Today I'm sharing a project that I have wanted to do forever. I had seen a few little miniature theaters out in cyberspace and always thought it would be fun to make one. I guess I always figured I'd construct one with found hardware, spindles, etcetera, but when I found this jewelry box at my neighbor's yard sale late this summer, I knew that I had found my theater. All I had to do was give her a makeover and we'd be good to go. Sorry for the crummy "before" picture. I apparently was too excited to get started painting to bother making sure my camera settings were right! It was very pretty, but I had envisioned a white theater, so out came the Annie Sloan's chalk paint in Old White.
I gave her a good coat, leaving a little gold peeking through here and there. I then lightly sanded some areas, giving a little distressed look. A coat of clear wax was followed by some VERY judiciously placed dark wax in the areas I wanted to age a bit more. The detailing was so pretty, it wasn't too difficult to make it sing. I LOVE the way it turned out.
Some beautiful lace curtains seemed appropriate for a Theater of Dreams...I wanted to evoke a sense of ethereal beauty where the audience would get lost in the magic of the performance.
Mon petit théâtre des reves (theater of dreams)...
In MY dreams, a chandelier illuminating the stage was a must. I raided my stash of crystals and wire and came up with a design that I found pleasing. A little twist here, a little bend there and VOILA! A petite chandelier to go with my petite stage...
The addition of a couple of beautiful mademoiselles to dance on my stage was the finishing touch. Of course, they had to be dolled up a little more with some layering, artist chalks, and glitter. Much better...
Fairy wings or butterfly wings...what do you think? Or should I say, what would you see in YOUR dreams?
I hope you enjoyed seeing my little project. I look forward to peeking in on you and see what projects you've been up to. I just went out this evening and clipped all of my roses since we are supposed to have our first hard freeze tonight. BRRRR!!!
Sharing with Blissful Whites Wednesday
Be Inspired Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
What's It Wednesday
Until next time,
Oh Judy,I'm in love,love love with it; I want one too. It's so beautiful. You are so creative. x
ReplyDeleteOh my! Your theatre of dreams is absolutely dreamy. I'm not sure how long I've been on this post, I can't stop looking. You have inspired me!
ReplyDeleteHi:) Will you make tutorial how to do this little cute chandelier? :)
ReplyDeleteI will see what I can do. I'd have to actually gather my thoughts into something understandable, huh?
DeleteHugs,
Judy
Judy-I have never wanted to make something so badly in my life! Would you happen to know the maker of that jewelry box? Or anything at all regarding it? Thank you!!
DeleteAbsolutely love this! and Theatre des Reves is the perfect name! Divine!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Judy! I love it. Love the chandelier and the lace curtains make it look dreamy and romantic.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I am absolutely in love with this theatre! You are simply amazing, your unique piece is sure to be admired wherever you place it. I can just see this in a shop window and everyone wanting to purchase it. Very unique and absolutely stunning. xo Rhonda
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. xo
Amazing and so beautiful. I really love it.
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhhhhhhhhh....my goodness! This is beyond amazing! I love it! The chandy turned out beautifully too!
ReplyDeleteThis piece is exquisite!!!! I love it.... You have inspired me... I love your dancers, what a beautiful job you have done on it all.
ReplyDeletefondly,
Penny
I can't stand it!! lolol, this is amazing! gorgeous fun and whimsical! I love love love it!!
ReplyDeleteI am positively drooling!!!! Sooo beautiful, really the prettiest I've seen. I love the piece, and you are spot on with your vision, it makes a perfect theatre.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, I'd love to have you link it to the party.
Hugs,
Patti
I love this!!! I have a concrete stage and now I have a great idea how to make it lovely, right down to the chandelier. Thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteOh Judy, this is just exquisite!
ReplyDeleteOMG Judy, this is amazing! I never use the 'OMG' phrase, but it is truly called for here. :)
ReplyDeleteI cannot get over how gorgeous this theatre is. How absolutely clever that you made it out of a yard sale jewelry box. And your chandelier and mademoiselles are quite the vision. I would stare at this for hours if it were in my home. Lucky and talented girl you are! Thanks so much for sharing the beauty.
Bravo!
ReplyDeleteKiss.
Your creation just takes my breath away! Gorgeous! I have only recently seen a few of these beauties popping up here and there and I have to say yours is the prettiest!!! I love everything about it :) Thankyou for sharing it with us! You are so talented.
ReplyDeleteJennelise
Thank you so much for your most welcome visit and kind words Judy.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I just love this theatre!
fondly,
Penny
...absolutely lovely Judy!! That was the most perfect shape and size for a most perfect theatre!
