Tag: inspiration

Featured in VoyagePhoenix

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What a lovely surprise to be featured in VoyagePhoenix Magazine! VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community! I can’t thank you all enough for the amazing support you have given me through the years! Read the full interview at VoyagePhoenix- Rebecca Whitney!

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Whitney.
Rebecca, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
“Remember when you wished for the things that you have today?” My husband and I were in between houses, living in an apartment when I can recall juggling our two sons; three and one at the time, brainstorming WHAT I could do to help contribute towards the family. I will be the first to say that becoming a stay at home parent is one of the toughest jobs I have ever had. It wasn’t until we had a kitchen fire that set some real crazy motions into effect. God gives blessings, even if they don’t seem like it at the time.
Second Chance Charms started in 2012 when my husband and I bought a house in Sun City, Arizona. We could only afford to fill it with second-hand items and hand-me-down furnishings from family members and garage sales. To make it our own and give it our style I started to refinish them, slowly but surely, trial and error, this DIY became an obsession. Soon, our friends and family would bring me their old unwanted pieces of décor and furniture to give new life and love to. Before I knew it, I was a mother of three amazing boys and on the journey of refinishing and restoring furniture for not just myself, but for anyone and everyone!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Refinishing and restoring unwanted furniture pieces is like writing another page to their stories, giving another chapter in their life. A Second Chance. I drew my first real art piece when I was ten years old of my bicycle I had received for Christmas. I was so proud of my bike and being a part of the guys (I am the eldest of three boys). I remember laying on the concrete floor in the garage pencil drawing my bike and watching my mother as she painted her oils on canvas in her studio. I believe it’s from her that I have this passion for creativity. Every piece is carefully loved and forever a part of my soul.
In school, I dabbled in all sorts of sports. Swimming became my outlet, and art class was always a given. In college, I branched out in interior design and fine arts. My husband and I started a family, and all my energies were put forth in raising our boys that I soon quickly had forgotten my happiness in the artistic world.
One day, when we were moving furniture around trying to find places for all our mixed matched broken and hand-me-down pieces, I found myself staring at this small dresser that used to be my mothers as a girl. The paint was chipped everywhere, showing the many different color layers it had. I didn’t have the heart to get rid of the thing. How could I? The memories my mother had. The many layers of paint my grandfather gave it throughout the years to appease his daughter. It was my first piece that I refinished and is still used as my coffee bar in my house today. The entire process from start to finish thrilled me. I had found Becca. She wasn’t forgotten just laid dormant for a time.
To breathe new life in something forgotten is a simple reminder to me that there is beauty in second chances. Every morning I use my coffee bar and its sentimental in so many ways. Different pieces of furniture have meaning to us all… a family heirloom first set a husband and wife bought together, a gift for a child. Instead of getting rid of these pieces that have aged over time and is not the best of ways, refinishing them writes another page to their wonderful stories. Express yourself with your home decor, be bold, classy and colorful!
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
Art can be found where ever we look, from our fashion and architecture to the meals we eat and what is displayed within our homes. I think we all have a creative flame burning within ourselves. Some of us have a dancing blaze that cannot be extinguished, while others have a slow and steady light. Regardless of your flame- find what fuels it, and find warmth in all you do. Surround yourself with the ones who help you blaze on, and to remember to feed not only your fire but those around you.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My webpage www.SecondChanceCharms.com is always up to date with blog posts on each piece I do. Viewing my portfolio, check out what is available for both customization and what is available for purchase, as well as a list of the different refinishing technique styles I offer, are all a click away. I can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Second Chance Charms also has a Behind The Scenes Furniture Facebook page for tips and tricks! I always enjoy receiving reviews from my clients! One huge impact that you can do to show support for your local artist is to be involved in their social media pages. Show support by liking, commenting and sharing their posts! As always, word of mouth is the best praise an artist can receive!
Contact Info:
  Image Credit:
Rebecca Whitney

Leave a comment on their website and recommend your local artist!

xoxo

Becca

Craft Desk

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One of the first things I ask of my clients who reach out to me about refinishing a piece of furniture for them is “send me your inspirational photos!”. I LOVE that you love my work and want my style in you home but I also want to know what LOOK you are trying to achieve. Visual aids help us both! So I received a few pictures from a client wanting to do what she saw on Pinterest (who among us has not?!).

Here is her inspirational photo of what she wanted accomplished:

She received this table for FREE from a fellow refinisher and friend of mine. We cut the table in half to get started! I have been wanting to do one of these for quite some time! My client will use brackets to attach the back end of the table to her wall.

