Cleaning up with unexpected results...

I'm sure many of you are in a flurry to get things organized and ready for the New Year. There's just something inspirational about a fresh new month, at the beginning of a fresh new year to make you want to tackle projects big and small.

The trick is to harness this energy for the greater good of your future year. Although, that perfectly organized and color sorted sock drawer that you spent two hours on feels so satisfying at the moment...I dare to ask the question, what will those organized socks do for you guys in 2016?

So on that note, I'm trying to tackle the big projects out the gate this year. The sock drawer can wait, most likely for eternity. 2016 is my year for action. After years of being a stay at home mom with a junk, painting, wedding staging hobby that "pays". I've decided to renegotiate my terms. So now, I'm a junk selling, painting, wedding stager who is also a mom and wife. Notice the title change? In print it seems subtle, but in life it feels giant!

So how am I making this "giant" leap from mom/hobbyist to profiting business owner/mom? Ummmm....I'm really not sure yet. Super inspirational I know. The reality is it took me six months, some failed ideas and a lot of family soul searching to just make the title switch. That's the thing about setting up and out on your own, sometimes the hardest part is just claiming it.

 I spent the end of 2015 pulling back on EVERYTHING in an effort to find clarity and make room for a business or job that best suits not just me, but my family. More than just the anxiety of making a leap of faith in business, it's the process of convincing your husband and children to make that leap with you. I left a collective that I belonged to  for almost 10 years and a budding job a Success coach at a local gym. I've sold out 90% of my  stockpile of goods and now I have an almost clean slate.

Now what?

Which brings me back to my New Years clean up. Since I have this lovely clean slate I'm trying to get focused on what I'm most inspired by. So this morning I dove into my Pinterst boards with a heavy edit button finger and started clearing out all the old. An hour in I had enormously paired down  my pins, but more important, I saw my new vision staring right back at me. Who knew? I even rediscovered this dusty old blog of mine.

I started this blog years ago with the half hearted intention to be a blogger, or because it was what everyone else was doing or because I was bored. All of the above probably. What it is now for me is just a way to share the process, maybe make some new connections and hopefully document my entapenueral journey this year.

As of today, I have a clear vision with no exact direction... And it's the best place I've been in quite awhile.

"Every single problem that you have in your life is the seed of an opportunity for some greater benefit."

                                   Deepak Chopra

Who says I'm not tech savy?

Actually, me, I'm saying it....
"I AM NOT TECHNICALLY INCLINED!"

I've long said that I could shape you a swan out of tin foil any day, but ask me to program a VCR, never gonna happen. And if the mere mention of a "VCR" gives any indication to my limited realm of tech awareness, then you know I might be a lost cause.

At any rate, Hello! I haven't blogged in quite awhile...that's how long my Internet connection has been down. And today was the day I finally picked up the phone and called my provider to figure out the problem. Since my last post was in late March, you can tell that I am:

A.) A procrastinator

B.) Not hooked to all things online

C.) Content to do most things on my iPhone

The answer being all of the above. I live in a low tech household and it suits me just fine. We have one TV (which until this last December was not flat). In my entire adult life I have never purchased ink for a printer (because I don't have one). I didn't have an email account until I was 30......I'm now 34.
Needless to say, life in Bruhn household is pretty "unplugged".

So I'm back....I have lots of fun things to share, furniture projects, gardening adventures, decorating my chicken coop, planned shopping trips, baby projects for two (soon to arrive) nieces. I love summer and all the fun things it brings!

Spring!!!!

I know it isn't officially Spring yet...but it sure feels like it around my neck of the woods! I wish I had time to just play in my garden ALL DAY LONG but sigh, I have a laundry list of things to do today.

I'm very fortunate to have tons of space to plant, maybe a little too fortunate. The vision in my head for what I want to plant this year is a little daunting. I'm trying really hard to stay grounded in reality, but I keep having visions of gardens like this...

A girl can dream right?
Have you started your garden yet?

Accumulating

Lately, I've been loading up on stuff for the upcoming Petaluma Antique Fair, which will take place Sunday, April 28th this year.

I've rented an entire space for myself, which means I'm going to be a busy girl getting things ready for the show. In addition to my space on the street, I want to make sure I have plenty of items in my booth at Summer Cottage Antiques, which always gets tons of foot traffic on fair day.

Right now, however, I'm just in the buying/day dream stage. I'm trying to gather the goods and then slowly piece together my displays. It's always tricky to predict what customers are going to want. In the end I think you just have to go with your gut and what you like, because until it's sold....you own it!

