Thursday

The Benefits of Social Networking

When Face Book first came out I wasn’t a believer. I thought I could never get into that, but now it’s like an addiction for me! How about you? I love my business Face Book page and have met so many great people through it. I’ve even added a Twitter account too! Hahaha! I know I sound like a tool! But it's amazing how it can help your business grow!
(My personal page is a whole other story. My kids think I’m crazy and yes they hate the fact that they have friended me and I write, “I love you!” all over their walls!)
Anyway, the reason why I’m going on about Face Book and Twitter, is this, the social media thing…it works! I’ve actually gotten a lot of business from it, my case and point, this beautiful redo right here! Krissy was a friend from high school, we reconnected via FB (how cool am I with the abbreviated lingo), she saw my stuff and “BAM!” (Okay, maybe not that intensely) commissioned me to redo her grandmother’s dressing table for her daughter!




At first we chatted via FB, and then she sent pics via email. She sat down with her daughter scanned my blog and Etsy store for designs, which led to a list of things they might like to see on their dresser. Her daughter really liked this bookcase I had painted for another client, so that was our insperation piece.

I then scketched out some designs (tweeted about them! Hahaha! Joking!), sent the pictures back to her via e-mail and they picked the one they liked best.


Now, some of you are thinking, Mary, this isn’t a very personal way to do business, and I would agree, but in today’s world when people are oober busy, carving out “time” to meet with someone face to face, and coordinating schedules is crazy! Krissy is a working mom, I’m a working mom, enough said people! Sometimes I take care of business at 2 am! This is when social media, e-mail etc…is a total must! If I could have had her fax the actual dresser to me and save the gas, I would have!

The desk was in really good shape despite its age. I did have to do some minor repairs to it. I used (as always) Gorilla glue in the cracks and held it shut with clothespins until it dried.







I sanded it, primed it and turned it on its side to get ready for painting. Just a side note: Always turn your pieces upside down, otherwise you’re always going to be finding “missed spots”, plus my motto is, “If it looks good from underneath, it will look even better from the top.”



I even prime and paint the drawers. First, I think it gives every piece a finished detailed look. Second, most of the pieces I refinish are used, and who wants to put their junk in someone else’s junk, right!




 I added cute knobs, all from Hobby Lobby. I didn’t want them to match because I felt it added to the funkiness of the piece. I also added wooden letter appliqués also from Hobby Lobby in the form of her initials on the two top drawers, plus the wings & heart in the center just for some added whimsy.




And just before I finish I sign my pieces now. I wasn’t signing things before, but a good friend (thanks Lucy, AKA Lucy Designs) told me “You have to sign your work, it’s your art!” so now I do.


Krissy also purchased this great mirror from me to go with the set. I just put some black and white checks around the outside and the trio was complete.


I did lacquer it with 4-5 coats of lacquer but you know teenage girls! Mom’s going to purchase either a piece of glass/Plexiglas to cover the top area to preserve it better, plus she can add pictures or keepsakes underneath to personalize it even more.



Hopefully, when Krissy has it all set up in her room she’ll send me a picture and we’ll see what it looks like in action!







So the moral of this story! Social Networking pays off!


And for those of you who live locally stop out and see us next weekend at The Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festivale! All the details are here!


Have a Fantastic Weekend!


Happy Painting!






Mary!






I will be sharing with my friends on my link up page. You can find them all here.



29 comments:

Lucydesignsart.com said...

yay! so glad you are signing your art & thx for the mention ;) This is soooo awesome! Amazing detail and love all the color and pattern combos
I usually paint the insides of drawers but have never done the outsides and think I will start because they look so fresh.

Karima said...

I love love love it! Really great work. Saw you on link party, I am now following you Karima x www.karimascrafts.com

Cassie Bustamante said...

how fun! i don't know a little girl who wouldn't love to get ready in front of that vanity!

Suzanne@thriftstoredecorjunky said...

