Sunday 19 July 2015

Brocanterie Window - by Alison

Hello everyone, it's Alison here again from Words and Pictures, and today I've got a little antique shop window to share with you.  Well, it's more of a Brocanterie really.  Brocantes is such a useful French word - somewhere between antiques and flea-market finds... not as upmarket as antiques, but nicer than thinking about fleas!


I used one of the fantastic Shrine Kits to create my shop window.  I hope you saw Trish's fantastic Keeper of Hearts last week using one of the medium sized Display Kits... well, this is the same simple arch design, Style 2, but in the smallest size (this one is 12x7x3cm).  And if you want to go large with your project, you can choose one of the Cubby Kits.  Several of my fantastic team-mates have been playing with the various kits, and you can see just how versatile they are from how different all the creations are!


The kits come in pieces, but assembly is pretty straightforward.


If you want to cover the pieces with design papers, that's best done before you glue the thing together.  I wanted papers for the inside of my shadow box, so I glued those down, taking care to get them on the right side of each piece.


You also want to avoid papering the "teeth of the combs" along the edges - those are going to slot into each other, so you don't want the extra thickness of the paper in the way.


Once that was done, I glued together the walls and the back, but left the front cover off for the time being.


I painted the exterior with layers of DecoArt paint and crackle mediums, starting with the Chalk paints line, adding some Media Line crackle paint over those, a coat of Ultra Matte Varnish to seal it (so that the precious crackle won't flake off), and then some Raw Umber to add shading around the edges and corners.


I also added a wash of chalky white to the interior walls, and some Raw Umber shading to darken the corners of my dusty little antique shop.


The kits also come with little circular feet.  You don't have to put them on at all if you don't want to, and you also have some leeway as to how long you make the legs.  I did a two layer version, then just glued the little circles to the bottom of the shrine to raise it a little way.


For the inside I gathered a motley little collection.  Against the back wall you can see the gorgeous Calico Craft Parts Candelabra (strictly that's probably one candelabrum!).  This is Candelabra Style 1 out of a whole collection of Chandeliers and Candelabra - well worth checking out.


And mounted on the wall there's also one of the delicious Mini Butterfly Wood Shapes, which has had a coat of DecoArt Crackle Paint.


I also used crackle glaze and paint on the little china doll, and filled a glass vial with tiny copper beads cut from a bead chain.  There are some other metal bits and bobs if you rummage around - old keys, bulbs and pocket watches, as well as some wooden bobbins and an antique picture frame.  Looks like a bargain... snap it up while you can!


I altered my Word Band with DecoArt paints in Raw Umber and Red Iron Oxide as well as some granules of embossing powder for a rusty texture, and it's bound on with good old rusty wire.


I hope you've enjoyed browsing amongst the remnants in the brocanterie - it's always great to hear what you think.  If you'd like to have a play with any of the Calico Craft Parts I've mentioned you can click on the links in the text to go straight there.  In the meantime I'll wish you a wonderful week, and I'll see you again soon.

Alison xx

38 comments:

  1. Oh My Goodness, this reminds Me so much of the one I made a couple of months ago.I posted it on My blog several post down.Your's is very nice.Aren't these little projects fun.Denise

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  2. Fantastic Alison..

    luv CHRISSYxx

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  3. Gorgeous, fabulous idea with wonderful altered effects!!

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  4. what a great little piece this is, love all the pieces you found to display in it.

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  5. what a great and very special project dear Alison, I really love it, great how you made this special box!!!and I love the cracle on it a lot!!!

    Have a nice day!
    Maria

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  6. That's beautiful Alison! What a perfect size. Jenny x

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  7. Absolutely beautiful Alison - the crackle looks fabulous and what a wonderful array of ephemera! Love it! Jennie x

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  8. Very cool Alison, such a fab idea! Love the display inside your brocanterie window! Super use of the craft parts!! The crackle like always is just perfect!

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  9. A darling shop window, butterfly.

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  10. Just beautiful, Alison. The entire piece is so beautifully done but that fabulous crackle just makes the whole piece! Fabulous!!!

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  11. Gorgeous Alison, love your display and the crackle looks fabulous as do the rusty elements. Tracy x

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  12. Just wonderful dear Alison! What a project!

