"Recycling" my kitchen table yet another time.

Here is an "in process" shot of my kitchen table re-do. It is stripped, sanded and awaiting an application of yellow analine dye. This is the second time I'm refinishing this table. The family seems to excel at destroying furniture. I'm nervous as I've never dyed furniture before. I have always used stain. We'll see how it goes and I'll post when it's done (hopefully in 48 hours).

This is definitely the last time I'll be refinishing this. It is veneered and the veneer is now way too thin. Plus, the newer (assumably more eco=-friendly) furniture strippers just don't do the job and I'm getting too old to do the ridiculous amount of sanding required. Though, I do still have a buffet that needs re-done...and I won't be getting to it his year. Oy vey.

I've got a million of them.

Apparently, I know no restraint. Probably never will unload these things.

Will Etsy.com rescue me?

I am a sucker for beautiful glass. I've been collecting art glass and making art out of glass all my adult life. So, when "not newing" exposed me to all the out-of-fashion vintage glass that looked like it might end up in a landfill, I had to rescue it. I've been making garden flowers, but really don't have any place to sell them. The craft fair I participated in was ill-attended and a pain in the butt. I'm hoping maybe Etsy will work: https://www.etsy.com/listing/247515142/art-glass-garden-flower-white-cobalt?ref=shop_home_active_1

I hope so, I have no room for all this bulky, heavy, fragile stuff. I should not let my heart overrule my head. Sigh.

Made new bird baths from "not new" glassware. Sure hope they'll sell.

I doubt I'll be able to get anywhere near minimum wage for these, but I'm hoping to at least make more than I invested in the parts. These are much more difficult to make than one would imagine. The glass pieces are far from even, so in many cases, you sort of have to put them together looking lopsided to get a level bird bath. I've sealed these so they can be left out in the Winter with a proper covering on the top, but I'm not going to seal the rest as it takes a lot of time and looks slightly messy...people will just have to bring them in for the Winter. What price range would you think people would pay for these?

I hope these pop bottles work for the raised bed.

It doesn't look like I got anything done today, but I am once again too tired to make my soup. I filled soda pop bottles with water to start forming the sunward side of the bed. I left room in the bottles so they (hopefully) won't break when they freeze. I think I'm going to have to use at least one more row of pipe so the bottles don't push out when I add dirt. I am also going to have to tie the sides together through the middle...not sure what I'm going to use for that, maybe just a non-rotting rope? You can see I have one support in for the "greenhouse." I was surprised that the conduit pipe would bend enough to form an arch. It's way too high, though (considering this is in the front yard of a neighborhood where people haven't been putting veggie gardens in the front...okay, one person had one, but it is gone now). Still trying to decide what height to cut it down to. I think I'd like to add more height to the bed as swell...the pop bottles are about 6" shorter than I'd like.

Creative repurposing even before going "not new."

As I was picking up the doddy doodoo today...our first really nice, dry day of the year, it occurred to me that I was in a "not new" mode even before deciding to buy nothing new this year. My dog poop container is the offspring's old diaper "pail." (I obviously didn't have to think to far outside the box on this one). It works great...a lid to keep odors down and flies out and a handle to carry it all over the yard. As I was filling my birdfeeders, I also noticed former repurposing that was a bit more of a stretch: the insert from the old potty chair is now the scoop I use in my sunflower seed container. Can't recall what happened to the chair itself.

Another repair combines two "not new" jewelry items into one.

While I don't know how to darn socks, I have learned how to repair jewelry (sort of...thankfully people don't look too close). I purchased this bracelet at a garage sale long ago. It had quite a few missing beads, but it sill looked okay. Fortunately, the beads that were missing were very common, so I picked up a broken necklace for a quarter, took it apart, and filled in all the missing beads. Turned out just fine. At least, it looks good on my Easter egg.

Woman makes very cool "not new" dolls.

http://dolls.littlethings.com/mom-gives-dolls-makeover/?utm_medium=fb_share Perhaps you've seen this story of a mother who wipes off the faces of Bratz dolls and makes them look like real kids. Perfect way to upcycle.

Went to a super cool, mostly "not new" Makers' Fair

Some dear souls have transformed an old factory/warehouse into a business incubator of sorts. Today I attended a Makers Fair featuring some of the craftsmen. Unfortunately, only some of the participants were present. Others whose spots you could peek into through windows included someone who make really cool, high-end birdfeeders and a reupholsterer (I took a card in case my own planned reupholstery attempt fizzles.) A very cool place and a number of the participants were doing "not new" stuff...turning old unwanted things into new, useful things. If I were only younger and braver, I may have found a second career.

