Crafted Niche - a lifestye blog that shares DIY crafts, recipes and tutorials | One girl's attempt to Craft her own Niche in the WorldCrafted Niche – a lifestye blog that shares DIY crafts, recipes and tutorials

Tripod Lamp – Yes Please!

April 22, 2013 in Building and Repurposing, Gettin' Crafty, Living Room

For my 30th (gasp, did I just admit that) birthday, the Big Guy completely, TOTALLY surprised me. I never saw this gift coming, but I love it oh. so. much. He’d probably rather hide in the wings and not get credit, but I must give credit where credit is due. He’s the whole reason why my amazingly AWESOME tripod lamp is now sitting in my living room.

Yes – I love lamp. THIS Lamp.

I’ve loved tripod lamps fo-eva… but you know THIS GIRL wasn’t going to shell out hundreds to buy one from Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware. I mentioned to Big Guy sometime last year that I was on the lookout for a tripod that I could make into a floor lamp. Unbeknownst to me, he started hunting! Several lost eBay auctions later, he scored one!!! …and then completely surprised me on my birthday!

He did the dirty work… making the lamp was the easy part! My tripod has a round opening at the top… and I’ve been ~~hoarding~~ holding onto a lamp kit for a while. (shocker) It just might be the easiest lamp kit ever… Just unwrap the cork until you have the diameter you need. That’s it!

I fed the cord through the hole, slapped a shade on it, plugged it in and sat back with a big smile on my face. I LOVE LAMP.

…and what’s a lamp-lovin’ blog post without a canine-clad-collage. (self-awarded two gold stars for that alliteration!)

Sorry ceiling fan light… You’re so 2010. I’m moving on… to my tripod lamp.

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How to Make a Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

April 21, 2013 in Gettin' Crafty, Kitchen

This DIY was a long time in the making. I mean – c’mon – How can you see a Mason Jar Soap Dispenser and NOT want one?!

Truth – I bought the pump over a year ago! It wound up in my hodge-podge drawer of crafty (hoarder) goodness. Please tell me I’m not the only one to have one of those?

Anywho, it really was easy. In total, it took me less than twenty minutes… quite a bit less!

Want to make one for yourself? Here’s how:

Supplies: I had this great blue ATLAS jar on hand – the perfect turquoise color! You’ll also need a lid, rim, glue and soap dispenser.
Drill a hole in the top of your lid large enough to fit a jigsaw blade (or a pair of snips).
Snag your handy-dandy jigsaw and get excited.
Cut four notches in the lid to make an X.
Using pliers, bend back the four notches to create an opening large enough for the top of the soap pump.
Break out your AWESOME Gorilla Glue Super Glue. Seriously – have you tried this stuff?! Dries in seconds. L.U.V. that.
Little dab’ll do ya – Put a dot of Gorilla Glue Super Glue on each notch and a couple drops around the top. Slide the pump through the lid and apply pressure for a few seconds.

Voila! Yep – It’s THAT EASY! I watered down my soap a bit to make it easier to pump. I’m not sure it’s necessary, but I did it anyway. I think next time I’ll fill it with clear soap to let the great light-turquoise jar be the center of attention.

Well, what do you think? Are you into mason jars as much as this girl? I think it looks perfect at the kitchen sink… with my mason jar pendant light hanging above!

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{Thrift It Thursday} Plunder Palace

April 10, 2013 in Thrifty Thursday

Wow, do I have a GOOD one for you today! Welcome to Thrift It Thursday – Plunder Palace Edition!

A few weeks ago, Big Guy and I headed home to his parents’ house for the weekend. Big Guy’s Mom had planned a fun afternoon for she and I… complete with an auction and thrift stores!

Our day didn’t go entirely as planned, but we improvised and had SO much fun! …and one place was such an adventure that I have to share with all of you:

Plunder Palace

601 Front Street | Ironton, Missouri | (573) 546-7172 | Facebook

This place SCREAMS American Picker from the road. By this time, we were totally free-styling. (Big Guys’s Mom made a remark about us “free-styling” as we left Plunder Palace… Yep, she’s my kind of lady!)

What’s not to love about that awesome collection of signs?! (and of course the smiling guard dog!)

City Hall? Hmmm… But did you see that sweet rock collection on the right above?

Packed full? That’s an understatement. The shelves were so jam-packed you couldn’t even BEGIN to see it all!

Don’t you just love this old bike. I’m not sure you could have wrestled it out of that aisle without taking down an entire row though…

The next two photos were snapped in side-rooms. IN-SANE! You could spend ALL day at Plunder Palace and you’d barely even scratch the surface.

You know there has to be some hidden gems buried deep down at the bottom of that pile!

We had such a great time that day. I snagged few items shopping in the stores… but my FAVORITE find was at the auction -

How AWESOME is this green EZ Toter metal caddy?! It has the perfect patina vintage graphics. Too. Fun. I can totally picture this as a coffee table organizer or phenom caddy in a craft room! { For Sale Here }

I also snagged this vintage oil can –