Archive for the ‘Cheapie Cheaps’ Category

Picking.    Picking as in finding things for a way low price.

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My super power is Second Hand Picking.

Got this on a cross country trip where everything I could fit in a good size box was $1.00. Not one dollar for each piece, but $1.00 for the entire box of stuff!

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My #1 Back Up Super Power is Making Things/Art/Decor out of old stuff.

Like my belt art above.

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My #2 Back up Super Power is the ability to fix things up.

I buy low, fix it up, and then eventually sell it for a handful more.

This the Vintage Homecrest set was all just my Super Picking Power. The price was so low, I got it even though at the time I did not have room for it.  I made room for it!

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Until I had to sell that too.

We move a lot. I use my Picking Powers to furnish yet another new place.  Shine it Up, Fix It, Use it and then Sell it.  I could make a living off of it, but we move too much.

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Ok, Some things I just pick because I think they are cool. I usually sell sooner or later before a move like at a yard sale, or the sometime Antique Fairs, or I have even been known to rent a booth in Antique Malls.

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We do have a home, so some stuff does get to live there, but this nice leather suitcase did not because we have enough vintage suitcases there.

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This would be one of my projects that I did not get to do.  I also do projects to sell.  Take a look see at a previous blog post about my Upcylced Bars:  https://ourownbigworld.com/2018/11/28/a-bit-bar-cart-crazy/

All this one needed was paint. I even already paid my nieces to sand them!

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This was part of my set up at an Antique Market.  I love stuff and glad I am not attached it all.  All above sold, even those funky Clown Shoes!

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These two I saved from selling and they now have a FURever home in our Gnomad Pad.

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In our last place, this was my work room, a game room and where most of the stuff for sale lived. It has all moved on now, living a 3rd, 4th or 5th life.

The only Picking I do now is from the beach.

20190301_191149Where we live, doesn’t have much for my Super 2nd Hand Picking Powers…so I am Relying on My Other Back Up Super Powers to Turn things like these into other stuff.

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If I figure it out, I will share with you.

Until then, thanks for visiting.

And just so you know, I get to pick a lot back where my Gnomade Pad is when we visit.  So if you are looking for that something special, ask me and I will keep an eye out for it for you!

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Summer Loving…

Is a Great Time to Craft!

And Since Summer is Over…

It is a Great Time to Get Back to Blogging, especially since I have not posted crafts in quite a while!

The following projects will have to do with items in the photos from my last past, HOW WE MAKE A HOUSE A HOME OVER AND OVER AGAIN .

I’m feeling frisky, let’s start in the bedroom!

Get your mind out of the gutter, we just needed some storage! I found this, yes without a drawer, for cheap!

From 2014 Projects

I saw it and had an idea which I had to talk The Hub into, as usual.

Sanding came first…

From 2014 Projects

And then the painting!

From 2014 Projects

Have I ever told you, “I don’t like painting.” But it was worth it, especially with my decision to paint this one area red as it goes with the soda crates I am going to use as storage really well!

Next Decision…

From 2014 Projects

What kind of Knobs?

From 2014 Projects

Neither one of those…
Something Completely Different!

From 2014 Projects

My Dresser, craft storage, make-up and hair do-ing area! Done and Done!

Continuing on with the Bedroom…

From 2014 Projects

The Wall Decor!

Although I have no photos to show how I did this…

From 2014 Projects

I am confident that you can take a needlepoint hoop, material and do it yourself!

The interesting thing is that some of the material I designed myself. Oh yes, I did!

You can see how I did this in one of my first posts on this blog at WHO KNEW?

Don’t mind the bikes…
They were part of the decor for a while!

Now on to the kitchen and the ever-changing lights!

From 2014 Projects

I started out with this yoke double light. I just used two small work lights, but took off the pinching attachments.

From 2014 Projects

I wound the wires around the rings for them to blend in and put the wire in the back of the yoke to hide them there as well.

From 2014 Projects

And there you have it!

But then I had more stuff and got creative…
Again!

From 2014 Projects

This is what you do with an old soda shop crate, an old colander, an old dog chain and a light fixture!

From 2014 Projects

Pretty much straight forward…
Put a hole in the colander, put the light fixture through it and then through the crate and line wire along the center chain.

From 2014 Projects

And there have it, once again.

Now, to the front porch!

