Vintage Suitcase Stand Completed

Hi Everyone ,

I finished up my suitcase stand and took the advise of the young man at the hardware store who thought it looked best in it's natural colors. I'm thrilled with the way this project took shape and how much fun this will be for someone to display in their home  or to showcase their plants and it has storage. Who doesn't need more storage?

From this .....to this.

 I used a vintage french school book to line the inside and added a bit of charm with some postcard stickers, a bow and some twine.

 Darling

Sorry for the mess in the background here but I was in the creative flow.

Here's the top with some vintage stickers I printed out from www.graphicsfairy.com 

This piece is for sale for $169.00 . To purchase please email me at coastalbohemian@gmail.com 

Thanks again for stopping by to see what's going on at Coastal Bohemian
Michele Michael 

Daydreaming is good for the mind. And I have beach bonfires on my mind.

Daydreaming is good for the mind.
5 Reasons Daydreaming is Good for You  by Carla Samuels, a great article about the benefits of the wandering mind.
1. It Improves your Working Memory
2. It Helps You to Relax
3. It Helps You to Create and Achieve Goals
4. It Strenghtens Your Relationship
5. It Allows Complex Thought to Take Place

 I'm daydreaming of a beach bonfire. We have always had them out in Montauk NY, on the beach where they still allow folks to have a bonfire.
Below is a pic of a bonfire we made and decided to cook fresh, local, Long Island mussels in red sauce. It was one of my most favorite times and spent with great friends laughing and fumbling through getting our fire just right for the kettle.

Here's James Blunt's "Bonfire Heart" to help create a little mood for you.

What are you daydreaming about today? Make it a good one.I'd love for you to post your daydreams with me below.

Happy Daydreaming

Michele 

Vintage Suitcase Stand Help Me Decide

Before- Two pieces that I plan to marry. I'm not sure how to dress the bride and groom.Please send me your suggestions. I need to unleash my creative block on this puppy. I tend to go the route of white linen/ creamy shabby chic and I am considering an old travel destination or vintage nautical sales image for the top, however the wood on this base is so gorgeous that I could see a more traditional home purchasing this unique piece for a plant stand or small entryway table...if I were to stain the whole piece and and antique it in the natural wood color.

Thanks for all your support. I cherish your interaction.

Michele 

Sailing- An upcycled reimagined piece

I had so much fun with this piece. It just developed into a story piece. It was this vinatge old brown drab and boring thing to the right and bottom of this pic. I started out with a cream colored chalk paint ,sanded down my edges and then used a brown wax to give it a fresh vintage look. Next I had this fish that I painted to match and then the book pages from an old sailing book. The pages are perfectedly torn and feathered and aged. I love this little character. You can see him down at the Coastal Bohemian boutique down in A Bit of Everything in Little River , SC. He is ready to go home with someone for $149.00. If interested I can manage to arrange for shipping for an additional price.  

You may want to call this a laptop desk.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele 

Top 25 Beaches for your Coastal Bohemian getaway

Tripadvisor's Top 25 Beaches in the World.
Baia do Soncho, Brazil
 is the # 1 beach destination voted bt Tripadvisor travelers for 2015
#2
Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
For the rest of the list follow this link
http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches-cTop-g1-a_Mode.expanded

Which coast does it for you? Or which coastal will be your new adventure?
Sunny day wishes
Michele

Inherited piece sells to rave reviews

This inherited piece was taking up real estate in my tiny beach condo waiting to be recreated in the style of shabby chic beach cottage. :)
This is a custom chalk paint color with an antique finish. 

Thx for peeking in on my projects. See more at www.coastalbohemian.com

Michele Michael

Coastal Mosaics and all they are cracked up to be.

It's funny how I find myself again when I am creating something artsy, when I am being an artist. I have shied away from using  that word on myself , "Artist"  for so long, when in fact, I am an artist. There, I said it and I embrace it wholeheartedly.
Why is it we can't embrace the things that come so naturally to us in our youth?  The best things that come out of me are  inspired by my adventurous imagination.
Too bad it took me 46 yrs figure it out.

The universe is certainly speaking to me when it puts people in my world with the same story. It's my reminder to keep moving forward in the direction of being my artistic self and keep creating.(Insert picture of me covered head to feet in paint , hair all over the place and  bandaged hot glue gun burns here.)
I meet folks who have reimagined their life successfully by embracing their talents, and they are making a happy and exciting living as artists. The way I read it , the universe is showing me I can do it also.

I love mosaics and have made several pieces over the years and I'm always fascinated by other artist's mosaics. Strolling around Port Salerno, Fl you will find Port Salerno Mosaic Studio at the Fish House Art Center along the docks by the area restaurants.The universe gave me a sign by introducing me to owner  and artist Diane Concepcion, who has followed her passion to create and is teaching others to uncover their inner artist in her studio.
Her students are equally talented under the tutelage of their mosaic professor.

Diane with her pelican friends.

We spoke on and on for easily a half hr and she was generous with her time and with sharing her ideas for me to learn new techniques, and ideas for me to take addition classes.
This Coastal Bohemian was in her glory and inspired, surrounded by an array of sparkly , nautical themed creations. My favorite was a sailboat on a setting sea of lavender and with so much dimension.It's not for sale ...BTW. 

Stop in and visit Diane and you will fall in love with and most assuredly ,go home with, one of her projects. 

Off to crack some tile ....Michele 

www.CoastalBohemian.net

http://coastalbohemian.blogspot.com/2015/10/put-cork-in-itthen-save-it-upcycled.html