ReplyDeletewell done:)
xo, Rosemary
Beautiful Judy,
ReplyDeleteI too make French théâtres .. I am down to the last 3 in my etsy, I make them from all things vintage and salvaged from woods.
I too create wire chandeliers, crusty whites haunted with a vision of an old decayed théâtre.
You can see them in many older posting here and there and going years back.
I saw a similar theatre in a shape much like yours made of paper, so I was inspired to create a French Guignol puppet theatre of paper mâche, it's more of a display piece that actual play piece. Yet the magic of bringing simple paper scraps to life in child's play is magical.
I Will be posting it soon.
My etsy is on my side bar this is where you will find my last 3 wood théâtres réady for a performance come visit in hopes it inspires more of what you are inspired to create in théâtres.
I am going to go catch up,on what I havé missed out on here.
Have you ever visited Miss Clara ...google her and you will find Videos on her pieces of art and her paper art that inspires the best French theatre.
See you and all your grace and beauty soon.
Xx
Doré
Judy, this little theatre is just dreamy! I am so fascinated with each and every tiny detail. Wonderful, wonderful job! I cannot quit staring at it. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteOh my! That is just stunning! I'm 42 and I want to play with it!
ReplyDeleteJeanine
Judy, this is so precious! my daughters would have loved this when they were children. I want to make one for my grands to play with!
ReplyDeleteThe jewelry box is perfect...wow, what a find...love you things...they are so pretty!
Hearts,
Betsy
how very...very sweet! what a delightful transformation!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful Judy. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWow so beautiful I LOve it so mutch!
ReplyDeleteWhish you a nice Day
Kathrine
Wow, Judy! This is so beautiful...love the dreamy whites of the paint you chose, and the lace theater curtains. The ballerina fairies are beautiful too. Tres Magnifique! Catherine (newest follower of your blogging adventures!) : )
ReplyDeleteOh Judy, your theater is one of the most beautiful that I've seen! All your amazing details just bring it to life!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking your gorgeous theater, we have featured it this week at Ivy and Elephants. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Patti
oh my how lovely this is! : )
ReplyDeleteMy mouth is hanging open which goes into a smile and I want to clap like a little child that's been delighted with the most splendid surprise! I'm in love with your little dream theater. The transformation is wonderful and it looks... splendid. Thank you for sharing such a sweet little treasure with all of us Judy.
ReplyDeletePlease come visit us and take a look at the fabulous Theater Dolls created by my blog partner, Marie Antoinette (and yes that is her given name).We would love it if you would stop by for some tea or hot cider and have a look around.
Blessings, Edie Marie
Hello There,
ReplyDeleteI want to tell you that your theater is just drop dead gorgeous. My blog partner emailed me and said to visit you. Now I know why...
She knows I love theater dolls very much. And I certainly love yours.
Blessings...Marie Antoinette
fabulous project
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I misplaced your blog but I have really enjoyed ready the back posts of yours
OMG! is very pretty! in love!
ReplyDeleteHugs from Chile!
Welcome to my page:
https://www.facebook.com/tallerdevilmus
Hello there. I know it is a while since you posted this, and to be honest, I've randomly arrived here after reading an on-line issue of ISSUU - which I never set out to read... The reason I stopped here is because I saw the dancers. I love love love these images. You didn't mention where you got them from, so wasn't sure whether you knew that they were used by Jodie Lee in her Prima collection called Fairybelle. The dancer itself comes from a collection of paintings done by an artist who painted a famous ballerina called Marie Taglioni, one of the Ballerina's who was classed as one of the most famous of 4 Romantic Ballerina's. The image is one that captured my imagination some time ago. Images and the story can be found on the website of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London... if you are interested, here is a link that tells you all about it - you may recognise the images - they are now starting to pop up on lots of items of merchandise (funny how you recognise something out of lots and lots of other images! Anyway, here's the link just in case you would like to go and have a look. http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/r/romantic-ballet/
ReplyDeletePaula Gale,
UK. xxx
In my rush to tell you all about the ballerina image... I am so sorry that I forgot to say how adorable your theatre in. I love how you changed the colour to the white with darker wax highlighting certain areas making it look quite an antique... I have an ornate mirror in the same high gold colour that I want to change similar to your theatre... I can't wait to get cracking on it - and will take on board that you used chalk paint. Thank you so much for the inspiration. I love blogs and blogging and just landing on pages like yours so randomly. Yay!!!
ReplyDeletePaula x x x