Thinking Inside the Box: Cool Things to do with Cigar Boxes

Part 1
In this week's blog I had some help. School is out, and the neighbor's two girls have been helping at the shop, so naturally I enlisted their creative art skills for this weeks DIY project: Cool things to do with cigar boxes. They worked for pizza and drinks, which is a pretty cheap rate these days! This activity kept them busy for hours, and they enjoyed the painting, the decorating, even taking the pictures for the blog. I highly recommend this activity for any parent with bored kids this summer.

Without further introduction, a few things to do with cigar boxes...

1. Shadow box. Art credit to Colden Pike, age 11.

Shadowbox by Colden Pike

A great way to be creative and get a unique piece to match your style and décor. We used tempera paints to cover an old cigar box in a base coat. Colden then took pages from an old book and used Mod-podge to glue them to the bottom of the box. 

Book pages inside the box

Colden supplied the artistic touches with beautiful roses, and here is the result!

Top design of shadowbox

One side of the shadowbox

Bottom of the shadowbox

Other side of shadowbox

Attach a hook to the back of the box, and you are ready to hang this in any room of the house. Put little knick-knacks in it, books, hang you keys inside, the possibilities are endless.

2. Toy Box. Art credit to Charlee Pike, age 8. 

Toy box by Charlee Pike

When looking through the boxes, Charlee liked the small wooden one and decided it would be a cute toy box for her small cars and things. Her first step was to sand the wooden box to rough up the finish. She then painted each side a different color, waiting a while in between coats. She painted cute little scenes on each side with her talent to really make it her own. 

Lid and one side of box

Another painted side

Flower design on toy box

Cute heart design on side

This idea is simple and allows for a lot of creativity. Perhaps you don't have a little painter, so use scrap book paper instead. Attach anything to the box to personalize it as you wish and store your little treasures.One cute tip is to attach a "handle" to the lid to make it easy to open. Use a button, a toy car, a spool... the possibilities are endless!

3. Travel boxes. (Still a work in progress)

Unfinished travel box

So simple and yet so helpful on those long car rides. Colden painted the sides in a bright red color, which took several coats to cover the cigar box designs. 
 

Painting the box red

Then, we painted one lid with chalkboard paint. **A tip, rough up the wood on the cigar box to help with the chalkboard paint, and make sure you remove all the stickers as well! It took several coats of chalkboard paint to get rid of the streaks and make it perfect to write on.

The finished chalkboard side

On the other side, we will hot gluea green Lego base. This will give your little rider something to stick their Legos to and build to their heart's content! Then we will just have to add a little latch to keep the box closed and it will be all set. Store all the Legos and chalk inside the box for quick and easy clean up. You could glue a child's board game, magnets for fun, or even paint a small track for race cars. I would make a few of these boxes up for a long trip and hours of fun followed by easy clean up! Stay tuned for the finished product, we didn't have the time or all the necessary materials to finish the project just yet. We will follow up with a part two of projects next week.

4. Cigar Box Doll House. (Still a work in progress)
This project may take a while. It is something I plan to work on with my daughter and personalize it to her tastes. I found six mismatched cigar boxes and started with cleaning them out. I glued them together, waiting for the glue to dry overnight. it ended up that hot glue worked really well, but be careful because with the mess!

Use glue to stick the boxes together

I painted the outside, but the inside is yet unfinished, and I will work on it slowly, showing you some of the progress in the next blog. But the idea is to make a doll house that can be easily closed up and stored in a small place. For the second floor, I believe it will be necessary to attach ribbon or string to keep the "floor" from flopping all the way down.

Arrangement of boxes for dollhouse

Painted boxes waiting for the details

I may attach it to the wall in her room in the future, and place a table underneath it. This project is perfect to complete with a little one, and allows for so much freedom and creativity. It doesn't take a lot of money, as many miniatures can be made from items on hand. Here is the look we are going for, using vintage miniatures from Lorrie's personal collection:

Adding some detail vintage pieces for show

Check out the many sites online for ideas to make your little doll house a dream. This was a fun project that I cannot wait to complete with my little one and enjoy for many years to come! I can't wait to show you the progress in the next blog as well!

Here are just a few simple ideas that use very little time and money.In part two next week, we will add a few other ideas and updates to motivate you and get you thinking "inside the box" as well. Just visit Pinterest and you will find all sorts of ideas to get your creativity flowing! Do you have an experience decorating with cigar boxes? Have any suggestions or questions? Please comment below and let us know your thoughts!

