Trashy Tuesday, Develop your Junk Network If you are new to Trashy Tuesday, we talk trash.  Dumpster Junk, Curbside Shopping and fabulous free found items.   This week, my junk network was working. Keep reading, I am going to give you insight on how to develop your junk network too.

Sometimes I am a network of one, just “feeling” where to look for good stuff. I had a “feeling” to check my secret spot for REALLY good furniture. I found this Drexel Mid Century Credenza.  I am NOT painting it, but it does need some cleaning up.  CeCe Caldwell’s has a new line of all natural wood stains. Cannot wait to try them out on this Credenza. It is in perfect condition, dove tail drawers, original hardware.  I am keeping it.

I will not be revealing my secret spot…..

My Junk Network expands to my Mr. Red’s Trombone Teacher.  He texted me with a crib alert behind Target. I love using Crib Springs for memo boards. But the springs are hard to find.  I found not one, but two crib springs! The cribs had been used for display and had not fully been ripped apart and thrown into a dumpster.  And yes, I did climb up the dumpster and debate going in.  Because it was behind Target, I opted out for a true dive.  I was also a little worried about not getting out again and yelling “help, I have fallen into a dumpster and can’t get out”.

When I did get the crib home, I took it apart. This is the sum of its parts. Then I cut it to pieces. So excited for what I have planned with this pile of crib pieces. Moving on, I found this (ugly) red glass bowl.  Painted black and some white paint for a web, this would make a craptastic Halloween bowl. Pair of Candlesticks anyone? I need this cabinet door like I need a pile of miscellaneous cabinet doors in my garage. Guess what? I have a pile of miscellaneous cabinet doors in my garage.  This door wanted to come live in the promised land of cabinet door piles.  Maybe a memo board?  Illuminate yourself!  After you clean this up and add a candle.  Darn thrower outers.  They just can’t see the light. Here’s a Trashy Tuesday tip.  It may seem like I have a lot of good luck.  Luck has nothing to do with it.  Being aware there is a constant flow of good furniture and such being thrown out is the first step in finding good stuff.  Being aware of the amount of furniture there is for free, then honing that skill.

Develop your Junk Network.  Get into the practice of regularly “looking” as you are driving around town on your errands.  Train your children to “scan” the sides of the roads as you drive them to their activities.  It keeps them off their phones too. Tell your friends, family, co workers and anybody you can that you like to pick up furniture and home decor off the street.  Be amazed at the thrill others get as they begin to text you with their hot tips of “desk and chair on 3rd street!”  “Dining Room Set on Pleasant Court”!!! Drop what you are doing and head directly to the tip location.  If you snooze, you lose.

The job isn’t glamorous.  But it is a great way to find furniture for free, and feel like you are doing a little service to the environment while you are at it.   Ready to Network?  Become part of my Junk Network! Sign up for my newsletter to get the latest updates on my furniture makeovers, tips and tricks on fixing up that junk, and of course, Trashy Tuesday.

Want some more junk?  Check out my Complete Guide to Dumpster Diving and get ready for my book Decorating from a Dumpster coming in January 2015.

Until then, have a totally trashy tuesday.