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  13. What a delightful, little project! It's just as much fun as having a good old rummage at a flea Market - sorry- Brocanterie - I should say! What a lovely word, so much nicer that 'flea market', of course! I love all the crackle on this project and the crackle butterfly too. The papers look perfect as a background. This is a beautiful, quirky and imaginative piece: I love it! xx

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  14. Ok -- this makes me want to go shopping! Love how this kit was transformed into an amazing shop window. Gorgeous crackle finish on the outside. Thanks for the step-by-step here. Helps to visualize the kit and the transformation process. Awesome make! -- Mary Elizabeth

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  15. Fantastic Alison, love it to bits. Happy crafting, Angela x

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  16. Wonderful! The crackle and the arrangement of the details are perfect!

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  17. Simply stunning Alison!!
    Big hugs
    Donna xxx

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  18. Fabulous project Alison ! Love the collection of 'brocante' items and the crackle is stunning ! Sue C x

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  19. Rusty wire, gorgeous crackle, beautiful elements inside - this is one of those pieces that I could sit all day and just marvel at, it is truly beautiful Alison! Hugs, Anne xx

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  20. What a wonderful little window box - the crackle is super along with all the fun little items on display - a beautiful project Alison! Julia xx

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  21. Awesome shrine you created. Gosh what a lot of fabulous details. The crackle you used looks amazing. I also love the CALICO wood parts. I'm looking forward to place an order very soon, they have a lot of fantastic designs at reasonable prices.
    Thank you for sharing your inspirational shrine. Genuine ART !!!
    Hugs from Monica... Spain

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  22. I am totally blown away by this stunning creation, Alison! I adore rust and crackle and you have achieved both of those effects perfectly! What a feast for my eyes! Amazing design with so many awesome details to look at! Hugs from Branka xxx

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  23. It's crusty and dusty! Quaint and fine and dandy! Pleases my eyes! Will take a peek at the goodies Alison! Xx

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  24. OMGorgeous!! I adore this Alison!! What a fabulous little shrine-Brocanterie?I even love the word! xo

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  25. Holy cow Alison, this is incredible! I am loving this whole cubby kit thing and how you used it is just brilliant! Love your wonderful crackle and rusted elements, so vintage and antique! Fabulous! hugs :)

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  26. This is the most wonderful little "doll house " Alison.
    OH you are a master, in creating pieces which keep my eyes hanging , searching and enjoying !
    This is such a beautiful piece, I love how you crackled the doll, to make her look even older, and the wonderful rust and small pieces , WONDERFUL !!
    Dorthe, XXO

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  27. Oh yes, I really enjoyed browsing amongst the remnants in the brocanterie Alison!!! I love the brocantes!! and your adorable shop in particular!! :) xx

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  28. Dear me Alison - this is like decorating a window in a store front... and you did a FABULOUS job of it too. This is just soooo WONDERFUL. Love the crackle - of course!!! But it's all just placed so PERFECTLY. LOVE this. j.

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  29. I would happily while away the hours in your shop!
    Absolutely wonderful.
    I must have a look at those products because I am keen to create a shrine or two. They look to be amazing.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  30. Oh what a wonderful wander around I had! Definitely memories of France here Alison! FABULOUS crackle!!! Hugs, Chrisx

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  31. Fabulous, Alison! I'll take everything in the window, please!! Plus the crackly brocantes shrine, too!! :) :) Just a spectacular creation! XOXO-Shari

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  32. Really Fabulous Alison. LOVE the crackle and texture, rusty wire and elements . I would be one happy shopper if your shop window was on my highstreet. x

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  33. Love the rustic feel this piece has - of course the crackle is wonderful but I love the rusty wire at the top and all the little bits inside.
    A truly wonderful piece.
    Hugs, Neet xx

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  34. Just fabulous! It reminds me of rummaging around old shops for forgotten treasons. I love that wee frame in your shop. Everything is so wonderful!

    Also, wherever did they come up with the name 'flea market'??!

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  35. Beautiful window Alison. ..so different from your color scheme! The cracks look awesome and the little arrangement inside is just fab. Very inspiring.

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  36. That's so cute Alison! Wonderful job!
    hugs♥,
    Caroline

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  37. Wonderful, very vintage and such a treasure. This looks right up your Mother's alley!!!! How about making one for Halloween -- an old magic shop. I can dream can't I!!!!!!
    Sandy xx

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  38. Wonderful Alison! Fabulous crackle and all of your vintage bits and bobs tell a lovely story of your brocanterie shoppe. Tres jolie!

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