Whimsical Dresser Makeover

Every month, we highlight do-it-yourself projects from our readers. Do you want to see your project featured in our magazine? Email ambouthot@the-papers.com and tell me about it.

By Amber Bouthot

This month’s Reader DIY is by Karen Schnabel. She was born in Santa Cruz, CA; spent most of her life in southern Oregon; and recently moved to Fort Wayne to be with her sister Candace after Candace’s husband passed away. They purchased a house together and plan to welcome their crone years together by creating surroundings that make them smile, and on occasion produce some hilarious belly laughs. For them, fabulous gardens, wild and crazy art, and a menagerie of rescued animal companions is what this stage of life is about.

Karen and Candace are both in the Master Gardeners program at Purdue, hoping to learn what they don’t know and meet some like-minded individuals.

For this feature, we are highlighting a whimsical dresser makeover.

What was your inspiration for the project?

Although the dresser is a lovely piece of furniture, and has great bones, it was plain brown and my thoughts were “It needs pizazz.” I am attracted to color and a variety of designs, so I knew that’s the direction I was headed. In the past I have hand-painted my designs and was going to do so on the drawer fronts, but then I remembered I had lots of peel-n-stick remnants. Since the drawer fronts are flat and have no intricate details, the peel-n-stick route was much easier and faster.

How long did it take from start to finish?

With dry time, maybe three or four days.

Was it easier or harder than you anticipated?

It was about the level I expected. Not hard by any means. It was light prep work then paint, dry, seal, cut peel-n-stick incorrectly, cuss and rant a bit, rethink then recut, peel-n-stick again. Ta-da!

What was the total cost of the project

Eek. Hard to say as I used things I already had on hand. The paint was left over from another project my sister Candace did, and the peel-n-stick paper on the front of the drawers were remnants from various other projects we have done.

What did you like best about the undertaking?

Finally figuring out what I wanted to do with the dresser. It has been staring at me for some time asking, “What cha gonna do, eh?” It’s fun to see something come to life the way I was hoping it would (it doesn’t always) so of course I like the result. I think it has the pizazz I was hoping to achieve. The seriously big hoot is when what is in my head ends up in front of me in a finished project. That calls for the Snoopy dance.

What was the most challenging aspect?

It was cutting the peel-n-stick to fit exactly at the edges of the drawer fronts, which are beveled slightly. I wasted a couple of pieces trying to measure and cut it before putting it on, then I figured out it was best to make it a bit large, place it, and then use a sharp razor at an angle to really get it right. That worked well... um, but don’t look too closely. It is, after all, hand done. Handmade items are NOT perfect... So, I guess embracing THAT concept that it must be perfect is the most challenging aspect of everything I create.

Where did you source the materials?

I bought the dresser off Craigslist when I lived in Oregon. I’ve had it for three years and knew I wanted to do something but, hmmm, what?? Ahh, I must await inspiration (forcing never produces good results) and, honestly, I never quite know what will inspire me until it hits.

I’ve always worked within a tight budget, I don’t like waste, and, you can ask my sister, I don’t throw stuff away because, you never know, right? It’s how I can use my leftover and saved stuff I guess. I’ll get an inkling of an idea and I look through all my craft stuff to see what sparks my imagination. I think, “Ooooo, I could do this with that, or that with this.” a

By Holli Hattery

Donald Will was always very artistic and loved working on projects, and he was good at it. In his early years, he held multiple jobs repairing jewelry, watches, and clocks for other jewelers, but one day, he decided that he wanted more. In 1959, he broke free of the grind of working for others and, with his wife Doris by his side, opened his own small storefront in Versailles, Ohio — the very first Will Jewelers. Don, a pregnant Doris, and their five kids made their home in the apartment above that Main Street shop.

Shortly after, the Wills decided to move to the Delphos, Ohio, a larger community, where they were planted for a few years before finally putting down roots with their now ten children in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Will Jewelers has been a staple in Fort Wayne since their opening in 1964.

Will Jewelers knows how to set themselves apart, and the Will siblings know that a huge part of being able to keep and maintain a client base takes customer service and great products. When a customer walks into Will Jewelers, they will be immediately overtaken by their huge selection of fine jewelry, fashion jewelry, engagement rings, and watches. Their customer service is top notch, and an experienced salesperson will be ready and waiting to promptly assist with any questions.

Will’s sets themselves apart by not only selling top quality jewelry, but by restyling old and out of date jewelry, as well. They also offer free cleanings and professional appraiser, Douglas Will G.G. Will Jewelers also has their own “Bridal Center,” which is a store within the store. Often, Will can get your GIA certified diamond set within a few hours of picking it out and purchasing, so spur of the moment proposals to happen.

It’s not just the customers that love Will Jewelers. Their employees are very happy to work with the Will family as they continue the legacy of Don and Doris. Heather Bushong started working for the Will family as a goldsmith and a sales associate. Sixteen years later she considers them her family. “I am so glad that I sent my resume to Will Jewelers when I was looking for work. I have learned so much about the industry,” she says.

Pam Schmidtchen has been working with Will Jewelers for over 30 years. She prefers working for family-owned businesses because she feels that she gets to be a part of their family and the Will family has been no different.

Will Jewelers is located on Carnegie Blvd. in Southwest Fort Wayne. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm and from 9:30 am to 4 pm on Saturdays. Come check them out in May for storewide sales for Mother’s Day and Graduation gifts. a