Free Bed Frame Crackle Makeover

We found this bed frame at the local landfill and decided to rescue it.

This particular frame must have been insanely popular at some point because I've seen a lot of them through the years.
In any case, I had a spare room that needed a bed and this one was complete with the headboard, footboard and 2 side rails.

Striving to keep this project free, I gathered supplies I already had and discovered I had everything I needed for a crackle finish.

The supplies I used:

Sandpaper
Gray spray paint
White latex paint
White glue
Paint brush
Fancy brush cleaner ( recycled milk jug filled with water )

I also had a project supervisor. If you don't have a cornish cross hen, any breed of chicken will work fine. Do not substitute with a duck, they're too impatient and bossy.  

I lightly sanded the bed frame just to scuff up the shiny finish. 

I sprayed the front of the headboard and footboard with gray spray paint. I did not spray the back or the side boards because I didn't have enough paint. I wanted this project to be cost free so buying paint wasn't an option.

Once the paint was dry, I coated it with white glue. I applied the glue in small sections and immediately painted the white latex on the glue. This was necessary because the glue was drying too quick.

We have crackle!

I just repeated the glue and paint process until the front of the headboard and footboard were completely covered.

I painted the back of the headboard and footboard with the white latex paint.  I also painted the outside of the side boards with the white paint, leaving the inside untouched.

Yay! We now have a free updated bed frame that looks very shabby cottage chic!

Of course the rest of the bed wasn't free. I purchased a 6" mattress (bed in a box) from Walmart for $89.00. While at Walmart I also purchased a mattress eggcrate topper for $14.00 and 2 pillows for $5.00 each. I already had sheets, blankets and pillow cases.

I measured the inside of the bed frame and went to Lowes for plywood. I selected the plywood and had them cut it to my measurement. The cut was free and the plywood was $14.00.
I don't know what the bed frame originally had under the mattress. Perhaps it was slats or maybe just a box spring.

I placed the plywood in the frame, resting it on the ledge that ran down both side boards. I put the mattress on the plywood and the egg crate was large enough to place it on the mattress doubled over.

I was really pleased with this project. The pictures don't convey how very sweet this bed looks. But...what good are looks if a bed isn't comfy? My sister, who suffers from severe back problems, was my first guest. The bed felt great to me but I only tried it out for a few seconds so how would it feel to someone with back pain after an entire night? When I asked my sister in the morning she said it was very comfortable!

DIY Valentine's Wire Heart Earrings Tutorial

These sweet little earrings are perfect for Valentine's Day but the classic shape is also perfect for anytime.

You can easily customize these earrings by adding beads or crystals, make them larger or smaller, change the wire color or make the swirled side more or less swirly.

In case you want to make your earrings exactly like mine, I am including all the measurements.

Tools and Materials:

22g Silver wire - I used Parawire
Step bail making pliers - You can also use round nose pliers
Nylon jaw pliers
Wire cutters
Flat nose pliers
File or emery board
2 stud earring backs

The earrings measure 5/8" wide x 5/8" long.

Cut 2 - 4" pieces of wire.
Measure 1" from the end of your wires and place them on the 4th step of the bail making pliers at that 1" mark. Wrap the wires around the pliers creating a U shape.

Place the flat nose pliers 1/4" down from the top of the curve and bend the short wire straight back, this is the ear post. Make sure you bend the wire back on the opposite side of the second earring.

Working on the long wire now, measure 5/8" down from the top of the heart and make a sharp bend using flat nose pliers. Measure 1 1/2" from the bend and cut the excess wire. File the end of the wire removing the sharp bits. Repeat on the opposite side of the second earring.

Using the smallest step of the bail making pliers, curl the long wire inwards to meet the first top of the heart. Repeat for the second earring.

Cut the ear posts at 1/2" and file.

Place the earring backs on the posts.

And...you're done!

Final thoughts - You will notice my earrings aren't exactly the same and I'm okay with that. However, if you are a perfectionist or are making these earrings to sell, the earrings can be held together through the entire process. This will accomplish an exact mirror opposite.