2012 September

How to Solder Metals Together – Tool Tutorial Friday

Wheee, it’s another episode of Tool Tutorial Friday! Do y’all miss TTF? I do too, but this handy gal only has so many tools in her toolbox. I added a new one a few weeks ago, a soldering iron.

When I was in college, I took a stained glass elective (one of the benefits of going to art school.) I really enjoyed the course, but once the semester was over I didn’t pick up a soldering iron again. That was 20 years ago. Just this month, someone in our neighborhood posted online that they were selling a soldering iron. I immediately jumped on the chance. But, this time I didn’t have stained glass in mind, I had these DIY farmhouse lights on the brain!

As promised, here is the tutorial on how to solder. [Read more...]

9 Comments
Filed Under: copper lamp, DIY, DIY tools, Do It Yourself, Electrical, Fix It, light fixture, Tool Tutorial Friday Video, Tutorial

Get My Look – Joss & Main Curators Collection

27 Sep posted by Brittany Bailey

I mentioned a while ago that Joss & Main contacted me about creating a curated collection of home décor and furniture that screams Pretty Handy Girl. I was very hesitant, but ultimately agreed to search their virtual warehouse to find things that I would (and do have) in my home. I mean seriously, y’all know I shop the curbside and behind dumpsters. I doubted that Joss & Main would have wonderfully aged and cozy warm décor finds that look like they’ve been loved more than the Velveteen Rabbit.

You can imagine my surprise when not only did I find enough items to create a collection, but I actually had to edit it down by 10 items. The entire experience was a lot of fun and when they sent me the final offering I was amazed at how similar some of the items look to things that I already own.

So, if you are the warm & weathered type (err — I mean — you like things warm and weather), you may like a few of the items I picked out.

My Joss & Main collection is now liveand the items will be available until Oct. 1st. I can tell you that the items will be discounted from their usual retail price, consequently some cool finds will sell out quickly. (Don’t wait if you see an item that you really want. Throw it in your cart or you will be crying the blues. (I know this from past experience.) I hope you’ll take a quick peek and let me know if you like some of the things I picked out or if it all looks like it belongs in the dumpster. LOL.

One more insider tip: If you don’t have an account with Joss & Main, you’ll need to apply and wait for an invite before you can shop their sales. However, I have an invite for anyone that wants one, just click here to get your instant Joss & Main invitation (I get a $15 credit if you sign up, so thank you if you do sign up. No purchase necessary.)

I hope to be back tomorrow with a new tutorial for you, but I’m trying to get a little caught up after my sick days.

P.s. Don’t forget to enter the Dremel Multi-Max giveaway! I’ll be picking a winner Saturday morning.

Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post for Joss & Main. I am honestly excited to share with you some unique finds for your home. I will receive a small commission from the sale as compensation for my time and efforts of putting the collection together. But, who am I kidding? It was really a fun experience. Like window shopping online!

11 Comments
Filed Under: About Me, Home Decor

Silhouette Deal and Project Idea Link Party

25 Sep posted by Brittany Bailey

I was so excited to receive my package from Silhouette recently. I couldn’t wait to try the machine out. I opened the package, read all the instructions, plugged it in… and then I froze. Seriously! I know — I’m not afraid of power tools but I honesty wanted to make something really cool with my new Silhouette Cameo and couldn’t think of a single thing to make with it. I sent out a plea to some of my blogging friends begging them to share their ideas with me. They graciously sent me some of their project links. Then I started searching Pinterest and created a board of Silhouette (and other Craft Cutter) projects.

It was like getting a crash course in using a Silhouette from the pros! I was all ready to proceed and then WHAMMO! I got hit by the crud (see my post from yesterday). As I am taking time to recover, I hope you’ll take me under your wing and share some of your Silhouette and other craft cutter projects with me in the linky collection below.

If you don’t own a Silhouette Cameo (and really want to get your crafty hands on your own), I have the inside scoop on a promotion going on now until the end of September!

You can get:

1 Silhouette CAMEO + 1 package of printable gold foil + 1 package of printable silver foil + 1 package of printable white sticker paper

= $269.99 (by clicking here and using the discount code: HANDY at checkout)

These are brand new Silhouette products that are finally back in stock after they sold out after release! (Hot Potatoes I tell ya!) And, if you already own a Silhouette, here is a promotion for that special bundle of printable foils and white sticker paper for only $19.99 (normally $26.97)

The discount will run through the 30^th of September, so get your mouse clicking now.

Please share your craft cutter projects so I can learn some of the cool things I can make with my new Silhouette. I’m an eager student! (Linking back to this post would be greatly appreciated so you can share the knowledge.)

Disclosure: I receive a small commission when the special Silhouette discount code: HANDY is used. I was not told what to write (other than the discount details.) I actually reached out to Silhouette to ask them about sending one of their machines for a product review since I had heard many good things about it. I’ll be sure to give you my feedback when I do try it.

7 Comments
Filed Under: arts and craft, Crafts, silhouette

Bonus Room Plans to Convert to an Arts and Craft Room

24 Sep posted by Brittany Bailey

Hello, this is Pretty Handy Girl reporting from the sick bay this week. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen my trip(s) to the pharmacy and my hopes for those little pink babies: [Read more...]

15 Comments
Filed Under: art, arts and craft, Before and After, Chalkboard paint, Crafts, de-clutter, Home Tour

How to Salvage Wood from Shipping Pallets

21 Sep posted by Brittany Bailey

Pallet upcycling is all the rage today. But, if you’ve ever tried to actually remove wood planks from a pallet, you know that it is not an easy task. The nails that are used are typically spiral nails and are designed to really grip that wood. And if that’s not enough, they usually shoot 4-5 nails per joint. Sheesh, you’d think they were building a foundation for a 10 ton elephant. Okay, actually it is the foundation that has to hold tons of product as it is lifted by a fork lift. Which explains why harvesting pallet wood can be a labor intensive task.

I figured you’d appreciate it if I shared with you the quickest and easiest way I’ve found to salvage this beautifully rustic pallet wood. [Read more...]