Wishing I started shopping "not new" sooner.

I am such a, ahem, frugal gal that I can't believe I didn't commit to "not new" sooner. Perhaps it was the time involved in going to garage and estate sales...time I didn't have much of when I was working full time. Or maybe the amount and quality of second-hand merchandise wasn't as good. People used to hang onto their furniture and other belongings, especially treating stuff inherited from mom and dad like treasured heirlooms...now, I'm shocked at what people can't wait to get rid of (wedding photos? Really?!). My mother always looked down on "antiques" as rebranded trash...so maybe it was not having a role model. Whatever the case, I realize that I do already have a lot of used stuff that I love, but I could have gotten a lot more if only I'd thought to embrace the notion of trying to buy used first, instead of heading to a regular store first.

Gaaah! My lack of math skills cost me at the estate sale.

The offspring has always wanted to airbrush paintings and t-shirts. Airbrushes and compressors are pricey, but their popularity is waning quickly. When I saw the estate sale I was at had two air compressors, I felt I'd be safe waiting for the second day of the sale, when things would go half price. That also gave me a chance to research the choices, so I knew exactly what I wanted when I went back.

Both compressors and all the accessories were still there the second day, so I picked up what I wanted and asked if they would take $100 for the lot, which they did. But. I had added incorrectly! I ended up just getting the box of jars for "free"...which I thought they should have thrown in no matter what. I wanted to knock another 20% off the 1/2 off cost since that's what I figured was fair price for equipment that was not in demand, and may or may not last very long. But, I added wrong in my head. I hate me!

Worse yet, there was a third day of the sale when things were 75% off! Gaaaahhh! I paid sooo much more than I should have. Still not sure if the third day was added on at the last minute or if I somehow messed up and didn't notice there was going to be a third day. I'm not going to look it up. I couldn't stand to know if it was me messing up. On the bright side, the offspring is thrilled to have some airbrushing equipment.

The one that got away (a good thing) at the 50% off AmVets sale today

I picked up the most amazing buffet for $20 at AmVets during one of their half price sales last fall. But, I still haven't had a chance to refinish it (winter came to soon...I need to do the work outside). So, when I saw a nice Dixie dresser today for $25, I was sooo tempted. However, I made a deal with myself to finish one upcycling project before starting the next, so I walked by. Whilest shopping (and not finding much...only spent $5.25), my resolve was fading. I really don't see pieces nice enough to refinish at prices that low very often. As luck would have it, someone purchased it before I got back to the front of the store. Probably lucky for me. I really don't have a spot to put the durn thing while it's waiting to be refinished.

My upcycled garage shelving.

This might be what inspired me to find the courage to go "not new" for a year. I needed some extremely sturdy shelving to hold my mosaic supplies in the garage. I had been trolling the thrifts and garage sales to no avail. On big-trash-day I garbage picked an old ladder, couple of particle boards and old table top. I had a couple wood slats lying around from a broken bed and I put this shelving unit together (in-progess shot to show you the workings, fully loaded shot to show how much it can hold). I did have to buy an extra board or two for the shelves themselves. I bought a $6 used circular saw to cut the ladder down (was turning out to be too much work for this old lady to do by hand). In any event, I'm very pleased with how it turned out and cost me next to nothing.

Getting "nothing new" might get expensive

I'm worried I might make up in volume what I save on cost. Stopped into Savers the other day (it was a Tuesday...won't go unless I get my 25% senior discount) and picked up this Silkland blazer for $11. As you can see, it washed up nicely. (The tag said "dry clean only," but I never dry clean silk. I beleive it is not even good for it.) I didn't even have to iron it (hung it up while still damp).
I haven't quite gotten the hang of figuring out what I might need in advance, so I go into thrift shops regularly to peruse their odds and ends. Hopefully, I'll get the hang of living used soon, so I won't feel the need to do that.

Bought two tops at Savers 50% off sale...having regrets about one.

