Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Found Goods

Tall Brass Candlesticks 



Here is a pair of large brass candle holders or candlesticks. They are at least 18 inches tall and are in great condition. I bought the pair, for $6.56, from a local Goodwill Store!

Friday, November 21, 2014

Found Goods

Small Round Pedestal Table





 
I just love this little table! I think it has great lines. I purchased it, yesterday, from a local Goodwill Store. I paid $4.94 for it!

The first pic shows the table just after I started putting some stain/finish on one of the legs. (I really do suck at remembering to take before photos). The second, shows the top of the table, after I applied the finish. And... The last is a pic of the entire table with the finish on. 

Overall, I would say the table was in good condition when I purchased it. I guess it had been stripped and/or sanded and just left in an unfinished state. It could have been left that way. It had sort or a "primitive" feel to it. It also could have been painted or painted and distressed. I'm sure that chalk paint would have been great on it. This table would make an amazing shabby chic piece. For me, I just wanted a nice darkish stained finish. So, I rubbed on some Minwax Wood Finish, in Special Walnut. I just applied it with a soft cloth. It honestly took me 10 min or less, and I let it dry last night. Now, it's ready to go.

There are no marking on the table, makers mark or name. The only real damage to speak of, is an area on one of the legs that was repaired. The repair is not very noticeable and the table is still super sturdy. Such a steal at $4.94!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Found Goods

Mid Century Modern Mr. & Mrs. Chairs


Did I ever show these to you guys?

Hello flower power, right?????? This is a really cool pair of mid century modern chairs, with the original upholstery.  They are in surprisingly good condition. I think these are considered mister and misses chairs. The taller one for him and the shorter one for her, obvs. I am pretty sure these are by Adrian Pearsall, for Craft Associates. Although, there has been some debate about whether they are Pearsall chairs. If you look for chairs and couches by Pearsall and Craft Associates, you will find some that are very similar if not identical, The full tags have been removed, but partial tags still remain which list Pennsylvania on them. Craft Associates was based in Pennsylvania. So... There you have it (in my opinion).

Most of my finds come from thrift or Goodwill Store, however, these did not. It was a friend of a friend sort of thing, Someone I know, knew a guy who needed some fast money and was willing to sell these chairs. I ended up buying them for $250. SCORE!

Friday, October 24, 2014

Found Goods

Asian Inspired Wall Plaques





Here are 2 Asian inspired wall plaques. One features a little girl, while the other has a little boy on it. They are just over 13 inches tall and measure approx 11 1/2 inches wide. They are made if plaster and have wire on the back to hang them. It is surprising how heavy they are! 

I bought them from a local Goodwill Store for $5.95, each. 

Monday, October 13, 2014

Found Goods

Vintage Pillows






Pillows and linens are something you can easily find in thrift stores. Here are 2 vintage pillows that I purchased from a local Goodwill Store. The first one has a bird stitched into it. It is made of a course linen sort of fabric. I just thought the bird was fun and funky. The second one is a strawberry needlepoint pillow, with red & white gingham fabric on the back. I think the needlework detail is amazing! As you can see, the strawberry pillow was $1.91. I am fairly certain that the bird pillow was $1.91 also. Oh... Both are in very good condition. I wouldn't buy a dirty pillow (even a decorative one) because that's just GROSS!

Monday, September 29, 2014

Found Goods

Metal Lunch Boxes








I found all three of these metal lunch boxes, together, in a local Goodwill Store. There is Wonder Woman, Star Trek, and John Wayne. They are no old, but have that vintage look to them. And... They don't have thermoses with them. I just think they are fun and remind me of my childhood. Wonder Woman is my favorite one! I paid $2.92 for each.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

What's Next?

Do I hear you  wondering what's next??????


Now that I have finished with 365 Days Of Junk, I will continue driving around the ATL looking for crazy good stuff that has been gotten rid of!

I am going to continue to post my finds, because I really do shop almost everyday. For reals! I am not kidding. I sell (or plan to sell) most of my junk, but the real fun is in the hunt! I'm going to call my new posts about junk, "Found Goods". What do you think? I chose that, because I post about good stuff that I find, mostly in thrift stores.

I am also going to post more about my art. I'm trying to get more comfortable about sharing it, but that is really tough for me. Anyway, I would like to be a working artist and make a good living at it (in addition to junking - because I can't help myself). I can't help myself when it comes to painting and junk. I will updating the art in my Etsy shop over the next several days.