Want your own cigar boxes, including the painted ones? You can visit us in person Wednesday through Friday 1pm until 7pm and Saturdays 10am until 3pm to take a peek at our stock. We are located at 7504 South State Street in Lowville, NY. Or email us at our entwinedtreasures.com site and we work out arrangements to send them to you!

"Berry" Easy Decorating with Berry Baskets

              One of the coolest things about Entwined Treasures (aside from the amazing owners) is that you can get inexpensive supplies to create almost anything you find on Pinterest! When we go to an auction and buy box lots, we may end up with 30 frames, a million buttons, and so much more. We pass the savings on to you, so that you can create your little heart away. Sometimes though, you may look at things and say, "what in the world can I do with this?" This is where we come in! In this blog we will take an item we have lying around the shop and show you how you can change it into something cool and creative to be used as decor, a gift, or whatever you want.

This blog focuses on very easy to find wooden berry baskets. (Well, in our world they are pretty easy to find!)

I like the wooden ones because I like the old antique feel to them, but I think some of these simple ideas could be used for the plastic ones as well, if that is more your style.I also prefer the old berry baskets and not the massed produced ones from a craft store. These simple things took no more than an hour to create, and could be accomplished with minimal cost to you!

Simple Idea #1: Photo Display. I simply took a picture (in this case a postcard because I didn't have a photograph hanging around the shop), and bent it slightly to fit into the box.
 Ta-da! Finished in two minutes (it took longer to find the picture actually!)

 Why I love this?: I hate frames. I don't like to open them, mess with matte, and all that jazz. Once a photo is in a frame in my house, it probably isn't leaving... (Yes, I have photos still hanging up circa 1993 with big hair and MC Hammer pants!) Using the boxes as frames makes it easy to change the picture and change the location I place it. No holes in the wall or pesky hanging (Is it straight?!) Group a few boxes together and you got yourself an instant conversation piece.

Simple Idea #2: DIY Knick-Knack Holder. This one took a bit longer to make only because I assembled it in a way that made it easy to take apart. I didn't want to ruin the baskets or do anything permanent.  

There is a lot of flexibility here for you to create the perfect piece for you. But let me tell you what I did. I used 6 berry baskets, scissors, and some twine. I had to tie each one together in the corners and then attach the second row. 

If you were going to make these permanent, you could glue them together or nail them to the wall in the configuration that you like. This little grouping I put together could sit on a table or be put on the wall. I filled my boxes with neat things from the shop, and you could get very creative with your collection display. 

Why I love this? It is simple, easy to make, and can be adapted for any personal style.You can paint them, glue them, put lace on them, even add wallpaper or paint samples to the back for a pop of color. If it was going on my wall, I might even place a small board between the two rows for more stability. I also added rather light objects to the baskets, remember the wood is kinda flimsy. 

Simple Idea #3:Decorative Gift Boxes. Take a berry basket and decorate it to your heart's content. The fun part is filling it with goodies for the occasion! Bring it to the shin-dig and be prepared for the oohs and aahs to follow.

Painted berry baskets, Girl, Boy, 4th of July

Close up of Baby Girl Basket

Baby Girl Gift Basket filled

Close up of Baby Boy Basket

Baby Boy Gift Basket filled

  


Why I love this? I am not a fan of wrapping paper. These baskets are the perfect size for small gifts. Again the sky is the limit to how you decorate them. It could be as simple as lace and ribbon, or use tempera paint like I did to add a special touch. The great thing is that the person getting the gift can reuse the baskets for storage or to re-gift to a friend. 

Simple Idea #4: Centerpieces for a Rustic Wedding. With weddings costing thousands, brides are always looking to save a dollar. Use the baskets as a terrific base for the flowers of your choice and top it off with ribbon, lace, or twine to match your colors. The guests will be fighting over who gets to take them home!

Rustic berry basket as base for flower arrangement

Why I love this? Simple, cost-cutting, and a creative outlet. It is a perfect craft for the bridal party to work on together with wine! Please don't judge the cuteness of the baskets on my decorating abilities. I am not a florist, and I was working with items we had on hand at the shop and a time limit! :) I am sure your flower arrangements will turn out much better than my own. For better arrangement ideas do a Google image search and find your inspiration!

Here are just a few simple ideas that use very little time and money. Decorating can be a lot of fun and a creative outlet for your visions. Do you have an experience decorating with these baskets? Have any suggestions or questions? Please comment below and let us know your thoughts!

