Thursday, November 1, 2012

Repurposed Windows Projects DIY Window Home Decor



Repurposed Windows Projects DIY Window Home Decor

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Today I am going to share with you another DIY project that I adore, and hope to do myself. I have a window I found quite some time ago, and hope to redo it to hang on one of my walls. There are so many ways for windows to repurpose them it is amazing. So many creative minds out there, and I am so happy that they share their work for others to see. Also, for many of us to conclude some of our own creative ideas too. 

Many windows can be found from your home to use, from finds, sometimes you might find them sitting for trash, while you are thrifting, some people will sell them at garage sales, etc. Once you get them you need to decide what it is you would like to do with them. You can use these found windows with, or without window panes, decoupe the windows with designs, post cards, and pictures. Maybe you would like to add a little chicken wire to them to make a memo board, or a jewelry holder. Decorate your bedroom with them as a headboard, or maybe make them room dividers too. You can add the found windows to shelves, or cabinets making them doors. They look nice when shelves are added to the windows too. Make some of the popular chalkboards with them, paint and distress windows, maybe you would like to hang the window on a wall with a shutter on each side of it too. So many possibilities, and so much fun too!

Below are some pictures I got from the internet, or with pinterest that I will share with you. Just giving you some ideas of the list that was growing above us. Hope it helps you get some ideas of maybe something that will work for you too.

 This is a distressed window frame, and a picture frame. Some painting, distressing, adding pictures along with some scrapbook paper makes a neat finished product done by this person at xstitchandcrafts blog.
 My Repurposed Life is always sharing something, and she did it again with windows and different ways to repurpose them. This is one of the projects she shared with the memo boards, chalkboards, and magnetic boards too. How neat, isn't it?

This example of a repurposed window is adorable with the coloring, the shelf that was added along with the chalkboard, and etc under the shelf too. This was shared by pughes-news at tumblr.    

 
Here is another neat idea to consider with repurposed, and reclaimed windows by making it into a coffee table. This table was made that the door could also be lifted to make changes for the inside display. Oh Glory Vintage did well sharing this with all of us.  


 There is so much more out there that is being shared by many people with the work they have done. Some of them will give you steps, or instructions of what they did to make their projects, and some are only sharing pictures. It sure is fun to look, get ideas, and let our minds be creative with what will work for us in our homes. If you feel venturous make sure to check your search engines with bing, google, yahoo for repurposed windows. There is a lot out there being shared.

I hope that you all enjoyed your visit, and this topic that was shared with you today. If you have been thinking about doing a project with repurposed windows I hope that this was able to help with some ideas, and to help with them creative juices to get flowing too. 

I appreciate you sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and have fun creating everyone!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween Blogland Witches Ghosts Goblins

HAPPY  HALLOWEEN ! !  LILACSNDREAMS. . . .
                                          
Happy Halloween Blogland Witches Ghosts Goblins!
 Welcome to LilacsNDreams on this hollow day of Halloween. Seasons changing, weather is changing, seasons of Holidays, family and fun time, and soon the end of the year will also be here. Till then we have some changes we will be going through, having fun, enjoying, and preparing for Thanksgiving, and soon Christmas. Then...we can celebrate the beginning of another new year!

So, today we will start the festivities with trick, or treating, and wishing everyone a super Halloween celebration! May you have much fun, enjoy it, and please be safe as you enjoy this time too. 
                                                           
 Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams everyone. I wish you all well, much fun, and be safe with your Halloween festivities. Take care, and see you again soon!


 HAPPY  HALLOWEEN  EVERYONE!! 
BE  SAFE!!


Monday, October 29, 2012

Ruby Plaza End of Year Changes Soon Here, What to Do

Ruby Plaza End of Year Changes Soon Here, What to Do, and are you ready for it?

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! For those who sell vintage, and antiques you might be aware of the Market Place called Ruby Lane. There had come a time when Ruby Lane made another site from them called Ruby Plaza where you could sell items that were newer, and not vintage too. Many sellers who used these sites enjoyed it, and found it beneficial to them to belong to both sites offering their products. 

