I Was Framed and on a different note the Workbench is Great

I polled you for suggestions on treating the huge frame that I bought while picking last Monday and reached a conclusion. I decided to just poly the thing. This was based upon the easiest path theory. I already had the poly open and the brush gunked up from putting poly on the work bench. It was easiest to just poly the frame too.

The frame came out OK and if it doesn't sell this month I can paint it before the May sale.

The work bench, which was from a bankruptcy auction in Glencoe, came out great. It will be a feature piece in the April sale.

Mr. Flannery

Now What Do I Do With This Frame?

I picked up this large oak frame while on a picking expedition to western Minnesota. It is an old store fixture originally in the Donnelly General Store and for the past 70 years in the damp basement of the building. I sanded the frame and now have to decide what to do with it.

I can paint it. If I do, what color? I can stain it the same color as the top of the bench (below). Or I can poly it as is. Your input will be appreciated.

Mr. Flannery

Summer in Mid March

The weather on the tundra is FABULOUS!!! It was 78* today, that's only about 35 degrees above average. I worked on furniture outside on the driveway. It was GLORIOUS!!

I bought a couple of industrial pieces from a defunct manufacturer in Glencoe, Minnesota. My favorite is this metal and wood work bench. I have already sanded the wood and will stain it and poly it tomorrow.

An adjustable steel work table that will be a great media center in some "industrial style" setting.

The ice on the lake is starting to look gray and mushy. At least 2 weeks earlier than normal.

Babe was helping, of course.

Mr. Flannery

Gypsy Lea's March Sale Starts Thursday

The monthly occasional sale at Gypsy Lea's in Sauk Rapids starts on Thursday. The shop is just about set for everyone to rummage and rampage through the wonderful merchandise. I took some pictures of the shop, but you really need to see it for yourself to get the full impact.

It will be a great sale with wonderful almost Spring weather.

Mr. Flannery

Industriously into Industrial

I have neglected my blogging duties for too long. I hope to get back into the swing now that Spring will soon descend on the Tundra.

I have been moving towards a more industrial style in the items that I sell at Gypsy Lea's and Second Hand Rose. I have collected industrial style pieces and parts for years, so maybe the style has caught up to me, rather than the other way around. But now I have started to pepper my spaces with more industrial items. I started with lights and will be moving more into furniture as Spring opens up the opportunity to work outside on my pieces.

The halophane pendants and double lights that I assembled last Fall have all sold and I even had an order for a custom piece. I have been toying with the design of some table lamps that utilize milk strainers as shades for awhile. Last week I finally sat down with the pieces and assembled two lamps.

The lamps are made with old jack stand bases, conduit and other pieces from my electrical junk box, old lamp sockets and harps and inverted milk strainers as shades. The only tools needed were a pliers, screwdriver and wire stripper.

The pair of lamps have significant differences in the patina on the shades.

They cast interesting shadows on the ceiling.

The pair look good on an industrial gray painted server.

These earlier industrial lights have sold.

Mr. Flannery