Soooo adorable! I am seriously envious of your talent.

Deborah March said...

Absolutely positively freakin' AMAZING...again!!

Be Colorful Coastal said...

sassy perfection. I enlarged all the images on my monitor so I could just study, drool, and be inspired. What a lucky friend and daughter.
Again, I love it.
Pam

RhettDidntGiveADamn said...

Social networking is definitely the bomb - and worth the time you put in. You did a terrific job on the re-do and I'm IMPRESSED with your sketching ability. :)

(new follower here!)

xo

Jenn said...

Awesome!

Connie @ Sensible-Redesign said...

Just came over from Sisters of the wild west. What an amazing piece. It must have taken a LONG time to complete. It is really cute, I bet they are really pleased with it.

Beth Adams said...

This is wickedly genius! I am following your blog now. I would love for you to show this off at my Wickedly Crafty Saturdays! Link is open until 11pm tonight.
http://wiccanmakesometoo.blogspot.com/2011/07/wickedly-crafty-saturdays-are-back_23.html

SeaGal said...

So beautiful..! So unique and interesting..love it..!
xox
ZibaAnne

Karen of Little Red House Designs said...

W O W do I have a tween would would die for this!

MJ said...

WOW this looks amazing!!! Very 50s rock n roll, with the pink and black. I love it!

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Thanks for linking this up. Everytime I see your work I notice something new. I really liked the two tone green stripes here with the zebra print knobs. A good combo.
I know everyone will love it.
Pam

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Hi Mary,
I love your bold designs. Your right, our styles are different, but I love drama. Thanks for visiting me. I will be your next follower.

Megan Gunyan said...

Wow! This looks amazing! I love all the vibrant and fun colors. You did a wonderful job! Love it!

Jami said...

Hi Mary!
Amazing job on the vanity redo! Wow! It's fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing it at the Tuesday To Do Party!
Smiles!
Jami
www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

What an amazing makeover! Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites. I'm featuring you this week. Come by and grab my featured button if you'd like one.

Renee Schuls-Jacobson said...

Mare! This came out so freaking amazing! I love it and Krissy's daughter will too. Hell, I want it!

Meanwhile, I can't believe you haven't been signing your stuff! You are truly an artist! And that's what artists do!

I hope you make a killing at the art show this weekend!

Smooches to you. And I'm glad the social networking thing is working for you. (Thank you Kristen Lamb.)

xoxo @RASJacobson

Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things} said...

Wow! Amazing makeover!!
Thank you so much for linking this up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week!! I would love it if you joined me again tomorrow! :)
xoxo,
Vanessa

Kitty Deschanel said...

Thank you for linking up to Not "Baaad" Sundays with LambAround. You've been nominated for the Best in Show award this week! Be sure to vote and GOOD LUCK! :)

Unknown said...

This is A-mazing! Just wanted to let you know that I featured you on my blog today @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2011/08/pink-hippo-party-40.html
Hope you stop by and grab a featured button.. and I am your newest follower.. because I just can't wait to see what you create next!

Sabrina Lopez said...

I L-O-V-E it!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm glad I found your blog, you are good!!!!!

From your newest follower :)

Unknown said...

Gorgeous!
Visiting from Sassy Sites (and a new follower :))
Tal
www.english.the-crafeteria.com

Kitty Deschanel said...

I could (okay, I DID) spend an hour browsing through all your fun photos! There's a surprise awaiting you on my blog today that I'm sure you're going to love :)

Christy said...

This table is adorable! I love your work. I came over here from Candice's art contest.

Unknown said...

Wowzers. yep, that just about sums that up. ;) Thanks for the follow and the sweet comment. I'm following you back. Have a wonderful weekend!

Anonymous said...

What a fun makeover! Thanks for sharing!

Sari Asenith said...

I'm in love with your funky furniture! Have you ever done a child's bed before? or bunkbeds?

Kind Regards, Sari