That's the Ticket! How I earned my Christmas airfare!

I was fortunate enough to snag a window painting gig this year at a mobile home park in Fillmoore, CA.  The lady who hired me was calling sign shops asking for someone who paints windows.  Right as my boss was telling her that our shop  does no such thing, my radar hearing kicked in and I started waving my hands around like a crazy person!  My boss immediately switched gears saying "Well there is a fabulous artist I know, her name is Amber..let me put her on the phone!"  I went out to do an estimate and take measurements.  There were 15 windows total, some singles and some picture window size.  After some negotiating the manager and I settled on $400 for the whole kit and caboodle! They turned out pretty good, take a look!

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What I did first was lay down a coat of white paint in the rough shapes of my pictures to make an opaque surface to put colors over...

The Nativity

 

Santa & His Reindeer

One of about 6 wreaths

I also put a sketch of some of the designs on the inside of the window so I could duplicate them exactly.  This also saved time on-site since I had my designs worked out ahead of time!  Once I had the basics layout, I started to paint in the details.  I used plain old acrylic craft paints like Apple Barrel brand...nice & cheap.  The art isn't going to be there forever so expensive paint wasn't necessary.

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 Now, here are the completed color versions...

The Nativity

I like that I made even the animals look pious
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You Better Look Out...Santa Claus is Comin To Town!

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The Festive Wreaths

There's Lucy, my ol' Dart Wagon in the shot.  ;-)
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Freehand Scenes

Once I got the tough scenes done, I felt a little more confident.  I free handed all of the other windows, just coming up with ideas on the spot.  It was so much fun!  All of the residents of the complex were super friendly and loved watching me paint.  I didn't mind the audience one bit!

Snowman meets Snow woman...a love story

This is my favorite one.  The details are really cute.

Mr. Snowman has a red heart for his sweet heart!

Ms. Snow Woman coquettishly waves hello...

The cardinal sings a love song!  They all live Happily Ever After at the North Pole!

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A Very Disney Christmas

I hope Disney doesn't come after me for this one...I kinda borrowed their style a little!

Little blue birds decorating the Christmas tree!

Lil' squirrel brought a present...but the rabbit forgot his!

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Odds N' Ends

Ornaments Galore!  They are fast and easy to make!

I did these all around the office of the manager's office.

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Candles

Also fast & Easy!

And lastly, something sweet...The Candy Canes!

This was the last window I painted.  I kinda wish I had done more candy canes, they came out nice!

So, whaddya think?  This was my first attempt at Holiday Window Painting for fun & Profit!  The manager said she would definitely call me back next year.  One of the residents told me it was the best job they had seen over the years.  Oh, wait...you wanna hear the best part...I don't even have to come back & remove the paint, they are going to do it themselves!  Now that's a sweet deal.  

I think next year I'll make up some fliers and start advertising myself.  Especially now that I have some experience & examples of my work!  It was definitely a great way to get my foot in the door and my paint on the window!  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!

The Bottomless Ebay Shelf

Good news on the Ebay-a-Thon!!  My items have been selling and after Ebay and Paypal are done with a sale,  and I pack up and label each package and then schlep them to the post office and discover how I undercharged for shipping.... a little bit o' money trickles my way!

Its just a few bucks here and there, but its a nice back-up for putting gas in the ol' wagon or buying some groceries or heaven sakes....some gifts!

Thanks to the window painting gig, I was also able to finally purchase my plane tix back to Ohio for the lofty sum of $525!!  That folks, is 1.5 times more money than I make in a week at my day job!  Gak!  Oh well, it'll be worth it to get felt up by a TSA agent and be x-rayed and have all my belongings rifled through and be charged for any extra baggage I have and....oh wait...am I sounding Bah-Humbuggy?  OK, OK, lets get back in the mood here...Let me just put on some tunes...

Ah yeahh.....I feel better already!!

Here are some more of my Ebay offerings...Some are Christmas...some are just plain neat.  If you see something you like, please check out the auction or pass it on to your Vintage Lovin' Buddies.  Don't forget to tell Santa too.  Thanks folk's and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

 Kissin' Angels Figurines

 Cute lil' plastic figurines of kissin' angels..how cute!

To Check Out the Auction Click HERE

Hand Blown Glass Tree Topper

 The box reads:  "Created  by European Craftsmen in the Old World Tradition" ooooh fancy schmancy!

