Saturday, 16 April 2011

Flea Market Finds and Inspiration Required

This week I've been admiring a lot of bloggers' use of thrifty finds for new or unexpected purposes and thought I'd have a look around the house and see if there was anything I could share. Unfortunately, I discovered that  I'm not one of these innovative crafty people who can make a chandelier out of nothing but a pile of wire hangers and some vintage earrings. My babies never slept in a vintage steamer trunk, and my garden doesn't have a single gazebo made from heirloom patchwork and an arts and crafts curtain pole. Bah. 

So, instead, here are one or two pictures of things I've found recently, plus a couple of things I've had for years, holding things they weren't originally intended to. I will try harder, and if I ever make that bird house out of a Queen Anne teaset, you'll be the first to know.

Vintage EPNS toast rack from Brighton flea market - holding books
[Glass candlestick (part of pair) also from flea market]

 
Bit tarnished, but pretty.

Chinese teacups from charity shop

Coffee pot I found last week now living on cooker hood as a vase


Washing up liquid in olive oil bottle
Sponge in Stilton pot
Result: own goal as house guests never wash up due to lack of obvious equipment



Egg candles from Country Living Fair - love these
Jug and eggcups via charity shop

Pair of company stamps for embossing paperwork
Now bookends

These look as if they should belong on a barge, rather than a desk


Cedar wood cigar box from market in Cuba, storing earrings


George VI coronation mug (car boot sale), regally holding toothbrushes

[If you've read 'Kirstie's Homemade Home' you'll know that she (Kirstie Allsopp) also likes to keep her toothbrushes in a coronation mug. Difference is that she is probably distantly related and likes to look at her ancestors whilst performing her ablutions]


I'm off across the Severn Bridge tomorrow (home to Wales for a week) so am hopeful of some cheaper treasure hunting than usual. Will report back as to whether the Swansea valleys offer an untapped goldmine or more over-priced Primark tat. 

Lakota x


http://www.homemakeronadime.com/


Pop over to Sophie's for more beautiful Flea Market Finds

Also linking to Magpie Monday and Thrift Share Monday

and

45 comments:

  1. Happy Bargain hunting - hope its all so cheap you have to fill a case! I keep seeing Stilton pots at the Charity shops - love to use as a sponge holder and the olive oil for the liquid - fab idea, plus the coffee pot looks amazing with flowers in :o) Scarlett x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have my tooth brushes in one of those fish jugs, a small one obviously! I'm going to have to look round the house now and figure out what other things I might use......

    ReplyDelete
  3. Have a lovely time in Wales Lakota, those company embossing stamps make great bookends (I like them very much btw)
    Are those yellow tulips real? They look gorgeous and I've never seen eggy candles before...how sweet - perfect for Easter.
    I think you've done well...wonderful examples of upcycling (is that the right word?) x

    ReplyDelete
  4. wow, the company stamps are great as bookends, looks very lovely! what a great idea! gorgeous finds!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am with Viviane I too love the bookends they wowed me.Hope you get lots of wonderful treasures for us all to share.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fab! Love the Too-Tarnished-For-Toast Bookend and all the other things you've put into use. And the coffee pot vase - those freesias are delicious. I was going to get some a few weeks ago - obviously didn't look hard enough. Have a great spree in Wales!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bookends are fab, great ideas, funny blog.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Those embossing stamps are stunning - and these creative uses for your finds are wonderful. Look forward to seeing what you find in Wales.xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh Lakota, I love this post but then I love all your posts (gush!). I often use jugs for vases but loving all your other innovations. Those egg candles are fabby.

    Have a wonderful time in Wales. Missing you already!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I store my toothbrush in a vintage mug and use a sugar bowl to hold my washing up sponges!

    Victoria xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the toast rack/book holder idea and the egg candle. Good luck with the treasure hunting!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great post - what a brilliant idea to use the toastrack to hold books - I love it. Have a good week in Wales x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hiya Lakota,
    Thanks for the comment on the vintage emporium. Your comment was one that didn't make it into my inbox so I've just spotted it now on the blog, but wanted to reply!
    As for your mini eggs, I think you should have gone for the rosa bowl, and save the bon bon dish for bon bons. Its a win win. More china and more sweeties!!
    P.S any utility china is always welcome with me. And yep, I'm N.London xxxx Hope youre having a nice weekend xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, also, I bought a toast rack yesterday - not for toast obviously, but I was thinking some sort of papers, now you have given me a fab idea: books!
    P.S your book ends look like they are part of a singer sewing machine. Lovely x

    ReplyDelete
  15. That all looks pretty creative to me! LOVE the campany stamps as book ends! Also - re the tarnish on your toast stand? Take the pith off of a banana skin and rub all over - i saw it on "waste not want not" this week - and it really works!

