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Tutorials

Artistic Endeavors

adding casters to the counter

A couple of weeks ago, I found this amazing antique counter on Craig’s List.  My mom and I cleaned it and then I sealed the paint to prevent further chipping. I want everything in the studio to be very easy to move, so we have a lot of flexibility with the set up and I can scoot things around by myself without shredding the floors.  So, my dad came to the studio yesterday to put casters on the counter.  We thought we might need to build a frame underneath to support the casters, but when we flipped it over, we saw that the wood was thick and in good condition to accept the screws required to hold the casters in place. Adding casters was as simple as lining the caster up and screwing it in. I bought some vintage casters, but we ended up using new ones, so they would lock

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Decorating

3 minute, no-sew bolster pillow cover

I was working this weekend on my guest room, getting it ready for a photo shoot.  I was in a bit of a crunch, because of some unexpected delays, so I wasn’t able to put this room together in a leisurely way.  The mattress was delivered and I had to put the room together in two days.  I didn’t have time to shop, so it had to come together with what I had. It was like old times and I think it brought out the best in me.  For years, I had to make my home look the way I wanted it to without buying a lot of new stuff.  That’s how I learned to thrift, sew, paint and refinish in the first place!  Now that I buy and sell things, have a home decor business and this blog, I’m able to constantly shop my own inventory to get what I

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Living Room

repurposed petticoat, mini whisks & an apron

I moved around the furniture in my living room on Monday when the piano was moved out.  Of course, moving the furniture in one room usually impacts another room as I borrow and steal from other rooms.  Fortunately, all of my furniture is on felt sliders, so I just scoot things around until I like them and then scoot them back if something isn’t working. I have learned that I need to live with new arrangements for a few days to see how it works…aesthetically, functionally. Sometimes things that seem crazy end up working.  Sometimes when I first move something, I start to question myself, but I think that’s because it’s change.  It just looks different and I have to get used to it before I can look at it objectively. The living room is feeling larger, more open and inviting now, but I’m still playing around with it.  I’ll share more

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Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

Mixing Milk Paint Video Tutorial

I made several videos on using milk paint when I first launched the line, but they could use some updating.  First of all, it was just me in my basement with a camera on a tripod.  While I think there’s something approachable and real about those, you can’t always clearly see what I’m doing and that’s the whole point of a video tutorial!  I was also very loosey-goosey about my instructions.  That’s just how I am, but I know a lot of people need specifics and, when it comes to using milk paint for the first time, specifics are very helpful. So, we’re in the process of remaking our videos (and we’ll get to the slipcover videos and new upholster videos soon, too!)  We now have a camera man, Jeff, a beefy camera, mics, lighting and a second camera to capture overhead detail shots.  We also have Kriste. As crafty

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Before and Afters

glass glitter milk bottles

Before I get into the project, I want to share that Miss Mustard Seed’s Glass Glitter (used in this project) is the Decor Steals daily “steal” today!  They are offering Tiara Silver, Fallen Snow and 14 Karat.  I’ve partnered with them for a long time, so it’s fun to see them carrying a product with my brand on it.  As always, it’s offered at a discounted rate due to their savvy shopping skills, so this is a good time to buy… I’ve been browsing Pinterest a lot over the past few weeks and have been pleasantly surprised to find a lot of glitter projects and products out there.  Hmmm…is glitter trending right now?  Some of the glitter went a bit too far for me, but it was fun to see all of the ideas.  I love glitter, but I prefer it in small doses…as an accent that adds a little sparkle.

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crafts

german glass glitter letters & giveaway

I have been making German glass glitter letters for years.  See the old school watermark? I was so excited when I finally found German glass glitter and some great chipboard letters in amazing fonts.  I made them for myself in the beginning and then started making them to sell in my retail space and it was a staple for several years. Great chipboard letters have become harder and harder to find, though.  I am hoarding three sets of the original letters I used in the first picture, but otherwise, what I’ve found has been pretty run-of-the-mill.  I thought I found some great ones, but when they arrived, they were different than what was pictured.  Bummer!  So, I’ve been looking for some alternatives and I found a good option… These plastic letters don’t come in the prettiest fonts, but they are simple, cute and already have magnets attached, so it saves some

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woodworking

more must-have tools

Any time you see this logo on a post… …it means that the post is written by Jeff and it’s about the behind-the-scenes stuff that happens in our workshop.  We’re talking tools, setting up a workshop, furniture repair, designing & building built-ins and freestanding furniture and all of the other crazy things I ask Jeff to do for me.  I hope you’ll enjoy hearing from my other half on occasion.  He’s been talking tools lately, but I know he has some great tutorial ideas brewing.  In this post, he’s rounding out the top seven most useful tools… I thought I’d continue discussing my most indispensable tools by offering numbers four through seven. After recently posting my top three, I felt more needed to be said about some other tools that have been enormously helpful in completing projects. Because I’m such a swell guy, here is a brief recap of the top three.

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german glass glitter

children's book bunting

We launched our line of MMS German Glass Glitter just before Lucketts and, in such a busy time, I didn’t get to announce it until after the fair.  Now that I’ve had the chance to catch my breath and get back into a bit of a routine, I’m ready to start giving you some ideas for how you can use the glitter and showcase the different colors.  Really, it’s simple.  You can use it anywhere you want glitter, but I know some people like a bit more direction than that! Here’s what I came up with today… This project is a good example that a little glitter adds just that extra something and it doesn’t have to be reserved for froo-froo-sparkle-princess projects. I started with a tattered vintage children’s book.  I love the old illustrations and the colors, but the book was in really rough shape with a lot of scribbling,

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I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

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