Shabby well traveled storage Vintage suitcase up cycle using decoupage and Clear coat

I am not a stranger to revamping an old suitcase or train case.  I am also no stranger to finding a different use for a suitcase, However I can not find a better use then the trending practice of using them for storage.  I found these little Jewels in a local thrift store for  2.50 each...Yep you cannot pass that up even though they were in gnarly shape I felt there was hope.

They appeared to be from the 1940's or before one was just a card bard carry case the other was a much more high end case that may have some sort of lizard skin covering. The stress and years on them equaled them out. 

The cardboard case had a stress tear on the top I approached it with modge podge smoothing it out n letting it dry .  I also sealed the damage from the inside using modge podge. When the damaged area was close to dry I hid it with some really neat book pages from a 1960's writing book.  

The end results I am very pleased with.  What a great storage case a perfect fit on top of that stack in the house...

source

The next case was a bit more of a challenge.  It was literally dry rotted and flaking off....The interior all though neat was also dry rotted .

And I approached it with modge Modge as well.   A good gooey coat and ran it under the peeled areas and let it dry completely.  Then I used Rustoleum Ultra Cover Gloss (it protects and dries realativly hard) to protect the outer case.  I applied several coats, allowing it to dry until not sticky, concentrating on the edges and damaged areas.  

the inside was removed and I turned to old map pages and Modge Podge...

SOLD

The end results even I think are stunning...How unique!  A warm funky completey utillitarian piece of art work.  

This was a fun and challenging project.  So the next time you see that tired case at an unbeatable price pick it up ..There is HOPE.

Thank you for stopping by!

Sheryl

Sharing with:

http://www.bellarosaantiques.blogspot.com/2015/04/lets-talk-vintage-29-my-first-attempt.html

http://knickoftime.net/2015/04/vip-187-nautical-decor-and-more.html

http://www.elizabethandcovintage.com/2015/04/be-inspired-features-and-link-party-161.html