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Friday, August 21, 2009

Make Sure Not to Catch on Fire


Have you ever thought about something too hard and gotten dizzy? This is the question I posed to my children yesterday as we were shoveling out their closets and drawers, preparing for our "GI-NORMOUS CLEAN ALL THE CRUD OUT OF YOUR CLOSETS, SO WE CAN BUY MORE CRUD TO FILL THEM GARAGE SALE." They turned to shoot each other a "Did she take her meds this morning?" look, quickly pivoted toward the door and left the room, returning moments later, my daughter carrying a bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper and my son with a cold washcloth in hand, telling me to put my head between my legs and take deep breaths. I think there are often times when my family thinks that I might accidentally (on purpose) set myself on fire if not watched carefully. I suppose I don't blame them, because at that particular moment I was wearing a pair of the Hubbs old brown wingtip shoes, a lacy pink vintage slip over my running shorts, and T-shirt that I'd accessorized with a couple of those large black Hefty garbage bags tied at my waist and a pair of glittery sunglasses that would have made Elton John wince in disapproval. My question was treated as rhetorical and never answered.

But, here's the deal, I am a little light headed from the realization that I am not alone. I mean I knew I wasn't alone, but this week I sat mesmerized in front of my computer monitor looking at the blogs of fellow thrifters. I thought I knew the scope of "dumpster divers" that existed in the world . . . well, I had no idea! One of the things that has always perplexed me is the re-purposing ideas that flow out of these women and men - the cogs of my brain just don't function that cleverly. My finds just get stacked in piles until I'm able to restore them to their former beauty and sell them on the website, at flea markets, or at antique shows. I feel bad about my piles. Truly I do. If you saw my piles, you might feel bad about them too, but you'd probably be too polite to mention them. My daughter has begun referring to me as "Big Edie" (you know from the Grey Garden's story) and I snap back with, "Well. . . I guess that makes you 'little Edie then, huh?!'"

Just ask Stan Williams, he's seen my piles! And Stan is a perfect place to start, since he is the "Prince of The Find!" Here, he posted an idea he came upon using a bunch of hot water bottles. The Italian jean maker Energie, just sliced an opening in the side of the bottles, poured in a little water and grouped it together with all your others on a wall as hanging vases for assorted wildflowers for an awesome window display! Stan also has a marvelous interview with Amy of WhisperWood Cottage and Junkologie here.



Here's a nifty idea from Junkin Escapades I came across the other day. Old liquor bottles were paired with old brass house numbers to make some really cool looking vases. For more ideas check out Junkin Escapades blog where she writes about her quest for anything crusty, rusty, dusty, dirty, dingy and chippy!



Christine Terrell of Austin, Texas makes all of her pieces from upcycled decorative tins. The circles are punched, formed and then the edges are finished smooth. The basins are then drilled and strung on rigid german silver head pins and attached to sterling silver French hooks. My favorite is her retro rocket pins. See more of her beautiful creations at her Etsy store here and read her blog posts here.

Photos courtesy The Elegant Thrifter, Junkin Escapades, and Adaptive Reuser

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15 comments:

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Those bottles with numbers are so lovely...perfect for simple flower stalks & pick our favorite numbers! Lovely weekend to you~

The Elegant Thrifter said...

Ha! Thanks for the mention. I'm a bit out of it these days and couldn't imagine what bottles you were talking about. And DUH I blogged about them......so much going on...we're going to have to get on the tin can and string next week.

xo

• • Christine Terrell • • said...

Oooh. I love the Elegant Thrifter and am so excited about digging into Junkin Escapades and Junkologie. Thanks for including my work among such fabulousness. I'm honored!

Unknown said...

It was my pleasure Christine! You will enjoy all of those blogs!

Unknown said...

My first visit to your blog...it's wonderful!

I just read your advice to your niece post and have tears in my eyes.....I wish someone had told me all that stuff....my graduation was over 20 years ago and still no one has mentioned half that stuff to me LOL!!

Love your writing, it's really good.

Thanks for following my blog :)

Unknown said...

Thanks for today's comment on my blog, you are funny!

I was in Florence, Italy just a few weeks ago and actually saw those hot water bottle filled with flowers in a shop window - they DID look fabulous....so funny to see them here!!!

Just ready the Mother's Day post you did- just fantastic - and what a beautiful photo of your Mom too....great writing.

:)

Unknown said...

Thanks so much Simone, I truly enjoy your blog - I guess we have a mutual admiration society going on here, huh?!

Lylah Ledner said...

As always - great post! Love your creativity!

lylah
la maison et le jardin

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

You had me giggling at your child asking if you took your meds. THIS IS MY LIFE! My head is whirling, spinning, and just the piles get larger and larger, but execution into repurposed objects doesn't happen as fast as my brain navigates! Glad to have found you!

Annie said...

What a coincidence...I just ordered Stan Williams' book from Amazon. I want to hear more about how he came to see your "piles" of stuff.

P.S. Love your description of your attire and your daughter's name for you. What a team!

Mary @ Framed and Tagged said...

Thanks for giving me a chuckle remembering those good old days of getting children ready for school.
Now off I go to look at the rest of your blog!!

Artsy Fartsy Junkin Finds said...

Isn't Beth's Junk great?? She and I have junk booths next to each other at The Sleepy Poet, just ran across your blog, LOVE it, tootles, janna

trash talk said...

I am the original maker of "piles" that never get made into anything. I think I've got to figure out a way to merchandise stuff for those who actually follow through on projects!
Debbie

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Yes girl, your site ROCKS!
You totally crack me up, I love your stories!!!!
everything vintage

Linda said...

OMG, I laughed so hard I cried when I read about your children asking if you had taken your med's. If I cleaned up or out my stash my dear hubby would rush me to ER,LOL.