 I'm an retired school marm - that's me! About three years before I medically retired, I purchased this old desk set from the Winton Blount Office Estate for $50.00 all four pieces. Although not nearly as beautiful or creative as my desk, the two overly large filing cabinets (SOLID HEAVY OAK) adorn either side of my bed and the 8' long credenza and two cabinets serve as hubby's and my chest of drawers and nightstands. The wood on those pieces were nearly perfect and needed no extra refinishing. However, the desk was another story! Stained with rings from coffee mugs and dotted with black and red magic markers as well as dings and dents, I got the idea for this desk. I coated the desk with a light gray sealer, then painted the whole thing yellow (MY fav color.) After it dried I painted random angled and width white stripes and stenciled red and blue stars and hearts. My daughter took actual hand drawn pictures that I had saved from some of my students and projected them onto the sides of the desk. Using tempera paints she carefully matched colors to the drawings and shellacked the entire piece to prevent the paint from chipping or cracking. Finally, I took some of my favorite quotes and carefully printed them on the top and in between paintings to remind me of how very important it was to be the best teacher I could be each day as there is NO "substitute" for good appropriate teaching. Students, parents, and fellow teachers loved hanging out by my magical desk!! For three years, it caught an earful each school day of priceless statements and watched as my younsters grew from day-to-day blossoming on to the next level in the educational system. Then PD struck me, and after a very mentally painful decision, I retired to home to get stronger. I still go volunteer throughout the school term and reminesce with colleagues and former students about - you guessed it - that colorful old desk! My desk was headed for eBay when I went back after Christmas break 2003 to rescue it! Seems the principal at the time thought I had 'left it' for the school to raise funds for technology. I adored my 'job' as Tech Ed, but my desk was far more priceless than any monies could have been raised! After all, the contributors to its designs were near and dear to my heart! I hope you enjoy my contribution to PH Creative as much as I enjoy sitting at my desk, reading books while grandchildren sit in my lap, or while I work there on the websites I design and maintain, or sometimes where I just lay my head down and think on the good things that the MASTER CREATOR gave us to visually enjoy! Labels: Activities, Children, photo hunters |
This is truly lovely and I thanks for including the story. During the school year I volunteer as a group mentor.
Happy Photo Hunting!
http://veganmomma.com/blog/2007/07/27/creative-photo-hunters/