Every pet needs a bed, a comfy and cute bed that they can call their own.  My dogs, Sofy and Oreo, at times prefer to lay on the couch, although they each have a bed to call their own.  When Oreo and Sofy were puppies, I went searching for beds for them and could not believe the cost.   Sweet Friends, today is all about “Building It Cheaper Than Buying It!”

Homemade Pet Beds!

Today is all about pet beds for your dog or cat! Building a pet bed is cheaper than buying a pet bed.

Are you the type that prefers to try and build versus buy?  I’ve you’ve been following me for more than a minute, you know I’m all in on the building it myself challenge.  I love refurbishing old junk and this is the perfect diy. There’s no need to open up your wallet and spend a ton on a pet bed. Just make your own.

Do-It-Yourself Pet Beds!

A while back I saw a man on Facebook Marketplace selling wine boxes. Of course, I went and bought a handful because they seemed like the perfect thing for so many uses. Wine boxes, wood crates and old drawers make the most perfect pet beds. You can even add feet to the box to create some character.

If you’ve visited my website and seen my page called “Furniture Restorations”, you’ll know I’ve been making and selling pet beds for quite some time. I was a little obsessed with Pet Beds about a year ago when the idea came to me.

Now, there is still that challenge of getting the pups off the couch, but aren’t the pet beds so cute! Proper training really is the key to getting the pups off the couch and I’ve got a video coming out next week with some tips.

The pet beds were looking a little used and needed a refresh so the tutorial of the refresh on the pet beds is below.

If you’d prefer to watch my new video on Do-It-Yourself Pet Beds you can watch it here.

Materials needed to make a Pet Bed:

• Old drawers, wood crate, wood wine boxes. I’d suggest visiting your local second hand store or checking out Facebook MarketPlace.
• Paint and Sealer
• Legs
• Hardware to place on the pet bed so that you can leash the dog to the bed. This is part of how you train your pet to stay in the dog bed.)

Instructions for Creating a Pet Bed:

Step one: Find a drawer that fits your pet.  I read an article once that dogs like to be curled up in a ball because it keeps them warm and they feel safe. You don’t need a big drawer, in fact the drawers I used are probably bigger than needed for my little pups.

Step two: Paint and seal the drawers and legs. I use the paint and products that can be found on my website, www.CreateWithCynthiaShop.com.

Once the paint and sealer has dried, personalize your pet bed. I used painter’s tape to create a rectangle in a darker color. The beds are painted in White Swan and Vintage Linen and the rectangle is painted in Letterpress Grey.

Step three: I found some legs at Lowe’s and Home Depot. Have you ever noticed pets love to be raised off the ground. No wonder my pups are always on the couch or bed. 

Step four: Personalize with pet’s name. On all my pet beds I provide a spot for personalization. I use frog tape to create a nice rectangle shape and then stencil the pet’s name. Any stamp or stencil will work just fine. For these pet beds I used the Iron Orchid Designs Typesetting Stamp.

Step five: Add blanket. Pets love to smell their owner so for cushion don’t waste your money on foam add your extra T-shirt or two. You can do foam but it’s likely the pet will just scratch and tear it up. (I’m speaking from experience here).

Step six: Use hardware. I chose an eye hole screw with a key chain and short leash so that you can attach the pet to the dog bed while you train your fur ball to stay in the bed.

Enjoy and your pet will thank you! And your sofa pillows will stay nice and firm. And there will be less dog hair on the couch.

Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

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Night Stand Make-Over with Iron Orchid Design!

These Night Stands were so fun to make-over.  It is amazing some of the products out on the market to assist in furniture refurbishing.  Why throw away a perfectly good and functioning piece of furniture when you can refurbish it and make it look like this?

Iron Orchid Designs Floral Botanicals Decor Transfers!

You can purchase Iron Orchid Design products on my website at WWW.CreateWithCynthia.com under the Shop category (IOD).  Take a look, you may just want to place an order.  If you are local to the Northern California area, you can visit my store in Redwood City at 615 Woodside Road, Suite 3, Redwood City, California.  John or Joswe are usually there, and if you’d like to meet with me personally just send me a message and I’ll meet you there.

Night Stand Make-Over Recipe!

This is what you need to complete the project.

• A set of Night Stands.
• Iron Orchid Designs Decor Transfer in Floral Botanicals.  (This transfer will give you four different flowers, so you could actually use the other two on something else.
• DIY Paint in White Swan – I used two coats.
• DIY Big Top – Seal with one coat of Top Coat after the paint and another coat after you adhere the transfer.

Make it a great day!

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Gallery of Furniture Make-overs!

I love what I do!  I love the products that I am able to sell and use.  This video is just a little of what I have done over the past year.  I hope you enjoy seeing my creations.

If you are not able to see the video above, click here.

Upcycling Furniture is Fun!

My hope is that this video will inspire you to “Create With Me”.  Most of the products that I use can be purchased on my website or at my store in Redwood City. Stop by and take a look.  You may just be inspired to “Create With Me!”

I no longer allow comments on my website, due to problems I’ve had with “Hackers”, but you can find me on Instagram or Facebook and message me there.

Make it a great day!

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Painted Furniture using Iron Orchid Designs!

As you know, I am now a Retailer for Iron Orchid Designs, and on this cabinet I added a Decor Transfer.

Iron Orchid Design Decor Transfer!

Adding “Decor Transfers” on furniture really add a huge impact. I picked up this piece at the Goodwill and instantly knew a “decor transfer” would be perfect.