Want your own berry baskets, included the painted ones? You can visit us in person Wednesday through Friday 1pm until 7pm and Saturdays 10am until 3pm to take a peek at our stock.We are located at 7504 South State Street in Lowville, NY. Or email us at our entwinedtreasures.com site and we work out arrangements to send them to you.

Hope you have  a "berry" good time decorating and designing with your very own berry baskets! (Sorry folks, Lorrie wanted me to stick that in there!)  :)

How to Be a Classy Consigner

                    The majority of our business comes from consigners. This came as a complete surprise to us when we first constructed a simple contract and charged a small consignment fee. Who knew as we are halfway through our third year we would have almost 200 consigners, and sometimes more stuff then we have room for!?!
                     But consignment is a terrific thing. You clean out things you don't want, take it to the shop, and then sit back and wait for a check. Perfect! There isn't a lot of responsibility on your part (at least at our store), and you can end up with a little pocket money at the end of the month. But just as there are guidelines when dickering, we have a few things to say about the consignment process...

1. No leftovers. "But it is a second hand store, of course my item is used!" No, what we mean is stuff left over from the weekend's garage or estate sale. Or maybe you tried to put it on eBay or Craigslist with no success.  If it didn't sell there, it probably won't sell here either. Please make us a first thought of where to sell, not a last resort.
 
2. Clean and working order. Sure, it may have been sitting in the attic for a year or more, but it doesn't have to look like it. Check it to make sure it is dent, crack, and chip free. If it is a lamp or other electric item, make sure it works (old wiring is sometimes dangerous, so please be careful!) A little wear and tear is understandable, but broken and damaged items won't sell here. Please clean off the dust and dirt before you bring it here. Sure, we clean items as well, but that takes time out of our day, and it will take longer to get your stuff out.

3. Stick to the limit. We have a limit on the number of items you can bring at one time. 12 items a week is a fair number. We do this for two reasons. First, setting a limit makes you think about what you want to bring in to consign, and keeps lower priced garage sale stuff out. Second, we have very limited space and room, so we don't want too many items at one time. We also have a times for when you can bring stuff in. Typically we are very busy on Saturdays, so it is not a convenient time to consign. We like to take time with our consigners, talk about the items, and what you would like to get for them, etc. So, typically the best time to consign is earlier in the day during the week. Hint: we can usually get your stuff out right away when you come in early, increasing your earning potential. Our regulars come in almost daily, and like to look at and snatch up those new items!

4. Know what you would like to get. Bonus points if you bring a list! It is okay not to know what your stuff is worth, that is one of the reasons we meet with people. We also do some research and investigate items at no charge, but we are not appraisers. It is always easier if we have some idea of what you would like to get for an item. I always worry when a consigner say "you price it for whatever you want". I fret that it isn't enough, or too much, eek the pressure! Having an amount in mind will make it much easier and I can smoothly get it in the computer and out on the sales floor.

5. That being said, be realistic. Sure, something similar to what you own may have sold on eBay for $150 dollars. But, as Frank always says, "the guy who paid that amount already owns it; it doesn't mean the next guy is going to pay that."  Typically, we price our stuff at half of what it sold for on eBay, as we have dealers and sellers come in looking for deals. If it is worth more, we put our stuff on eBay, which is a great way to sell. Unfortunately we don't have time to list stuff for you at this time, just not enough hours in the day! Just keep in mind the area in which the shop is located, the clientele, and what the item may really be worth. Items that are priced lower move faster. Does that mean we can't sell your table at $200? Not at all, it just means it may sit a while before the right person walks in.

6. Please don't be pushy. We have been here for three years. We have been bargain hunters and estate sale and auction hunters for even longer! We have seen many things come in and out of our door.  We know what people are looking for and what sells in our little shop. So, when we say no cut glass, for example, we mean NO cut glass. It doesn't sell, it takes up space, and it sits. Please don't try and guilt me in to taking it. I understand that it came from great Aunt Edna and was bought in the depression, but I STILL don't want it. We try to be accommodating, but if we think you want to much for something, or it isn't a good item for the shop (clothing for instance), we will tell you. We may even suggest another avenue to sell it, but we still won't take it in just to have it sit. Sorry.

7. When the time is up, please come pick up your stuff. We keep items for 3 months. Once the item has been here that long, we send a postcard to remind you to pick it up. We try to call and remind you too. We pull stuff and place it on the shelves out back. Right now our shelves are full of stuff. In our contract we state that we will donate unclaimed items after another 90 days. It does make me sad to do it, but if we haven't heard from you, you aren't leaving us much of a choice. If you contact us and are willing to drop prices significantly, maybe we can work something out. If not, please come and pick up your stuff.

