How to Color-Match Wood Filler to Stained Wood - Industrial Lamp Art
In making my VINTAGE AUTOMOTIVE CAR HORN DOUBLE WITH TRUMPET Steampunk lamp, I needed to find a base. I found one from one of my Singer sewing machines. The oak was beautiful except for the screw holes. Here I show how I mixed that issue.
Rehabbing Detecto Balance Scale with baby green color
Love this thing! I this raw and unloved balance scale in a junk shop and had to save it. I used difference sanding tools to achieve an updated look which works in any room. P.S. I added some music to cover my noises, I would turn it down.
Artists, COVID, and the last to leave..
A week back, I got a taste of a big-time art fair, where the art prices ranged from a few dollars to over $10,000! This was a juried show where my work was judged and deemed unique and suitable to be included as an artist. It was a great time. And I learned a lot about being a traveling artist.
It is amazing the hours artists go thru to get to a show and set up their booths. Remember the Jackson Browne song, “The Load Out and Stay”, one of the lyrics went “They're the first to come and last to leave Working for that minimum wage” That is what some artists do! They will travel to a new show each weekend and sleep in a hotel, RV (if lucky), or a van. Some travel 8+ hours to get to an Art Fair. Their day starts at 6:30 AM with setup and ends at 6:00 PM with teardown. If the weather is good, mid-’90s, and sunny (hot) the crowds will come. Artists would tell me if it rains or is stormy weather, the crowds probably will stay away, but the artist's Booth must stay open. The art fair's rules state you can’t just close for weather, you need to be open.
Of course, if you are selling your Art then you are not creating. For me, it takes over 6 hours to design and make each of my pieces. The pottery maker I met told me it takes five weeks for a run. A lot of time and money is invested in inventory.
Something I never thought of with COVID-19, all the art fairs were canceled which forced many artists out of business.
So was the long weekend worth it? You bet it was! I saw so many smiles when people saw my art that it made me smile. I loved talking to the people who would share their remembrance of the pieces I use in my art.
If you get a chance, visit an art fair. Maybe buy a piece. Don’t haggle, a few dollars may be the difference in a so-so weekend to a good one for these artists.
Thevintageaddict.com
Turning 1940’s Blast Proof Submarine lights into Porch Lights
While bumming downtown in Omaha, I was looking for odd, interesting items for my Vintage Addict store. I came across these 1940”s Explosion-proof lights. The shop owner, who has been in the business for 40 years, had never seen anything like them. He had six of these unusual lights. They were still wrapped in newspapers from 1963 but they look 20 years older. As the lights did not have any holes for wiring, I was not sure about making them work. But I slap myself and repeated the antique buyer mantra “the best time to buy an antique is when you see it, as it probably will not be there when you come back.”
Not many pictures here, the project was pretty straightforward, and I buy some LED dust to dawn sensor lights to use with them.
The breakdown was very simple to unscrew the brass ring and separate. Each light still had the original rubber gasket.
Next I simply sanded the bodies down, cleaned and painted with Enamel and clear coat.
Finally complete and installed!
The switched on the side really do work!
Also, these lights did not have dusk to dawn sensors, but I found LED bulbs which do! So they look great at night.
Cleaning Glass Insulators
Recently on the hunt for supplies to use in my Steampunk art, I ran across a man who began collecting glass insulators 60 years ago. He had over one hundred insulators. He labeled most of them with the year he found it and what railroad it was associated with. One example (picture) was an insulator from the C N&W, Green Petticoat Insulator from 11/29/68 that he found in Omaha. Not surprisingly, most of the insulators I find are covered in years and years of soot. Once back in my shop, the first thing I need to do is clean them. I have discovered using a cleaner you can find in most kitchens works best. I use Bar Keepers Friend powder and soft cleanser. In the video below I walk you through the steps I take to clean pieces of the past so I can use them to light the future.
Supplies:
Water
Bar Keepers Friend
https://www.barkeepersfriend.com/
Toothbrush
Steel brush
steel wool
Brillo pad
Lighting Up the Liquor
This is the perfect time to get to those household projects you’ve been putting off. Dave, The Vintage Addict decided to finally light up his liquor cabinet. The cabinet originally held a TV, a 1963 RCA Victor. Dave purchased it at an auction years ago. It has served its new purpose well, but sometimes it is a bit too dark inside to find just that right libation. Not anymore. Watch while The Vintage Addict lights up this project, for less than $30.
Supplies you’ll need:
Cabinet Sensor
Power Supply
Flexible LED strip lights
What is Pyrography, Flemish Art
Recently while in my favorite junk shop, I found a beautiful piece of Flemish art. This type of art is also known as pyrography. The art of pyrography uses a pencil-like or (poker) object to burn a design into wood or leather. Pyrography was popular in the Victorian era and the Art Nouveau era. The designs can be flowers, words or really anything the artist wants to draw.
The piece I found is a wooden cross embellished with lilies. The word Easter is prominent on it as well as the date it was made, 1909. This particular piece is even burned on the sides. The art is signed by Jean. It’s an amazing find that now hangs in my house.
