Art & Alchemy by Jess

Art & Alchemy by Jess I have a passion for taking everyday items and transforming them into one of a kind pieces of art

Trying to keep that algorithm going by sharing some stuff I did in the past...This was a custom headboard I created for ...
05/16/2026

Trying to keep that algorithm going by sharing some stuff I did in the past...

This was a custom headboard I created for my parents a few years ago. They needed a new one but were having a hard time finding what they wanted. Luckily, I had some really cool pieces left over from an old canopy bed, so I asked if they would be interested in one being made for them and they said, "yes, please!" 🥰

I already had some really cool Douglas fir boards on hand that I just had to cut down to size, but they ended up being perfect for this project. After sanding them down, I used minwax oil stain in special walnut and applied several coats of oil based polyurethane. Little wooden buttons were stained to match and hide the bolts. The black finials on top were purchased from Lowes. The scrollwork in the middle just needed a fresh coat of paint. Voila! ✨️😁

I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. Now I just need to build a base for it with a couple of drawers 😁
05/13/2026

I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. Now I just need to build a base for it with a couple of drawers 😁

A lot of my practice pieces I purchase at local thrift stores. There's so many things you could recreate... just need a...
05/09/2026

A lot of my practice pieces I purchase at local thrift stores. There's so many things you could recreate... just need a little imagination ✨️

Making some progress on the original mirror project (the one I was practicing for). Funny, this one didn't act ANYTHING...
05/02/2026

Making some progress on the original mirror project (the one I was practicing for). Funny, this one didn't act ANYTHING like the practice one. Oh... and the glass is tinted blue! 😆 The chemical stripper worked MUCH faster (5 minutes as opposed to 15) and the bleach spray did NOTHING (where it starting working immediately with the practice one) 😅 I ended up with streaky looking edges, which was a bit disappointing, but I grabbed some metallic silver and bronze spray paints and hit the edges, then removed the middle again. It looks like mercury glass to me now and I'm pretty happy with it ☺️ I'll be steaming the paper tomorrow to remove the creases and applying it to the back with modge podge. Then I just need to find some nice oak boards to build the base for the fancy frame I have to go with it.

Lots of progress photos added with descriptions, just in case you're curious of the process 😉😊

04/29/2026

There are SO many videos out there where you get to see the before and after within a minute or two, and the work that's shown is sped up considerably (often lacking the mundane or tedious parts that take the longest). Yes it's fun to watch, but it gives people a false sense of how much time and effort these things actually take.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EPQX2ubkT/

04/23/2026

Ooo! Check out this really cool homemade planter that costs basically nothing and just about anyone could make ❤️ You could use hair clips if you don't have an extra set of hands. I know what I'm doing this upcoming week 😏😆

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DuqdrzRhs/

Well... it looks like this might be the winner! You guys have expensive taste 😆 $65/yd plus shipping. I'm still plannin...
04/23/2026

Well... it looks like this might be the winner! You guys have expensive taste 😆 $65/yd plus shipping. I'm still planning on checking out our local thrift store for fabric to see if I can find something close, but figured this might be a good time to open this up for customization.

If you're interested in purchasing this very intricately carved vintage bench (mahogany French empire settee), please reach out and you can pick whatever fabric you want. The only thing I'm not willing to do is change the wood...I've already spent FAR too long on it 😅 But I'm still at a place where you can pick the sheen if you like (matte, satin, semi gloss, gloss)... currently has satin but wouldn't be difficult to change.

If I have no takers in the next 2 weeks, and don't find anything close, I'll be ordering the fabric that won the vote ❤️

😏😆
04/22/2026

😏😆

Another one to roll with the punches 😅 I cleaned up this frame recently, with the intention of making it black and then ...
04/21/2026

Another one to roll with the punches 😅 I cleaned up this frame recently, with the intention of making it black and then using a Gothic image behind the the mirror (not pictured) to show through. Applied 2 coats of a black stain and it turned this deep rich brown color. Normally this would throw me, but it's an art piece, not a commission. Had it been a commission, I would have stripped it again and found a different product, but it's not, so I'm rolling with it! 😆

I came across this gorgeous decoupage paper I'll be using behind the mirror (in comments), and will be building a base to it, so it can sit atop a dresser or be hung as a shelf. Trying to decide if I want the base to have visible drawers in front or a hidden one 🤔 What do you guys think? I typically veer towards the hidden stuff because it's cool 😎

Now that all the gifts are given, I can finally post this! 😅 I've been making quite a few pot holders lately and I'm pr...
12/31/2025

Now that all the gifts are given, I can finally post this! 😅 I've been making quite a few pot holders lately and I'm pretty sure I got my weaving kick in for the year 🙃

These are made with high quality cotton loops, are very durable, heat resistant (so you can take hot pans out of the oven with them too), and can last a VERY long time if they are well taken care of 😊

I do have some for sale if anyone is interested. Just send me a private message with the number you want. They're $25 per set and includes free shipping within the US (not including Alaska or Hawaii). I accept PayPal or Venmo.

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Binghamton, NY

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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