Restoring a Beloved Family Vintage Lamp or I’ve Been Putting this Off Because I Thought it was Going to Be More Difficult.

Arch floor lamp with enamel coated cast iron base and black enameled brass with stars and stripe cut outs.

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This floor lamp has been in the family for quite some time. My family said it was given to my grandfather from an employer of his. I’m guessing around the late 40’s early 50’s.

It has bounced around and been in our home for over 25 years. The pull cord socket broke over 15 years ago and just became one of those all to common, “I’ll get to it later” projects.

So I took it on This past week. I cleaned it, took it apart, rewired it, ordered and replace vintage pull cord socket, and found an incredible tin shade that looks like it was always meant to be.

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With the advice of the local lamp store, I replaced the wiring first.
Then the socket, this was a bit of an issue….so many sockets to look at.
I found someone on etsy who makes vintage styled sockets that suited my need.
It was expensive at $50 bucks, but, I really could not find it elsewhere.

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Viola!

This is one of the projects that I had built in my mind to be very complicated and time consuming.
In reality, it was 45 minutes of cleaning and rewiring and about the same in online shopping.

I spent a total of about $60 and 2.5 hours of my time to make it happen.

Thanks to my local folks at the Montclair (California) Light Bulbs Etc location with a shout out to the etsy shop NYMArts for making the vintage replica vertical pull cord socket.

Before Vid

After Vid

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Flowerpot Cozy

#SugarAndCreamYarn

A random flowerpot cozy. Sugar and Cream around grey t-shirt yarn.

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Little Room for Big Ideas or The World Famous Crochet Museum in Marvelous Miniature

Hello World Famous Crochet Museum,

WFCM_x1It has been awhile since we last met.
In fact it’s been embarrassingly long since our last communication and for that I am sorry.

I would like to say that your influence has stayed with me all along.
Last we spoke, I offered a donation because I so desperately wanted to be a part of what you created.
You politely responded, “Yes. However space is limited please try to make your donation something small.”

That’s when the idea was born.

Enclosed you will find a small donation;
World Famous Crochet Museum complete with rainbow rug and a garland of minis from myself and my fiber friends.

I do hope it is small enough.

Thank you, truly, for your inspiration.

Matthew Jaramillo
Ekotone.com

World Famous Crochet Museum #WorldWamousCrochetMuseum

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Small Victories

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Photo Doodles

So, apparently I do have other talents I’m just becoming aware of. 









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Bitchen Kitchen: How To Make your Own Magic Shell

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Chocolate shell for your favorite ice cream and that oh-so-satisfing-spoon-cracking-magic-goodness.

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Two Ingredients

1- Choclate pieces of your choosing.
2- Coconut oil, a couple of tablespoons.

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Two Minutes
30 seconds – pieces into microwavable dish.

60 seconds – nuke at 15 second intervals stiring between each interval until almost smooth. You can cut time short if its nearly smooth.

30 seconds – stir in a couple of spoonfuls of coconut oil.

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This does not have to be exact. The ratio is to your liking.

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Mix well.
Pour.

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Enjoy.

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Catalina Island Pottery Made in the USA, But When?

CatalinaMug01 CatalinaMug02To Whom it May Concern,

(Attached) photo for your reference.

Sunday, June 8th, we took a day trip to Catalina Island for my Mom’s 72nd birthday.

It was a glorious day and a wonderful adventure; her first trip.

We took the Skyline bus tour with Stephen, who was a hoot and very informative.

He discussed Catalina pottery and it peaked my interest because two weeks ago; while purging and cleaning I found a mug we used as office supply storage marked with a “MADE IN THE USA CATALINA TM” with an outline of the island as well.

I did a few searches online and did not find this particular raised stamp marking anywhere else.

We seem to remember having owned the mug for seven or more years.

The question is, “Is it authentic Catalina pottery or something more commercial/common?”

Thank you in advance for any information or assistance that can bring us closer to finding out.

=Matthew=

* I sent the above letter to the Catalina Island Museum. Stay tuned!

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Create a Gallery to Display Beautiful Note Cards in Simple DIY Art Collection.

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Andy Warhol note cards – $18
8×10 inch picture frames – $16
Double sided photo tape – $1
Card stock on hand – $0

Voilà! An art series under forty bucks. I will be hanging these little guys very soon.

Some tips about choosing your own display style:
1. Multiples are more impressive and interesting.
2. Selecting less ornate frames lends to a more intentional art gallery feel.
3. The negative or white space surrounding the image(s) is just as important as the image itself. Do not ignore it.
4. Remain open and be willing to attempt different frame layouts.

Now go frame something. Beautify and enjoy your personal surroundings.

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Growing Scallions on Kitchen Counter

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This has become a staple on my kitchen counter, regrowing green onions.  I buy a bunch and place them in water and cut and cut and cut. I have a single stock going on three months and maybe a dozen cuts.

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Mustache Balm

Fun-employment has granted me the time to experiment

with my facial hair.

How to make my own healthy mustache wax or balm.

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Ingredients: beeswax,  petroleum jelly, olive oil and

optional essential oil like tea tree or peppermint.

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1. Melt wax. One minute for two ounces of bees wax in

a heat prof dish. I like glass because it stay hot longer.

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2. Stir in petroleum jelly. I prefer a 50/50 ratio to beeswax.

Add I bit of olive oil. Start light, if the ration is too stiff once

cooled, you can reheat and fold in more jelly and/or oil.

A few optional drops of desired essential oil can be nice.
I like tea tree oil, it smells clean and fights fungus and

bacteria. Eucalyptus is another favorite.

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Cool and test. Reheat and adjust to your desired firmness.

mybestdahli

 

 

 

 

 

 

My mustache is stiff and sparse but it worked. It held

most of the day. Viola! My best Dahli. …

Oh interview, time to shave. :/

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