My Salvaged Treasures: January 2013

Monday, January 28, 2013

Roundup of January Finds

I don't think I've been out to more than half a dozen yard sales all month, but I guess that's not too bad considering January has been one of the coldest we've had in years. When it finally warmed up last week I gathered all my January junkin' finds for a quick photo shoot. I even managed to give some of this stuff an outdoor bath later in the day:-)

Another shopper was eyeing the scale and walked away. Huh, I guess it was too rusty for him. I couldn't pass up 2 1/2 yards of bark cloth even though it is reproduction.

Baby Ben is missing one hand and the glass, but I still love it.

Stieff pewter creamer and sugar set, Pond's milk glass jar, and the 3-tier shelf they're sitting on.

Zero fan, chippy old ~~light cage~~ fruit picker (thanks Angie), and a galvanized poultry fount from a barn sale.

Rusty cast iron finial and a very cool "what's it."

I could see these glistening on the table all the way from the street. Seriously...I was hoping they were exactly what I thought they were!!

I'm linking my January finds with:

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Tuesday
Young Heart for Weekly Thrifted Party
Brambleberry Cottage for TimeTravel Thursday

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Faux Chalkboard Stenciled Cases

I've been thinking about a quick and easy way to dress up a little case that was a recent estate sale find and a vintage typewriter case I've had for ages. Just about any matte black surface is ideal for a chalkboard, and these two cases were perfect candidates. Unfortunately, I'm more than a little artistically challenged when it comes to freehand drawing and lettering, but I do know how to take advantage of a stencil.

I found the stencil on the typewriter case at Maison De Stencils during their 50% off sale at the end of the year. The stencils on the little electronics case were purchased on Etsy from Artistic Stencils.

Family and Friends gather here. Wouldn't this stencil be perfect on a pillow?

I attached a zinc tag embellished with a vintage typewriter key and the English translation. The rusty key is original to the case and still works.

Old black cases, new stencils, stencil brush, white acrylic paint, and about 15 minutes was all

it took.

Two small pieces of tape hold the stencil in place.

Checking to make sure I didn't miss any spots.

I only used the laurel leaf part of this stencil because the case was too small for the entire pattern. No. 4 is my lucky number and it was a perfect fit on top.

Keeping it simple, I used twine to attach a heart charm and vintage key stamped with No. 4.
Sweet little cases for holding your treasures without the worry of the chalk rubbing off:-)

I'm linking up and partying with:

Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday

The Answer is Chocolate for BFF Open House

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special

Sunday, January 20, 2013

The Tired Dresser Gets a Facelift

Painting this dresser was one project I didn't want to put on the back burner for long. It was impossible to motivate myself to spend hours out in the freezing cold garage, so in the house it came and up the stairs it went. I worked on it off and on for a few days from the comfort of a guest room where the paint was able to dry, and I didn't have to worry about developing frostbite even with an open window.

It finally made its way into my work room/office where I finished organizing the drawers
and relocating some of my supplies that have been stashed away in the garage. The top has already taken on a whole new life and doesn't look this naked. Oh no, could I be running out
of room so soon?

Before

A very heavy, six foot long, orangy, well built, but not so pretty dresser I bought right after Christmas at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. I had been looking for a dresser to put in my work room/office, and this one was perfect because of all the storage and the thrifty price tag.

I think it's smiling at me.

I painted it with a combination of Old White and French Linen Annie Sloan chalk paint. I used clear wax only on the top and frame because I didn't want to alter the color, then I used clear wax with just a small amount of dark wax on the drawers, door, and sides.

I'm not crazy about the original handles, but they'll work until I come across something else in my junking travels. I am crazy about the beadboard on the sides and front door.

Partying with:

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Tuesday
Young Heart for Weekly Thrifted Party
No Minimalist Here for Open House Party
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Thursday, January 17, 2013

I'm Guest Blogging at The Polka Dot Closet

Do you ever wonder what's been selling at antique shows, antique stores, flea markets, or craft fairs in different parts of the country?

Carol from The Polka Dot Closet has just started a fun new series called "What Sells and What Doesn't." Every Thursday Carol will be featuring a guest blogger from a different area of the country who will be sharing information on what's been selling and what's been gathering dust. I hope you'll visit me at The Polka Dot Closet to see what's hot and what's not in my neck of the woods.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Outdated Price Guides and Reference Books

Have you ever passed up an old price guide or reference book just because the information was outdated? Even when they're new, the published prices become outdated almost overnight and can vary from one region to another. You can find current information on just about any antique or collectible online, but how do you know what to look for if you don't know what you have. I've been able to identify several unmarked mystery items just by flipping through the pages of some of my thrifty outdated reference books.

These are seriously outdated as price guides, but will always be a good source for identification and interesting information. Some are even good for a few laughs, and most were picked up for next to nothing at yard sales and library book sales.

Several years ago I found this set of Time Life Books at a garage sale for $3.00. Fifteen volumes (only one missing) of Encyclopedia of Collectibles books published in 1978. They're full of great pictures and information on everything from advertising giveaways, buttons, folk art, quilts, typewriters, and more.

This 1975 edition of Pottery and Porcelain by the Kovels has come in handy several times, and well worth the $1.00 price at our local library book sale.

It's broken down alphabetically and by a few dozen different

symbols such as crowns, lines, flowers, and shields.

Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years price and reference guide published in 1983. This one was .25 cents at a moving sale.

A great book for identifying these fun collectibles.

This one is my favorite...Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles; 254 pages of advertisements
and vintage kitchen gadgets. I bought this one new in 2003 and actually paid the full
price of $24.99. Gasp!! I love all the entertaining advertisements.
An automatic butter curler. How spiffy is that?

Do you remember these?

I bought one of these at a yard sale and had no idea what it was until I found it listed in this book.

It's digestible too. That's good to know.

If you win, be sure to wear your highest heels.

In 1956 a family of four could enjoy dinner and dessert for $1.00.

My dough bullets never produced pretty cookies.

These old glass rolling pins are a great way to display buttons and other trinkets.

Why?

What can I say?

Keep your eyes open for inexpensive old reference books and price guides at yard sales and library book sales. They may be outdated, but they're full of helpful information and nothing beats the feel of a real book in your hands.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Pick a Number, Any Number

I knew exactly what I was going to create with these bright yellow aluminum number tags as soon as I spotted them.....

It's a necklace countdown.

A handful of bright yellow numbers plucked from a basket while treasure hunting at My Friends and I last month. They were in pretty good condition and just needed a little cleaning.