thanks, Marie…sometimes a simple paint job goes a long way! Stay well, my friend! XOXO
A.Rrajani Photographer says
AMAZING!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING…
Christy says
Thank you! XO
Rosie says
Hi Christy, enjoyed the video…. closest I have been to shopping lately lol. I really like how the metal wall hanging thingy ( as you called it ha ha) turned out, a pretty transformation!
Christy says
Thanks, Rosie! Glad you enjoyed the video! It seems like it was so long ago that we recorded that…how things have changed so quickly! Better days are ahead! XOXO
Elizabeth Marchak says
Those frames would look great in a pastel like sage, aqua, baby blue or lilac.
Christy says
Funny you should say that because when I first saw them at the thrift store, I imagined them in pink! XO
LYNN SCHAUCHULIS says
Can you make a video on how to use transfers ? Do you wax them afterwards or clear coat them ? what is the link that you get them from?
thanks again and again for all your great ideas !!
Christy says
Hi Lynn! I’d be glad to make a video. You can do either…wax or clear coat. I usually clear coat them, and I get most of mine from Amazon. The one I used here came from Dixie Belle, but they no longer carry transfers. You can find this one on several Etsy shops if you search the name though. It is a great set of mini transfers! XOXO