From 2014 Projects

It all started with this 75 cent table that was falling apart.

Literally, it is made of particle board which was dripping apart slowly!

From 2014 Projects

I used glue, in the form of Modge Podge and an old book to keep it all together. I decoupaged underneath it where it was also falling apart!

From 2014 Projects

And I painted it.
Again with the painting!

From 2014 Projects

It has sat on my front porch for over 4 months and no more falling apart!

From 2014 Projects

“Awwwwesooome,” if I do say some myself!

The table sits in front of another one of my summer loving projects!

From 2014 Projects

And it all started with these…

From 2014 Projects

Which I painted. What is with all this painting?

In the above photo there are pieces of wood in the background which I put across the seats of the chairs.

From 2014 Projects

On top of the slats I placed lots of pillows (yard sale finds). The seating pillows needing hiding…

So I put a vintage 1970 avocado green round table cloth with fringe on them.

I am sure you are interested in why I went that color and style, right?

Well, it is the only thing I found to match this…

From GnomeShackPorch

Which I already had on the front porch!

But, wait…there is more for the porch.

From 2014 Projects

Look What I did to this thing to match the other things.
Oh so Matchy Matchy…

From 2014 Projects

But not too matchy matchy, right?

And here are a few more touches!

Plain ugly rug that The Hub insisted on buying….

From 2014 Projects

Meet Spray Paint and a Stencil!

From 2014 Projects

Not sure I love the turn out…
But anything is better than that the original fugley thing!

From 2014 Projects

Oh and Look what I did with the tons of twigs that fall in my yard!

From 2014 Projects

Twig Garland!

And yes, I added a mosquito net to the Porch Lounger! Love it, Right?

And I know you will love this too…

From 2014 Projects

So much cuteness mushed together right next to the front door under the maibox…
What a Greeting!

Have fun making your own stuff…
I hope I motivated and inspired you!

GET OUT THERE AND CREATE!

And just to let you know…
I sell old things and things I make from old things!

If you are interested please visit my shop, OUR OWN BIG WORLD!

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I try…Oh I try…

To share as many “Bits of Love” that I can!

And so can you!

Although this was a couple of months ago…

I am sharing it with you now!

For Jim’s Private Holiday of The Nine Days of Valentineka, I gave him a heart of some for every day I have loved him.

Cool idea? Yes!

But…Many hearts hang about!

And in my situation, some of these were candy hearts!

I could not let them go to waste…so I turned them into little bundles of love for random St. Valentine’s Day gifts!

From BlogPhotos

1) Package Them!

From BlogPhotos

2) Add a nice message!

From BlogPhotos
From BlogPhotos

3) Put them in a cute Valentine’s Day Fairy Random Gift Giver Bag!

From BlogPhotos

4) Walk about town giving out “Little Bits of Love” to Random People!

From BlogPhotos

5) Okay the Marketer in me had to do it…

From BlogPhotos

Now this next bit of love is still a bit secret…so I will get around it hopefully without giving it all away!

No worries…I will write all about it later!

This “Bit of Love” comes in the form of greeting cards!

I could have bought them, but to make this project all a bit more personal…

I gathered up supplies and made some cards!

From BlogPhotos

Nothing says a greeting card like…

From BlogPhotos

Vintage Buttons!

From BlogPhotos

Or metal bits and pieces!

From BlogPhotos

And shiny things!

From BlogPhotos

Okay…

And anything cute and glue-able!

From BlogPhotos

Speaking of glue!

From BlogPhotos

Can tab and vintage button flower card!

From BlogPhotos

Metal widget card!

From BlogPhotos

Metal “watchamacallits” falling flower card!

From BlogPhotos

The Sparkle Sprinkle Card!

From BlogPhotos

Owl on a Branch Card!

From BlogPhotos

Sun Shiny Day Card!

From BlogPhotos

Large Shiny Snowflake Card!

From BlogPhotos

Let’s Go Sea Card!

And last but not least…

From BlogPhotos

The “Here Piggy Piggy” Card!

These “Bits of Love” were sent out and we will see what comes of them….

And then I will let you know!

Patience, My Dear Friends, Patience!

Now…

It is easy to send/spread/give “Bits of Love!”

It not only makes someone else feel good…it makes you feel good!

And one does not need to make things to do it.

An email, phone call, Facebook hello, card in the mail…

All so easy, yet people make excuses all the time.