Refinished in a custom color that matches a hutch she had finished. A creamy white. Stained the top in a Dark Walnut.

Client Photo:

Goodbye October, Hello November

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November is finally here!!! This is the time where we enjoy pumpkin spice everything, sweaters, scarfs and hats and cozying up to the ones we love! Being thankful of who is in our lives and appreciating all the little things- Not that we don’t do it year around- but sometimes tis the season for remembering those things. I get it. Life gets busy. Take this time to slow down and enjoy all the moments, the stories and the company!
October was enjoyable over here in the Studio! Not only was I able to get one inventory piece in over at Shop Selections, but I got my hands on some very gorgeous pieces that had solid bones, lots of details and perfect pieces to showcase my glazing techniques for my Portfolio. Lets look at what was completed for this month!

There is another reason why the month of October will forever be in my mind- I reached my 100th piece YTD! 

You can check out my clients antique beauty’s debut over at Antique Buffet- 100th Piece YTD . Last year in 2016 we reach our 100th piece back in August with this lovely gem, 100th Piece YTD- Buffet.

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Big or small, I truly believe all of Second Chance Charms pieces are wonderful! Thank you so much for your continued support!

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. –Aesop

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy 2017 Halloween! Here are my handsome three boys- A Ninja Warrior, Rocket from Guardians of the Galaxy and my little sidekick Robin!

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.

xoxox

Rebecca

Hello August, Goodbye July

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Summer break has come to an end and the 2017-2018 School Year is starting this week for my littles. We are all ready to rock and roll and make this year another great school year!  As always I ask for your patience as we adapt to our new schedule.


In July there were some amazing pieces that were completed for both customers and inventory!!  As always please email, text or call me for a quote! Remember to get yourself on the First Dibs Email to be notified first on available pieces. Let’s take a look at what was completed for the month of July. Click over to Shop Selections to view what is available for purchase!

 

Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others.

-William Arthur Ward

Keeping on point with my 2017 New Years Resolution- Inspiration , I am happy to share with you that I started a Behind the Scenes with Second Chance Charms. A group on Facebook where clients, refinishers and friends that want to see ‘behind the scenes’ of what happens here at Second Chance Charms.

Refinishing furniture isn’t glamorous, easy or quick (well, when I do it at least). You will laugh with me at my corkiness, watch all the work that comes with refinishing a piece of furniture- beleive it or not, most pieces don’t require only paint. Find tips and advice on upcycling, staining and painting furniture. You can ask for help, color suggestions and more with a group of amazing individuals who share a common interest! There is an album where you can see all SCC pieces in my client homes!

You can find this group here: Second Chance Charms (Behind the Scenes) Furniture. Come and join in! As always, visit Facebook: Second Chance Charms to view Second Chance Charms custom pieces, inventory selections and more!scc.jpg

xoxo- Rebecca

Hello June, Goodbye May

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School studies have officially come to an end and summer is just beginning! I know I am NOT alone when I say “Thank Goodness May is over!” May happened to be one of the busier months for my family this year. We had birthdays, out of town family visiting, graduations, faith ceremonies and an emtional goodbye to part of our family moving out of state. I am glad May is over. Lets take a look at what has been completed this month as one of my smallest group of refinished furniture by far, but all gorgeous none-the-less.

This month I wrote a blog post about Secrets, Tips & Tricks on a master bedroom overhaul that was completed. I shared with you products that I use and the process on how I do my furniture so that you can try it on your pieces at home. As always, if you rather have me do all the work (which I most certainly don’t mind) please email, text or call me for a quote! Remember to get yourself on the First Dibs Email to be notified first on available pieces.

This month I received many customer photos of Second Chance pieces staged in their homes and I am completely swooning over them! Some pieces you may recognize, one that was my first piece of January of this year and another from December 2015!

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me.

-Erma Bombeck

The 2016-2017 school year has ended and I am enthusiastic to finally share with you something that I started back in November of last year. If you recall my New Years resolution for 2017 was Inspiration; you can read about it on the 2016 Portfolio post.

Little back story:

We are days away from ending the first quarter of school and my first grader, Donovan, loads in the truck at Drive Line with an expression that literally looked like a light bulb went off in his head holding a sheet of paper in his hand.

D- “Mom, after school clubs came out for 2nd quarter I want to do one!”

Me- “That sounds amazing, which one?”

D- “Well that’s the thing, they don’t have THE ONE I want to do, will you run it with me?”