I've been trolling Pinterest, what a treasure trove of inspiration that is! It's been a nice project to focus on and I'm feeling like I'm starting to make some progress. But this isn't my first rodeo and I know it takes a TON of stuff to really fill a booth. If you would like to dive into antique shows, my advice would be to share with a more experienced friend first so you don't get overwhelmed. That's what I did and I can't tell you how many wonderful lessons I learned from the dealers who took me under their wings.

Here's a little round up of just a few of the pieces I have....they obviously all still need paint. But like I said, I'm still in the buying stage. It's soooo much easier to buy than it is to paint...oh well. Spending is always the easiest part ;)

I'm super excited to work on this piece!

This Armour is a bit of a risk for me...but I got it for such a screaming deal it's worth it!

This photo doesn't do this little cupboard any justice, but it's adorable both inside and out.

So those are my first projects, I also have a pair of arm chairs, three dressers, a set of six chairs and a handful of other pieces. Yes, I think I'm going to be a busy girl!

Is anybody else planning on showing at the Petaluma Antique Fair?

Deep thoughts Monday

Hello all....feels like forever since I blogged last. I've been busy with all that Spring seems to bring, mainly activities with my two daughters.

Spring tends to usher in so many new things. My life has definitely been changing with new projects coming and lots of fun things to do with my family. It amazing how much life can change from month to month or even season to season. I think that raising a family has that effect. My children are constantly changing and as each month passes it seems we are able to do more together than before.

My oldest daughter will be turning 10 this month and somehow the reality of having a ten year old in the house is totally blowing my mind. I'm realizing what a short and precious thing childhood is...it really is such a short season in life. And yet, it has such a profound effect on all your remaining "seasons" as an adult.

As a mother, I'm just trying to step back right now and really see my life, my children and the joy of raising a family for what it is....a wonderful season in my life.

What season of your life are you in? Looking back which ones had the most profound effect on your life....which were the hardest or your favorite?

Coloring outside the lines

What type of artist are you?

Even if you don't consider yourself an "artist", we all have some type of creative spirit that we administer in our everyday lives. Tasks like cooking dinner or putting on your make up are actually little creative endeavors.

So I pose the question again, this time in a different way. Do you color inside or outside the lines....metaphorically speaking. I know I have a definite creative style and its pretty much always outside the lines. There are many days I wish I had the discipline to follow the directions on a paint product or patiently watch a how to video online before diving into a project. But alas, that's just not me.....and that's ok.

I've been doing some regrouping creatively since I left my bigger space at French Hen Antiques. It's so nice to just be alone in my quiet house, working on my own to do list...which some days may include folding laundry while watching cooking shows and other days painting. Right now I'm just enjoying working at my own pace.

I have lots of "painting for hire" jobs lined up, so I thought I would include a few pictures of projects in motion. Sorry for no before's on this dresser...I forgot to snap one. I'm doing lots of experimenting right now with black as a base color, this piece is an example of that.



Here's the drawers I painted them using Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint

Fugley brass hardware? No problem....just paint it!
 

The details of this piece are the best part!

I painted this dresser first with Typewriter, then a custom blended grey blue and finished with Linen. Why three colors? When you sand all the layers come through giving your piece lots of dimension and interest. It may look unfinished...and it is. I've learned to trust the process, most times my pieces look ugly before they look good. ;)

Housework...The never ending story

image via

boozebagbettygoestorehab.blogspot.com

Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of dirt. Be it laundry, dishes, cob webs or just clutter in general I never seem to have everything clean at once. I'd like to interject here that my standards are not very high, I'm just talking about an empty kitchen sink or seeing the rare and elusive bottom of the laundry basket.

I feel like I'm stuck in the same problem areas all the time (kitchen/laundry room/living room) while some rooms, I literally won't step foot into for a week at a time. I want to feel like I've collectively gotten every room clean at the same time...I know, fantasy island, right?

So I've devised a new plan, I'll let you know if it works, today is Day One of a 30 day personal challenge.
5 minutes, every room, everyday! That's it!
My Aunt always says to just do little bits everyday and it will add up, so I'm hoping that rings true. My strategy is to choose a different cleaning activity to power out on everyday. Today's mission; eliminate garbage and items for donation. So I'm going to hit every room with two bags, one for trash, one for the goodwill.

