You Can't Make a Silk Purse of a Sow's Ear or Can You?

Part Two of the Great Mystery Thrift-Off

Did you ever hear the idiom "make a silk purse from a sow's ear"?  Where did that saying come from?  The original idiom actually dates back to 1579 with the definition being: To produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.  Today's idiom has evolved into "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear", meaning you can't make something good out of something that is naturally bad.  I prefer the original idiom from 1579.  I will make something refined, admirable, or valuable from this unrefined, unpleasant, inexpensive Goodwill item!

So what's in the box?

My Mystery Thrift-Off item is-------a chrome yellow tissue box imprinted with colorful ducks!

What to do, what to do?  Not much to work with, so there is really no way to turn it into something else.  My decision is to "make a silk purse of a sow's ear" by "producing something that is refined, admirable, or valuable, from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value".  I decide on leaving it a tissue box but making it into an "admirable" version

A good sanding to roughen up the smooth surface, along with a good cleaning using alcohol.  I then used a Rust-oleum paint for plastic, giving the tissue box a dark base color and eliminating the bright chrome color.

Decided to cover the plastic tissue box in snakeskin, just need to chose a color.

I decide to go with the chinese red snakeskin with the natural black markings.

The box is covered!  Now for some clear finish.

The clear finish really made the snakeskin pop!

And now the once chrome yellow, duck imprinted tissue box is now a sophisticated, snakeskin wrapped box fit for display.

The Mystery Thrift Off is Coming!

What is a Mystery Thrift-Off?

What's it all about?   Lindsey Allen , of the blog www.betterafter.net, decided to feature a contest in which the chosen contestants must take a thrift item from the Goodwill and give it a new look or turn it into something else.  

What incredible luck!  I had the good fortune of being one of the chosen ones!

Back in April, I received an email from Lindsey congratulating me on being chosen for her very first ever Mystery Thrift-Off.  As I anxiously awaited the arrival of my thrift item, I couldn't help but wonder WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO?  

Stay tuned for my next post on the great Mystery Thrift-Off when I reveal my item, and what I do to turn it into something else.

More Client Projects!

Karl Springer style side table on casters, covered in linen by Kravet, lacquered finish.

This console turned out so beautiful.  Wish I had better pictures.

Console being covered in Fermoie, Rabanna fabric.  

Karl Springer style petite table covered in genuine snakeskin in fuchsia color.

Karl Springer style Hexagonal Table covered in Kelly Wearstler, Katana fabric.

Karl Springer style petite telephone table covered in Kravet, ivory washed linen.

Mirror frame covered in hair on hide in a lep-zebra print.  

Recent Projects

Sorry for the absence of posts, but I've been busy, honestly I have!

Photos of some of my recent creations, all custom orders for interior designers and showrooms.

JMF style coffee table in the process of receiving a clear finish.  Table was covered in genuine python.  Going to an interior designer in New York.

Parsons style table, 48" square, covered in Schumacher's Iconic Leopard.  In the process of being finished with a clear lacquer.  Made two of these tables for a showroom.

Did three Parsons style in a solid ivory linen, pie shape inlay, going to a showroom.

Parsons style table, covered in fabric, "Birds and Butterflies" by Schumacher, for showroom.