Earlier this week, my friend Elizabeth took me antique shopping for my birthday. I bought this pair of vintage bookends for $11 for the shelves in my home office.
They were a great deal, partly because of the chipping of the surface of both bookends. The damage on the black areas stood out the most.
No problem. Did you know that a common Sharpie marker can quickly take care of damage done to black paint or almost any black surface?
The bookends still show a few other signs of wear, but aging can add interest and dimension to a thing, don’t you think? Wait – maybe these bookends are a metaphor. I did have a birthday this week, afterall!
Anyway, here they are – my “new” vintage bookends look right at home against my Steamed Spinach wall:
Thanks to my good ole Sharpie marker.
Speaking of vintage, I spent this beautiful Friday at the 5th annual Bella Vintage Marketplace in Franklin, TN. I met up with a group of local bloggers, including the lovely Lindsay Ferrier of Suburban Turmoil. Our daughters are friends and had a sleepover last night!
me and Lindsay Ferrier
I scored lots of beautiful finds at Bella. The sale continues on Saturday and Sunday, so make sure you make time to attend if you are in the area!
I caught up with Lucy Farmer of Lucy’s Lockets inside the barn at Harlinsdale Farm where Bella is being held this year. I’m wearing one of the creations I bought from her at the Country Living Fair earlier this year. Lucy recently showed her design prowess on the HGTV series, Beach Flip, and she did an awesome job!
me and Lucy Farmer
It was a great day, and now I’m exhausted! I might even sleep late tomorrow morning. Have a great weekend!
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Loved the blog article and photos Kristie ! I too have been a fan of all Sharpie products. I have tried with success your touch up tips on items that needed help too ! Shhhh…I have also used a Sharpie to color a piece of yarn in a sweater, that I hated to throw out, because I got a tiny bleach spot on it. The Sharpie was the same exact color and did a perfect job covering the white spot , and no one ever knew ! ( until now ) 😉
I too have tried your wonderful Sharpie fix on a few items with great success ! Once I even used a colored Sharpie to color over a small bleach spot I accidently got on a loved sweater. It worked like magic and no one knew except me ! Loved the article and the beautiful photos too !
Bleach spots are the worst, Mary – I will try the Sharpie on clothing, too! They even come in colors . . .
Thanks for sharing your Bella Vintage Marketplace experience. I’m headed out there tomorrow to support AGAPE!
Would have loved to hang out with you yesterday – I know you will enjoy it! And thanks for mentioning AGAPE – entry fee proceeds benefit AGAPE, a non-profit that helps foster children and families!!!
Cute bookends! Just throwing this out there for another “fixit” idea — I’ve used blue ball point pen to “color in” bleach spots on my jeans. 🙂
Need to try that one, Karen – thanks!!!!
What a fun morning- Thanks for inviting me! We had so much fun.
I have to admit, I’ve used black Sharpie on bleach spots, too! It works!
Loved this! Sharpie sells this wonderful set of 10 or 12 colors. My husband fixed a couple of scratches on the countertop in our previous house and no one could tell where they were — not even me. Love your bookends!
Great idea to have a set of colored Sharpies on hand 🙂
Wish I lived closer so I could visit the Bella! I use Sharpies also. Another trick is shoe polish!
Shoe polish! I’ll have to remember that one, too – Thanks, Kelly!
I thought I was the only one using sharpies! Love those book ends and the books as well, absolutely charming!
Grouped by color (naturally)!
I do that all the time! Love my sharpies – good for scuffs on shoes too.
Your bookends brought back some wonderful memories of my paternal Grandmother. She had some very similar pieces on display in her front room for years. I always loved to gaze at all the knick knacks in my grandparents’ homes. They were comforting and homey and always there, like old friends.
Thanks for sharing that, Susan – what a neat story about your grandparents’ home. A friend of my younger daughter came to our house last week, and she said to me, “I love your house. It feels like it’s enchanted!” That made me so happy to hear – I aspire to enchanted 😉
Kristie- so sad we were so busy when you came by. Thanks for coming as always – and all of your support, and friendship!
I’m glad you were busy, Jenni!!!! No problem, we will catch up soon 🙂