I am in the process of creating my stamping space in my cellar. I get a quarter of the cellar (oil tank and heating system included) and a wall measuring 10′8″ and 8 feet high.
Before I begin, I need my husband to put up wallboard and put in a few outlets.
Meanwhile, I have accumlated things for my stamp area by going to yardsales for a few years now, so here is my list of goodies I have gotten to incorporate.
I have a good idea of what I am going to do but don’t have an actual plan . . . yet.
Counter — This was my first find. One day I was cleaning my house and I found this formica chip that was white with little black letters on it. Very cute.
I picked it up at the hardware store because I loved it and thought someday I would have a perfect counter like this in my stamp space. I never thought it would be discontinued.
I laughed when I saw it cleaning but for days I kept on thinking about it. The thought would not go away.
Then that Saturday (my birthday!), we went to a moving out yardsale (moving out stuff after they have moved in) and we had to climb a big hill to get to the house. Very tiring.
When I got to the top, they had the EXACT counter I had dreamed of and thought of for days before! There was a lot of it too. They said that they did not like the new counters (new house) and replaced them.
I asked how much and they told me I could have it all for $10.00!!!!! DEAL and steal! My dream came true because the thought persisted.
So we are going to prop the counter up either with 2×4’s or piping and slide the Iris carts (stamp storage) under the counter. Another alternative is to buy a couple of base cabinets to support it if we want to spend that kind of money.
Cabinets — this was free. Someone was throwing out a cream colored 3 glass door wall cabinet (57 1/2″ wide x 3′ high x 16″ deep) with a couple of shelves by the roadside on my way to the beauty parlor. I told dh to go back and pick it up after he dropped me off. We brought it home and painted it black.
On the inside back, I put some Liz Claiborne fabric that was beige with black type style letters.
24 Cubby Literature Bin — A doctor was moving to Mexico with his girlfriend after a divorce. I got this for $3.00 from his “estate sale”. Great for paper. I might paint the whole thing black. Right now, it is the same background color as the Liz Claiborne fabric.
Bookcase — This was very ugly (white and a shody sponge paint job in bright blue) when we found it at a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser for $5.00. We painted it black and added more of the Liz Claiborne fabric on the back side to match the 3 door tossed by the roadside cabinet. Bookcase measures 4′ wide x 3′ high x 9″ deep.
3 Draw File Cabinet — This was ugly brown and of course we painted it black. Cost was $3.00 and I got a nice leather attache case with a secret code thrown in for good luck.
Counter Top — at another sale around the corner from us, a new home owner had a wrong cut counter top for an island, too small, no overhang. It was black with white specks. Perfect! $15.00.
dh made an apron to support the 45″ x 36″ top, and added 2×4 legs. The apron and legs are painted black. We are considering cutting down the legs and putting some wheels on the table for mobility.
Two Chairs — at a Girl Scout fundraiser sale, we got two captain’s chairs for $6.00. They are very sturdy so I think they were resturaunt chairs. We painted them black. They now go with the wrong cut island counter top. This is the craft table.
Wall file — this was dull gray and at an office sale for $3.00. Good for paper or magazines.
Pampered Chef rotating tool bin — got a couple of these at sales for $1 and $2.
Glass Jars — I have been collecting these, all shapes and sizes and I will put ribbon in them then put them in the 3 draw glass cabinet. Typically 25 cents to $2.00 depending on size and shape.
Counter chair — I splurged here at a used furniture consignment shop and found one with a wide seat, caned scroll back, and painted black! The chair wood need a small repair, nothing wood bondo could not fix and a bit of paint. The seat is vinyl and I may decide to put the Liz Claiborne fabric on it. Cost $20.00
So far, not including the Pampered Chef rotating tool bin, and the glass jars, I have spent $65.00 on things which the counters and chairs count for the most expense.
The ink black paint was $14. a gallon. (Klitz at WalMart).
Two yards of Liz Claiborne fabric on sale at JoAnnes with a 40% off coupon — $20.00.
I think the wallboard (nails, tape, spackling, paint) and electric job may run around $200.
Now to only get my husband to find time to do this job and stop playing with his trains!
(I will be adding pictures later, when completed.)
