REcreate

If you want to get your upcycling on, REcreate is the place to go. Owner Katie Thompson's innovative ideas and eclectic style = one of a kind items. Sadly for most of us, we won't be able to go to her store in Cape Town, Africa. But there are pictures of it on her site and she has an online store.

REcreate Studio

I was initially drawn to REcreate when I saw these suitcases chairs - what a cool idea. I am drawn to the black/green one. Here's another unique idea, an ottoman made from a galvanized tub.

This hatbox ottoman is super cute and has the bonus of storage

Here are some repurposed clocks designed by Katie.

These lamps are great and would fit in any contemporary, industrial or eclectic decor

More great repurposing ideas from Katie. I especially like the fryer basket. A grouping of the garden sieves above a desk would be nice.

Katie says that she loves creating functional art from discarded nonfunctional junk. She's definitely got the knack for it!

Recreate studio is in Salt River, Cape Town, South Africa

Thrifting Finds

Ever go to a sale where the offerings are slim and you start to regret the time and gas spent to get there? THEN you find one great thing. Such was the case this past weekend at an estate sale. I was about to leave when I noticed a great side table in the corner. I paid $35 for it and took it home.

I like the style of this table -  the details on the drawers, the legs, the open space and iron bars on the side.  The brand name is Brandt. I've seen some of their more rustic furniture. Think I'll spray paint the knobs and feet covers black for now. Flanking the table are my Baker Chairs, a previous craigslist find.

I found two pieces of Dansk enamelware at another sale. The pitcher is a really pretty cobalt blue, which doesn't show in the picture. I think it will be great with fresh flowers in it. I paid $6 for it. The brown casserole has some wear on the enamel around the edges, but I was excited to find it so I bought it anyway, it was only $3.

The candleholders were $6 for the pair. They are heavy for their size and have great mid century style. The label says nagel, made in Germany. Anyone familiar with these? I feel like I've seen them before.

I bought this vase for $1.50, I like the style and finish. It says USA originals on the bottom with other markings. I've come across USA pottery countless times but the markings seem different.

Did you have any good finds this past weekend?


This post is a part of Thrift Share Monday with Apron Thrift Girl 

Inexpensive Fix - Bar Cabinet

Here's a project I did last summer using thrift finds. I found a cabinet at a University Surplus Store. It's actually a metal bookcase that wood framed doors were added to. Wish I had before pictures, but that was before this blog. Anyway, the cabinet was all black, had stickers, scratches, a nameplate and was dirty. But I liked the lines of it and the super long hinges that show on the outside. I spray painted it gray inside and out,  except for the doors which I painted black.

I use the cabinet for storing glasses, ice bucket, coasters etc. 

Above the cabinet I hung this print my husband and I bought in the Napa Valley as a memento of our trip. The print has a border of wine labels and a map showing where different wines were made. 

The wood sculpture was a steal for $20.00 at annual thrift event for a local assisted living organization. 

On top of the cabinet I have a ceruse finish tray with different coasters and a decanter. 

I'll probably do more rearranging/adding, just not sure what to do yet. I like this cabinet, but it's not permanent. It was an inexpensive fix.  I'd like to put a nicer piece of furniture in it's place at some point. No rush, this cabinet is very functional until I find exactly the right thing when I can afford it.

Tree Stumps

What could be cheaper than free and rhymes? A tree - tree stump to be exact. While walking my dog Friday night I spotted a downed tree cut into big chunks. As soon as I got home I asked my husband to help me and we picked out two. I'm going to use them for plant stands on my deck.

cheaper than therapy

I want to place mine on our deck, like these. But I have two tree stumps and want to fill in with planters and flowers. I'll show pictures in a later post, still need to buy my plants.

eHow home

I've done this with a tree stump in my yard, planted daisies in it. Makes that tree stump you didn't remove look like it was intentional.

G's Friendly Tree Service

There many ideas online for tree stumps. And why not? A tree stump table can add a lot of interest to a room or a nice contrast to contemporary furniture. I've picked out some ideas that are more simple, no whittling or chain saws required. 

An obvious choice other than a plant stand, is to use a stump as a side table. I think I'll let mine dry outside for a season or two before using inside. Here are some nice examples.

home MADE

West Elm

DESIGN SQUISH

The painted bark on these tree stumps adds a bit of style.

Nickadoo

These tree trunk tables(or stools)look like they could walk away!

According to the site "No trees are cut to make these tables. They are created from trunks salvaged from lumbering activity or trees that have fallen naturally. Each piece is cleaned without chemicals, then kiln-dried for four or more weeks. After lengthy sanding and hand-polishing the log is coated with a non-toxic sealant and a locally produced bees wax to then receives its legs. Wrought-iron or chrome legs are specifically selected for each table."

BarStools&BarStools

Find a bargain on some stools on Craigslist and use this idea. Metal legs would add a nice contrast. Some sanding, stain (optional) and varnish would be in order. These would look nice around a pub height table.

Home Quotient

Ok, I guess I lied about no whittling, but aren't these vases charming? I especially like the succulent in one. I think this could be accomplished with a drill and the right kind (hole boring) of drill bit.