Five minutes, every room, everyday....in my house this equals one hour so we'll see what I can accomplish. I'll keep you posted. :)

High hopes

Picture courtesy of heatherbullard.typepad.com

I've been with my hubbie since high school and over the years I've learned a few tricks when it comes to negotiating for things that I want. Anyone who's been married for awhile knows that marriage is a dance...one might even call it a balancing act. Give and take, trying to lean his way on some issues and hopefully he in mine.

I struggle to effectively communicate my wants. It's a flaw, what can say. I ALWAYS have a definite idea of what I want, but rarely do I shoot for the stars and ask for everything. I think it's my natural defense mechanism...if I don't ask, I can't get let down when I don't receive. The problem is my poor husband isn't a mind reader, so with my latest project I've decided to shoot for the moon. I figure if I aim for a 10 and get a 7, I'm still ahead. Usually, I would express the desire of a 5 get a 2 and be left pissed. Men of the world this is why women drive you crazy.

So what is this mystery project? A chicken cottage! I don't think that the term "coop" sums up what I'm shooting for. A "coop" doesn't have an foreye, pitched roof with awning and most important chandelier! "Chandelier in a chicken coop.....are you crazy?" my hubbie asked. No I'm not crazy, but I know he doesn't think I am. Over the years he has learned that the details matter to me (I love that he's able to see that).

photo courtesy of vintagehome.tumbler.com

I am very fortunate to have both the space and the man power to achieve what I want, now I just have to start gathering the supplies. I have champagne taste and beer pockets, so this project is definitely going to take some scrounging.

photos courtesy of thefancyfarmgirl.com

In addition to being pretty, the cottage also needs to actually effectively and safely house my lovely chickens. And yes, to the Bruhns out there reading, there will be an honorary "Plucka". What type of chickens do I want? Just regular laying hens and one rooster. None of those fancy pants furry fluffy chickens...not my style.

photo via pinterst unknown source

photo courtesy of picasaweb.google.com

I've been trolling pintrest for ideas and coop eye candy, I hope to include some of the pictured design ideas. ;) You can't blame a girl for trying!

photo via pinterst source unknown

Deep Thoughts Monday

"The purpose of life, after all,
is to love it,
to taste the utmost,
to reach out eagerly and without fear
for newer and richer experience."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Treasure hunting!

Today's loot

One of the best parts of the antique business is shopping for treasures! One of the reasons I became an antique dealer is because of years of inadvertent training I had as a kid. If I had a nickel for every time I went to a thrift store or the Goodwill with my mom...I'd be rich!

I remember this one place called the "Bargain Store". It sold beads and all sorts of bits and cool things, the owner would barter and trade, which made it a favorite of my moms. Even in my late teens I would frequent Antique stores to drool over the Jadite dishes and depression glass.

My taste in antiques has changed over the years, but my love for the older and weathered has not. I think old things just have more personality...and besides, it's just in my blood. I couldn't just fill my house with new things, I literally wouldn't know how.

I'm always on the hunt for things for resale, so you would think that I'm constantly finding wonderful treasures for myself as well, right? WRONG...I completely forget to shop for myself! It's actually a resolution of mine, to shop for myself as well as my retail space.

So what have I been looking for? My new space at Summer Cottage is fairly mono-chromatic, which makes shopping and staging really simple. I'm always on the hunt for ironstone, great furniture that I can paint, interesting farm/industrial items, enamelware and cool bits that jump out at me. I think the best thing to remember as an antique dealer is, if you love it, someone else will too. With that I'll leave you with some pics of things I'm in love with now...hopefully the new year will bring plenty of these stunning items my way!

Ironstone!!!

Unique Boxes and crates

 

 

Butter Pats!!!

Natural wood furniture and cubbies

 

 

Carts and industrial salvage

Galvanized anything & everything!

Latte bowls

 

Ohh....and there's so much more!!! Here's to prosperous and happy treasure hunting to all in 2013!!!

Good Bye 2012

So another year has passed us by.
Do you feel any wiser...or just older?
Thank you 2012 for all your lessons.
I'm looking forward to a wonderful New Year,
13 is after all my favorite number.

Impatient

I know it's a little crazy....but I'm ready for spring! I realize I'm jumping the gun quite a bit, but what can I say, I'm impatient.  I've always been like this though, January 1st is really the first day of spring...well in my book it is.

I guess I'll go gets some bulbs to force in the house...something...what's a winter crop that I can plant, kale? I desperate to get my hands in the dirt!!! Oh well, like or not winter is very much still here. I thought I could at least share some pretty pictures and leave you with thoughts green and fresh blooms.