If you have Flemish, Pyrography pieces I’d love to see them. Post them on my Facebook page @daveisthevintageaddict.
The Hunt For Cameras
The fun part of creating lamps is finding the vintage pieces to use.
The fun part of creating lamps is finding the vintage pieces to use. I recently went on a camera hunt and scored several pieces that will be recycled into usable art. From Polaroid to Kodak, to Argus, they are all beautiful pieces of the past. And a little something to cuddle up to your honey with. Watch the video and come along for the ride.
Charge it up!
This lamp not only brightens your space, but you can plug in two items and use the USB charger for two more. As the video below shows, it is made from a recycled filter from a car spray paint gun. The Vintage Addict has three of these charger lamps available. Each a different size. See them on our Steampunk Lamp page.
Dreaming of a Bright Christmas?
If you are dreaming of a bright Christmas, there is still time to order and have one of our unique, Steampunk lamps under the tree for Christmas morning. And use promo code SANTA at checkout to receive 20% off your lamp. Merry Christmas!
Jingle All The Way
Happy Holidays! Enjoy our vintage Santa band. And stay tuned for a new promo code.
Searching For Vintage Insulators
Before I can begin making one of my lamps, I have to have all the needed supplies. For my glass insulator lamps, that means beautiful, vintage, unbroken glass insulators. I am constantly on the hunt to find just the right pieces for my art. I went on a hunt a couple of months ago and found some beautiful glass. You can come along by watching the video below. Several of the insulators I found that day have been transformed into beautiful lamps. You can see those under the Steampunk Lamp tab here at thevintageaddict.com. Now through November 30th, if you use promo code GLASS at check out, you’ll receive a 25% discount on all my insulator lamps. Oh, and I used my pet name for Hemingray glass in the video. I like to call it Hemingway. Yeah, that’s me. Thanks for watching.
Featuring Brownie, Piano Light and The Flash
Sometimes it’s better to see an object in a home setting rather than just in a picture. In the video below we feature three of our unique Steampunk lamps and add a little entertainment. The promo code is available through November 14, 2019.
Making Vintage Valuable Again
In my perfect world, if I’m not creating a unique Steampunk lamp I’m refinishing a vintage piece of furniture. Over the years I have probably refinished more than 100 vintage pieces. In most cases, I like to bring them back to their original beauty and purpose. But sometimes, I let myself be creative and build on the original design to make something unique. One example is the 1915 White Sewing Machine Company cabinet you see here. It is a beautiful piece, but I didn’t want to put a sewing machine in my living room. Instead, I took out the sewing machine itself and filled the hole with a vintage grate I had picked up years ago. (second picture) I then refinished the oak cabinet and polished the metal. I was left with a beautiful, usable living room table.
I wish I could tell you every sewing cabinet I have is worth refinishing and then using or re-selling for a profit. Many are not. But, you can still save pieces of history by dismantling a cabinet for other uses, and you can make some cash for future vintage endeavors. I explain how in the video below the pictures. Thanks to my special guest Dave Webber and to you for watching.
How To Drill Into Vintage Glass
When I talk to people about my Steampunk Glass Insulator lamps, I usually get the same question, how do I drill the hole in the top of the insulator?
When I talk to people about my Steampunk Glass Insulator lamps, I usually get the same question, how do I drill the hole in the top of the insulator? It’s not a difficult process if you have the right tools. If you would like step-by-step instructions, take a look at the video below. I have also listed the supplies you will need. Happy drilling!
Supplies Needed:
Harvey Plumber’s Putty Fixture Setting Compound
Measuring Tool
Water
Safety Glasses
Ear Protection
When I talk to people about my Steampunk Glass Insulator lamps, I usually get the same question, how do I drill the hole in the top of the insulator?
What Is Steampunk?
When I tell people I design and build steampunk lamps I usually get the same question, “what the heck is steampunk?”
“Steampunk is an inspired movement of creativity and imagination. With a backdrop of either Victorian England or America’s Wild West at hand, modern technologies are re-imagined and realized as elaborate works of art, fashion, and mechanics. If Jules Verne or H.G. Wells were writing their science fiction today, it would be considered steampunk.
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When I tell people I design and build steampunk lamps I usually get the same question, “what the heck is steampunk?” Steampunk is a way for me to take my love for vintage materials and fuse that with my love of science fiction, by creating usable art. For years I have salvaged old pieces I’ve found made from brass, copper, glass and wood. I also couldn’t resist picking up old gauges, oil cans and any interesting looking mechanical works. For my steampunk line, I recycle those pieces into industrial art. Another benefit, thanks to Edison light bulbs, my work will also uniquely light up your space.
This venture is in its infancy. While I have several designs here on the website for sale, I have many more I am working on. I also am having some fun with more classic items, like the Polaroid camera lamp you’ll find on the site. Please check back often to see what new designs I’ve come up with. Also, follow me on Facebook and Instagram @daveisthevintageaddict for updates. Oh, and send me any ideas you may have for recycled steampunk art.
