Making my own jewelry has been a staple in my life for about as long as I’ve had motor skills. I’ve obviously graduated from the friendship pins and bracelets of childhood. But, this project is nearly just as simple, using some vintage handkerchiefs as the main ingredient.Read more ›
How to Designate Your Yard as Certified Wildlife Habitat
April 22, 2020 · By · 18 Comments
As an animal lover and biologist (on paper), it’s no surprise that our yard is very wildlife-friendly. Not only do I love to watch the birds and other critters, but our indoor cats do, as well. Many of my upcycling projects were made specifically for backyard habitat, including feeders, baths, and houses. I learned about designating one’s yard as Certified Wildlife Habitat many years ago, but wasn’t sure how well-known that program was.Read more ›
Telephone Sign on a Small Cutting Board
April 15, 2020 · By · 11 Comments
Long-term quarantining is, quite honestly, the best thing that has happened to my garage in a long time. It’s the only thrift store I have access to and I’m uncovering things I’d long forgotten about. And one of those things was a small cutting board. I decided it was the perfect piece to make a telephone sign.
Upcycling a Decanter Tantalus as an Herb Saver
April 8, 2020 · By · 16 Comments
As you know, my garage is the only “thrift store” I have access to right now. So, it’s been fun for me to discover all of the treasures that I’d collected but not yet upcycled. When I came across this wooden caddy, I did a little research and discovered that it’s a decanter tantalus. That means it’s a lockable liquor holder, but I decided it would be perfect as an herb saver.Read more ›
Recycled Crafts from Your Trash Can and Recycling Bin
April 2, 2020 · By · 8 Comments
Our recycling bins and trash cans are full of potential when it comes to recycled crafts. When I wrote this in 2020, most of us were stuck at home and in need of activities to keep us occupied. So, I put together this fun collection of craft ideas from waste materials; some of them come from the recyclables, and others from stuff we’d throw away.
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Botanical Decor from the Thrift Store
March 29, 2020 · By · 35 Comments
With a new season comes a new opportunity to Thrift the Look for another style of home decor. And as Spring approached, my blogging friends and I decided that Botanical Decor or Garden-inspired Decor would be fresh and perfect for this time of year.Read more ›
Painted Tray in Spring Pastel Colors
March 25, 2020 · By · 23 Comments
Now that I’m doing the right thing and staying home, I can’t breeze by a thrift store for project inspiration. Instead, I went “garage shopping” and decided that this rectangular wooden tray was ripe for upcycling. I needed a relaxing activity to calm my nerves and thought that painting it might be just the ticket.Read more ›
Upcycling Projects and Ideas for Bohemian Style Decor
March 18, 2020 · By · 8 Comments
It seems as if the current trend of Bohemian style decor is a direct result of backlash against farmhouse decor. Whereas farmhouse style decor is very neutral at its core, boho decor is vivid in color. And it has a “more is more”, maximalist mentality. The only decor theme my home has is “secondhand” versus an actual decorating style. But I find myself frequently drawn towards the colorful playfulness of Bohemian decor.Read more ›
Artificial Topiary Trees in Vintage Candlesticks
March 11, 2020 · By · 16 Comments
Do you ever spot something at a thrift store, see the price, and start laughing maniacally to yourself because the thrift shop is crazy? Crazy for thinking someone will pay the price on the tag? Well, that happened to me when I spied these vintage candlesticks. I left them on the shelf for some other sucker to overpay for, but they haunted me. Whispering to me to upcycle them into bases for artificial topiary trees…
Recipe Holder from Vintage Kitchen Utensils
March 4, 2020 · By · 21 Comments
Full disclosure- I originally posted this project for a recipe holder in August of 2014. And while I don’t like to be the kind of blogger that re-publishes old content, I’m making an exception for this one. It’s a super simple craft project and uses vintage kitchen utensils, which I happen to have a weakness for.Read more ›
