Up-cycle an old File box into a writers box

Project

Up-cycle an old File box into a writers box. Perfect project for  the Paper Addict.

You've seen these before

First I cleared out all the files and hardware inside the box.

Then I glued some decorative paper to the lid backing, and glued some Leather organizer pockets that I'd removed from an old brief case.

A couple of pieces of leather strap hold the lid in an upright position so it won't fall all the way back. 

Room for everything

 and it's portable.

Flea Market Style Magazine March/April 2019 now in stock

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I have about 30 copies left so get your order in soon.

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Canvas and Leather Projects

Sorry for my long absence. I've been updating my Instagram and Facebook pages more often so for more frequent posts, check me out on those places.

I wanted to share a few Canvas and Leather projects with you.

Above is a combination of painters canvas, and parts from various leather bags I've re-purposed from my junking hunts. There are bits of an old and unsalvageable Dooney & Bourke, an unbranded satchel and a couple of old leather belts.

This was upcycled from an old Boy Scout Backpack,  Before and After above.

I basically cleaned it up, and added leather trims to it.  

It's perfect for the Flea Market Cart

A look back at Spring 2013 issue of Flea Market Style Magazine Ki Nassauer Elizabeth Ulrich Stacy Sirk Junk Genius

You'll love this vibrant Spring 2013 issue of Flea Market Style. The  cover photo features a colorful home on Long Island that unfortunately fell victim to the "perfect storm" of Hurricane Sandy.  But before that, FMS Cameras got a great look  at the home, and last I heard the homeowners were rebuilding. It's a perfect beachy backdrop for their many found treasures.

 Also featured is a  19th century Chicago home filled with unique finds.

Six pages on vintage items in the garden,

 The English home of the co-author of "Junk Genius", and you'll want to study page 93 for a unique trick of the camera that was only spotted later.

Can you spot Ki's own shoes used as a prop in the photo above?

 Page 110 features 8 pages from 3 homes of 3 neighbors in Mississippi who love to fill their spaces with fun finds, Each home unique. I wish I lived in such a neighborhood.

 Ki's top 10 collectibles, stand the test of time.

As well as a list of reader picked vintage shops around the country.

Can you guess what a Pot-luck chair is, see page 144.

Also in this colorful issue

Are projects for making decorative mobiles from found objects,

 Ki nassauer shares her tips for shopping in the junkyard, 

 

 You'll go fleaing with Elizabeth Ulrich in Tennessee, and
  Get a list of Miles Long Yard sales just in time for summer,

 

 Fun Tote making projects on page 20-21,

 Enjoy some amazing Paint-By-Number projects on page 48-57,

 

And Go on a junking-wine tasting jaunt in Southern California with Ki and her Daughter,

 If you missed it the first time, it's not too late. You can still get this issue and other older issues, as well as current issues on my ordering page here.

Turn an old leather bag into a backpack without damaging the bag

For this project I used an old Leather Coach Willis Bag, but any bag with top rings will work.

 

My bag was missing it's crossbody strap. With this alteration technique it can be worn as either a crossbody (above) , or a backpack (below).

 

 I attached a jump ring, in a rectangle shape to the bottom of the bag.  You'll need a piece of scrap leather and a rivet.  I got the jump ring from another old bag, Re-purpose as much as you can on this project . 

 At the bottom I'll have a supplies resource list. 

I inserted the hole needed for the rivet through and between the stitches at the bottom of the bag. The rivet can be removed later if desired, and the bag will return to it's prior condition.  I used an awl to coax the stitches apart just enough to insert the rivet shaft. (you could also use a small screwdriver to coax the stitches apart).

 I used a couple of old belts (again re-purposing)  to make a long strap that can be separated using  head button studs to fit it to the size you desire.  I placed the studs 2" apart on one belt and punched holes 2" apart on the other. 

I attached the straps to the top rings with rivets, this could also be done with the Ball Studs to make it fully detachable.

You'll need some specialized equipment to do this.  Here are links to the items used via

Ball heads studs here 

Rivits

Leather punch

Leather scraps, jump rings, belts, all found or thrifted.

Mail Box Organizer Project, Mud room organizer, Keys and such

 This project is something I've been wanting to do for awhile now.  It's fairly simple but did require a few tools.

 

The mail box I used did not have the hooks below that a lot of old mail boxes have. If it did, those hooks might have been all that was needed and you could have just hung the box up and been done with it. 

 But my hubby has several cars (classic) and several sets of keys, so having up to 6 hooks is a bonus.  I cut a piece of wood so that it would fit in the bottom of the mail box.  I then drilled 3 holes and screwed in my double hooks. That is all that was needed.  

For added interest and functionality , you could paint the mail box and or add vertical wood pieces to make compartments inside. 

Just one of my projects designed to bring some organization to my mud room.

Brand new issue of Flea Market Style Magazine
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 An All New Never-Before-Seen 

2016 - 2017

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Some Recent finds for Autumn Fun!

Just a few recent finds

 

Click any photo to shop

Can you live a minimalist lifestyle and be a junker?????

You might say I'm "conflicted".

 First and foremost I'm a junker. I love to hunt, find, and purchase unique and fun vintage stuff. I love to decorate and re-arrange. I love the unexpected fabulous mystery piece, that will be just perfect in this spot or that.  But I'm also a very organized, neat and tidy person, who at times, just wants to clear it all out.

Organized but dense 

 How do I possibly combine both of my personality traits?  Well, It's not always easy!

Way too busy!

The organized part of me says...  "Keep it simple" "if it's not useful or beautiful, don't have/keep it"  and  "when it starts to look cluttered, clear it out".

Definitely needs decluttering in here. Photo is old and I've removed a ton of stuff from this space since.

Then the junk lover inside says "but that piece is so special, I just have to have/keep it"

Not so bad, but still a bit crowded.

That's a little bit better

My solution is to have spaces that are "cluttered" and spaces that are "edited".  Basically for the sanity of my marriage, the "edited" spaces are the shared spaces.  The "cluttered" ones, are "my spaces".

This is one of those "my" spaces where I allow myself to clutter things up

And when things get a little "dense" as hubby says, I edit...

This is "after" decluttering, but I've since edited it even more. There are fewer items on the desk now, and on the shelves.

Sometimes I'll go into a room and say to myself "remove just one item".

I'll look around for the item that I'm "over" and move it to my Etsy store.

There are at least 4 items in this photo that have since been moved out

That is the other way I deal with the desire to hunt and gather. As a "dealer" I can find, purchase, and enjoy an item for awhile, and then move it along to the next person. It's a way to feed the sickness.

This space is fairly well edited. If I were to walk in here and try to pick an item to remove, it would be the cases under the coffee table.

And when I feel I'm failing, I just look around at all the Junk, hubby has, and I feel much better. :)

My things don't take up nearly as much space as Cars, Motorcycles and Mini bikes:)