Testing, testing! Are you still there?
My internet was down the last few days. Although it was extremely annoying. I was extremely productive!!! I finished a dresser and a table for a client, and made a sizeable dent in the space in my garage too!
Since we missed Trashy Tuesday, where we literally talk Trash, here it is today! And woowee! You will not believe what materialized for me this past week. I am telling you, I have a 6th sense! I can feel where the goods are. I just hope this “feeling” doesn’t leave me anytime soon…..Maybe it is bad luck to talk about it?
This week was lucky, big time!
I found this child’s chair in the middle of a field behind my local Target. What was I doing there???? Well scanning the backs of stores of course! Then I just had a “feeling” to scan the field too, and I saw legs and springs. Parked my car and hoofed it to the middle of the field. There was this sweet little chair waiting for me. Why would someone go to the trouble of actually putting it so far off the road?
Next I found this funky organizer, but without the ruler, some paint and a few embellishments, this will be a fun little mail organizer.
When I found the little organizer, I also got this throw. I know, fabric from the dump. Yuck. Actually, there was nothing wrong with it, no smell, no nothing. I will of course wash it really well, but the fabric can make some fun funky pillows and crafts.
On my usual morning rounds, I found this chair, kind of by accident. I had a little extra time, so I went to some “bonus” spots. There was a flooring store in this area, and the owner was outside by his van waiting for workers to show up. I explained what I was doing and while I was explaining, I spied this chair, buried deep in the dumpster. He was nice enough to help me pull it out. Then he proceeded to tell me about all the fabulous furniture many of his clients “throw out” after they get new flooring. He said he comes across so much furniture, that I will “never have to look in a dumpster again”…..Um yeah. Let’s let that ponder on this statement for a bit.
Do I look that good at 6:00 a.m.? No. Gym clothes, greasy hair, no makeup, well, it was sort of dark out still…. Maybe he really meant it. Ahhhh, some girls dream of someone to take all their cares away and never want for anything again. I dream of someone to find all my furniture for me, and never have to dig for it again. Good thing I have all my cares (well at least the big ones taken care of by Suffering Husband 😉
On my Saturday morning jaunt, I was actually cruising garage sales, when I came across this on the road:
The man of the house was practically doing a dance after he helped me load it into my van. I know it looks like not much, but I have plans, it is solid, just needs some TLC.
And finally, I have some littles. Another “feeling”. I don’t usually look in this particular dumpster, but one morning I knew there was something in there. Picture frames!
I actually had to descend into the dumpster to get these. It was an office dumpster, nothing but paper and boxes. You just have to be able to scale the side, climb in and pull yourself out again. Also, a soft landing after the jump off the side is helpful.
And wouldn’t Forrest’s certificate of legislative authority by the California Society of CPA’s look good hanging on the wall of my office? Actually, Forrest, you are about to become a chalkboard. I hope you didn’t tell the California Society of CPA’s what you thought of their certificate! (Flowers added to protect Forrest’s identity)
And this? This was a nice frame before I closed my car door on it. I could glue it together again, or it can become scrap moulding for my next Ce Ce Caldwells’ painting class! If you live in the Bay Area and are interested, email me or check Paris Flea Market for details!
What did you find this week? I hope it was good junque.
🙂 I love to see the junque you come up with! I don’t think I have the energy for what you do!! But if I had the space to store and work on stuff I might just give it a try! Every time I come over here I feel like getting out there and finding my own pile of junque!
Of course we are silly ~ with our noses pressed up against our monitors waiting in anticipation! I LOVE tat throw!!! Can I have it?? It would go perfect in my girls rooms! You lucky dog you 😀
You never cease to amaze me with the cool “junk” you find… for FREE! You go, girl!
Awesome. Love the stuff you find! I have to leave most of the stuff I find because I don’t have an outlet for it if I brought it home to work on it. I’ve been talking to another junquer and we think our area needs some sort of event where like-minded people can buy and sell our vintage and chippy lovelies. We just don’t know how to make it happen. Our little town used to be known for its antique stores, but they have slowly disappeared one by one. So, I live vicariously through you and the other wonderful bloggers who do what I’d love to do. My mom and dad used to refinish furniture so we have the tools, equipment and stuff. Just need that last important stop…a place to sell it ! Gotta put on my thinking cap for awhile. But you keep up the good work….and bring inspiration to us what need it !
I don’t even bat an eye at something ugly you bring home because I know you can transform it to something excellent.
~Bliss~
All this stuff is so amazing! Where do you keep it all?!
They put it “so far off the road” so YOU wouldn’t find it! lol lol
Good work, “Junque Queen!”
Want to see the “redous!” kl
Congrats on getting through the depths of computer hel* without any mental/emotional damage! Love all these projects, and of course, your stories that describe their unique journeys.
I have a question, which I tossing out to you and to anyone who wants to chime in — do you just drive around the backs of places like Wal-Mart or wherever, and take what is put out by the dumpster? I’ve asked managers of such places before and they do NOT want me relieving them of what they see as trash, but I disagree! Any techniques or advice on finding such things?
I would love to do what you do, but I have no idea where to find these neat bits of junk. I’d be wary of driving behind a store to “relieve” them of their broken/cast off goodies or climb in a dumpster because I’d be afraid they’d call the police. No problem?????
I love reading these posts. I’ve always loved dragging home found furniture and fixing it up but right now my current place is too tight on space to work on things. This is killing me! I can’t wait to move!
I look forward to seeing your “finds”, you’ve opened up a whole new world of possibilities for what was once considered trash 🙂
So many great finds! As always … that hutch could be so cool!!
I so wish I could “see” potential in trash???
You actually went into the dumpster!! I know your usual rules of dumpster diving don’t include that – but the frames were worth the climb!
And I’m sure you were rocking your greasy hair at 6am!
Kelly
I am always amazed at your vision for the future of your junk! I too am a dumpster diver but I leave much behind if I can’t think how to redoux it. From now on I will rescue it and send you a photo for suggestions on how to make it fab! Hey that sounds live a regular blog idea. Think about it! Share your vision!
Have a lovely day,
Linda @ The French Hen’s Nest
That fabric is GORGEOUS!!