Last month, I introduced my three-part upcycled herb garden series with Part 1- by sowing herb seeds in rusty, thrifted muffin tins / pans as starter pots! But several weeks have since passed and it’s time to bring you Part 2, which involves another repurposed thrift store find…Read more ›
No Anthro-apologies: DIY Metalwork Hurricane
April 21, 2016 · By · 188 Comments
If you’re a reader of other blogs, you’ll quickly realize that some of the most popular posts are those that focus on “hacks” or “DIY versions” of famous-store items. Truth be told, I rarely do those kinds of posts…simply because I never shop at places like Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, or Anthropologie. Sure, they’ve got gorgeous stuff each and every season, but Jon and I prefer our eclectic collection of odd, quirky, and cool stuff found anywhere but the mall.
BUT, I’m making an exception in this case. Sometime around Christmas of 2015, I picked up a big brassy-glass chandelier light cover at my local Habitat ReStore.Read more ›
Salvaged Shelf Re-imagined…as a Tablet Stand
January 5, 2016 · By · 72 Comments
One of my favorite things to happen is this: I walk into a thrift/salvage shop, stumble upon something unique or odd, and instantly have an idea for a project. Perhaps not ideal for anyone reading this- because I’ve found a one-off and it can’t be immediately replicated from the same item at a shop near you- but nonetheless, I love that moment of upcycling inspiration. Probably because it means I’m not entirely tapped out of ideas just yet.
But that’s what happened here- a quick trip to my local Habitat ReStore yielded an unusual find- this interesting shelf/sconce. In fact, the sawtooth hanger on the back is the only reason I knew what it was!Read more ›
Garden Trellis from Vintage Yard Tools
November 17, 2015 · By · 102 Comments
The vast majority of my blog posts and projects don’t have extensive stories behind them- I had an object, I had an idea, I did the project, I posted it here. That’s *normally* how things work around here and it’s not all that exciting.Read more ›
Vintage Light Fixture Halloween Moon
October 6, 2015 · By · 183 Comments
I’ll admit it- when it comes to vintage, salvaged light fixtures, I am an addict. For whatever reason, they are a constant source of inspiration…particularly during Halloween. And leave it to me to completely forget about a large, amazing light globe that I had purchased several years ago. It had gotten pushed back to the far reaches of my Craft Room, where it has been hibernating for way too long!Read more ›
Autumn Pumpkin Trinket Box…from Salad Bowls!
September 29, 2015 · By · 139 Comments
There are certain project supplies…or “idea” supplies… that I stalk thrift stores for until I finally find them, and this project is the perfect example of that. I’ve been on the hunt for wooden salad bowls for months and months and rarely saw any in a shape that I could work with. I was being picky, yes, but as of last week, IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT!Read more ›
Faux Wrought Iron Umbrella Stand from a Broken Yard Urn
August 18, 2015 · By · 60 Comments
Consider this project an exercise in looking at things differently. Especially odd things…things you just can’t figure out…or, while thrifting, don’t know what their originally intended purpose even was.
That last part- about not really knowing what it originally was supposed to be used for- is exactly what happened to me the last time I was at my local Habitat ReStore. Before I even made it into the store, one of the items outside the front door caught my eye.Read more ›
Take a Seat- Let’s Wrap!
February 3, 2015 · By · 68 Comments
Ok, so here’s the skinny when it comes to me and gift wrap storage: For years and years, I have stored our meager selection of gift wrap rolls in the box from our vacuum cleaner. No really, I have!Read more ›
Jack-o-Lamp: Salvaged Light Fixture “Pumpkin”
October 14, 2014 · By · 58 Comments
I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll mention it again- one of my favorite places to go for both crafting inspiration and supplies is Habitat ReStore. And for some reason this year, I can’t stop making Halloween décor using salvaged light fixtures.
First, I made Light Cover Ghosts.
And now? A light fixture Jack-o-Lamp!Read more ›
Unlocked- Displaying Antique Key Plates
January 15, 2014 · By · 21 Comments
One of my all-time favorite stories from a trip to Ireland was about the famous colored doors in Dublin. Folklore says that the doors were painted in bright colors so that drunk Irishmen could find their own home after a night of many pints- apparently there had been a slew of “stranger in my bed” incidents, which led to the pretty painted doors.
I’ve now heard that that tale is rubbish- but it left an indelible impression on me and I’ve been enamored with painted antique key plates ever since. This post contains affiliate links for your crafting convenience.Read more ›