Art Club

What I wonderful idea my son had to host an after school Art Club for his peers! As the year was coming to an end I was Soul Searching what it was I wanted to work on for myself in 2017. Donovan inspired me to get out of my comfort zone. I am NOT a teacher by any means. I was nervous, sick and excited all at the same time about sharing my passion with children. Lets be honest children can be VERY candid. I was frightened. I kept reminding myself that talking in front of a group of adolescence might be less nerve-racking than lets say a group of adults. Public speaking is not my forte.

My first art club started off with 22 children ranging from Kinder to 6th grade. By the end of the school year we had a total of 48 kids split into 3 different age group classes.

“I went into this hoping to inspire children about the creativity of art and passion… but it was I who became inspired by them.”

– Rebecca Whitney

 

“Understand that you can be an inspiration to others, no matter what you feel you have or have not achieved. Even if you feel that you have not yet reached the endpoint, and even if you feel like you have reached a low point, you have the ability to inspire. No matter who you are, giving back and inspiring others comes equipped with many benefits. You never know who you’re going to impact when you give — and you never know who might be in position to reciprocate if you ever find yourself in a time of need. Giving back leaves a legacy that will live on far longer than you will. You will be amazed at the way inspiring others makes you feel. In fact, it is the only feeling that rivals the one you get when you realize you have achieved your dream.” -R. Kay Green

By the end of each class, and as each child focused on their projects, you could faintly hear a steady humming sound coming from each of them. An Artist ‘In The Zone’ moment. We did many creative art projects. As I would bring my samples into class to share with them what we would be working on, I became enriched with their ooh’s and aah’s. I encouraged the “Can I make mine different than yours?”. Never ONCE did any of my artist undermine another artist for his or her project. Those tiny artist taught me so much this school year.

xoxo -Rebecca

Hello April, Goodbye March

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What a busy and great month March was! April Already?! I am booked out a month in advance and can not express to you enough how gracious I am to all of you! Thank you for continuing to share my work with friends and showing family members your NEW pieces in your homes!! Taking a look at what was accomplished in March has me over the moon 12 pieces and 2 mirrors.

One item that was a total of six pieces, making that project the biggest I have ever done in one sitting. There were two non custom items, a media console and a buffet, that found themselves refinished with what I had envisioned for those pieces to transform into. Farmhouse chic and rustic vintage. Both stunning and classify themselves as Statement Pieces! They are for sale, you can view them over in Shop Selections!

 

 

April. Deep inhale slow exhale. April is one of those months every year where I find myself reflecting a lot on my life.  Why in April you ask? Simple. I grow another year older. If I am lucky, more wiser. If I am blessed, more richer. haha -not materialistic rich… Rich in love. Rich in relationships. Rich in Him. With Lent drawing to the end we prepare for Easter. A new beginning.

It’s not how much we give, but how much LOVE we put into giving. – Mother Teresa

This year I have been working on inspiring others, whether it’s through the artist realm with Second Chance Charms or in my everyday personal life. However on this journey, it is me who is becoming inspired by the ones I surround myself with. My art class (I’ll explain that in April or May’s Goodbye post). Family members. Clients. Of course, friends.

A family friend reminded us that cancer has no prejudice. Thankfully now she is on the path to remission and all we can do is keep praying that her and others like her continue to be brave and not lose hope in this battle. As always continue to do your breast self examinations, you can click here for more details: National Breast Cancer. This month I was inspired to give a little something of myself. Last time I donated my hair was four years ago.  I went with Pantene Beautiful Lenghts this time around and experienced a different type of “lite” on my shoulders.

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I was reminded once again to place myself in others shoes. People are often starving for a connection with one another. We get busy in our everyday lives and schedules that we do forget to “stop and smells the roses”. There is so much one can do for another person that doesn’t cost money at all. Giving is free. Smiling. Waving. Complementing. Be thankful for what we have. Thankful for what we can give. What I did a couple of weeks ago, is a small act. But a simple act that leads me in the right direction. One that makes me feel happy.

“Our lives change when our habits change”

– Matthew Kelly

I challenge you to do a good selfless act for someone; a stranger, a friend, a neighbor. It doesn’t have to be big, or fancy, or expensive. It just needs to be genuine. Then ask yourself: How did that make me feel?

 

xoxox

Rebecca

Goodbye February, Hello March

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Yay for February in the books! Lets take a quick look at what was completed, 13 pieces and 5 decor items added to my portfolio!

Staying true to my 2017 promise for my clientele, I provided 2 inventory pieces and posted them up for sale in Shop Selections. I have plenty of pieces that are up for customization  In the Studio and if not grabbed I will continue to refinish them the way I see fit! I am continually finding new pieces and putting them up- so stay informed and check back daily! You don’t want to miss “that”piece!

