Well, I don't make them but how I use them.

[Frchgrl]

I actually was thinking about writing another book, this time about how to re-use items you see at thrift stores around the house.  My fave that I use myself.

1. Champagne glasses - I love using these for my make up brushes and lip and eye liners. I line up 3 or 4 in my bathroom and fill them up.

2. I do similar with lovely tea cups. I use them for my hair ties, jewelry, cotton balls, etc. I also use tea cups as candle holders.

3. Cool patterns on clothes but the are ugly, don't fit, damaged, whatever........cut fabric and wrap around cardboard and frame. Awesome prints!

4. Same with vintage ties. Wrap several around cardboard and frame . Very cool!

5. Junky dresser - Pull out the drawers and put casters on them. Use them for storage under the bed.


I could go on!!  What about you guys?

[Good Buddy]

Good tips, thanks for sharing.

[valleythriftshopper]

I like to use vintage suitcases for storage, I find them regularly at thrifts, some of them are very collectible too.  I use them under the bed and all around the house.  Here are two I have on the dining room hutch that hold placemats & flatware.  These ones were in my parent's attic and had belonged to my great aunt, I used to play with the little one as a kid & put my doll clothes in it.  My father used to spray paint his initial on suitcases in bright orange so he could spot them easily as they came on the carousel at the airport so I had to scrub that off the larger one. 



I also have a stack of three suitcases next to the sofa with a silver tray on top that serves as a sidetable.  They are great for storing dishes if you are a dishaholic. 

[stewardmmj]

Thanks for the tips!

[liamaria]

I like yalls helpful hints\tips , trust me ill put those ideas to good use. i also use  the old trays from chips and dip platters as drawer organizers to put odds and ends like plastic ties screws soy sauce packets  hair ties etc. i m  always finding the trays from an incomplete set and they fit well in my kitchen and bathroom drawers

[theRecycleista]

I've been meaning to have a feature like this in my new blog. I was going to interview or feature different artists on etsy who recycle/upcycle materials, thrift store finds, etc and give them a new life!

http://therecycleista.blogspot.com/

I, too, have a vintage suitcase, trunk obsession. My suitcases hold craft materials, gift bags and wrapping paper and items I'm listing on etsy.

Someday we will be in our own house again and I can't wait to decorate 'thriftily'!!!

[SplashsMom]

I am so into creating new uses for everyday objects that I also put new items (a rare purchase here) to use in ways other than those intended by the inventor.  When I find some time I will come back and give examples.

I am noticing an article in a recent Country Gardens magazine on page 82 (print version)  about an IL woman and her thrifted garden shed. Shows some crafts she makes from found objects, such as doorknobs.

The rusted industrial look seems to be a popular trend in midwestern gardens.

Yesterday I saw a display of buttons stored in old gumball machines.  Personally I have old glass rose balls in which I keep a collection of colorful miniature super balls. In another one I have a collection of pennies.  Useful? Not really. Whimsical - I like to think so.  I like decorating with found objects in ways that catch a visitor by surprise, with delight.