Why I Thrift, Reason #2: To Recycle
This post is part of a five part series entitled, "Why I Thrift," beginning with Why I Thrift, Reason #1: To Save Money.
In today's eco-conscious culture, everyone talks about recycling. Mostly they mean pop cans and water bottles. But thrifting is one of the best types of recycling there is: taking something that would otherwise end up in the landfill and using it in your home.
When I thrift, of course I enjoy finding the really killer finds, the things that are hard to find, in mint condition, and cost a pittance. But more than that, my favorite thing is to buy something that nobody else wants. The dresser with the broken veneer, the ugly thing no on can envision better for. When I save something like that and make it into something beautiful, it gives me a satisfaction that I don't get any other way.
This "thread rack" is a perfect example. This isn't a thread rack, it's a silverware tray. And it's a crummy, fiberboard one that got wet and swelled up until the wood all cracked. It was going to get tossed. Nobody wanted it for its intended purpose. Heck, I wouldn't have wanted it for its intended purpose. But as a thread rack: cool! It's charming, cute, functional and not in the landfill.
What about you? What's the piece you're most proud of having "saved" from certain doom?
This five-part "Why I Thrift" series continues with "Why I Thrift, Reason #3: Unique & Personal."
Comments (43)
Glad you ask! This is easy for me. I salvage old windows. I have 36 right now and I'm getting another 75 delivered to my new home next week. I'll be making a gardening shed with many of them. Others will become raised bed frames. A few will become planters. Lastly--I'll make a few as garden potting tables or cold frames.
The man who did the siding on my new home says I'm doing him a favor. He has to pay to haul them off.
A few that will become planters for my front porch will be modge podged in assorted fabrics that I love. I will be adding things like buttons, watering cans, chipped plates, and other things to add height and interest to the containers. I'll match the flowers to the color of the container. It could be the plate I use or the fabric. Modge Podge has an outdoor product that will seal it all in and my porches are covered. Doesn't that sound like fun?
It's simple to make a container out of old windows. Attach them at all 4 corners with L brackets. Attach another to the bottom and attach with the brackets. They will need a skirt around the bottom 3 inches all the way around and under cause watering will cause them to drain on your porch. I use floral wrap that you buy at any garden center. They will sell you a whole roll.
If the container is sitting on my porch and not somewhere in the garden, I will also line the inside with paper bags from your grocery store so that dirt doesn't seep out from the seams.
Windows come in all sizes. I just made a pretty container out of old stained glass windows. I'll post pics as soon as I get in the new house. Everything is in storage right now.
Posted by Anna--Flowergardengirl | February 24, 2008 10:09 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 22:09
So much of my remodeled home has been done using recycled materials - from doors to kitchen cabinets and countertops, sinks, furniture. I love that feeling of using something in that way. It's like our little contribution to helping the earth in a small way. And with the decorating, I also love that it's recycling to shop thrift stores. I don't have have any stellar finds so far but I keep on the hunt and enjoy the little trinkets I've found along the way.
I'm still waiting for a free hutch to show up on Craigslist :)
Posted by Emily | February 25, 2008 4:26 AM
Posted on February 25, 2008 04:26
How useful and creative and it looks great.
Posted by Connie W | February 25, 2008 6:28 AM
Posted on February 25, 2008 06:28
Love what you did with that. Today is my thrift shoping day. My daughter and I usually go every Monday or Tuesday. I'll look a little beyond today after seeing what you did.
Posted by Marcia | February 25, 2008 6:55 AM
Posted on February 25, 2008 06:55
Love that idea - I'll never look at an old silverware tray the same way! Such a cute idea!
Manuela
Posted by The Feathered Nest (Manuela's) | February 25, 2008 7:22 AM
Posted on February 25, 2008 07:22
Hi Angela I missed reading your blog while I was away, so I am just stoppping by to say hi and to see what you've been wrting about.
Rhondi xo
Posted by rhondi | February 25, 2008 10:14 AM
Posted on February 25, 2008 10:14
That is a perfect repurpose!! xo, suzy
Posted by suzy | February 25, 2008 3:05 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 15:05
A piano a friend was giving away...all of our children have had piano lessons and enjoyed it so it was recycled through us!
:0)
Tara
Posted by Tara | February 25, 2008 3:41 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 15:41
I love this repurpose. I will have to keep my eyes open. I have so much thread and I really hate it being in bins. I'd love to line a whole wall using this idea :-) Rosie
Posted by RosiesWhimsy | February 25, 2008 4:24 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 16:24
What a creative way to use the tray, I love it. Somebody recently bought a house in Mid-town, and it came with a huge, old, mahogany bar...that he didn't want! Can you believe it? I am going to take a piece of it to make a headboard for my MB. Haven't done it yet, but it's calling my name right now from the garage.
