Jewelry

Come visit our new site: Made of Metal at Home.  We are now offering some metal jewelry pieces.  We currently have some fun pendants and they're very reasonably priced.

Also check out our new custom metal letters and numbers and custom metal words for your home.  There will be more photos coming soon.  There are also some choices for your kiddos.  We will be expanding that line as well!  Stay tuned...

Problem windows

We get a lot of questions about windows that are not typical...arched, bay, abutting a brick wall, smashed between two walls.  It is hard to figure out how to hang curtains around windows like these.  This photo shows a window with a brick wall on one side and a limited anount of space above the window to hang a curtain rod.

They came up with a great solution here.  They used ceiling brackets to hang the curtain rod.  This gives you more space between the window and the curtains so the curtains can move freely on the rings.  The rod simply butts into the brick wall so you don't have to anchor it into the brick.  Please call us if you have any questions about your unusual windows.

How to make a simple canopy bed

I had saved this photo from Domino Magazine (now extinct).  It shows a great idea on how to make a canopy bed using curtain rods and accessories.  You will need:

1. a two-angle mitered curtain rod set - Follow the directions on our web site to measure for these.  Measure from the wall behind your bed to a little past the foot of your bed so the drapes hang past the bed.  Choose your favorite finish!  If you like the look in this photo, choose our matte stainless finish.

2. two end mount brackets

3. six ceiling curtain rods brackets

4.  curtain rod rings - Use 1.5" rings for a 1" curtain rod.  If you have panels similar to this photo (about 48" wide), you'll need 32 rings.  Use 8 rings per panel and you'll need 4 panels, one for each corner of the bed.

Let us know if you have any questions or need help!

Extra long curtains

Extra long curtains are often hard to find if you are not going the custom route.  Our custom curtain rods can be as long as customers need to span those large spaces.

Pottery Barn has some curtains that are 108" and even 124" long.  These dupioni silk pole pocket drapes are really nice.

JC Penney also has some long panels in various colors and patterns.  These are blackout energy savers.

Depending on their inventory, Overstock often has extra long panels.  IKEA carries some very reasonably priced longer curtains.

Crate & Barrel has these super cute curtains in a 108" length.

How many rings do I need for my curtain rod?

We are often asked how many curtain rod rings should go on a curtain rod.  And, of course, the answer is...it depends.  But a good average number is 4 rings per foot of your curtains.  So, if you have curtains that are 48" wide, you would need 12 rings.

It does depend on the style of curtain you have and what look you're going for.  But if you order a ring for every 4", you should be safe.

Organizing your craft room

I have an office that is really an office, craft room, sewing room and child/husband hangout.  It's a pretty small room, so I have to be organized.  I have the Expedit desk and bookshelves from IKEA.  They are very reasonable and come in different colors.  I also have the Kassett boxes that fit perfectly in the bookcases.

This is a great idea to organize your ribbon.

You can use a curtain rod of your choice with standard brackets and even add finials for interest.  Or you could use end mount brackets if installing your rod in a nook, window or closet.  Top it off with rings and you're done.  You could even put the ribbon directly through the rings and skip the clips.

Another way to organize your ribbon.

Here is a cafe curtain rod with hooks for hanging everything from scissors to marker cups.

I love these galvanized buckets hung on the wall.

Wire baskets can be hung on a curtain rod to hold almost anything.

Books on organizing your craft room:

Organizing Your Craft Space

                      

Good Things for Organizing

Candice Olson living room

I love this room.  It's from Candice Olson's Divine Design television show.  She uses curtain rods on the windows and also to divide the living room from the office space.  When you are dividing a room with curtains and you have a fur down (like in this photo), you can use standard brackets to hold your curtain rod.  If you don't have a fur down, you'll need to use ceiling brackets.   You can also use end mount brackets if you are placing a curtain rod between two walls.