It had been announced quite some time ago that Ruby Plaza the sister site of Ruby Lane would be closing by the end of the year 2012. The site is still active, some sellers are still selling there making preparation to move onto other places, and some of the sellers are also able to move their products into Ruby Lane as well. 

Some of the sellers from Ruby Plaza are still considering where to go with their goods that are not vintage, some are new, and some are Thrift Store finds too. There are many places on the internet to consider. Keep in mind that not only are there other Market Places, but some of your social networks also allow you to sell from their sites as well. One place to consider for this which is growing is called Vintage Rising. Lora, also known as ElsiesAttic, who is the owner to the site there has been working to help this site grow, and also to remind those from Ruby Plaza to come by, and consider becoming a member to this community as well. I do like the saying that Vintage Rising has on their site as well . . . Find Up-Cycled Vintage, Handmade Crafts, Supplies, Thrift Store Goods, and much much MORE! It's Vintage that's Reborn . . . . It's Vintage Rising! 

If you have heard of Vintage Village you will know that Vintage Rising is a sister site to this as well. Vintage Rising started out as a Social Network where others could share about their items such as Handmade, Altered, and Vintage. Items that had been repurposed, and upcycled using vintage components of sorts. With the announcement that had been made about Ruby Plaza closing Lora started to do more work with the site to offer a bit more for those who sold at Ruby Plaza, and were looking for places to go to. Sellers that are members there are now able to show their items from Thrift Store Finds also. Items of new, gently used, and things you would find with Thrift Stores, Good Wills, and such. Now, if someone were to visit, and see an item of interest they can then contact the seller to purchase it, and be invoiced through Paypal, or maybe Google Wallet. If they are not invoiced directly they could also be directed to maybe a venue the item is listed with to purchase. How fun, and how convenient don't you think?

Keep in mind that many do still use Ebay, and also complain of their forever changing fees and rules. There is also Ecrater where listing is free, final value fees are free, and they allow you to offer payments through Paypal, and Google Wallet too. Some might use Facebook, and they also use Yardsellr through there as well. Now, these are not all the market places on the internet as there are still more out there to find, and explore. Finding what works for you is most important. Like using your own Blogs is good too. This is something that has been done by me also with no problems of invoicing through Paypal, or Google Wallet.  

I hope that this bit of information will be helpful to some of you who are still deciding, not sure, trying to view all your options, and etc. Visit the sites mentioned, and remember there is much more out there to see too. On your journeys make sure to visit Vintage Rising, and join with others there who share the same things, offer the same things, learn from each other, help each other out, make some new friends, and become a part of a great community. 

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and happy to see you visit again soon. Any questions make sure to leave a comment here, or also contact Me if you would like too. I wish you all well, and much luck to you. Hope you had a great weekend, and wishing you a super week. Toodles Everyone:)

Thursday, October 25, 2012

QR Codes or Scan Bar Cube Used in Mobile Shopping

QR Codes or Scan Bar Cube Used in Mobile Shopping. 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! I have seen this topic at different times about these QR codes, or scan bars. I read them, and then make notes to myself that I need to work on it more myself. Do any of you use them? Have you found them to be useful, and beneficial to your sites and what you do? If so, please share for those of us who are still learning. 

I know there are people who put these QR codes on the back of their business cards which will drive people to their websites, market place, blogs, and etc. It's another good way to get your name out there, and to have people find you even quicker. Also, it maybe is a good thing to consider in order to keep up with technology of today too. Here is one article at Mobile Marketer that covers some things in more depth for you to read about.  

For those who have the iPhone, Smart Phones, or can get the applications on your phone what you do when you see when of these scan bars is simply point your phone to the bar cube, and the lazer will read the information that is embedded, translates to your link, your company name, your location, or a contact number too. It will automatically bring up the information for you, and you can then click to go to the site, or just view the contents of the scan cube too. Imagine that! All of this within the palm of your hand too! 