Try It, You’ll Like it!

To see my shop for other things I make

Or to see what old things I have found, please go to Our Own Big World!

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Although, I have always liked the funkiness or smooth lines of mid century stuff, my usual genre of antique is older, rusty and usually made of metal!

But since we started to look at homes to buy in Florida, we realized the one we will buy will most likely be one from the Mid Century.  The location we wanted was developed at that time period, so we decided we want to decorate it appropriately!  We finally found the perfect untouched beauty for us!

So now we are in love with all that is Mid Century Matter!

While things get worked on (and in an un-updated home built in 1964 there will be work needed)…

WE GO SHOPPING!

We love a good deal…and will take the time to search for it, most likely at thrift stores, flea markets, antique stores, auctions, yard sales, estate sales and antique fairs!

Here are some of our recent finds!

From My Finds!

Right now these are in my loft area sitting just like this, and I get tickled every time I walk up the stairs!

From My Finds!

For the Silver Band Chip & Dip, Atomic Star Coffee Decanter & Wood Handle 2 Tiered Dessert Tray I gathered the lowest prices I found on the exact or similar items online (without shipping costs).

Online Cost  = $45.00.
Our Cost = $7.00!

Every respectable Mid Century Home needs a Sunburst Clock!

From My Finds!

Similar ones online = $75.00.
Our Cost = $16.00 (which I got down from$ 20.00 because I will need to fix it a bit)!

Even though we do not have records anymore…we fell in love with this number!

From My Finds!

Look in other photos, to see the cute little Sunburst on the sides better!

Similar ones online = $65.00.
Our Cost = $8.00!

Jim has shown interest in a Vintage Travel Bar for quite a while now.

From My Finds!

So we had to pick up this one, that allowed for the morning after as well.

From My Finds!

We thought The Executair 720C was a Bar and Coffee Travel Case, but in my research the original piece was mostly just coffee. We happen to like it as is…drinkies for the evening and coffee for the morning after!

Similar online = $25.00.
Our Cost = $5.00!

And for the Bar at Home!

From My Finds!

The Penguin Hot or Cold Bucket…we like to call it our new Ice Bucket! This particular piece is all over the internet!

The lowest price online = $20.00.
Our Cost = $4.00!

Another time piece…

From My Finds!

Could not pass up the bigness (Oh, okay…or the price) of this industrial most likely mid century clock!

Similar ones Online = $90.00
Our Cost = $7.00 (but ours has hand written additions to the face that may take off some of the value…but for 7 bucks…who cares!)

A Couple more morsels…

From My Finds!

1960’s Wharfedale W20D Speakers for Jim’s more modern stereo!

And everyone needs a Kromex 2 Tier Dessert Tray!

Prices Online = $92.00
Our Cost: $9.00 (Mind you, Jim bought both of these!)

And now comes the Funky Fun Find!

From My Finds!

Who knew there was something called “Popcorn Art?”

Well, I do now and I own 2 pieces…love them!

Similar items Online = $62.00
Our Cost = $7.00 (talked down from $10.00)!

Now on to my current Fav…Mid Century Lamps!

From My Finds!

This one is our newest and most expensive addition! It is  hard to find the same exact ones I have online, as there are so many cool similar designs though!  They varied so much in price, for ones in pairs, ones without shades, and ones outrageously overpriced…so I just took an average online price.

Similar Ones Online = $50.00
Our Cost = $16.50 (1/2 off original antique store price sale)!

Okay the following is not a new one, but I had to add it in this post!

From My Finds!

This is my baby…love her! A spontaneous buy at an auction in Townsend, Vermont!

Similar Ones Online = $50.00
Our Cost = $6.00

And now our Mad Men ensemble!

From My Finds!

No ciggies for Jim, but he does enjoy a cigar now and then (uh, outside).

Jim bought the 1998 Lammhult Cinema Chair at a tag sale (New England’s way of saying Yard or Garage sale) last year in posh Manchester, VT.

The LARGE lamp and end tables are newbies!

The chair is not mid century, but it fits in!
Current Price new = $1500.00!
Recently Sold at Auction = $600.00!
Our Price = $5.00 (but I must say the leather has a some damage…can be fixed though)!

