One of my favorite things to do is take unwanteds and give them new purpose. You can imagine my excitement when I got to hook up with several of my favorite DIY bloggers to bring you Trash to Treasure Transformations. Yay! It’s a monthly challenge to see what thrifted or yard sale finds we choose to give new life. I’m all about some farmhouse decor. mmmm….
I know you’re going to love this series! Let me show you what I chose to work with. Rusty objects are somewhat of an addiction for me, and when I had a chance to snatch up a box of farmhouse tools, insulators, and what-nots, I jumped on it.
Any guesses as to what these are? I know you see a piece of chain, but do you know what the hooks are for? They are hay bale hooks – a farmer would have one in each hand and grab up a hay bale with them and stack or load the bails in a much easier fashion. Pretty cool, huh? That round piece with holes in it is a bit of a mystery to me. It’s embossed with a serial number and I believe was part of a tractor.
PROJECT 1
So, what would you do with this rusty goodness? First, I dug into my stash of reclaimed wood and pulled out some pieces that I thought would suit my project.
No cutting, sanding, or any prep, just straight from the stash. Also, isn’t the patina gorgeous?
With that small round piece, I immediately thought it looked like a candle holder, so that’s what it became!
Can’t get much more simple than that. tsk. I love its sweet rustic touch to my decor. Likewise, it makes me sing a favorite childhood Bible song, “This little light of mine…”
PROJECT 2 & 3
Next, the hay bale hooks, it wasn’t hard to choose what to do with them. They’re hooks, so they’ll be used to hang something. Check it out….
First, I use a conduit strap to mount it to the board, and then wanted to make a vase out of a canning jar. Everyone has a bent paperboard pants hanger in their closet (if you don’t, you’re my idol), and I can imagine most of you have a canning jar too.
Then, to make a jar hanger, just slip off that paperboard sleeve of the hanger, and you’ll see the end should look like this…
Last, take the separated hanger and straddle it around the canning jar.
Criss-cross the ends and wrap it back toward the hook end of the hanger, and connect it to itself.
Bend up the hook of the hanger, and squeeze the hook closed. (I hadn’t closed mine yet in this picture)
Now we can hang up our wall decor and create endless displays.
THE REVEALS
This hook has that bit of chain on it to create more texture.
I know that Queen Anne’s Lace is considered a weed, but to me it’s nature’s lace. Sooo beautiful!
See how the jar is hung? Simple, rustic, perfect. If you’re loving my shutters, you can get the DIY tutorial HERE.
ONE MORE
As for the other hay bale hook, it too became a wall vase hanging filled with summertime flowers from my yard.
My 9 year-old said she could have flowers hanging like that everywhere. ♥
In addition, these wall hanging are so versatile…they can hang candles, pictures, teacups, coats, towels, and even be a bird feeder too. Endless possibilities.
With that in mind, I also adore the stars found in apples. God is an amazing creator.
Finally, I hope you’ve enjoyed my rustic creations. If you would like to purchase any or all of them, they are available in my shop. (that is if I don’t decide to keep them…hee hee hee)
SHARE
Additionally, pin and share this farmhouse decor to inspire others! (head below for more eye-candy!)
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Now, don’t head off just yet, I know you’re going to love what these ladies have done with these thrifted finds. Click on each picture for some amazing inspiration!!
Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer Artsy Chicks Rule
Girl in the Garage Bless’er House
Likewise, I think you’ll enjoy these farmhouse projects too!
You are so clever, Larissa! These are great ways to both use and display old tools that most people would never give a second glance.
Larissa I love using old tools like this… my favorite is whatever that rusty thing is that you made into a candle holder… beautiful and right up my alley! 🙂
You are so clever, Larissa! Love them all, but the candle holder is my favorite! Will you keep these or sell them? XO
Hahaha…thanks, Christy! I’m reallt thinking on keeping one, but for now they are available. 😉
Wow, that is soooo creative Larissa!!! I love what you did when them. The flowers are my favorite! 🙂
xo
Nancy
I can’t decode which I like more, but they’re all fun to create! Thank you, Nancy.
