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You are here: Home / Repurposing and Upcycling / Art Broken…almost

Art Broken…almost

August 17, 2013 By Karen Cooper 8 Comments

This is a story of how I was almost (he)art broken by, of all things, a window. Let me explain.

One day, I went to my favorite salvage spot and I saw this leaded glass window in the corner. I loved it, but the frame of it was a bit broken. I left it there that day.

And then I thought about it…for weeks. Three weeks to be exact.

I decided I needed the window, so I went back, bought it for a whopping $15 (!!) and brought it home.

pretty salvaged window not broken - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

It’s so pretty. Notice the wave in the glass. Solid wood frame – it is so heavy! I was in love.

I fixed the frame by gluing and carefully nailing it back together. Then, I added eye hooks to the top of the frame and to the doorway in which I wanted to hang the window.

salvaged window ready to hang - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

It was all ready to hang.  And then I noticed that there was still one loose piece of the frame.

Let’s stop the story right there. I have replayed this moment in my head 82 times. If I could do it over, I would have just left the frame as is or added more glue. Instead…

Sigh.

Instead, I added one more nail. Sadly, it was in exactly the wrong place. After I nailed it in, I heard cracking.

The entire glass piece shattered.  Thankfully, it was encased in tempered glass (someone had done that to make it into a transom window, apparently), so the glass pieces stayed put.

But the pretty glass was shattered. The window and I were both shattered.

I cursed. I jumped up and down. My dogs ran far away from me. I was crushed.

I went over to Dixie Glasshoppers – the best glass place ever (they did not pay me to say that; I really believe that). Thankfully, they said that they could replace the tempered glass and keep the shattered pieces in place. “It’s a look,” Cat at Dixie Glasshoppers said. She said it’ll be fine, patted me on the shoulder, and sent me on my way. I took a deep breath and left the window in their capable hands.

Fast forward to now…here’s the window all hung up and pretty again. Different pretty, but still pretty.

salvaged window hung - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

living room view of salvaged window - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

View from the living room.

You can still see the waves in the glass, even with all the breaks.

salvaged window hung 2 - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

broken but beautiful salvaged window - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

Broken but still beautiful.

close-up of glass in window - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

salvaged window hung - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

So, the moral of the story is: think before you add that last nail. As I’ve said before, DIY is a logic game. You gotta think. I love this window, but it will always remind me to think before I DIY.

You might also like:

  • The Friday Five: Five Uses for Old Windows
    The Friday Five: Five Uses for Old Windows
  • Thirty Days of Gratitude, Day 7: Salvage
    Thirty Days of Gratitude, Day 7: Salvage
  • Thirty Days of Gratitude, Day 24: Learning from Mistakes
    Thirty Days of Gratitude, Day 24: Learning from Mistakes

Filed Under: DIY, Repurposing and Upcycling 8 Comments

About Karen Cooper

Hi! I'm Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer” - I traded in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY adventures. Join me for DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organizing projects and tips as I transform a 1929 Tudor bungalow into our home. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.

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Comments

  1. Cynthia says

    August 17, 2013 at 11:59 am

    I think you have a window fetish, but this project is very cool. I love the uniqueness of it.

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      August 17, 2013 at 12:47 pm

      I totally have a thing for windows. I’m not sure why, but I love them. Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Elisha @ Pneumatic Addict Furniture says

    August 17, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    I love the placement! I actually think I like it better broken, honestly. It is “a look” I like!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      August 17, 2013 at 4:44 pm

      Thanks! I like it, too, but I still think about that stupid one nail. Thank you!! Hope you are well!

      Reply
  3. Cheryl B. says

    August 17, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    I think you’re fantastic for not giving up! My mom always told us to take/make something positive from every negative situation. You did both: you took that “last nail” theory but you also made something beautiful. Super. And you put it in just the right place, light from both rooms.

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      August 18, 2013 at 4:40 pm

      Thank you, Cheryl! I really appreciate that! I like your mom’s advice – that’s good in DIY and all areas of life.

      Reply
  4. Shanna Gilbert says

    August 17, 2013 at 6:48 pm

    I think it’s still very beautiful Karen! I do things like this all of the time. I think I’m going to just touch up a little bit on a piece of furniture, and then the paint won’t match for some reason. Or I am going to sand this little spot and then a huge chunk of paint will come off. Sometimes good enough is enough.

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      August 18, 2013 at 4:39 pm

      Exactly, Shanna! I need to remember that more often. Thank you for sharing that with me; I’m glad it’s not just me! 🙂 Hope you are well!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer,” because I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. This blog is all about DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organization. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.




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About Karen

A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home. Read More…

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