I grew up next to a cemetery. Although most people would consider that all sorts of creepy, I liked it. It was an old cemetery with stones dating back to the early 1800’s, some perhaps even earlier if they had still been legible. It was a great place to ride bikes, play hide and go seek, or climb the larger monuments. One of the best things to my 9 year old point of view though was that the cemetery was less than environmentally responsible. They dumped the trash unceremoniously over the bank at the back of the property into the woods where we played. And that is where I developed what to many is the unsavory habit of garbage picking. I know it drove my mom nuts when I was continually dragging home bedraggled silk flowers and plastic flower pots.
Some bad habits you don’t out grow. I still can’t bear to see usable items sitting in the dumpster. I usually look around to see if anyone is going to see my unglamorous self making the dive, and if the coast is clear the piece of trash treasure is mine! If I can’t use it or revamp it it goes into the Goodwill pile. (After a good cleaning, of course.)
This chair was one of my dumpster scores. I wish I had taken a before picture, but I didn’t. I washed it well and repainted the wood white. I also painted over the old fabric seat and back with gesso. It took a few coats as it soaked in quite a bit but in the end I had my canvas.
I’d been inspired by Valinda’s Art for the Soul shop in Laguna Beach. I like the lighthearted, quirky, colorful furnishings and home decor. The prices, not so much. ($1516.00 for a bar stool on sale, anyone?) Not that artists shouldn’t be able to charge what the market can bear for their creations. It’s just that the new owner will never be me. And I’m ok with that. Because my neighbors throw away some good stuff!
Once I finished my chair I took it to a home consignment shop. It sold in 2 weeks for $90, of which I received $60. Not bad for the cost of my pride some paint and a few afternoons of fun. And whoever bought it got something Art-for-the-Soul-esque for a whole lot less!
Here’s where I’m linking up.
Tuesday:
Shwin and Shwin, At Home With K, The Creative Itch Boutique,
Wednesday:
Sew Much Ado, Frugally Sustainable, The Shady Porch, Tea Rose Home, Lil’ Luna,
Someday Crafts, Passionately Artistic, Blue Velvet Chair, Whatever Wednesday
Thursday:
Mom On Timeout, Somewhat Simple, Thrifty Decorating, Bear Rabbit Bear,
The Crafty Blogstalker, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Fun to Craft, House of Hepworths,
Sorta Crunchy, Delightful Order, Saved by Love Creations, A Glimpse Inside,
Between U & Me, Happy Hour Projects, Anything Goes Linky Party,
Friday:
Simply Designing, Whipperberry, Happy Hour Projects, kojodesigns,
Joyful Stamper, Making Lemonade Blog, Thirty Handmade Days,
Release Me Creations, Naptime Crafters, Romantic Home, Finding Fabulous,
Shabby Nest, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, French Country Cottage,
The Charm of Home, The Grant Life, At the Picket Fence, Fingerprints on the Fridge,
Stuff and Nonsense, One Art Mama, 2805,
Saturday:
The Gingerbread Blog, Too Much Time On My Hands,
Six Sisters Stuff, Serenity You, Be Different Act Normal
Sunday:
LambAround, Homemaker on a Dime, I {heart} Naptime, Flamingo Toes,
Petite Hermine, My 1929 Charmer Blog,
Monday:
{aka}/ design, Get Outta My Head Please, Mad in Crafts, Skip to My Lou,
The Gunny Sack, Sew Can Do, Singing Three Little Birds, Etcetorize,
C.R.A.F.T., diy home sweet home, Craft-O Maniac, Sew Chatty, Artful Rising,
Sarahndipities , Just Winging It, Everything Under the Moon,