Most websites are mobile friendly, and my understanding is that it is suppose to be simple to make these codes, and it can be done for free too. Hmm, makes this more tempting, right? I have noted a few sites that I had found to use for making this QR code if you are interested. You should be able to make it, and then download it to your computer to then use it for where you want it used at. Here are some of the QR sites I found to share with you.
http://qrt.co/basic
http://createqrcode.appspot.com  (google approved and simple)
http://blog.qr4.nl/QR-Code-Branding.aspx  (more in depth and can offer more choices)

Another way to think of these QR codes is it is just another way that you can extend the information that you share in real life about your website, your business, your blog, and whatever it is that you do. Another great way to get exposure. Look at how many people are using cell phones, smart phones, iPhones, phones that they can get these applications too. Technology keeps growing, and this is another way to go along with that growth too. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams. Glad you stopped by, and will be great to see you again soon also. Take care, and have a wonderful day everyone! Toodles. . . . 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Glass Hound Hoarder Fanatic Home Decor Garden



Glass Hound Hoarder Fanatic Home Decor Garden

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! Glad to have you visiting. I have a confession to make to you. I have a tendency to hoard different pieces of glassware. Some might consider me a hoarder of glassware too. Sorry, but when I see different shapes, sizes, colors, designs, and all that can be done with glassware I sometimes become infatuated with it. 

There is colored glass, clear glass, old glass, textured glass, worn glass, window pains, glass prisms, and so on. Some of these pieces can really have some beautiful reflections that come from it, and oh they are sometimes so sparkly too. Like many other things I also feel from it the moods that some funky glass pieces can add to a space, or a home too. 

When I started seeing more of the glass pieces being upcycled into different things, the more excited I became with it too. I enjoy painting, and doing other creative things too. Yet, I still seem to favor the glassware just a lil bit more.

Glass totems can be made for inside the home, or the outside with your porches and gardens. They are great with glassware being stacked, maybe adding some stones or gems to them, add a figurine, a few flowers, and etc. When making these sort of pieces you need to make sure to use the glue that will work with these items during weather changes. 

I have seen pieces used making bird feeders, pieces made to serve with, used in home decor, weddings, bridal showers, holidays, and given as gifts too. Below are some pictures being shared that I had found of items done with glassware. Most of the pictures came from the Pinterest boards which also had their links to who they came from too. 


Isn't this bird feeder that was made from a blue glass bowl with it's lid, and a glass candle holder just ingenius? I really liked how this turned out, and sorry that I cannot share a link with as it was not available. 

I love seeing glass jars used in many ways, and this is a lovely way to repurpose it, and upcycle it with a little bit of glue, paint, and some other pieces. Why buy an apothecary jar when you can do one that fits more into the decor of your home, and of course the way you would like to see it too? 
creativeconfetti.blogspot.com 
 Is this not fabulous?! Different pieces of glassware were used, different colors, different designs, and along with it a few of the colored gems were also added to give it a little bit more character of it's own too. This is something that could sit outside on your porch, in your garden, or adorn a place in your home too. 
empressofdirt.net
 I just love this idea, and is something I have not come across till now. I do have this one on my list of to do as well. Gonna take a little time, little patience, but is a fabulous piece when it is done too. Always looking for ways to decorate bottles, and this is one of them to consider. 
indulgy.com
 This is another glass totem that was done with all clear pieces of glass. Different shapes, sizes, and patterns were used. It turned out nicely, and would be a conversational piece to those passing by too. 
octoberfarm.blogspot.com
 

This is a very simple thing to do, but a clever one to consider as well. Use your wine glasses for drinking, or also use them for decorating your tables, and home with too. Just flip them over, add a flower before setting it to the table, and on the base, or now the top of the glass add your candles. Simple, but yet another creative way to use glassware. 
thelittleroundtable.com
 

This is a piece that was done by me, and is listed for sale in my shop at Etsy too. I used a vintage green relish dish tray that looks like new with no signs of use to it. I then found a glass candle holder with design, and from home interiors that is in a like new condition too. This piece is fabulous in the sunshine coming through the windows. In fact when the sun hits it just right you can see a few minor different hues with the clear glass too. It will also reflect some of the green from the dish on it as well.

 There is so much more out there on the internet that can be shared involving glassware. Don't forget there is also the vintage collectible pieces that are a treasure to find too. I could carry on, and show you so much more. I would suggest checking with google, or bing and seeing what other treasures you could also adore too. 

