Tuesday, July 21, 2009

A Cool Invention I Made From a $1.99 Thrift Store Find

Okay, first...who can tell me what this use to be originally? I'm dying to know. I saw it at the Thrift Store and was intrigued. I thought for sure I could do something worthwhile with it. I tried all sorts of different things but nothing really worked until I came up with this idea I'm going to share with you.
Oh...I also taped it to the glass pedestal you see here, just to give it some more height.
I took some moderately thick wire and twisted it on so it would make a big circle all the way around.
Next, I took some clips with grips (after Christmas sale), and used those to hold my little supplies in my Studio/Guest room.

I also used a couple of Tag hangers.





Silly me...I've used the same idea above my crafting table as well. I found this do-dad at Ross. It's meant for drying your dainties in the laundry room, but I use it as a way to hold my future project ideas.
And then I just had to show you this PERFECT tall flower I recently found at TJMaxx. I always refer to my Studio as the Yellow, White and Blue room. AKA, the happy room. So when I found this yellow, white and blue flower that said PLAY...who could resist? Not me!!! : )


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25 comments:

  1. Lamp TrampJuly 21, 2009 at 5:38 AM

    The pedestal is great, you are so imaginative and creative.

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  2. HopeJuly 21, 2009 at 5:51 AM

    Good Morning, I could not find your email address. We were the the winner of my Business Card giveaway by Vintage Bella. Email me

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  3. Eclectic Chic StyleJuly 21, 2009 at 5:57 AM

    You're so smart!!! I think it looks great as an art piece too, dual purpose there. I've missed your blog, but I'm back, and yes yes yes I am very interested in the sachets. ;) Hope all is well with you.
    ♥ Teresa

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  4. Kim's TreasuresJuly 21, 2009 at 6:29 AM

    Very cool!!!

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  5. Tina PuntigamJuly 21, 2009 at 6:39 AM

    The flower is practically perfect in every way! I haven't been around in a while, we've been in the job search and are just now resettling. I hope that you are having a great week!

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  6. DarleneJuly 21, 2009 at 7:13 AM

    Oh Mary Lou,

    You are so creative!!! No clue what that used to be but it is perfect for holding your crafting do-dads (does anyone even use that word anymore...hehehe). Congrats on the posie pin. It looks adorable on Sara's purse.

    Hope you are having a wonderful week.♥

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  7. mysteryhistorymomJuly 21, 2009 at 7:35 AM

    I love what you have done with your finds, Sweets! And that flower that says "Play"- how precious! I love TJ Maxx and you certainly hit the jackpot! I'm so glad that Sara found a special place for the posie. It looks great with her purse! Thanks so much for the sweet words, dear friend. You are just the best!:) Lori

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  8. Small HouseJuly 21, 2009 at 8:01 AM

    Great IDEA!!! I just love the little ballerinas.
    AND LUCKY YOU! Love the giveaway you won.
    Have a great day.
    Sandra

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  9. UnknownJuly 21, 2009 at 9:23 AM

    very good idea! Love the pin

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  10. amy @ Life in Pink Hi-TopsJuly 21, 2009 at 11:04 AM

    I have no idea what the first do-dad is supposed to be--but what a genius thing you turned it into!

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  11. marieJuly 21, 2009 at 11:22 AM

    I do believe the original purpose of your thrift store find was to just hang out at the thrift store until someone whimsical found it and turned it into something quite wonderful ~ I'd say it's purpose has been fulfulled! Pretty cool!

    Love the "play" flower so much...I may need to create one similar to it!
    Have a wonderful day!

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  12. AnnabelleJuly 21, 2009 at 11:26 AM

    It looks like maybe a wine bottle holder? Anyway, I love what you did with it! I also love the flower...just perfect for your studio!

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  13. MimiJuly 21, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    HI M.L.!!!
    Oh what an imaginative person you are, I never would have thought that up!!How useful and organized it all is, I use my huge pantry to store my craft supplies, and right at this moment it looks like a bomb went off in there, I need to photograph it and blog about my mess, if I don't see it all the time, it doesn't really bother me til I write about it, now it's starting to bug me!!!haha
    awww, another time, baby will be here soon!!!!
    love,
    jamie

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  14. JennyJuly 21, 2009 at 1:50 PM

    WOW!! I love the red and white purse!! hehehe!! I think that first item is a candle holder of some sort. You put a tall candle into the middle and I bet there were pots or something in each of the holders around the edge!!

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  15. marmieluJuly 21, 2009 at 4:12 PM

    I can't imagine what that was at first, but you certainly have made good use of it.
    That pin does look great on the purse, which is really cute all by itself!
    Mary Lou

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  16. GRAMSJuly 21, 2009 at 5:36 PM

    oh you clever girl. I just love it and I love my necklace. It came yesterday. Thank you so much. Janis

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  17. beckabootsJuly 21, 2009 at 6:20 PM

    You are so creative and inventive! I am so impressed and i love love LOVE it!

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  18. Mimi SueJuly 21, 2009 at 8:52 PM

    CUTE idea! You know what that thing looks like? One of those liquor bottle holders that hold the bottles upside down. I don't know if that's what it is but maybe. Love that blue and white and yellow flower. I've got to get to TJ Max, it's been awhile since I've been there. The posie pin is cute! Too bad we don't gamble. We could meet up in Vegas and win a fortune! Woohoo! Mimi

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  19. MaceyJuly 21, 2009 at 8:55 PM

    i have neber been to tj max! how bad is that?
    i know...
    anyway, cute stuff you made, how do you even think of this stuff? i can never think of anything good.
    :)
    macey

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  20. Susie HomemakerJuly 21, 2009 at 9:09 PM

    my vote is wine bottle holder with stemware around the outside? But, now I would say it is FABULOUS!!!

    Blessings,
    Susie

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  21. People Who Know Me Would Say:July 22, 2009 at 3:07 AM

    God broke the mold after he made your brain, girl! Wow, are you ultra visionary,or what? If I didn't know better, I'd think you dropped a bunch of acid in the
    70's.
    I know what it was originally: It was a display set on a tiny plant stand-sized table. A naughty child was placed in each "bracket", head above, neck and body below, left to dangle as a warning to others. Weight distribution for the display was key to keeping it upright. There! How'd I do?!

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  22. People Who Know Me Would Say:July 22, 2009 at 3:07 AM

    God broke the mold after he made your brain, girl! Wow, are you ultra visionary,or what? If I didn't know better, I'd think you dropped a bunch of acid in the
    70's.
    I know what it was originally: It was a display set on a tiny plant stand-sized table. A naughty child was placed in each "bracket", head above, neck and body below, left to dangle as a warning to others. Weight distribution for the display was key to keeping it upright. There! How'd I do?!

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  23. Molly AnneJuly 22, 2009 at 11:54 AM

    No clue what that was originally but your repurpose is fabulous!

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  24. ShelbyJuly 23, 2009 at 4:45 AM

    That's great! I would never have thot to do that. But I love it.

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  25. ChristinaJuly 23, 2009 at 11:32 AM

    Love your invention. ; ) What a perfect holder w/personality. It is always so much better when you can see what you have. Mine gets tucked away and I forget about it.

    Love the purse too. Contrats!

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