Balance and harmony with paintbrush in hand

I started 2012 with a journal that was aptly embossed on its cover with this quote, "Strive for balance and you will find harmony". I feel a little like I metaphorically told this quote to shove it by the proceeding choices that I made for myself this year. Balance and harmony were two things that were sorely missing from my life this year. But sometimes you have to take your lumps in life and learn some lessons the hard way. With that, these are the lessons I'm putting in my pocket and walking away from 2012 with:

1.) My ambition does not supersede my need/want to take care of my family.

Money doesn't motivate me enough to give up some things, i.e. my garden, volunteering in the girls classrooms and going on field trips, hosting family gatherings and spending time with friends.

I know I can't take my zucchini's to the bank, nor does spending a day with 25-30 1st or 4th graders pay our bills....but at the end of my life I don't want to look back on all I didn't do for my family because I was trying to "make it". I am "making it" right now, I'm making a home and making a lifetime of memories.

2.) Simple things hold great value

A clean house, reading a book to my daughters, a balanced checkbook (rarely achieved), curling up by the fire with my hub, a phone conversation with my mom, planting a seed. These things add up to so much of what really makes me feel satisfied and content. It's sometimes so hard to stay in touch with what I really want.

3.) I have talents to share

I feel myself recoiling from that statement...it's really hard to feel like what I have to give is enough. But I've realized that I do have a talent for painting and a good eye for color...and whats more, I really enjoy sharing it. I think this is the best thing I've learned this year, to be able to value what I have to offer is huge for me personally and I'm excited to see where it takes me. Which leads me to a my big announcement and next steps for the new year....

I am happy to announce that I will be doing more custom painting for anyone who is interested. I've had so many customers at French Hen as well as friends and family who are always asking me about painting furniture they already have at home. If you have something that needs a bit of refreshing, send me a picture and I'll give you a quote and a color recommendation.

If your feeling like your ready to dive into the painting world yourself, than I happy to help you! Starting sometime in late January I will be hosting some intimate workshops at my house to help you paint your own fabulous finds! Please let me know what most interests you in regards to classes, I'm very flexible and still in the development stage, so I'd love your input.

And if you are looking for a little more one-on-one advice, I'm happy to come to your house for a private tutorial. This option is great if your not sure what would be the best color choice, or if you have a really large project you would like to tackle.

Please contact me via email at frenchtoastlifestyle@gmail.com


I really enjoy painting and being a mother, wife and homemaker...I think working from home and at a slower pace will allow me to be all of those things in equal measure. :)

Deep Thoughts Monday

This morning I'm finding myself with a rare private and peaceful moment. My hubbie was able to head into work later than usual, so he took the girls into school. Which has left me still in my jammies in an empty quiet house. It feels like about a million years since this has happened.

There has definitely been a lot to have "deep thoughts" about lately. With everything that's been happening on a national basis I'm struggling to put into words the depth of sadness I feel for the families in Connecticut and for all of humanity collectively. I've chosen to avoid the news, not read the paper and face book seems like a virtual minefield of "tributes". I don't want to give one single breath of energy to the profit or sensation of that ill fated day.

Today and all days forth I choose to do more than just hold my children tight...because that's just not enough. I choose to hold them to a higher standard of compassion, understanding and humility. How do you make a difference? Start with your children, because they truly are the ones who will pay it forward.

Two shades are better than one!

I admit, my personal painting style is a little layered. I'm not super interested in a straight forward, one color, one note type of painting. I have done it....and I can do it. But I much prefer to layer my paints and I love to finish my pieces with washes.

Why a wash? And further more....what is a wash?

A wash is a very thin, watered down paint that is applied onto a piece of furniture and then wiped, blotted or ragged off. I like washes for several reasons. First, I feel like it softens any imperfections in my paint job. Drips or dings in the finish seem more intentional than accidental once covered by a wash. Think of it like a tan over cellulite...somehow your thighs just always look better tan ;) Ha Ha! I also like the way a wash will give a piece of furniture dimension and depth, it's also a great way to highlight cool details, such as carvings.

How do I mix a wash?

I like to start with about 2 tablespoons of paint watered down with about 1/2 cup of water. If you are a first time "washer" I suggest washing with a light color over another light color. Maybe try a grey and wash over with white. As you get more experienced you can try washing a vibrant color over black to get a layered aged look.

How do I apply my wash?