And lastly,

8. Be a promoter. This isn't a "rule" per say, but a courtesy. Our consignment rate is just 30%. That means we make 30 cents for each dollar. That isn't a lot when you factor in tags, time, space, and advertising. The best advertising is word of mouth. "Like" us on Facebook, follow the blog and website, and share it with your friends. We have been here three years, and people still come in saying they didn't know we were here! The more you let others know about us, the more chance of your items being seen and sold. It's a win- win!

Did we miss anything? Have any questions or comments? Drop us a line and let us know about your consignment stories! Or visit us in person Wednesday through Friday 1pm until 7pm and Saturdays 10am until 3pm. 7504 South State Street in Lowville, NY.

We look forward to hearing from you or seeing you soon! 

A Little Dirt about "Dickering"

                      We all love a deal. We all love to get the best price that we can for things, and walk away feeling like we weren't taken. Whether you clip coupons, turn in rebates, or shop the sales rack, there is nothing better than that feeling like you saved some dough.
                       But, now as an owner of a small thrift shop, I am seeing the other side. This is a tough post to write, but I did promise honesty and an inside look at the business, so here goes. Should you dicker with us on prices? Sure, you can ask. Am I going to cut ya a deal? Yes. No. Maybe. But not all the time. Why not? Honestly, it depends a lot on you, your approach, and to be frank, how I am feeling that day.  Hey, you asked.
                     
                          Here are a few tips to help you not be the first syllable in dickering while asking for a deal. I think other small business or thrift shop owners will agree with me on these.

Our Model Maxine is always willing to give out free high fives!

1. Make sure you have actually shopped here before.  Or at least shopped around the whole store, really looked around, before asking for a deal. Nothing is worse than the dude (or dude-ette) that walks in and asks for a deal immediately. I sometimes give a dollar or two off to those customers that come in... a lot. Like a lot, a lot. Does that mean if you are a tourist that I wont work with you? Not at all. But at least take the time to look around before you ask, "can't you do better on this?"

2. Choose your battles. Honestly, you want it for $2 instead of $3. Really? Would you walk into Walmart and do that? Or perhaps in a business closer to home, would you do that at the Salvation Army? It may not sound like a lot to you, but we are a small business. We have overhead, insurance, mortgage, maintenance, bills, taxes, on and on. So, that dollar actually does matter, it does count.If the item is bigger, maybe there is some wiggle room, and I can move down a dollar or two. But, we make our lives on those $3 items, moving as many small items as we can. So, the bigger the item, the more wiggle room. 

3. Eye on the prize. This is true if you are a shop "regular". Some times items are marked down  the longer they sit on the shelf, like any store. I know every item in the shop, when it came in and who it came from. I can make a deal if something has been there a while of course, or if I need more room and the item takes up space. So, if you visit often, keep an eye on that item you are after, how many times it has moved around the shop, or if the tag has been marked down once already. Those are items I would most likely  be open to discounting a bit more just to get them out of the shop. But this can be a double edged sword. Sometimes, the item you walk away from is picked up by the next guy, but hey, isn't that all part of the fun?! Another great tip: Shop the outside of the shop. I don't want to have to carry all that back inside, so there may be deal to be had.

4. Buy more than one thing. Bundling is not just a word for your cable/phone/internet deals. Find a couple of items in the shop and there may be a deal for you. Sometimes I even take a dollar off at the register and I may not even tell you. I love to see people walk up with a bunch of "treasures" in their hands. More items leaving my shop at one time makes me a happy lady, and so much more willing to make a deal. That means I have room for more stuff!

And lastly:

5. Attitude matters. I would say, honestly, if I am going to dicker down a price, it depends on your approach. No one likes demands or disdain, so please be polite. Shoot the breeze, talk to us, and play the game. Don't expect a discount just because we are a thrift and consignment shop. And sometimes, I have to say no, so please respect that. We take items on consignment and the person who brought the item in may want a certain price. If I cut into my profit, I still have to pay the consigner what they want. I won't be in business long if I cut my prices each and every time.

                 So, I guess what I am saying is, it doesn't hurt to ask for a discount, and dickering can be fun. But be prepared for the no. We want you to have a good time, to find and get that treasure you want, but sometimes, you will have to pay full price.
What do you think of the dicker? Leave us a comment or two, we would love to hear what you think of the art of bargaining!