“We may talk of saving antique linens, species, or languages; but whatever we are intent on saving, when a restoration succeeds, we rescue ourselves.” ~ Howard Mansfield
10 Reasons to Thrift shop:
Repurpose, recycle, reuse: It’s good for the environment!
It’s a treasure hunt: You never know what you will find!
Start a collection: Add to a collection, start a new one, or find a replacement for something broken
Cheap entertainment: Browsing is just as fun as buying!
Artist date: Find inspiration for design, writing, or photography
Take a walk down memory lane: “Things” remind us of people we love
Seasonal home decor: Items are inexpensive and you don’t have to store them afterwards, simply resell or donate them at the end of the season
You can paint it: Anything can be updated with a fresh coat of paint
Children’s clothing: Because they grow so fast!
You could win the lottery: The painting you buy for one dollar might be a real Monet
Rust and Pieris
Rusty things have unique character and are often free or nearly free at garage sales. Look for items that appeal to you…have a function…could be used in the garden…or would make good storage vessels.
Display them as a collection on a bookshelf or coffee table. When in doubt…add flowers!
Wire flower frogs can make flower arranging easier. Place them in the bottom of any vessel, cover with water, and press the stems into the frog.
You can also display your rusty relics on a tray or in a basket.
Rusty garden tools are the best!
Rust and Begonias
Paint cans, rusty metal baskets, and begonias make a beautiful combination for your garden.
Old kitchen spoons are good garden tools.
Rusty shakers can be used as a vase and…
…they have a built-in flower frog!
Metal match holders are fun to collection and have many storage and decorative functions…
as a vase…
or a scissor and garden label container.
I don’t know about you…but I can always use a container to haul plants and tools around the garden! And…if it’s already rusty…you don’t have to worry about getting it “dirty!”