Thrift Store Spring Decor

I know, it is the last day of January and spring is a good 2 months away. BUT, when you are a seller and in retail, you always have to be thinking ahead. The theme for my next POP-UP SHOP at the end of February is "Think Spring" so I am thinking spring as I am thrifting to curate a collection of items perfect for March, April, and May. Plus, Easter is in March this year and by the end of February most Montanans are ready to THINK SPRING.

Today is not Thrifty Thursday, but I am going to give you a thrifting TIP. 

Is this you? You are excited to go to the thrift store to find wonderful items at great prices only to leave empty handed because the jumbles of thrift store merchandise overwhelmed you?

I get it--I have been there and done that. What helps me now is to have a word or two in mind to focus my hunt on. This week I have been thinking spring and pastel as I thrift and just look at all of the treasures I found that fit that description!

Now, you do need to keep your eyes open for fantastic finds that may not fit your criteria or word. But, having a word in mind helps focus your eye. 

These flower coloring books have colored full page drawings in them that will be lovely framed. The pink edged, square dish says that it was hand-painted in France.

Pink bandana napkins (they are heavier fabric than bandanas) and a tulip needlepoint, a vintage, mid-century, Homer Laughlin vegetable bowl with pink touches all caught my eye. I grey ceramic bunny and faux spring flowers are perfect spring additions to any home.

I only found three of these vintage, dessert plates called Poppy Trail made in California. I like the scalloped design. What can you do with a small dessert plate when you only have 3? Use them under a plant as a saucer, on a dresser for coins or jewelry, or setting on the counter with wrapped treats sitting on it.

Swans and geese are making a decor comeback. This wool hooked rug would be pretty hanging on a wall or on the floor. 

I can't find much on this platter. I don't think it is very old as it says microwave safe on the back. It is also stamped Lucerne Foods so I am guessing it is a grocery store giveaway or purchase but I am not sure. 

The carved soapstone rabbit has a bunny inside of it. The blue and white plaid creamer is lovely for spring and the old books (1950 and 60's copyright) have lovely bird illustrations in them. 

The original art--a watercolor and an acrylic both have soft, pastel colors in them so they came home with me. 

I will continue to curate spring items over the next few weeks, using my word trick while shopping. Other words you might have in mind to narrow your thrifting focus might include: barn, farmhouse kitchen, mid-century modern, European museum, green garden, rainbow, country cottage, etc. Let me know if you try this word trick and how it works. Oh, and come back tomorrow to see how I styled some of these finds.

Making A New Bucket Look Old

One thing I will NEVER do is try to sell or pass off something that is new as something old. I WILL try to MAKE something new LOOK old, but I will not try to fool people who may be buying the item into thinking that it it genuinely old. If something is called an antique, it should be 100 years old or older. Vintage, which means "of age", is typically AT LEAST 20 years old. 

I recently bought from the thrift store a wood, ice cream bucket that was clearly new (and had never been used).

I love these buckets because there are so many ways to use them, but it needed some faux aging.

I decided to make the bucket look like it has been around for awhile with a layered, chippy paint technique. 

I started by painting the bucket a vintage, minty green color. I didn't sand the bucket because the glossy wood finish would help the paint to chip or to not completely adhere. I painted over the metal rings and clips.

Next, I painted a bright red over the mint green. Notice there are some paint drips, which I didn't worry about because if you ever find antique, utilitarian items that were painted, they didn't worry about drips.

I left small spots of the mint green showing under the red paint.

I sanded the paint back to the wood on the edges and then I applied dark walnut stain over the red paint.

These buckets make great planters. They are very pretty planted with a bright array of colorful annuals. They also work well to hold rolled up towels in the bathroom, or as book and magazine holders. The bucket can hold kindling or decorative branches. Use one to house small, stuffed animals or toys, or mittens and hats by the door.

If you are reselling something that is new, but looks old be sure to describe it on the price tag as vintage LOOKING bucket or bucket with an antique looking finish. Always be truthful and enjoy the compliments when someone thinks an item looks like a genuine antique.

Skinny Thrifted Wood Side Table

When I spied this unique side table (bench??) at the thrift store I knew it wanted to come home with me. Even though the wood was worn, I could see the possibilities and the price was right.

