Pages

Mar 5, 2019

A little chest

Other than mine, that is.


When we had a flea market and antique mall, those little cedar chests that companies put out many years ago were plentiful.  Anyone remember how important it was to have a cedar chest and what a special piece of furniture it was?   Everyone had one in my family to store blankets and linens and treasures. 
 
Miniature advertising versions were common and I have several.  So well made, wonderful little cedar chests/boxes. This one has rounded corners that were detailed so I could not add the bottom apron and legs which would be angled.   I tried ball legs but wasn't happy with the look.  That day, there wasn't much at all I was happy with.  Day of the Crab.  I filled those details with Bondo, sanded the finish, and painted it black.  Blah.
 
So I used a crackling solution and then added another layer of black.  Putting the product on fairly thick in spots allows it to stay gummy and when painted, lumpy and bumpy.

I much prefer legs and bases on these little chests but all I can do with this one is find a metal square, drill out the lock hole, and affix over it.  Or maybe add an old looking new one. 
 
Teal has been appealing to me and I may buy a bottle to add a chipped layer over the black.  Another trip to Pat Catan's is in the near future, I wonder how much merchandise is left. 
 
My favorite post office guy was not there when I went in to mail packages, the bitch was.  But all is mailed and coming in hot pink envelopes.  Again, please let me know if you aren't happy.
 
Have a good day!!
 
Thanks again.
 
*************************


14 comments:

debbie haggard said...

Marly, I Love your 'little' chest just the way it is- looks old and interesting-- like it is holding a wonderful treasure. I was of the age where cedar "Hope" chests were just going out of fashion so i never had one for myself. But now I have my grandmother's Lane chest, and will someday have my mother's, so its all good. I am always transported back in time whenever I open the chest and can smell as well as see the stories it holds.

Angie said...

I like your mini chest. My sisters and I received a hope chest when we were married, specially made by a local man in our little German village. They weren't really in style anymore but my mom insisted and I'm glad she did because I love it very much.
If you want to see some great videos from the Nashville market you have to check out Gary Parr. He also has one with Brendon & Kerry Kirk of Fox & Rabbit Designs.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2019/03/

Lori from Notforgotten Farm said...

i love that little cedar chest! I will be on the lookout now for a couple ~ your finish is awesome...your PO bitch must be related to ours....they need to be nicer!
L

Margaret said...

OMG, the cedar chests! When I was in high school, for some reason, they were giving those away to each student -- for my sister's class. Once my class came around, they weren't doing it anymore. I was so so mad and jealous! So my generous parents took me to whatever store had them and bought me one. Yes, I was a spoiled child. lol! I still treasure my little cedar chest -- same one. I keep all my jewelry in it.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Somewhere I have one of those Lane chests. Like Margaret's sister we each got one as a senior. I love the paint job you did!

deb said...

I've read or heard about those model cedar chests... I like one you show here, but then I'm a sucker for well-crafted, small wooden boxes. Love the smell of blankets and such stored in a cedar chest!

Ugh - sorry the nice person wasn't at the post office.

Barb said...

I love the way you did the chest. It looks great!

TheCrankyCrow said...

Wow...I LOVE your finish as is! Stop already....it’s beatiful! Another talent I didn’t know you had. I would love to see the base/leg finish to which you refer.... I’m not very visual ya know. And, hmmmm....the small cedar chest thing must not have made its way to Nod....have never seen one like that so small. How very sweet! Happily anticipating a hot pink envelope....Should stand out against the too-much white here in Nod. ~Robin~

C M Designs said...

I have one of the little Lane chests........somewhere. I will have to find it. Love yours and (just my opinion) would leave it as is.
Thinking of you.
Hugs,
Charlotte in Va.

sharong said...

These were given out in the 50s and 60s to every female graduating senior. I have mine some where.

sharong said...

And I meant to say in Virginia, as Lane was located in Altavista, Virginia.

Chrie said...

Grew up in NJ, and when I was a senior in high school in the '60's, our local furniture store gave one of these sweet little Lane boxes to each senior girl...still have mine...might paint it now that I saw yours!

Mary said...

Here in Rhode Island girls in our graduation were given these Lane cedar chest ( from a local Furniture store) In fact so was my older sister in 1963 as well as younger sister in 1971. I still have mine, it is sitting across for me now.

JustGail said...

I still have my Lane mini-box. I think. I never thought about painting it or adding legs, even though it's not really nice wood. I guess Mom's cussing people for painting "good wood" sank in a little more than I thought. I have no problem repainting what's already painted though. I think I'll dig it out for some enhancements. I also have Mom's full-size cedar chest, a Lane, from 1950-51 era. I think, based on Mom & Dad were married in 1951. Still smells really cedary since I don't think it was opened more than twice a year if that. Probably not at all for the last 20 years, at least. I wish I could say I liked the smell, sadly it reminds me of having to wear itchyyyy coarse wool in winter. No cashmere in sight at our house!

Post a Comment

Thank you for visiting. I welcome your comments, help, ideas, and thoughts....or just a hello!