Well, it’s no vacation, but I can’t keep up with the blog at the moment. Been burning the candle at both ends trying to make enough crap for Gifted. If anyone wants to push their related merch or NY event, send a tip! Heck, write your own article and I’ll post it.

If something interesting comes up, I’ll definitely be here, but for now, I’m warning ya….I won’t be posting every day until after the New Year. Just had to let you know so I don’t feel obligated.

See? That’s my post for today. Lame. But enjoy the photo of my dog with her head up her ass.

Alexander’s. How annoying was this woman? And check out Jack Cafferty at the start of the video!

Crazy Eddie! His prices are insane!

Because I’m The Wiz! And nobody beats me!

Milford Plaza. Ok, so it’s not a Christmas commercial, but I had to grab it.

Gargoyles! Web Urbanist

Paris in the Stuy. Bed Stuy Blog

How to Replace a Kitchen Sink. This Old House

How To Book. Renovation Therapy

Art Tours of Brooklyn. Brokelyn

A thousand years ago we raided this Prospect Heights home for free reclaimed materials. The couple were about to embark on a massive renovation and posted their salvage on the Brownstoner forum. It was free for the taking, the only catch was that folks had to bring tools and remove everything themselves. Kind of like a demo party, only we had to be very careful.

We snatched up a bunch of goodies that we’ve used or I’ve resold. The two closet doors sat around for awhile. I thought of making tables out of them but then decided on radiator covers.

This was a pretty easy project because the radiators are set back, so we didn’t have to build sides.

All you need to do for this front cover is build a picture frame without the bottom. If you have all of the necessary power tools, I probably don’t have to tell you how to do this. If not, you’ll need a miter, hand saw, staple gun, hammer and nails or screws and a drill, glue and a tin snips.

Measure twice cut once.  Measure twice cut once. Measure twice cut once. I can’t stress this enough.

So you you miter the frame, glue before securing and add the decorative piece to the back.

Here’s what it looks like from the back.

Voilà! Painted with the mesh backing. Now searching for salvaged marble slab for the window sill.

You saw the kitchen counter top a few weeks ago. Now the entire kitchenette is finished! Almost. Since we don’t live in Brooklyn full time and we don’t cook, there’s no need for a real kitchen. A microwave, toaster and electric kettle will suffice. Nope, not even those plug in burners. We have menus.

This cabinet, made from an antique sideboard, is pretty much the kitchen. We’ll probably build some shelves above the mini fridge and maybe try for more storage on each side, but what you’re looking at is the “work station”.

This is what took us about 3 years to complete (well, the whole apartment), but no more washing dishes in the bathroom sink! Weezy, we’re movin’ on up!

Film Biz Recycling in Long Island City is holding a holiday extravaganza! I’m reporting a few days late on this because I wanted to ensure I got my own shopping done first. Sorry kids, but it’s a jungle out there.

If you didn’t read the previous post on FBR, here’s the rundown….

FBR is a non profit organization that accepts donations of props from the entertainment industry which would otherwise be thrown out. Not everything is vintage, but it’s definitely all been recycled. It would be interesting to know where each item came from. I never ask about all of them, but it seems like “Taking Woodstock” is the gift that keeps on giving for me. The last time I was there, I bought a bunch of stuff from that film and I just ended up with more.

I walked away with 4 large tote bags of small, gifty items for $182. I’ve spent more than that for 3 totes in the Korean grocery! (Ok, perhaps a fib)

The holiday sale is not just gifts. Check it out for all of your holiday decoration, gift wrapping and ribbon needs.

*Tip: Parking is a bitch on weekdays. Weekends are easier.

Some of the items I purchased for resale…..

I’m going to castrate Bud Man. That thing is annoying me.

I bought the two red ones on the ends. I think the others were gone. I didn’t see them.

Always love a good purple and orange setting!

Fall is a great time of year, but the colors are so muted. Dullsville, man. I usually don’t like your average Thanksgiving setting, not that I ever have to worry about it since we never invite anyone over.

Here are some table ideas since it’s that time of year and I needed something to write about. We invited ourselves to our Boston friends for a Wednesday celebration because I have to work on Friday. You?

Very regal. Not like some of that cornucopia shit.

Clean, bright and fun! I like it!

The setting is nice enough, but I really chose this image because the photographer did a cool ghost effect.

The holiday show that I’ve been freaking out about is just around the corner and I have maybe the first few days worth of merchandise ready. But that’s ok. I’ll get my act together last minute, as always.

Gifted has it’s own website now! Check out some of the awesome vendors and follow Gifted on Facebook!

Hand beaded linen napkin by Anne of Ddot.

Tea Lights by Domestic-Construction

Owl Stuffies (aka pillows?) by Kate Durkin

Mini light fixture by Re-Surface

Last Supper by Anthony Falbo: $100,000. It says suggested retail is 10 million bucks, but there are paintings on his website for under $1000 and I can’t find a gallery representing the artist. A mistake? Very cool, whatevah.

Another awesome painting with a possible pricing mistake. $99,000 for this image of George and Barbara Bush. The artist is Outsider’s Outsider and all of the paintings are in this price range.

Now I know this one is a mistake. This photo by Rich Wysockey is priced at $80k when the rest of his work is $20-$175. It is a great image, but is it really worth $79,825 more than his other work?

