Patina General

Sign Refresh

Five years ago when we opened Patina General, we painted over our previous business name signs, and introduced our new logo and image for our first brick and mortar store. Luckily, our husbands had originally built nine of these beefy, sandwich boards for our little, but kept-getting-bigger, backyard sales.

Starter or Finisher?

I admit it...I'm a starter. I like starting projects, but not necessarily finishing them.

Exciting News... Advertising Spaces

We are excited to now offer advertising spaces on our blog.

Favorite Projects of 2014, a.k.a. Year in Review

Cranking out projects is what I do all year long. I thought it would be nice to sit back and review the year and see all that I had accomplished in 2014. I feel like it's been a great year of junk. I can honestly say, I think I've gotten a little junkier this year from all the industrial projects I've worked on...and that's good!

The Best Yes

I just finished the book, The Best Yes, by Lysa Terkeurst. Having the patience to read a book (that doesn't just have pictures) is quite the accomplishment for me, let alone finish a book...doesn't happen very often. But this book had so much wisdom and everyday practicality in it, along with being very entertaining...I just kept reading!

Shoplifting: A Different Perspective

Shoplifting is unfortunately a part of the retail business. Large companies lose millions a year in lost inventory. But somehow, when what you sell has been made with your own hands, created from your own ideas, and taken time away from other important tasks in life...it feels personal.

Church Sales 101

Tis the season for church sales!  And the best part is...they are weather guaranteed!  I went to two yesterday, and came home with a whole van load of goodies!

Unfinished Projects and "It is Finished"

After every occasional weekend at the store, I am greeted with all the unfinished projects that didn't quite get done...

Vintage Map & Globe: That's a Keeper!

When you're in the junk business, amazing finds are filtering through your life all the time.  We constantly get asked where we find everything, and how we decide what to keep, if anything!

"The Mitten" Party