    ReplyDelete
  16. lovee the cedar wooden cigar box that you use for storing earrings and the stilton pot, i also love the egg candless! i think it's a great idea to use a mug as toothbrushes holder! I wish you happy bargain hunting and marvelous weekend! x Susan

    ReplyDelete
  17. OH!!! I love the egg cups hold the candles. So cute! Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love this post and have a smile on my face. Great idea to use the toast rack as a book holder - that is original! The egg tea candle is very cute too. Why not try planting a little succulent in an egg shell - this is on my to do list. Ames :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lovely post and I adore all your photos of your treasures! I covet that lovely glass candlestick. Your flowers look beautiful in their respective 'vases'. The egg candles are very cute. I love your pretty dish washing organizers.Very creative! Love your use of the cigar box too. I could do with half a dozen of those to store my vintage jewellery collection in. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I always enjoy reading your posts, you have a way with words!
    I love the bookends, and need to hook myself up with a vintage mug for my toothbrush-much more sensible than balancing on top on my moisturiser to stop the tiny ants that live in the bath room crawling all over it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. The stamp bookends are great! I also love the hidden soap and sponge, haha!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love your finds. Great taste in reusing them for decor. You are one of my favs now. :) Have fun in Wales. Are the thrift shops there expensive?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love the egg candles and the embossing stamps, I saw one in the charity shop the other day but they wanted a fortune for it :( x

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love the flowers in the coffee pot! Been a coffe drinker and a lover of fresh flowers, it did bring a smile to me. Also I love the idea of a coronation mug for your toothbrushes - I might have to steal that idea he he. Bx

    ReplyDelete
  25. The Company Stamps are amazing and they look great, I would not worry about a chandelier you have many other pretty things!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love your embossing stampers as bookends - what a great idea. They look beautiful.

    Great improvisations. Thanks for liking up, good luck in Wales!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love this post and your way of seeing different uses for things. Might even have to get a Wills and Kate mug now for my toothbrushes especially as I am a Kate but where the hell is my Wills?
    My finds are over at http://gigglingatitall.blogspot.com
    I like the "bookends" best

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love those embossing stampers as bookends! I just wandered over from ATG's Thrift Share Monday and am now following =D You have a lovely blog!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I really like the washing up stuff idea, and the egg candles are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  30. love the interesting uses for interesting things! I need to be more inventive, the coronation mug is super!

    ReplyDelete
  31. what a clever use of the company stamps and mugs. That's a creative thrifter! Thanks for your sweet comments and following you back!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Love your toast rack book keeper! It is totally ace and a neat idea for having on the bedside table I reckon! And I have been itching to get a coronation mug {or just swiping one of the many my mum has collected} for that very same use! x

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love this! The washing up liquid holder idea is fabulous... so simple and much more appealing than a boring washing up bottle on the side. Love the coffee pot flower holder too and gorgeous flowers. I remember those egg candles! Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
  34. Inspirational! Our family firm used to have one if those stamps! I wonder if weve still got it. I remember playing with it when I was little and stamping everything. Love the toast rack too!

    ReplyDelete
  35. A birdhouse out of a tea set? I'll be waiting for that one! I love your ideas. The toast rack holding the books and those company stamps as bookends....fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love all your ideas and finds!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow, lots of awesome finds! Love the toast rack and the book embosser. And I loved what you used them for. Thank you for joining TTF! I hope you have a wonderful Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Funny post! Enjoy your trip and let us know if you find some treasures.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love giving old things new life! Great job. That egg candle is awesome! Is that a real shell?!
    Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Love trying to find a way to use my family treasures. I now use the small crock that i have for my stake knifes for little Toots is getting into drawers and I needed to get them out of there. Thanks for the inspiration. I submit to scrapbook sundays but need to get in on thursdays...Tootsie

    ReplyDelete
  41. Lovely things. I saw a couple of company stamps at the last boot fair I went to, great idea to use them as book ends. Hope you finds lots of bargains over in Wales! ... :0)

    Shirl x

    ReplyDelete
  42. I am very jealous of your mug, the chinese tea cups....all of it actuqlly :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. You have some lovely treasures! I like the toast rack and the egg candles the best! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Love those Country Living egg candles. What a cute idea, especially at Easter time. Newest follower.
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  45. You scored well on your flea market finds! Really appreciate you sharing this at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comment - it's no fun unless I know what you think!

If you ask a question others might want answering too I'll reply here in the comments - if it's personal, I'll reply directly by email if you're set up.