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams. I enjoyed your visit, and hope to see you again soon. Toodles everyone. 

Monday, October 22, 2012

Why Buy Anything Vintage Collections of Today

Why Buy Anything Vintage, Collections of Today. 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Have you ever had anyone ask you why would you by vintage. I mean why would you want something that is old, been used, has a history, not new, sometimes needs altering, and when you could buy something new. 

Well, when you buy vintage you are getting something that is unique, rare, brings back memories, a piece of history, a treasure, or a keepsake. Also, when you are buying a vintage item you are getting something that cannot be found at every chain store by the thousands too. The items are limited treasures just for you. 

Vintage is a product of a specified period of good quality. "They don't make things like they use to" is a statement that is often heard, and is absolutely true! 

There are many things that are popular today with vintage shopping. That is why many like shopping thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, and so on. You can get some great prices on vintage pieces. Items often sought after are the vintage clothing, vintage and retro furniture, vintage jewelry, vintage accessories, and vintage home decor. Some of the pieces that are found can also be altered too. Maybe it needs a stitch here and there to sew, some paint touch ups, has a missing part that needs to be replaced or filled in, sometimes a little sanding, putting it back into shape, or sometimes it just needs some TLC with a simple soft wash too.

The styles, the colors, the uniqueness, quality, stability, durability, etc were great then, and are surprisingly sought after in times of today. I have, and always will like vintage myself. I adore the glassware of times past, I like the mannequins or dress forms that you often see, some of the furniture, etc. I enjoy being able to add a piece here, and there into the decor of our home. I have been working on our bedroom a little bit, and am pleased with things I have there in regards to a cedar chest, old chair, a lamp of my grandmothers, the vanity dresser, my grandmother's old jewelry box with some old perfumes that adorn it, and I just love working with it. 

So, do you have a special period in time that you like to collect with? What do you favor collecting of vintage? Many vintage pieces are wonderful conversation pieces, don't you think?

Happy Treasure Hunting to all you vintage collectors of things. Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon. Later...

                                     Today's Treasures With Yesteryear's Charm..........

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Social Media Selling and Best Practices

Social Media Selling and Best Practices

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy Hump Day to all of you visiting with me today! I know you often see things about Social Media, and there is a lot out there to read about this particular subject too. There are many choices for Social Media. Some use Social Media for ways of advertising their venues, showing links to their shops, so they can have back links to maybe their blogs, keeping in touch with family and friends, meeting new people, learning, sharing, and so many more things. 

I have often read about Social Media being an important factor for those who sell. There are many choices we can use for Social Media such as Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and of course our Blogs too. I have recently made a sale that came from my Shoppe Blog page, and of course am thrilled with it too. Feels better than dealing with one of the other venues, and is much more personable dealing with customers too. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. Please read on everyone.

There are some general tips to consider when looking more into Social Media, and putting them into use for your business. 1) Evaluate the available tools before you start 2) Genuinely contribute to the conversation 3) Create a separate account for your business 4) Start small 5) Listen and engage 6) Cross-promote your social media channels 7) Do Not expect instant results.

Whew! I could write a book just about this alone with these tips, and then sharing a little bit about the places mentioned. Actually, there was some good things, and points that came within my Ebay Seller Information that I received. If you click on the link, and follow to that being shared by Ebay you will understand it more, get some good things from it, and hopefully it might help you just a little bit more in knowing what places maybe you should use, where to focus your energy with, and so on. I will note that in this list they did not mention anything about Pinterest, but I would also recommend that as a place to also consider in using with your social media as well. The place is growing, and is slowly expanding out with all that they are doing too.

Over time I have narrowed down which Social Medias I use, which ones I participate with, seen the ones I benefit more with, and which ones are helping me. Everyone will have their own choices, and own opinions of what works. Remember, the choices are yours to make, and use what you are comfortable with, and what you see is working for you.

I wish you all a wonderful Wednesday or Hump Day! Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope you enjoyed it. See you all again soon. Take care, and have a Happy Day!