I usually caution thrifters to look items over carefully before buying. Oops, I forgot my own rule and it wasn't until I had this piece home and was tightening up the bolts when I noticed that someone had painted a cactus on the side.

It sanded off easily. I then used Wise Owl Furniture Salve (you can buy it from my friend HERE) to make the wood shine.

Not only do I love the beautiful wood on this piece, but the slender size of the table makes it the perfect side table.

I love creating sitting spots in my home and a nearby table is a must. This one holds plenty of necessary and decorative items.

A place for a coffee cup or cocktail and a book.

I love thrift store diamonds in the rough and this side table certainly fits that label.

PS: Everything in this picture is from a thrift store or garage sale, including the plants--the chair, pillow, table, books, teacup--all of it and that makes me happy.

Vintage Quilt Hanging Hearts

Last year I thrifted a vintage, feedsack fabric quilt,

and I made some heart pillows out of it.

I pulled the quilt back out on a very cold day last week and made more heart pillows plus some smaller, hanging hearts.

I sewed around the outside and then hand-stitched a velvet ribbon hanger on the hearts.

These add a perfect, simple Valentine's Day decor to the home while still being subtle. They are cute hanging on a chair or

on a doorknob.

Hang one on a blanket ladder,

on an entryway coat hook or

on a kitchen cupboard handle.

I love the vintage fabric on these and the touch of Valentine's Day they add without being too loud and love saving bits and pieces of someone's handiwork.

Inexpensive DIY Wall Art

On goal I have with my monthly-pop-up shop is to incorporate inspiring displays that customers want to take pictures of. My shop is off the beaten path so I hope to teach customers how they can make their own home spaces personal and unique. One thing I decided to make for this month's pop-up shop is a large piece of wall art that catches people's eyes as they walk into the shop.

I chose old books as my canvas and created a more modern art piece with them. Keep reading to see how you can make something like this for your space.

There are a couple thrift stores that I shop at that have free book bins, which is where I got most of the books I used.

I chose a copyright free image from PicMonkey to paint. I wanted something fairly simple for my first attempt at book wall art. I used Block Posters, a free site, to enlarge my image to four letter paper sized pages wide.

I taped the printed pages together and then cut out around the image to get an idea of size I needed for the books,

I played around with the book layout, turning some perpendicular.

Next I rubbed a pencil on the pack of the image.

This is what it looks like on the back/

I then lightly taped the image in a few spots on the books.

Trace over the image with a blunt tip or stylus.

Paint the image with black (or color of your choice) craft paint.

I used small nails to attach the book art to the wall in my shop. 

I left some of the top pages loose and some I nailed down.

I love the light books on the darker wood wall. This project cost a couple dollars and only took me a couple hours to complete. I am already planning out my next old book wall art. This project can be personalized in so many ways. Let me know if you try it!

5 Ways to Use Thrift Store Pillow Shams

One area of a thrift store that I always make sure to peruse is the linen section and in particular, the pillow shams. 

Pillow shams tend to be a low dollar item at the thrift store. It is great to have different ones to change out your throw pillows seasonally. The shams store easily and are perfect for removing and washing. But, shams aren't just for pillows. Here are FIVE unique ways you can use thrifted shams throughout your home. 

I loved the fabric on both sides of this pretty sham with the small ruffled edge. A sham, rectangular or square, works well as a placemat or table runner under a centerpiece or tray. It adds a bit more color to the vignette and protects your surface.

This same shame works well on my entryway bench. It adds pattern and color to the space without having a bulky blanket on the bench (because no one is curling up with a blanket on an entry way bench). The sham gives the illusion of a blanket without the heft of a folded throw.

This idea does make me giggle a bit--welcome to Grammie's house. A pair of square shams work as armrest covers on a chair that may need extra protection. With the shams you get all the coverage you need without the sticky, grandma plastic.

A pillow sham with a great design works on the wall as a frame or backdrop for a black-and white photo or artpiece.

It also can be used as a wall tapestry with nothing hanging on top of it.

I have also found larger shams are a perfect resource for fabric to recover one or two chairs or make a tot bag that zips from one--just add a handle. 

Be sure to check out the linen section at your local thrift store. What would use one for (besides a pillow)?