(This is the last post from my "stash." All future posts should be in real time.)
I really don’t NEED clothes. But, I fall prey to WANTING something new now and then. Add that to a 50% off sale at Savers (a thrift store) and all my resistance goes out the door. So…I got this plaid Geoffrey Beene number for $3.50 and I just love it. It's 100% cotton and such a soft, soft knit. Not the height of fashion, but I like the way it looks. The print top for $.1.50, I'm loving not so much. The thrill of 50% off blinded me to the fact that it has 3/4 sleeves, which I hate. But, buyer's remorse is a lot easier to handle at just $1.50. I also purchased several other items I will hopefully use in my mosaic art this summer. I had seen a $10 cashmere sweater the day before that I had hoped to grab up for $5, but when the sale opened, it was gone. Sigh.
Also purchased a book for the husband for Christmas (Savers books are pricey, but not bad at 50% off). It’s not part of my “nothing new” agenda, but I did pull out a bunch of MY tops to donate to Goodwill when I put these two my drawer. Trying to keep to only two drawers full of tops and one drawer full of pants (if I lost weight, it would be easier…and summers are easier).

Sign up for these services that send garage sale, estate sale and auction alerts...if you dare!

I picked up this Buffalo skull at a local (online) estate sale auction several months ago. The skull was in a lot with some longhorns I wanted. I payed more than I would for such as frivolous thing as longhorns because I intended to sell the buffalo skull for more than I paid for the lot, thus rendering the longhorns free. But, here's what actually happened: I fell in love with the big, durn skull and kept it. Getting longhorns and a great buffalo skull for $67 is still a bargain. But, it's still $67 more than I intended to pay. Not to mention whatever extra I'll eventually spend to redecorate around the skull. (Beware: the best-laid plans can go awry.) Still, if you think you have more spending restraint than I do, sign up with the services that email you notices of local sales: gsalr.com, estatesales.org, auctionzip.com

Christmas wrapping paper and cards were from the hoard, not the recycle bin

As a lifelong bargain hunter, I have a stash of cards and wrapping paper (and gifts for that matter) that I get at 75%-90% off every few years (when my supplies run low). So, I didn't have to think of any creative recycling. Have enough to last me through at least one or two more holidays. Probably enough bows to last forever (since I save them each year). Which may be a good thing: I am not the kind of crafty-ass gal who could make newspaper-wrapped presents look cute. I can barely get things to look nice with real wrapping paper. My dear grandmother saved used wrapping paper. The presents always looked like they'd been through a riot, but that never mattered much to us kids in the three seconds we saw them before we tore into 'em...though having to remove the tape neatly certainly slowed us down.

More "not new" entertainment bargains.

Well, it's slightly new. But, it is upcycling seats that would otherwise go empty. During shows at Helium Comedy Club, they ask you to text the club. Then you get on a list that will send out reminders of who is coming AND (this is the good part) offers for free admission to shows that are not selling well. That's a live, professional comedy show for just the price of two items to eat or drink (the house minimum). Certainly a bargain. And Helium's food is actually quite good and priced within reason. (At least, at the Buffalo location, haven't been to other clubs). I always check out the comic online before ordering the free tickets and can usually tell if I'm going to enjoy the humor. (Wondering why THAT pic? Dog is ROFL. Lame, but closest to "relevant" visual I could find.)

Got a great tip on "not new" entertainment.

The family holiday party yielded a great idea I'd never come up with myself. Seems one of the guests uses craigslist.com to find things to do. She looks for tickets and usually gets them deeply discounted for same-day performances. What a great way to add a little fun, mystery and savings into a night out...not to mention upcycling a seat that would otherwise have gone empty. It's the modern version of the Times Square discount tickets kiosk. Can't wait to try this out for myself.

Other great sources: Buffalo ReUse and Buffalo ReStore

Forgot to mention these two excellent options for finding things that are "not new." From furniture to appliances to building materials, these great re-sources have lots to offer (hopefully there are similar stores in your area). One (Buffalo ReStore, I believe...2 locations) is associated with Habitat for Humanity. I'm pretty sure the other is a nonprofit (seems to have a lot more going in the way of antique woodwork/fixtures/etc., but I think it's also a bit pricier...also only open on weekend due, I think to building code problems). I know the one associated with Habitat for Humanity also get some new merchandise...closeout-type stuff from stores/manufacturers. I get a lot of ceramic tiles and glass lamp pieces for my mosaic work at Buffalo ReStore. My friend, Jean, got a table there for a song and refinished it into a really nice piece (pictures of said table after refinishing).