I brush on the wash in small sections and then blot off with a rag. A wash will drip and run...but don't fear...just keep wiping and blotting. Step back and take a look at the effect, do you want a second coat? Is your wash to thick or thin? All of these things are easily fixed. I often do two or three washes to get the layered aged effect I'm looking for.

Here are two examples of washes. I used Miss Mustard Seed milk paint with both of these pieces.

This table was painted with "Shutter Grey" and washed with "Grain Sack"
Shutter Grey is a very blue grey and Grain Sack is a creamy white grey

 

This table was painted with a first coat of "Typewriter" which is a black

I then washed over the black with a mix of "Flow Blue" and "Boxwood"
which when combined was a very electric blue/green


 

All of these colors are milk paint but I've had great success using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the wash form as well. I've also washed pieces that I painted with chalk paint as a base with a milk paint wash. There really are no rules...just experiment and see what happens. After all...it's only paint!

Back to reality

To say it's been a whirlwind of a week would be an understatement. I literally didn't get out of bed until two o'clock yesterday afternoon. I'm working on getting some pictures of the event to share...of course I didn't take any pictures of anything finished.



Boxes of milk paint and books

The church in process of being set up

Garland and a great box for staging

My chalkboard in process

My truck....stuffed to the gills!!!

 

It was an incredible, jam packed day. Honestly, I'm still trying to mentally process all that I was exposed to, learned and realized. After seeing Marian's first post about her visit and her stay at our local Metro Hotel here in Petaluma, I think I mostly feel proud and privileged. Sometimes when you see the view of your hometown through someone else's lens, you get a better understanding of the bounty that your community has to offer.

In regards to Marian, she was wonderful in person. At the end of the day, she's just a very talented, very real person. Both her and her husband are so down to earth and humble. I truly walked away with a sense that if she can do it...then so can I. What "it" is for me...remains to be determined.

I'll be sharing a lot this week about the event, Summer Cottage, projects that I've completed with MMS milk paint and other inspirational stories from the day and who I met.

Deep thoughts Monday

The countdown has begun....Miss Mustard Seed will arrive in a little over 24 hours. It's sort of funny when you actually get to meet someone you really admire professionally. Afterall, she's just a person like me...a wife and a mother. I guess the question becomes....what do I hope to get from the experience? Once I've meet my "idol", what will I be left with?

At this point, I know I can count on a few things. I know I'll be glad I did all that I could do to help my friend with this crazy adventure she took on by flying Marian out. I know I'll be grateful it's over and I can get some sleep...ha ha. I guess I'm hoping that by meeting a person who has very humbly achieved so many of her dreams...maybe somehow, it will show me that I can achieve some of mine as well. Any way it shakes out I'm proud to be a part of something so exciting.

If you are interested in taking a class with Marian or just meeting her and picking up her book "Inspired You" you can find out all the details here or by calling Summer Cottage Antiques 707-776-2873

Quickie update!

I've been insanely busy the last few days helping Gen get ready for our visit from the fabulous Miss Mustard Seed. Of course there's been a heap of other things on my plate as well...when it rains it pours, right?

I got my second wind at about 11:00 pm, actually I think it might have been more like my third or fourth wind, but who's counting. Anyway, Gen and I were at Summer Cottage getting prepped for the open house tomorrow. I think I can officially say I'm moved in. My space can definitely use some tweaks...but for now I'm satisfied. Here's some pics.

Hope to see everyone shopping local this weekend!

I'm obsessed!!!

I've decided that I'm obsessed with chalkboards!!! I've been slowly nurturing this fetish...and recently I'm finding that I think there should be one in every room in my house.

My husband built a huge chalkboard for French Hen....which I've had soooo much fun playing with. Every month I change out the theme, it's also a great way to get the word out about community events.

I'm not really a good artist, most of my ideas are adaptations of other artwork I've found online. I google images of a subject I'm interested in and use that as the jumping off point. The great thing about chalk art is that it's so forgiving. I do a lot of "blending" with my fingers and if you mess up, just erase that section and start over.

I think the best part about a chalkboard is that in encourages you to create. Let's face it...it's such a bummer to be a grown up sometimes. There's something about having a piece of chalk in hand and a blank canvas that is absolutely liberating!

With the help of my hubbie I made several chalkboards in all different sizes that I'll be bringing to my new space in Summer Cottage. So if you're looking for a gift or something for yourself come pick one up...or make one for yourself (I'll have to do a little how-to post). I can't think of a better gift than one that inspires creativity.