The original piece was all black. I started by adding a coat of DIY Paint in Marquee and then DIY Paint in White Swan. Some spots needed two coats of the DIY White Swan, and I painted in a non-uniform way and distressed it for a textured look. Distressing DIY Paint is super easy with a wet cloth, or, you can use a sand block.

After the piece was painted, I sealed it with DIY Big Top and then applied the Iron Orchid Design Decor Transfer, Catalogue of Roses 24×33 Paintable Decor Transfer. These decor transfers are paintable but I like the black and white look.

I hope you enjoyed my make-over and are inspired to Create! All of these products and this piece of furniture can be purchase online at CreateWithCynthia.com or at my store in Redwood City, 615 Woodside Road, Suite 3. Hope you visit soon.

Make it a great Thursday!

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Restoring Thrift Store Items Video Series

I love to restore thrift store items, as it allows me to craft a beautiful life.  Being a Difference Maker and enjoying the bragging rights is what I love to do.

A Maker’s Studio Launch

As you know, I am a Maker Boss for A Maker’s Studio and carry all of their products on my website.  You can go here to shop.

Last month, I went to the Launch of A Maker’s Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.  You can go here to read about my trip.

I will be sharing all about A Maker’s Studio products. Refurbishing second hand items. As you know, I am a Maker Boss for A Maker’s Studio and carry all of their products online on my website.  You can go here to shop.

The Launch of A Maker’s Sudio Products was a huge celebration. I met so many amazing women and heard some very inspirational speakers. 

I felt so blessed to be invited to Amy and Gene Howard’s home.  The picture above was Amy and I at the beginning of the launch.  Below are me and other Maker’s enjoy a fabulous time getting to know each other.

Restoring Thrift Store Items (next steps)

Once you clean your piece with furniture polish, you can paint with the Rescue and Restore Paint, no other prep is needed. In fact, A Maker’s Studio has a variety of Sealer’s, Waxes and Stains that can be used over the paint but none are required. The Rescue and Restore Paint has a built-in Sealer.

Once your piece has been painted the real fun begins. I love stenciling or gilding and today is all about gilding!

There are only three steps to Gilding:

1. Find your piece and apply the Gilding Size and let it sit for about ten minutes so the Gilding can come to Tack.
2. Apply the Leaf. A Maker’s Studio carries Gold, Silver, Copper and Variegated Copper. When applying the Leaf you should rub it into the piece which is a process called burnishing. The dictionary says, burnish means to polish something by rubbing.
3. Final step is the take a Chip Brush and Brush the piece to remove the remaining Leaf that has not adhered with the Tack.

Not only can anything be gilded; wood, fabric, metal, glass, hardware, etc. but gilding can be used with our Adhesive Stencils as well.

Stay tuned for Part 5 (the final installment) of my “5 Steps to Restoring Thrift Store Items.”

Watch the video tutorial

If you’d like to watch my video, you can visit my YouTube channel; Cynthia Nessel – Create with Cynthia.  Click here to watch this video on YouTube.

Thanks for following along!  I look forward to seeing what projects you’re working on.  If you have a project to share, you can post it on Instagram or Facebook and use the hashtag #CreatewithCynthia to share them with me.

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Have you ever had an obsession? Usually they are not something to brag about but this obsession I’m currently having is a good obsession. Most have an obsession for chocolate or a margarita or pumpkins.

Well, today I’m here to share with you my obsession for pet beds.
Pet beds, you ask?

What pet doesn’t need a DIY Pet Bed?

If you’ve visited my website and seen my page called “Furniture Restorations”, you’ll know I’ve been a little obsessed with making pet beds. Lately I have this obsession because they all come out looking super cute and are so easy to make.  And honestly speaking, I want my pups off the couch.

Nine easy steps for making a pet bed.

Do you have a pet?  Most of you know I have two beautiful 2 year old pups. You can read about that here. When I moved into my new house, there was some construction that needed to happen and it killed me to throw away furniture built in cabinets that I really didn’t need. I decided to keep the drawers.  Basically, I’ve had about a dozen drawers just sitting around.

Finally, one day I thought to myself, I think Sofy needs a bed. Maybe that will get her off my couch. There began the obsession of pet beds. 
Today I am here to share my nine easy steps for making a pet bed.

Nine easy steps for making a pet bed.

1. Find a drawer that fits your pet.  I read an article once that dogs like to be curled up in a ball because it keeps them warm and they feel safe.
2. Clean drawers.  I like to use A Makers Studio furniture polish and you can purchase it here?  You can also just use soap and water.
3. Find a set of legs. I found some legs at Lowe’s and Home Depot. Have you ever noticed Pets love to be raised off the ground. No wonder my pups are always on the couch or bed. 
4. Sand drawer and legs. 220 sand grit paper is recommended.
5. Paint drawer. I usually choose a color different for the drawer than for the legs. 
6. Seal drawer, sand again and then seal again. I like to use A Makers Studio Matte Sealer. Two coats is always better than one.  You can purchase at my website here.
7. Add blanket. Pets love to smell their owner so for cushion don’t waste your money on foam add your extra T-shirt or two. You can do foam but it’s likely the pet will just scratch and tear it up. (I’m speaking from experience here).  Below there’s a little example of what Oreo likes to do when he finds Troy’s stuffed animals.
8. Personalize with pet’s name. On all my pet beds I provide a spot for personalization. Any stencil will work just fine.
9. Enjoy and your pet will thank you! 
   

If you visit my space in Redwood City you can check out some of my pet beds or visit my website at www.createwithcynthia.com

What good obsessions do you have?  I’d be grateful if you left a comment below.

Have a great week sweet friends!

Cynthia

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