I am also going to make more of an effort to post about food. I love food, too (probably a little too much, since my pants are tight). Oh... I am working on some posts about junking and how I find good stuff. Just some tips and tricks that I've learned along the way. I will just continue to post about my real life. It's a circus and a museum around here!

Even though I'm terribly shy, I love love love connecting with new people! I hope you will come back to see more of my finds. Also, Instagram is my favorite form of social media. I love posting there. If you would like to follow along, I'm @melissablaircarter on Instagram.


365 Days Of Junk - Day 365

Fendi Floral Mary Jane Shoes








So... This is the last post in the 365 Days Of Junk series, which was supposed to take 365 days. Guess what!?!?!?!?! It has taken nearly twice that long. It has been a crazy, dare I say hellish, year+. Oh my!

I thought I would end 365 Days Of Junk with a really great find. For the finale, I chose these Fendi Mary James. Aren't they gorgeous????? Do you see the first pic? I found these in a local Goodwill Store for $12.91!!!!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?????? I am sure they are authentic. The quality is AMAZING. They have leather soles (except for a no-slip rubber insert in the middle which has FFs on it), Fendi stamped in the buckles, and embroidered flowers with seed beads on the Fendi monogram canvas. They are in amazing condition too. Wanna know the problem????? They are just a bit too small for me. Of course!

Saturday, August 2, 2014

365 Days Of Junk - Day 364

Dan Post Cowgirl Boots







I love these sooooo much! Of course, they are too small for me! That's usually how it works... I find great shoes and boots but they are not in my size. Anyway... These are women's Dan Post cowboy/cowgirl boots. The upper part is black with green stitching. The bottom is green. I'm not sure if the bottom parts are some type pf reptile skin, or if they leather made to look like skin. They are in good condition, with some scuffing to the toes. I bought them from Goodwill, for the regular boot price ($6.96)! Now, i just need to find a pair of red, lizard skin, cowboy boots in my size... I guess I'd better keep on shoppin.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

365 Days Of Junk - Day 363

Metal Flamingo Plant Stand


This is a metal plant stand, shaped like a flamingo. Can you see it? It stands approximately 2.5 feet tall. It is made of metal welded together. It is the kind of that that you would put outside. It has a round metal base, that probably would not be stable on a solid floor. It kind of needs to be sitting on the ground with some dirt on top of it. The hole to hold a plant is in the body of the bird. I found it in a Goodwill Store for either $2.92 , $4.94, or $5.95. I honestly cannot remember. I think it's shoppers amnesia.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 362

Dan Post Ostrich Cowboy Boots









Did I ever show you these Dan Post Cowboy boots? They are full quill ostrich skin/leather on the bottom. I bought them from a local Goodwill Store. They were specially price at $15.91, but they were still a steal, right?  They are in good condition, but do have a water spot near the toe of the left boot. Great find!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

A Big Announcement

So... Here is a big announcement, which is a big deal in my small part of the world. I have opened an Etsy Shop to sell my paintings!!!!!!!

Here is a sample of what is already in the shop and a few that are coming soon ;










I will continue to add more, weekly. 

I know that it may be kind of silly, but it is so very difficult for me to put my work and myself "out there". (I feel like I'm in junior high school, again, waiting for people to like me. I moved with my mother, stepfather, and brother from GA to SC, just before I turned 13. I didn't know anyone, my age, where we moved. And... My father continued living in GA.) Anyway... Opening an online shop and proclaiming myself as an artist has been a dream of mine for a few years now. So... Here I go. 

I hope you will stick around. I will be continuing to post my "junk" finds. As you may be able to tell, I am nearing the end of, 365 Days Of Junk. There will be a new project coming next week. I go to at least one thrift store, almost everyday. So, there are lots of new-to-me items to show you! If you would like to see items, as soon as I have found them, then follow me on Instagram @melissablaircarter. I love to post fun pics on there. I will also be adding a Facebook page soon. Thanks, for following along. I truly appreciate it! I am quite terrible at self promotion. "Hey Look At Me!", is really not my thing. I would prefer to be in the corner quietly shopping or painting. 

Oh... To celebrate opening my shop, I am having a Grand Opening Sale! I am offering 50% off of my original paintings, with the coupon code WELCOME50. I will be running the sale thru the end of August. (I almost didn't include the sale info. in this post. That is how much I suck at self promotion.)