Western General Store

I thought this might be fun for kids. Draw and cut out a horse head from plywood. Paint it any color and glue bling from the craft store. They could have fun coming up with their own design.

I used one of our pallet wood blanks to make a rustic candle holder. I painted it white and continued to add several different colors until it looked old and rustic. I wrapped rope around it and tied in a bow, then added an iron cross I had with epoxy. I put a flameless votive candle in the top but you could use a real candle. DIY or purchase on the website: Pallet Wood Blanks Blue Crosses - Set of Three Blue Cross Candle Holder

Horseshoes ! Customers love them for weddings and events. They tie on ribbon or string and add cards. They use them for wedding favors or place settings or decoration. See what you can dream up.

Transform your cast iron by painting it. At the craft store there are many different types of paint. I use acrylic or spray paint. Leave it as is and spray on clear sealer. Here are several examples to give you some ideas. Have fun!

I know, quirky! It's rustic meets industrial. I had a drawer panel left over from when we built our kitchen years ago and thought about adding hooks and making a coat rack and it evolved into this. The drawer panel was already stained and ready to go into a kitchen but I partially sanded it to make it look rustic. Then I slathered on some turquoise paint and added rustic  cross tacks to the corners. I had this horse head that I drew and cut from plywood and I spray painted it chrome. It looks like sheet metal! I wanted a 3D effect so I put the base of the horse against the panel and glued a wooden wedge behind it. Have fun transforming old drawer panels!

This is a picture of my grandmother when she was 18. Pretty fancy, huh? I don't know what the occasion was but don't let it fool you. She was a hard working farm woman and I was with her every step of the way when she washed clothes in a ringer washer and hung them on the line, gathered eggs from the chicken coop, picked peaches, gathered vegetables from the garden and list goes on and on. She and I were close and I enjoyed the time spent with her. In a barn wood frame I drilled holes for some rusty star nails . I positioned them so that enough of the star would overhang the frame for handles. With a brad nail gun I nailed the rope to the frame. This could be hung on the wall or used as a tray. If used as a tray for drinks, I would put clear waterproof calk between the glass and the frame. I placed cardboard behind the picture and nailed a piece of 1/8" plywood for backing. Any type of picture could be used but I thought this would give it a rustic western style.

If you have any antlers, they can be incorporated into your décor for a rustic Christmas. I made and tied a burlap bow onto the base of an antler and placed greenery underneath. I added a pine cone and a couple of flameless candles. This could be a simple center piece for the table. In the glass bowl I added greenery, large pine cones, a large flameless candle and a deer antler with a red ribbon tied on the base.