A-dorable, Larissa! I would have bought these somewhere like Antique Farmhouse. I can’t believe you made them! Just beautiful.
Thanks so much, Lauren! I can’t get enough of rusty junk and love the juxtaposition they create with frilly things. 🙂
I have a couple of very old farm implements that my dad reclaimed from his childhood farm years ago when we went to visit family (he found them in weeds along the cow path’ I’ve been hanging on to them as a tribute to him without knowing what I could do to make them part of our present day life. Now one hangs from a window latch in our sunporch, but since I’ve seen what you can do, I’m fixing it to the kitchen wall to use as a towel hook. The other few will have to wait until inspiration strikes, but you’ve helped the process along. I love having vintage things from our family past to enhance our home and keep us connected with previous generations.
How wonderful, Barabara! A sweet way to remember your father, and I’m flattered that I inspired you. Thank you for stopping by!
You, my friend, are one clever gal. Not only are these a clever use of old tools but they are beautiful farmhouse chic. These would look fabulous in my UNfarmhouse/cottage style home too. Your talents are endless Larissa!
You are one awesome friend! {{hugs}} Thank you, Marie. What a DIY party we could have, eh?
Say what?! You have some mad crazy creativity! I never could have come up wtih those! Each thing is amazing! I especially love the jar holder with the chain and the queen anne’s lace. So, so great!
Hahaha…or maybe I’m just mad? 😀 You made me giggle. Thank you!
I love all of your pieces, and enjoy following you on Facebook. You have so many great ideas and projects! I just have to tell you that Queen Anne’s Lace has always been my favorite! I grew up in Ohio, and it was abundant. But, now I’m in Florida and I had to pay quite a premium for our florist to special order it for my daughter’s wedding. I couldn’t believe I was actually going to pay for a “weed”, but she and I were determined she had to have it in her bouquet.
So sweet of you to stop by! Yes, Queen Anee’s Lace holds so many memories for me and I love having it in my home. I would have done the same thing for my daughter. You’re a good mom.
Loving your ideas!! 🙂
Happy to hear it! Thanks for stopping by. 😉
WOW- Love it! Rustic Chic at its best!
Thank you so much!!
Larissa, I totally didn’t expect these to turn out the way they did! I should have known you’d make them into something amazing. 🙂 SO rustic and beautiful <3
Thanks, Jen! I’ve already sold some, so I guess I better decide if I want to keep one, eh? 😉
Larissa I LOVE< LOVE< LOVE your website! I am still a blogging newbie. My site is all about unique and creative ways to decorate using old disgarded items! Can I join the Tuesdays Trash to Treasure Challenge?
Chris
Thank you so much, Chris! Glad to have you. I do believe the group has capped with our 5 members for now. Keep up the good work and check back to see if things have changed. 😉
Love them all…this makes me want to run out and dig around in my rusty bits 🙂
Doesn’t it though? Yes, always fun to dig around and create – you rock at it!
I love this project it’s perfect. Thinking about making something like this for the kitchen.
Yay! Happy to hear it, Carole. I’d love to see what you do with it!
Larissa you inspire me to create. I have “junk,” I mean treasures, similar to yours just sitting on the garage floor waiting to be used. Keep on creating!
You’re a lady after my own heart, Judy! I hope you have fun creating with your treasures. Thanks for stopping by!
you must have seceded to keep them I don’t see them in your shop??
How unique! I’m now going to look at things differently every time I go into the barn. And when we do finally get around to cleaning out one of the barns, the keep pile might be a bit larger than I thought it would be 😉
Great projects.
That is awesome!! Thank you.
I have a bunch of my grandpa’s rusty Farm tools. Do you think it’s best to leave the rust on them?
It’s totally up to you. I like rust. If you like it, but are concerned, use a clear coat spray to seal it in.
Wow! Everything is beautiful and looks super easy. Now to find some rusty old bits 😉
Yes, for sure, Christine! So fun to hunt.
The rusty tool is either an ice hook (people had ice delivered to their homes to put in their iceboxes) or a hay fork for grabbing hay bales).
Yes, here it is a hay bale hook and also used for ice, particularly by the Amish in my neighborhood. I have several hanging around and in my online store.