Add a clock kit to a tree slice and you've got a stylish clock! I like the way the white clock hands look, but a bright color would be nice too.

Nesting Place

For some upscale ideas and a tutorial, check out Nesting Place.

They have several nice ideas.

Do you have any ideas for tree stumps or slices? I'd love to see comments about your ideas!


This post is a part of Thrift Share Monday with Apron Thrift Girl
and Wicked Awesome Wednesday with Handy Man, Crafty Woman

Upcycling Ideas

Upcycling is a term most of us are familar with. As I look at different ideas, I realize that this concept has been around for a long time. But I am struck by how creative and inventive people can be. Some are downright artistic. Here are several ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Factory Direct Craft Blog

I like the way these wine crate shelves look and they are very functional. These could work in different places, an office, laundry room, kids room, bathroom, family room, etc.

Products & Tech News

Ideas for wood pallets abound, but I think this bench is very nice. It has many placement possibilities.

Dresser Before

The V Spot

Dresser After

I doubt I'd be up to the task of refinishing a dresser like this, but oh, what a wow factor. Even more amazing is the transformation from ugly duckling to swan.

Green Upgrader

We've all seen neat things people have made with bottle caps, but this artwork is incredibly cool.

Poetic Home

I really like this shoe form lamp, it would be great on a desk. How about a pair of them on a console table? I think I would try oversized clear light bulbs in them.

Stop Junk Mail

Can you believe that this great artwork came from junk mail?! It took the creative mind of artist Sandy Schimmel to figure this one out and she did so in a big way. Check out her website to see other gorgeous works of art made from junk mail. 

Do you have something you've upcycled that you would like to share? E-mail me @jcblogger4@gmail.com 

Mother's Day

I think we've all thought about what we would try to save if our home were on fire. For many people it would be family photographs. That would certainly be the case for me. I was searching for old black and white photographs to go in a picture frame I recently thrifted.(see last post) Looking at these pictures and seeing many of my mother made me think of so many things. Holidays of yesteryear. A simpler life. How she became ill and died too early. What she would think to see my kids now, all grown up. I guess I'm getting sentimental because Mother's Day is around the corner. 

As a tribute to my mom for Mother's Day, I would like to share some photographs of her when she was young and having fun with her girlfriends. 

My mom on her bike and far left in second photo. I like the way she wore her hair with a braid wrapped around her head - very Scandinavian!

Here she is again on her bike, cute outfit complete with sailor cap! I imagine she and her friends rode their bikes to a swimming spot and maybe packed a lunch.

This must have been taken on a special occasion somewhere. Aren't all these dresses cute? I like how they all have their arms intertwined and the girl in the middle with her ice cream!

My mom's high school graduation picture

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, daughters, etc.  I don't think you have to have children to qualify. When we celebrate Mother's Day, not only are we paying homage to our own mother's, but we are celebrating being maternal and taking care of others, which is the very essence of being a mother.

Thrift Share Monday

I didn't do as much thrifting as I would have liked  this past weekend, was out of town for a wedding with little extra time. But I did pretty well with the limited time I had. 

I  found this nice graphic print that shows the design of a bolt transmitter (whatever that is). Need to find a new frame for it, not sure where I'm going to put it yet, but I like it.

I like this  charcoal drawing of a mother and child. I have been looking for a drawing for awhile and this one fits the bill nicely. Also need to find a good frame for it and a mat to set it off. 

This polaroid frame is made for the pictures from an old polaroid camera. I may very well have some, but I'm thinking to put some old black/white photos in it that I have of my parents from the 40's and 50's.

This big heavy metal picture frame needs a light sanding and new coat of paint. I will probably paint it in a similar color as I like the color and it will go in my living room. Just need to find a picture to put in it.

Last, I was pleased to find this mid century magazine holder. (complete with dust)It's a good size and will fit bigger books. It has a refinishing in it's future also.(I will do a before/after in a later post.)

This posting is a part of Thrift Share Monday with Apron Thrift Girl and
Her Library Adventures.

Cruisin' For Finds

I did some crusing for thrift finds on the internet and came across these beauties. Hope you enjoy, happy weekend everyone!

Seen at Fat Cat

I think teal and orange look great together, as is the case with this planter. This would certainly brighten up a room.

Seen at VINTAGE VERITY

Gorgeous sunburst clock, I wouldn't have a 

problem finding a place for this beauty!

Seen at Thea & Sami

Love this rodriquez mid century wall hanging,

have to put this on my must find list.

Seen at high plains thrifter

I think the flower pins look great in this mod jewelry box, the white really sets them off. I could see this as a display on a vanity or chest.

Seen at etsy seller modernspecific

I would add this to my collection of textile covered jewelry boxes if it weren't already sold. Great design and something to keep an eye out for.

Seen at Arras Heiress

Aren't these japanese fabric coasters lovely? 

I would be tempted to hang them on a wall.

Seen at Lo's List

This isn't vintage, but what a great holder for books this wool felt box makes.

Would look so nice on a book shelf.