Steampunk Sewing Machine Lamp Bookends

 

I made something very unusual last week: a pair of steampunk sewing machine lamps/ bookends.

Altering the sewing machine was a great task, cutting it in the middle and cutting the bottom to remove its feet and part of its mechanism to reduce weight took ages.

I then had to clean all the parts as it was very rusty and dirty.

I then made the wooden bookends from reclaimed wood, added the machine to it, after lots of puzzling drilling etc the base was ready.

I then added wiring and these flexible lights so that this beautiful piece has two functions. Would look great on a table with books.

I kept all the beautiful details of the old machine, the machine itself was beyond rescuing so this was a way to save it and give it a new life. It was also missing its needle plate which I made with some vintage tin.

Here is another fun idea to decorate with old sewing machines; showcasing a collection and creating a cool focal piece in a room.

Using the metal pedal/feet is something you see much more often; my machine did not have that. I do like this example especially as it still has its original wooden top with the drawers.

Newly Listed: Test Tubes Vase

Test Tubes Vase, Rustic Driftwood Rack, Botanical Display, Reclaimed wood Home Decor by StarHomeStudio
Art, Photography, Venice Photography, Italy, Wall Art, Vintage, Turquoise Door, Print by cottagelightstudio
Beach Photography, jellyfish, ocean, sea, beach wall decor, wall art, Ephemeral by LynnLangmade
Old Rusted Teal Turquoise Door, Knob Lock, Rustic Home Decor Art Print Photography Art Print by jessicareisspix

Little in Between Project

Just to show that we sometimes make our furniture for ourselves :)
This was a large wooden tray originally used at a bakery to let dough raise, I scored a few of them and after a thorough cleaning they have been in storage for a year or two.
I sawed little shelves for it and after nailing those all in place it got two layers of white paint.

Here a sexy picture of me, glasses all foggy as it is still 40 Celsius degrees here I got all sweaty and it condenses in the plastic glasses, yes very sexy especially with my leopard night gown :D

But it did turn out cool, perfect for all our large thread bobbins in the sewing room. The only new thing was the paint, so a good recycle project too :)

A Journey from Ugly to Pretty

The title and this picture might be a weird combo but no this bug, although pretty in a creepy way, did not turn in to a butterfly :)

I am also not talking about a road trip...

But about the sad ugly remains of this table, which has clearly gone through a lot. A battle where it lost two legs...

And a kid with anger management issues, gave the result of this sad thing. But the remaining two pretty legs made me see potential.

I started by sawing and attaching the missing wood piece, and sanding the dark brown paint and the kid's 'art' away.

I primed it with white paint to make everything equal in color, working with a table that has only two legs was a bit challenging.

I then painted it a sea green/ blue.

And the top got a vintage road map, like the previous table I had fixed a few weeks ago.

I cut the map in shape and applied many layers of varnish making the top smooth and waterproof.

Then came the most exciting and challenging part, attaching the legs. I was sure to use driftwood legs and wanted them to be very natural, straight driftwood pieces would have looked like ugly replacements. I made sure to use a level tool so that the table was straight even though the legs weren't.

And after a few weeks of work here is the result *patting myself on the back*.

I used a map with the exact color of the paint. A road map of west Turkey.

The driftwood seems to be growing out of the table, I love how natural it turned out!

Working with discarded materials is extremely satisfying, giving life with stuff that is tagged as 'trash' putting some work in it to make it unique and beautiful. If everyone would re-use as much as possible landfills would be much less filled, don't you think :)?
The table is available at StarHomeStudio where you can also see more pictures and all its measurements.