Several years ago, I saw a “junk shop” decorative birdhouse in an antiques shop. And while I didn’t make the purchase, I never forgot how cute it was. So, when I found this broken DIY birdhouse while thrifting, it seemed like I had been given a second chance at a junky birdhouse. I just needed to fix it up and I already had the right piece of barnwood to do it!Read more ›
Upcycling a Wicker Picnic Basket into a Magazine Box for Christmas Magazines
December 28, 2017 · By · 26 Comments
This, my friends, is what I like to call a “Post-Christmas Christmas Project”, if that makes any sense. It all started with this wicker picnic basket that I found on a thrift store shelf. I thought it had the cutest shape (like a small suitcase) and I chuckled over how dainty it seemed…compared to normal picnic baskets. It was, in fact, not much larger than a magazine (length- and width-wise, not depth-wise). And that’s when I decided it would be PERFECT for my endless collection of Christmas magazines.
Buffalo Check Decor for Autumn
September 21, 2017 · By · 40 Comments
This project, my friends, was driven entirely by my obsession with one of Funky Junk Interiors’ most recent stencils. She created a Buffalo check stencil for her Old Sign Stencil Shop (affiliate link) and I have been dying to try it out. I decided to create some Buffalo check decor on a wood tray from the thrift store using her stencil. I thought it would be lovely as rustic cabin decor to use for my autumn decorating!Read more ›
Tablecloth Weights / Tablecloth Clips from Horse Brass
September 7, 2017 · By · 38 Comments
I don’t exactly know why, but when I think of anything horse-related, I imagine it in an autumn setting. I can’t really explain why this is, and maybe it makes no sense…but when I think of horses, I think of plaid blankets, leather accessories, and crisp Fall air. So, when I spotted these horse brass at a thrift store, I decided they were destined to be used in an autumn project. Read more ›
Creating a Brochure Holder as Mountain Cabin Decor
August 10, 2017 · By · 63 Comments
This magazine rack was a thrift store find that came home with me, even though I had no plan in mind. But it was heavy and sturdy (i.e., good quality) and seemed like it was a blank canvas for a future project. It finally dawned on me that it would be PERFECT as a brochure holder / brochure stand in my in-laws’ cabin in North Georgia. Not only would it be functional for their rental property, but I could transform it into mountain cabin decor / lodge decor at the same time. Read more ›
Decorative Bookends for Summer Decor with Berry Baskets
June 22, 2017 · By · 38 Comments
To tell you the truth, I’m not entirely sure why I picked up these berry baskets while thrifting a while back. I didn’t have a project idea in mind and the thrift store had written the price on the side of one of the baskets (the horror!). BUT, I decided they were worth the risk and eventually an upcycling idea came to me. I’d transform them into decorative bookends that would double as summer decor.Read more ›
Repurposing T-Shirts into a DIY Cat Cave and Handmade Cat Toys
May 15, 2016 · By · 47 Comments
Your old t-shirts (or perhaps a favorite tee that has a stain or no longer fits) are absolutely IDEAL for upcycling into a DIY Cat cave and a few simple cat toys. I love using repurposed clothing in projects, but I rarely recycle t-shirts. But for this pet tent and kitty toy projects, the jersey knit fabric of t-shirts is positively ideal.Read more ›
Refashion a Straw Tote into a Spring Wreath
March 31, 2016 · By · 169 Comments
To me, Spring is all about flowers – the fresh start after winter, the gorgeous colors hanging from branches and sprouting from the ground, and the fragrance the perfumes the air. And to celebrate the arrival of this season, I decided to create a Spring wreath using a straw tote or straw purse from the thrift store.
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Repurposing a Silver Candelabra into a Jewelry Tree
February 25, 2016 · By · 81 Comments
I’ve upcycled a LOT of thrift store finds into jewelry storage and organization projects over the years. Probably because I have such an affinity for vintage costume jewelry – give me flashy rhinestones over diamonds any day of the week! And while most of my jewelry organizers have been “quirky”, none of them would be considered “elegant”. That is, until I found a silver candelabra at the thrift store and decided to repurpose it into a jewelry tree stand.
Suet Feeder in a Coffee Mug
February 11, 2016 · By · 173 Comments
I love to feed the wild birds in my yard all year long, especially during the cold winter months. So I decided to make a suet feeder that would keep them fat, happy, and healthy through the cold winter. And to keep it extra interesting (and very Sadie-esque), I decided to try my hand at making homemade bird suet that I would pour in a coffee mug.
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