Ok, not a mistake. This is a BIG sculpture. Artist Chris Weed installed the paper clips this year at The Plaza of the Rockies. It stands 24 feet high and will set you back $75k. Anyone want one for their front yard?

It started happening about 15 years ago and by the early 2000’s it was over. New York is a suburban mall now. With all of the large chain stores around, I don’t see much of a difference heading out to Long Island or New Jersey to get the same exact items and not have to brave inclement weather or slow moving tourists.

I don’t have clothes. I do messy work from home and sell at flea markets. I used to be really into clothes, but I never go out. Now, with a 5 week long gift show coming up, I realize that I can’t show up in my painting clothes every day. Hence, I need an entire wardrobe by Thanksgiving.

Yesterday I had 3 hours in Manhattan to buy said wardrobe. I made my way from Grand Central down to Broadway Lafayette, zig-zagging east and west.

I hit Daffy’s Herald Square and nearly teared up (in a good way). I found myself stacking up in pants and dresses that I actually loved….and they were all decent prices. Oh yeah, and well made too! The reason I can’t bring myself to spend money on new clothes is because they are so poorly made! But I had designer jeans from Italy and dresses from USA in my hands, and they were like 20-50 bucks!

Then came the dressing room. NOTHING. FIT. I cried to the attendant and she tried to console me by saying “Look honey, these designer clothes run a size or two smaller. I don’t know who their models are, but they are not made for real women.” I chose to believe her because they did look small for a size *2, but alas, there was nothing nice in larger sizes. Is this because they don’t make them or because they sold out??

So, Daffy’s was a bit fat tease. Let’s see, where else did I go?

Cheap Jacks, formerly on Broadway near Union Square is now on 31st and 5th. I swear I used to be able to find some nice things there. Now it’s all $100+ and wasn’t even nice. Jack ain’t so cheap.

H&M, where I often shop, looked crappy to me after what I found at Daffy’s.

Tried Daffy’s on 18th, but it’s now an H&M. Did this happen years ago and I just realized?

Angel Street was closed for an event.

Housing Works: Scored! A single pair of Levi’s for $5. Four sizes too big. I’ll wear a belt or grow into them.

Loehmann’s. Meh. Wasn’t impressed with current selection. (Hey, does anyone remember the original Loehmann’s on Bedford?)

Screaming Mimi’s. Nothing, but I did think long and hard about a fabulous faux leopard poncho for $150. I might’ve worn it once. Or never.

I’ve gotta take one more day to do this. Where should I go? Century 21? Another Daffy’s? Because if I could find what I found in larger sizes, I’d be a happy camper.

And now, let’s take a moment of silence for the stores where I used to shop that no longer exist (or aren’t that good anymore):

Unique Boutique

Reminiscence

Zoot

Domsey’s

Canal Jeans

Alice Underground

* Size has been changed to protect the innocent.

Steampunk Hacks. Web Urbanist

Howard’s End House For Sale. Hooked on Houses

Modern Birdhouse. Materialicious

Love in the Time of Swine Flu. Luna Park Gazette

Hooks are big sellers. Coat hooks, hat hooks, key hooks. You know those hooks made out of old doorknobs? Personally, I’m tired of looking at them, but people love them. Can’t make ‘em fast enough.

I’ve been working like a mad woman, even cutting my bathroom breaks short. And yet, I still don’t have enough inventory for even the first week of Gifted yet. Anyone wanna help? I’ll pay you as much as I earn. Next to nuthin.

I haven’t priced or uploaded these to the store yet.

Antique level coat hook. Easy to hang. It levels itself.

Dragon Fly parquet floor tile hat/scarf/leash hook with bakelite knob.

Antique child’s ski hook. Looks better in person. It’s hard to photograph a ski!

Oh, PS:

New blog alert! There’s not much there yet, but Hand Made Brooklyn looks very promising. I found out about it via Brokelyn.

Hand Made was started by a couple of chicks living in the boonies of Brooklyn (Boro Park and *Flatbush). They are inviting crafters to post DIY tips, self promotion articles and tips on all things crafty.

There’s also a free directory for listing your crafty website or Etsy shop.

* Flatbush is just a guess. She says “among the Victorian houses.”

So, it’s Halloween, I have no candy and I’m painting shutters at street level watching the kids go by, hoping they don’t stop at our house. Every now and then, I duck to avoid eye contact.

And then he walks by. Stalls in front of my house, meowing.

I wouldn’t open my door for a kid, but a cat? Sure.

We have a bad feral cat problem in Bed Stuy. I keep saying we should do the Trap, Neuter, Release program, but problem is, we’re not around enough to collect the caged cats. I’ve stopped to say hello to neighborhood strays before and they usually take off when I do. I didn’t expect this one to come when I called.

But he did. He walked right through the opened window. I heard my husband in the background saying “No, no, no!” but ignored him like he usually ignores me during our “conversations”.

Then it was “Don’t name him.” “Don’t get attached.”

By the end of the day, my husband had named him Hal, short for Halloween.

But since we don’t want #7 and we already have 2 orange tabbies, Hal is up for adoption.

He’s probably about 5-6 months old. Very sweet! Definitely abandoned, not a street cat. By the end of this week, he should be tested and fixed.

Come on, you know you want him!

If not you, please pass this along.

Or my husband will kill me.