Tuesday, October 16, 2007

More Kitchen Halloween Decor




We have a "island with a sink" in the middle of our kitchen and I needed to put something with height to balance that area with the surrounding cabinet area. I went to the local craft stores and a few fancy decor shops to find something. There was a nice selection, but everything I liked cost a small fortune. So I went in the back yard where there are some young fruit trees that did not take the heat well this summer and cut a branch off. I then spray painted the branch with glossy black paint. It took 2 whole cans of spray paint! So, I did save a little bit of $, but it also took a bit of time to do. This is the dilemma of "TO MAKE OR NOT TO MAKE, THAT IS THE QUESTION..." I have gone to many craft shows (not to mention all those early years when I was a vendor) and I have said to myself "I can make that and save the money" well, not only did I usually end up not making the object, but if I did, I spent way more buying all the supplies. Most of the time I would not use these supplies again for a long time and the supplies would take up more valuable storage space...So I say, Buy that darling object if you can, from my experience, most artists do not make enough to really cover their "habit" and use your precious time to create the things that are your passion.
"TO BUY OR TO MAKE, THAT IS THE QUESTION..."
What do you think?
PS The glass jars on the counter have only "Halloween" colored candies in them. I plan to fill them with candies, ornament, etc. to reflect whatever holiday or occasion we might be celebrating in the future. I bought some containers at (heavenly music) Home Goods store and some at the local thrift store.

9 comments:

  1. Ooh, I feel you here, especially as a non-artist. I mean, I do enjoy the creative outlet that self-making brings. But most of the time I spend too much and like what I did way less. But if I had your skills, I would make everything.

    Love the display!

    Also, did you lose feeling in your fingertips. Because I did the last time I spray painted some frames.

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  2. I love to make things. I gues I take after my mom!! Even though it may cost just as much as it would to buy it already made, it is a lot more fun to create!!!

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  3. What a heated topic ! I often feel as though I could make everything I see ( overconfident , I know) and yet I seem to make nothing! I wish I would buy more things that are cool and unique so I could acctually have cool and unique things. I guess I need more disposable income and disposable time ahhhh tommorrow is another day.

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  4. yes momma, i hear you. just remember that in your case you really do make everything way cooler than everything that you can buy!

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  5. My rule of thumb is how much the already-made thing makes my heart go ka-thunk. If I don't think I can out do it, I won't try. If I think I can make it better, I will.

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  6. I always want to make the stuff I see, but I rarely actually do. I think it's just a hard balance.

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  7. Hi Kelley - your decorated house is just amazing; I bet your adorable grandkids just love it! It's fun to see all your pictures!
    -- Sara, daughter of Pam & Kirk... think way way back to when you were my sunbeams teacher...

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  8. LOVE the jars. the apothocary is my fave. cool idea to fill with candies.

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  9. Wow!! Kitchen Halloween decoration is looking so nice!! Jars with full of Halloween candies are looking great!!

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