To stay informed on the newest already refinished ‘for sale’ pieces fill out the First Dibs Email to be notified!

January was the start to a new year, like most people, I decided to make some personal goals. Second Chance Charms also has its own journey- Inspiration.

The flower doesn’t dream of the bee, it blossoms and the bee comes.

This month I was asked to become an approved seller for The Artisan Markets- Phoenix. I love finding inspiration from Instagram but to have re-finishers come together from Arizona is super exciting! The endless support and new friendships that I am making are wonderful!

Happiness never decreases by being shared.

-Buddha

I’m looking forward to seeking more inspirational tools for myself, and to inspire others to light their flame that burns deep with in them. For now, when I am not painting, you will catch me spending my time with the ones that I love.

xoxo-Rebecca

An Approved Artisan- Phoenix

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MEEP! I have exciting news!!! The Artisan Markets approved me to start selling in Phoenix!

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Who is this? What are they? They bring quality furniture artisans and customers together in an upscale and balanced environment through Facebook and Instagram. I am learning that most states have their own The Artisan Markets to join!  You can find our Arizona branch here at: TAM Instagram page and or TAM Facebook page. It’s just starting in AZ so come join us!!! To be a furniture seller YOU MUST BE APPROVED TO SELL ON THEIR SITE.  
The most exciting part about TAM, is that the artist come together to support one another, how about that for inspiration!! Remember my 2017 New Years Goal?

Inspire

I am looking forward to being inspired by my fellow artist and hoping that I can inspire someone too!!!

xoxo- Rebecca

Goodbye January, Hello February

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Starting this year off with some wonderful pieces! Lets take a quick look at 11 beautiful custom/ available furnishings we had in January.

In December I had ask what my fellow fans wanted to see more of, going into 2017. The answer was simple, “available pieces to be purchased”. I am trying to do just that! Second Chance Charms is mostly busy with custom client projects and every now and then I will find pieces at garage sales and swap pages that I will jump on. I always put them up on In the Studio for anyone looking for an item that they can customize to their home decor. What I am doing differently is not letting them sit for too long. I have been refinishing them up the way I see fit and posting them up for sale on Shop Selections.

For January I refinished three pieces that I really enjoyed. I got to put my heart and soul out there on display.  Most times I am recreating a vision that my client has. I do my best each and every time with my returning clients and new client projects. However, with these three pieces I got to create what I envisioned. I must say it was exhilarating! Remember my New Years Journey for 2016? Inhale confidence. Exhale doubt. I created something I loved and put it out there for acceptance. I got lots of LOVE from social media. I couldn’t be happier! Looking forward to putting more pieces out there for purchase.

 

To stay informed on the newest of pieces that are for sale I have created a “First Dibs Email”. Stay with me as I figure out all the bugs, in the meantime if you wish to be apart of this group you can sign up here: First Dibs Email.

People don’t do anything until they are inspired. But once they are inspired there is almost nothing they will not do.

I want to share with you a little bit about my New Years Journey for the 2017 year and what has been happening as of late, if you can recall it was about Inspiration.  Inspiration comes in all different forms, but what I want to focus on is to inspire others. Spend time lifting others in there successes. Empower each other with our knowledge. Support one another in all the good that has been achieved. Embrace the love that God has for each and every one of us, as we all are important.

in-spi-ra-tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

  1. Stimulation of the mind, body, and soul to a high level of feeling or activity.
  2. Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of a man or women.
  3. Something that is inspired, such as a sudden creative act or idea.
  4. The quality of inspiring or exalting.
  5. An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention.

This month I attended a seminar with Matthew Kelly hosted by my parish. Some very amazing special gals in my life were in attendance. Matthew had many words of encouragement pertaining to personal clarity and best practices as a Christian. One of the sections that spoke to me, was about our talents and abilities. Each one of us were given talents and abilities that need to be carried out in the mission that God has created each one of us for.

I truly feel that painting brings the best of me out as a friend, sister, daughter, mother and wife. We are all on a journey and I hope you find what inspires you in this crazy-busy world. For whatever your journey is (going back to school to better your education, finding the balance between family and work, focusing on health, or transforming yourself spiritually) find your inspiration and be that inspiration for others!

xoxo- Rebecca

Navy End Table

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This wonderful gal is up for sale! Click on over to Shop Selections to view details.

Refinished in a Navy blue and original hardware updated in gold for a nice pop! The body and top have been distressed in the natural wear and tear areas. This piece has a small crack and chip. This is the first piece where I left her as is, instead of fixing and covering her stories, I chose to leave them hoping that someone will love it as much as I do!

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