Tuesday, February 15, 2011

How to make a 2 year old happy.

I hope that title didn't imply that I was going to be giving some sort of parenting advice, because I'm not.  I'm far from an expert in the rearing of children. 
                       {Side note:  Rearing...that word always makes me giggle.  I'm not sure why.}

 I only have one and she is { as my Mom would say} full of piss and vinegar.  Any given day you will find me beating my head against the wall.  But truth be told, I wouldn't have it any other way.  Case in Point:  my daughter (who is almost 2 1/2 yrs. old) got it into her head that she needed a jewelry box.  What that really means is that she has been harassing me about it for about a week now!  She has NO jewelry...she's 2!  But, when on a trip to good ol' Goodwill I saw a very sad and dated looking little jewelry box.  It was $3.00.  I actually thought that was a little high but I saw what it could be so I bought it.  I knew it would make a certain little 2 year old girl happy.

This is what it looks like now:



This is how it started out:




It didn't take much time or effort to transform this little guy which is good because my daughter was not in the mood to wait.

It require only a few supplies, all of which I already had on hand.

Gorilla glue, America brand glaze, white paint, antiquing glaze and paint color of choice a cheap brush and a detail brush.  I also used Modge Podge but it somehow escaped from the photo.
 First I painted the entire jewelry box in my paint color of choice.  I picked this lovely blue Martha Stewart test pot that was a mistint so it only cost 50 cents.  I applied two coats since I did not prime first. {Mainly because I was feeling lazy, it was cold and well, I just didn't want to bother with it.}
* But, I feel it's my duty to tell you that you should always prime the pieces that you paint because it just makes everything that much more pretty.

Next, I added a white wash effect.  I mixed a 3:1 ratio of Americana Glazing Medium and white craft paint.  I used an el' cheapo brush for this because I wanted it to look worn and uneven.  I also worked with a nearly dry brush to keep the coating light.

After the paint dried completely I used Modge Podge to apply a paper accent which says "Happily Ever After" onto the top of the box.

I also picked out some broken vintage jewelry pieces and used the Gorilla glue to secure them to the top.  I didn't want my 2 year old to be able to rip them off and Gorilla glue is the BEST!

After this my toddler was getting antsy so I let her have a look before I moved on to my final step.




I think she likes it!
 I wanted to add some more depth and a little more of a distressed look so I mixed a couple of drops of Valspar Antiquing Glaze with an equal amount of Americana Glaze Medium .  I used my detail brush to lightly coat the drawer pulls and the edges of the jewelry box.  I used a wet wipe to LIGHTLY wipe away the excess glaze.




I love the way it turned out and so does my little punk.  She keeps talking about needing to have necklaces, earings and bracelets to put in the top and how she wants to put her treasures in the bottom drawer.  Great!  Now I have to go get her some dang dress-up jewelry.  I obviously did not think this thing through.

29 comments:

  1. Rearing makes me laugh too! I think I have heard your mom say that before! That piss n vinegar is the cutest little thing! :) oh and the jewelry box turned out really cute! I need to go garage saling/thrifting....

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  2. I bet I know a grandma who will be more than happy to help fill that up!! Cindy R

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  3. She is a sweet angel! My daughter is 3 and insists she needs makeup, jewelry, etc. I love what you did to update this jewelry box--and thank you for the tutorial!

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  4. How adorable. Hope you find some treasures for her box at Goodwill too!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog today :-)

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  5. Aaron, In Grandma's jewelry box there is all kinds of "stuff" to delight her! Love the jewelry box!

    Nancy

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  6. I love shabby, it looks absolutely beautiful:-)
    Hugs, Biljana

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  7. It turned out beautifully! Your sweet baby girl is so precious and adorable. Bet she loves when Mama gets creative. ;))

    xoxo,
    Ellen

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  8. What an adorable little girly! Sounds like she's all girl, too.
    Enjoy, she won't stay little long.
    The jewelry box turned out just beautiful, you have a talent there.
    I came over from A Delightsome Life
    Hugs, Cindy

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  9. The jewelry box looks fab, and your little is so cute!

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  10. what a great transformation for the box. surely perfect for that cute lil girl:)

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  11. Mom, you did great! Darling little jewelry box for a darling little gal. Yep, I see that you will now be spending all your money on jewels and the like. Looks like fun to me! Thanks for joining in for VIF!
    hugs,
    Debra

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  12. What a cutie and a great transformation on the jewelry box. Thanks so much for linking up to my Open House. If you didn't leave a comment, don't forget to if you want to be eligible for the giveaway!

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  13. What a sweet little makeover, looks great!

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  14. such a pretty box after the makeover! your daughter must be one happy girl! love the box!

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  15. Ahhhhhhhh! A diva in the making...Sweet

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  16. Oh it is absolutely darling and such a sweet little treasure for your girl! Thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

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  17. It's so very, very cute! I love the way you took something so dark and beat up into something that your little one will treasure.

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  18. Your daughter is adorable. Nice job on the jewelry box. The color is much better.
    Dropping by from How To's Day. Hope you'll come see the informal picture wall I did for DD2.

    Allison
    Atticmag

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  19. What a sweet makeover! Love the look with the bits on the cover. What a sweetie your little girl is!

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  20. Great post! I have a 2 1/2 year old son... the things we do to just make them happy! LOL! Cute little girl, and cute little makeover, thanks for sharing!
    Jen

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  21. That's adorable and so is your little girl!

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  22. I never thought of refinishing a jewelry box. Great idea! It looks lovely!

    Blessings
    Mrs. White

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  23. So sweet!! I keep seeing them too. I am looking for the right 1s for teenage boys redo.

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