To Check Out the Auction Click HERE

Vintage Knee Hugging Elves

I feel like these guys should have some names, like Impy and Stimpy or something.  Aren't they CUTE!

To Check Out the Auction Click HERE

Well Loved Glass Ornaments

These have been used a lot over the years but the graphics are really cool.  Just check out that one with the Beatnik style instruments on it!  To Check Out the Auction Click HERE

Now, for some Non-Christmassy Vintage Stuff!

Vintage Frosted Glass Ceiling Light Fixture Covers

I had picked these up to go in my own apartment but they didn't retro-fit to my newer light fixtures, and since I rent, I'm not gonna go rewiring the place.  I hope someone out there will need them :-)  

To Check Out the Auction Click HERE

Pink Melmac Gravy Boat

Just your everyday super cute pink gravy boat! 

To Check out the Auction Click HERE

Song Book for the Musical Play "Kentucky" c.1948 

Now, this is a rare find...probably one of a kind.  It is a Chorus song and costume direction book for the singers of this play based on the crazy antics of a town of Hillbillies!  Its pretty darn funny to read the music and costume descriptions!  Just look at that cover, those Hillbillies are going hog wild!

To Check out the Auction Click HERE

Now that I have my plane tickets, I can't wait to visit my own Hillbilly family! 

Merry Christmas Everyone :-)

More Ebay Comin Atcha!

Well, I have been successful with a few things on Ebay! The Fiestaware, atomic ashtray and Club Cooking Pot have all sold!  Super special thanks to Uncle Atom cuz he is the new owner of the ashtray!  Which is on its way with some extra goodies for ya!  Here is the next installment of Vintage Goodness on the "Get Amber to Ohio Christmas Ebay-a-thon!"  If you guys see something you like or something another would like, please share the links.  If nuthin' else, you get to ogle some kewl stuff.  Y'all are awesome!

Hamilton Beach Kitchen Mixer w/ Accessories

  This one is a real beaut!  It comes with orig. manual, bowls and accessories!  It's in 100% working condition too.  Its from 1948...wowee!  

To view the auction, CLICK HERE

Mid Century Turquoise Candy Dish

I love this one!  Its shaped like leaves and is in nearly flawless condition, there is one teensy tiny lil' chip on the point of that left corner.  Its so small though, you can barely see it.  I'd totally keep this one for myself if I wasn't on a mission. :-)

To view the auction, CLICK HERE

There are other items that are not-so-vintage and you can see them HERE:

A big contribution to my plane ticket fund was a Christmas Window Painting Gig that I got last week.  I painted 15 windows with holiday themes and I'll make a post of that soon.  It was a real blast and I'm really stoked how they turned out.  Stay Tuned & Happy Holidays!! 

Sellin' my soul on Ebay!

Well, now that Halloween and Thanksgiving have come and gone its that Holly Jolly Time of the year again!!  Which means its time to plan for extravagant (aka expensive) holiday travel plans!  Its a sad situation when I could fly to frikkin' Europe for less than it takes to fly to Ohio from California!!  Believe me, I wish my Mom and sister lived in Europe instead of Ohio but alas, its back to the midwest for me this Christmas. 

Which brings me to the topic of this blog...I'm sellin' my soul on Ebay folks!!  Yup, in order to buy some plane tix, I'm cuttin' some stuff from the team.  Beautiful stuff, mid century stuff....stuff..stuff..stuff!!!  Take a look and maybe, just maybe my shameless self prommotion might entice you (or Santa) to stuff your stocking or those of your vintage lovin' loved ones with my "amazing treasures" Help a sistah out :-)

All of these are currently up for Auction:

TurquoiseAluminum Cooking Pot by Club

Click Here to View Ebay Listing

Not-So-Vintage Fiesta Ware

Click Here toView Ebay Lisitng

Atomic Boomerang Ash Tray

Click Here to View the Ebay Auction

I have other stuff for sale too, all kinds of things.  You can see my list of auctions here.  I'll be cleaning out the closets some more and listing new stuff daily!  Seriously, everything I sell is going to getting me back to Ohio for a long overdue visit!  You don't have to buy anything, but if you see something you like, be sure to mention it to Santa!!  Feliz Navidad!