There are few things in life that I really get excited about. One of them is a true trashure hunt. Every so often I head to the flea market, not looking for the obvious, but the stuff that everyone overlooks. Ya know, the junk. Today, you are in for a treat! It’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday and I’m going to show you what I do with this pile o’ “junk” by turning into flea market decor. You’ll see what my gal friends are up to at the bottom, so sit back and enjoy.
First, I started with this mesh screen. When I find old screens or mesh anything I snatch them up for one purpose…stitching. My apologies for the fuzzy pic…I was in a rush!
STITCHIN’
If you’ve followed me for long, you know that I truly enjoy embroidery and the therapy it provides. For the mesh screen, it was the same as the last time I created a woolly sheep on a sifter screen. Time to get my stitch fix!
Finally, after a bit of fun, I have a new woolly creation that makes me smile. I hope it does for you too!
Can you blame me for being a little bit hooked on these woolly creatures? In the past I’ve even made some from spindles and sweaters seen in this post. For the burlap, I used these wonderful laminated burlap sheets you can stick in your printer. Also, I used to make my own by ironing burlap onto freezer paper, but these are handy too.
PROJECT 2
Now for found object #2. Do you know what it is? Let me tell ya. Once upon a time things were done by hand and when dried corn needed sifted, this was the way to do it.
This, folks, is a corn sifter, and as you can imagine has seen many hard days on the farm. Cool, huh? Now, let me show you what I turned it in to. mwahahahaha…
This here is a bonafide trashure message center. Next, I take the found bread pan from the stash pictured above, and attach it to the sifter, then added a bin pull. Likewise, my horseshoe was from my stash of goodies, and the antique buttons are now magnets to use for this and that.
Also, you can even tuck some goodies inside the back of it as well. I had fun creating this one and making it have a whole new story. Imagine the stories it could tell or the stories it heard while being put to use. So cool.
PROJECT 3
Last, but not least are those trowels. The moment I spotted them I grabbed them up. The vendor looked me queerly…little did he know, right?
A good cleaning was in order and just like I did to that cake pan above, I gave them a clear coat. This helps slow down the rust action and prevent it from coming off. You can also leave it as-is too.
Once they’re ready to go, I use my drill to attach them to a gorgeous piece of reclaimed barn wood from my repurposed sewing machine table.
I then added a piece of reclaimed oak for the top and a pair of corbels to the ends. You can see how to build a coat rack like this in my step-by-step tutorial HERE in this post. Now I have a funkified trowel coat rack to add to my flea market decor. Woot!
THE REVEAL
The rusty patina paired with the time-worn reclaimed wood just makes my heart pitter-pat. Are you smitten with patina too? As is the case with most of my creations, all three of these items are available in my shop (ALL SOLD) along with many other furniture, vintage finds, and handmade goods.
In addition, pin and share my flea market decor to inspire others to make their house their home. It really can be done on a budget. Thank you for sharing!
Up next, this vintage Broyhill hutch desk is going to get a new lease on life. See the after HERE.
Stay tuned to see and be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Now time to see what the other blogger ladies have for you below!
- Artsy Chicks Rule
- Bless’er House
- Confessions of a Serial DIYer
- Girl in the Garage
Also, more DIY projects like my flea market decor:
My favorite is the little wooly lamb but they are all great ideas.
Thank you, Debra! I had such fun with it.
Lovin’ the trowels. My father and brother both were carpenters by trade… though they are both gone, we have many of their tools. This just gave me a great idea for some of their old trowels that are collecting dust. Thanks friend.
That’s awesome! They are so versatile.
As always, I love what you create out of “nothing”. From you, I’ve learned to pick up small bits at the flea market, but I’m still waiting for the creative lightbulb to go off. Thanks for the inspration!
That so awesome, Donna! I love to hear those kinds of stories. Thank you!
How dang cute these ideas are!!
You are so fun, Debra! haha…thank you for making me smile. 😀
When I saw the before picture last week I thought what in the heck could she possibly make with that pile of rusty goodness. As always, you never cease to amaze me with your creativity! Never in a million years would I have thought of these ideas. Girl, you are a junk repurposing rock star! pinned
A bunch of junk, right? ahahaha!! You are my awesome support. Thank you!
Wow you amaze me! I think the message board is my favorite. Nobody can redeem junk the way you can!
I’m proud to be told that, Christy. hee hee Thanks!
You always come up with the most amazing and creative things Larissa!
Thanks, Nancy. I have fun!
Trowels as hooks? Genius!
Happy dance!! Thank you. 🙂
I couldn’t imagine what you were going to do with that pile of junk. Very creative.
haha! Thanks. 🙂
Happy Tuesday,
I just wanted to say how much I love your ideas. Always fun to see what you come up with and it is always wonderful when I find a like minded gal that can see the value and beauty of thing that others call trash. My family always give me a call to see if I have a rebirth idea for items before getting rid of them.
Thanks for sharing.
Blessings to you!
Minnie
Hi Minnie! I’m so happy to hear from you. Yes, so fun to meet those with like-minded creativity. Have fun!
I love them all so much! You always inspire me and I love that little woolly sheep so much! Great ideas.
Thanks so much, Suesan!
Great ideas, except… the horse shoe is upside down! You are spilling out all the good luck !!!!!
That would be if I believed in such a thing. 🙂
Such clever ideas you have, Larissa! I love the sheep the best but I’m really digging the coat rack too.
Thank you, Jen. 🙂
You are simply so very clever, I love your projects so much! Wow!
Laurie, you are the best. Thank you for all your encouragement!
i absolutely love all of your ideas-your site is amazing-enjoy all of your posts
How wonderful of you to say, Janet. Thank you.
Love your ideas! So fun to see what you come up with next!
What kind of screws did you use on the trowels? Did you pre-drill the holes? How did you do that?
Thanks!
Thank you! I just used self-tapping metal screws to anchor them in. They go right through.