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.)

365 Days Of Junk - Day 361

Vintage Sofa Table




This table is long and low. I would guess it is from the 60's or 70's. I could not find a name or a makers mark on it. The body is wood and the top has mirrored inserts. I bought it from a local, non-profit thrift store for around $20. It is in good shape, but the mirrors are starting to show some age around the edges. I think the aging of the mirrors gives it tons of character!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 360


Vintage Mastercraft Campaign Desk



I love this piece! It is a desk by Mastercraft. I would guess it is probably from the 70's or 80's. It is in good condition. It still has the brass pieces on the corners and the handles on the drawer. I think this is what you would call a campaign style desk, with the X legs. Am I correct?  It is marked Mastercraft, underneath. I bought it from a local Goodwill Store for $25.92.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 359

Vintage Lane Table




This is a vintage lane table. It is hexagonal in shape and has 2 doors on the front that open. It has lots of room inside for storage. It has curled, black, metal legs. This sucker is HEAVY. I guess it is a side table or an occasional table, but it may be a bit low for that. I think it could also be used as a small coffee table. It is in very good condition. I found it in a local Goodwill Store for around $35.


Wednesday, July 23, 2014

365 Days Of Junk - Day 358

Vintage Pram 



This is an old pram or baby carriage. It is probably from the 1950's. I love the large wheels! The exterior is woven wicker on the sides, with a flocked brown vinyl. The interior is an off-white vinyl. It is not in great condition. There were some rip and holes in the vinyl and the liner in the bottom is missing. It is still a really cool piece, however. I found this in a local Goodwill Store. I eyed it for a couple of weeks, but it was way to expensive. One day, while I was looking it over AGAIN, one of the employees said that she had to take it to the back. She took it to the back so they could reduce the price. They reduced the price to around $25, so of course I bought it!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

365 Days Of Junk - Day 357

Vintage Mounter Plush Tiger Head


I guess this is the vintage take on humane taxidermy. It is a plush tiger's head, mounted on a wood plaque, with a hole to hang it. It has plastic eyes and nose, with a rubber mouth. It's like someone chopped of the head of a stuffed animal and mounted it. I think he is quirky and fun. So, this was not a thrift/Goodwill purchase. He was someone's personal junk., or a treasure that the guy was willing to part with. I bought a couple of mid century modern chairs, from a local guy who needed the money.  He sold me some other items, again, because he needed the money. This guy and a few other pieces were lumped together, so I don't have an actual price for it. 

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

365 Days Of Junk - Day 356

Robinson Ransbottom Spongeware Pottery





Here is a set of canisters from Robinson Ransbottom Pottery. These are the blue & white (or off-white) spongeware. All in very good condition without chips or cracks. I got all of the pieces, jars and tops, for around $10.

Friday, July 11, 2014

365 Days Of Junk - Day 355

Vito Clarinet




Here is a Vito Clarinet. I bought this in a Goodwill Store, for just a few dollars. I think I paid $2.92, for it. It didn't have a case or a mouthpiece, but it is in good condition. I ended up selling it to a couple, that turned it into a lamp. Pretty cool idea, right?

Thursday, July 10, 2014

365 Days Of Junk - Day 354

Mastering The Art Of French Cooking


Here is a copy of "Mastering The Art Of French Cooking" by Julia Child. Who doesn't love a little (or a lot) Julia? It is in very good condition. I bought it from Goodwill for $2.92.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 353

Vintage Hand Painted Sign



This is a hand-painted wooden sign. I am pretty sure that it has some age to it, based on the colors and layers of paint. It was painted on both sides. Each side has the same wording, but there are some subtle differences because it was painted by hand. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the look of the lettering. I also love the look of the sign, as a whole. It has a retro 1940's feel to it, to me. It makes me want to get a cup of coffee, a doughnut and read a book in a cozy corner. I bought this in a Goodwill Store for $2.92 or $2.52.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

365 Days Of Junk - Day 352

Farmer Pig Doll





I am calling this a doll, which I guess it is, but it's not really a doll for a child. It's more of a collectible sit-around-the-house type of doll. Not really my kind of thing, but I do like pigs. This gut is around 16 to 18 inches tall. His body is cloth and his head & hooves are some kind of ceramic. I think he has glass eyes. He is in perfect condition with no stains, rips, tears, cracks, or chips. I found him in a Goodwill Store for $2.52 or $3.53.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 351

Vintage Gucci Purse



This was such and exciting find for me! Have I ever told you how much I love, love, LOVE purses and bags?????? I am a bit of a purse slut, meaning that I will not almost anything to get them and I have lots of them. I'm just kidding. mostly. Anyway, I am pretty sure this is an older, authentic Gucci purse. It is sort of the doctors bag style, with 2 handles and no shoulder strap. It has the GG monogram outside. Do you see what's on the inside?????? It's lined with red & green striped vinyl! I do not remember where I bought this purse, Goodwill vs other thrift store. However, I know that I did not pay more that $4.99 for it! It was regular purse price! Woohoo! For me, it really is all about the thrill of the hunt.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 350

Vintage Jim Beam Tiki Decanter








This is a Jim Beam Whiskey decanter from the Hawaiian Open, in 1974. It's a brown, Tiki god statue with a gold ball on the stopper. It is over a foot tall and in very good condition. I found it in a Goodwill Store for $4.94.

Did you know that Tiki themed items are very popular now? If you come across Tiki type stuff, and you are buying to resell, BUY IT! Just a little advice from one junker to another.