WHAT'S UP
What I'm UP To
I didn’t always feel in tune with my creative side. It wasn’t until I lost my Mom to cancer in 2010, that I really started looking for something I loved. Losing her led me to reexamine what I wanted out of life. It was then that I allowed myself to really take a step back to think about me. I was eager to find a time when I did not feel stuck in a job for just the decent pay and health benefits. Dream of a time when I could be available to take care of my family and home.
I started making and selling different things, trying to find my niche. Craft fairs ended up not being my thing! I drove past a cute little (beat up) table one day and had to turn around. I could not leave it out to get rained on. I did some research and painted it. I didn’t love it in our space, so I put it up for sale. It sold quickly and I realized rescuing that little table brought me joy! I went on for years just saving little pieces when I saw them. My kids, then under 6, would scream when they saw a piece of furniture on the curb, “save it Mama!” We live in a college town, so it was fairly often.
My mom was fearlessly creative. She made and sold things for supplemental income our whole lives. So, starting my own business has made me feel closer to her. Her memory helps to let my creative side grow. She will forever be my inspiration. I’m launching my new site with the name, Studio 8 Redesigns in honor of her memory. Her birthday was on the eighth and we have had SO many eights come up in our family, it felt natural to include the number in my business name. To me, the number eight represents my eternal love of family and friends and the fact that it has no beginning or end makes me think of how UPCYCLING pieces means they get to carry on, to be loved by another family.
My love of recreating, recycling those old pieces into new statement pieces for your home has ignited creativity in me that I didn’t even know was there. To me, the number eight starts and ends in the same place, home.
My two girls, who I now get to be home with, are my anchors and my biggest cheerleaders! My sweet husband, Nick, has supported my venture wholeheartedly. He is my delivery partner; my pickup guy and he loves finding new pieces. I think he secretly gets just as excited about dovetailed drawers as I do! With their support, I quit my job of twenty-five years and dove headfirst into UPCYCLING quality furniture for your home. I never thought I would be here, but here I am, all in.
My Process
My love of upcycling started with ...
...finding treasures on the curb. It would pain me to drive by a piece knowing it was likely heading for a landfill. We all know that in Washington the weather will likely rain on it! So, I found myself loading it up to bring home, clean up and resell. My love of a deal or a rescue was ignited. I love a good treasure hunt.
Now, my focus has evolved to finding solid pieces to upcycle at establishments that support our local community.
Habitat for Humanity is...
...by far, my favorite place to give back. By purchasing a vintage piece from them, it gives me the opportunity to not only save a piece from a landfill, it also helps Habitat for Humanity build affordable housing in our community.
This is life changing. And you are a part of that when you purchase from my small business!
When I take a new piece in...
...it gets a good scrub down. I scrub away all that grime it has earned through the years. I assess what it needs. Most furniture that comes through my shop needs some type of repair. Often, it is a new drawer slide, sometimes a new bottom for a drawer, or, rarely, a new top is installed. Wood filler is used to repair some imperfections.
Of course, small imperfections are often left alone as every vintage piece has a story to tell.
I use Wise Owl’s primer...
...at least two coats, to seal in all those wood tannins you sometimes see bleeding through on other pieces. It is a lengthy process and totally worth it.
I often use a professional paint sprayer, so you won’t see those paint strokes or streaks. It takes more coats and prep, but the result is worth it, especially on those modern pieces.
My hope is that you receive a newly upcycled and re-loved piece of old, well-built history.
I have learned so much...
...I have used all kinds of paint. Sometimes spray cans of chalk style paint. There was always that feeling in the pit of my stomach, you know the one. Is this good for the environment? Is this good for my health?
The answer was no. I have made the decision to purchase and use products that are environmentally conscience and safe for my health. Wise Owl is committed to making products that are free from harsh chemicals and solvents.
You can feel good about...
...the products used on your piece as they do not compromise my health or the environment. They even have a chalk synthesis line that is zero VOC.
Of course, sometimes I use other lines of paint, but you can rest assured, I use only the best products available.