The lamp was one of my recent finds here in Fort Pierce, FL!
Similar ones online = $50.00
Our Price = $10.00

We bought this pair of end tables at a Vero Beach Auction!
Similar online prices = $100.00
Our Cost = $20.00 (They do need some love).

And soon to be ours!

Recently Sold at Vero Beach Location = $550.00
Our Cost = $100.00 (plus $35.00 for deliver & thanks for our Realtor for it for us until we really do own the place, but 100.00 off original price because I am buying it on 1/2 Off Monday)!

So far we spent =$216.00 (minus the Lammhult Cinema Chair) for what would have at least cost $1174.00 retail!

We still have a couch, 2 chairs, 2 coffee tables to go and a lot of light fixtures…not sure if I can stay within our very low-budget as these items are definitely higher priced!   Of course, dessert trays, coffee decanters, ice buckets and traveling bars were not originally included in that budget!

In hopes of saving some money, I am already making art/decor and 2 hanging lamps for the house!  Check my future posts to see how I made them…and if they even came out decent enough to use!

Ha, after this recent experience of our Mid Century Hunt, both Jim and I feel I can buy extras as I find them (and maybe make extras), and start my own Mid Century Shopito!

We will See….

UPDATE….WE DID OPEN AN ONLINE STORE!  

YOU CAN FIND MID-CENTURY MATTER AND SO MUCH MORE AT:  Our Own Big World!

 

(*Note to those who are wondering…this will not be our permanent home.)

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I have been using food jars to store my crafting and arts bit and pieces….

but could no longer handle the glass not being clear and the branding on the tops!

SO…FIXED THAT!

From Jars & Swirly Love Piece

I went crazy with the yellow, Yes…

But yellow IS awesome!

That was after I soaked and removed the labels and then used “Goof Off” to take off any date stamps and left over label glue!

From Jars & Swirly Love Piece

I know the trend is to paint the item glued on top too…

But I like the my toppers in the NUDE!

From Jars & Swirly Love Pieceof my toppers have meaning to me too!

And some of the toppers even have meaning to me!

From Jars & Swirly Love Piece

Okay, just one!  

Like the green VW Bug is a gift I gave my husband as a joke, because we play “Slug Bug” all the time!

Note: We only do old bugs & buses…other wise we would be too bruised!

But I do have to say I LOVE the doll hands….funky in a creepy way!

Truth…

I am keeping 3 of them, and I decided to put the two with old knobs in it in my shopito to see if I can sell some old inventory that I haven’t used! Paint it, shine, put it in a fun bottle…and maybe it will sell!

NOW…

The below piece I did not dedicate a whole post to because I did not photograph it along the way.

From Jars & Swirly Love Piece

It all stemmed from making the “flowers” for a wreath I made in a previous post.

Click below to see my “How To!” post!

Upcycle Wreath!

From How To – Wreath

Cutting, folding and rolling magazine paper flowers takes a lot of time!

From How To – Wreath

But the work was well worth it because…

I love with swirly, whirley, twirly look to them!

From Jars & Swirly Love Piece

I had a wood photo piece that  needed a punch of texture…

So, added felt & magazine paper loves on it!

Completing my Swirly, Twirly, Whirley Bundle of Fun!

Click below if you want to see my Wood Photo “How To!”

Photo on Wood Projects

Now, to my shopito to add, move around, and hopefully sell the hell out of…

My Old Things, Cool Stuffs, Funky Art, Clever Crafts, Upcycle Pieces, and of course, Loverly Antiques!

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Round, heavy, light, useful, rusty…I love it all!

My round  metal pans…

From Pans

Turned into a tiered display/serving dish!

Then there is my old pie pan…

From Pans

Add some string, old buttons, or other widgets and you have yourself something nifty keen!

Now, here’s some rusty rust rust!

From Pans

These are antique railroad spike screws. They looked so much like flowers I gathered them together and put them in an old leather camera lens case for a nice center piece!

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Don’t pass it up…grab it, glue it, bundle it, bunch it, stack it, wrap it with twine, and add to it…for your own fun creations!
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I am currently obsessed with bunching things together with string!

Especially free things!

Railroad spikes found along a train tracks in the middle of nowhere South Florida!

From Product Photos

Driftwood found on the beach!

From Product Photos
From Product Photos

I LOOK FORWARD TO FINDING MORE FREE COOL THINGS I CAN BUNCH TOGETHER!
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