before & after

I found this dresser at a yard sale years ago. Since then, Jeff and I have used it our own bedroom just the way we found it. It's a great piece of furniture...timeless design and LOTS of storage. But when we moved into our new home, we realized we no longer needed it. So, it was time to give it a fresh look to sell it to someone else who will enjoy it as much as we have. The first thing I wanted to tackle was the laminate top the previous owner had put on it. I feared the damage underneath might be too much to fix, but it turned out to be nothing more than a shallow scratch that measured less than 2 inches long and a half-inch wide. The glue was the toughest part. To get it off, I used a lot of elbow grease, goo-be-gone and a sander.

Next, Jeff spray painted the dresser with a primer, then off-white paint. (he's a much better spray painter than me... he has patience.) I then sanded the edges and finished it with a dark coat of stain that I applied and wiped off. Here is a look at the "upcycled" piece:

Back to School

Our latest door/wall hang is perfect for this time of year! It's a pencil adorned with an apple--for a fun back-to-school theme. Our door hangs are one of our hottest sellers! They are handmade here in Utah and we have a wide variety to choose from. You can purchase the beadboard back display to hang each of our designs on...or just hang the seasonal designs solo. Either way, they look fantastic. Additional new designs for fall and halloween will arrive soon!

Weekend Warriors

This past weekend was a lot of fun--and hard work! My girlfriend Leah drove to Tooele from Reno, Nevada, to spend the weekend at our home crafting. We made a boatload of stuff and a big mess with lots of painting, sanding. staining and glueing.

Here's Leah measuring scrapbook paper...

here are some baskets of painted items waiting for the sander.... It was a unique opportunity to catch up with friends (Leah's hubby and two young girls also came), and it was a win-win all around. Leah helped me make lots of good stuff for homebodies, and in return Leah took what she wanted back with her to decorate her home.

Here's one of the finished products (we'll post more later):

To See

Gardens of the Gods is truly heaven on earth. Located smack dab in the middle of Colorado Springs, it is a breathtaking monument to mother nature's beauty and one man's generosity. Donated to the city by the children of Charles Elliott Perkins, the 480-acres of land has been a public park since 1909. And, surprisingly, admission is free! Visitors can walk, hike, ride mountainbikes or horses and rock climb (climbers must register beforehand) amongst the park's spectacular red rock formations. If you are only driving through the area, it's worth stopping and stretching your legs. You will be enlightened and inspired by its beauty.

36" Rusy Stars at a great price

homebodies just received a shipment of large rusty stars. They measure 36" wide and look great indoors or out. These stars are a great accessory because they can be used year round and adapt into any holiday season-whether it's fall, Christmas or summer. Best of all, they're priced at just $19.95!

Just Arrived

I have to admit... when I first saw these ceramic white birds, I envisioned them in my own home, not homebodies. I love the 3D dimension they bring to a space--not to mention their unique beauty. The birds are shown here in small groupings; I decided to place about a dozen of them sweeping up our staircase. The effect is dramatic--but not overdone. The birds in flight come in two sizes and are available now at homebodies.

Mark Downs

homebodies has marked down several items to continually make room for new items. Our recent mark downs include vibrant wreaths (just $14), fragrant handmade soaps (50% off!), our "blessings" measuring spoons ($6.99-would make a cute wedding gift..), rooster accessories, zinc magnet/chalk boards ($16 and $24 with chalk) and more.

Dress up your Hair

homebodies just received some new bows-and it was love at first sight. The bows feature ribbons with bold, colorful prints, sparkling faux gems or layers of felt that create a soft bloom. The felt hair pieces can be worn by all ages and are, as one of our customers said, reminiscent of Mary Engelbreit. Our new Betsy's Bows start at just $2.50.

Summer Fun

Summer has never looked better! homebodies' fun decorative letters add fanciful style and color to any living space. Here are a few pictures of what you'll find inside our store...and if you don't find quite what you want, you can order these decorative letters in any word you want in the colors you want.

Smell Good for Less

Our homemade wax melts are already a great product, but now they're even better! To make room for fall and holiday scents, our current inventory has been marked down to just $1.50 each 2oz. package. Our wax melts are made locally with quality fragrances and soy wax--which is all-natural, lasts longer and is easier to clean if it's spilled. We have many scents to choose from, including herbal and spice, bakery scents, floral and fruity, and spa-inspired fragrances that will help you re-energize, relax and induce calm.

Recent Price Reductions

homebodies has just marked down some items that would look great in your home or work as a thoughtful gift. Here are a few items that we have marked down: Our round decorative clocks... they look great just about anywhere and are priced at just $10.99 each. Framed artwork... there are 4 different themes to choose from--each one inspirational--and they are now $24.95 each. We have also marked down our metal bird-themed perpetual calendar... it's only $13.95. And we have a beautiful scrolled metal mirror... marked down to $34.95, it measures roughly 48 inches long.