Posted by Melissa Lewis | February 25, 2008 5:13 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 17:13
hello, what a lovely blogg ou have...love youre heart!!!
Sweden Hugs Millan
Posted by mamma millan | February 25, 2008 5:52 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 17:52
Hi Angela,
Lovely re-purposed object! You really do have a good eye for these things.
I am probably one of those people who is disposing of things that everyone else is snatching up. I am definitely in a get-rid-of-it mode!
Robin at Bumblebee
Posted by Robin at Bumblebee | February 25, 2008 5:56 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 17:56
I look for crochet thread and books at our thrift store. I don't think I have bought a brand new book in years. Even my sewing machine is old I bought it in Canton. It is a hand cranked old thing.
Posted by deb | February 25, 2008 6:23 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 18:23
Hi,
I was just reviewing your blog and wondered what you ever did about the oak bed? Did you paint, or antique it?
~elaine~
Posted by Elaine L. | February 25, 2008 10:53 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 22:53
Such imagination! Clever girl! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Lynne in Hawaii | February 25, 2008 11:44 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 23:44
Hi Angela,
I'm a brand new reader of your blog and have to say that I am enjoying it very much!
I work with environmental issues and your reasons for recycling and repurposing are spot on. We have curbside bulk pick-up every Wednesday, and it amazes me what people drag to the curb to dispose of.
I love projects like your silverware tray-thread rack. It makes sense both economically and environmentally, plus it's so darn cute!!!
Marilyn
Posted by Marilyn | February 26, 2008 6:45 AM
Posted on February 26, 2008 06:45
Love it! What a creative use. I love thrifting too. I can't believe there was a time in my life when I didn't do it.
Posted by Jen | February 26, 2008 7:06 AM
Posted on February 26, 2008 07:06
I really appreciate your writing about such issues. It is a subject which I've sadly neglected and I need to be much more conscious about how I spend money and learn how to do a better job managing our budget. Thank you.
Posted by June | February 26, 2008 8:58 AM
Posted on February 26, 2008 08:58
Beautiful photos!
Sandra Evertson
Posted by Anonymous | February 26, 2008 10:03 AM
Posted on February 26, 2008 10:03
I love this use you've made of something I would certainly have thrown away. Seeing these kinds of projects helps me imagine how I can use things around my house too. I've heard people say of other people's recycling projects "I can't do that because I would never find an old silverware tray" or whatever...the great thing is to simply see how other people are looking sideways at "trash" and try to get my own mind to come up with ideas that are helpful to me.
this is a great topic, by the way.
Posted by Angelina | February 26, 2008 10:28 AM
Posted on February 26, 2008 10:28
Very interesting to read. And I love your thread rack, it is wonderful.
hugs
Posted by Poppins | February 26, 2008 11:42 AM
Posted on February 26, 2008 11:42
Ooh we love this...let's see recycling and reusing is a favorite hobby, so to pick one....mmm...
...from salvaged hutch tops to beds found in the trash to left over blocks of wood...we find it so rewarding (both decorating and financially!!!) when this is successful!! Your thread holder is a perfect example!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
Posted by kari & kijsa | February 26, 2008 2:58 PM
Posted on February 26, 2008 14:58
Great thread rack!
One time I rescued a chest of drawers/childs closet from "big trash day". I'm sure someones father or grandfather had built it. The door had fallen off of the closet side, but I knew I could use it. I took it home painted it and then added a few painted roses. It was the perfect solution for my daughters dress up clothes.
Posted by Anonymous | February 26, 2008 3:01 PM
Posted on February 26, 2008 15:01
Oops i forgot to add my info. I'm the anonymous post above. Great Bog.
Posted by Dee Light | February 26, 2008 3:03 PM
Posted on February 26, 2008 15:03
Hi there! I found you via Jennifer at The Old Painted Cottage. Great idea and perfect for storing those spools of thread!! That is the best thread, too! I use it and love it.
Take care!
Becky
Posted by Sweet Cottage Dreams | February 26, 2008 5:00 PM
Posted on February 26, 2008 17:00
Hi Angela. I'm really enyoying your series on thrifting. I've always loved finding old things. When I was a kid my biggest joy came from visiting second hand stores and buying nicnaks with my few pennies. My mother hated the fact that they always needed dusting. I guess she was more of a minimalist and I was always eclectic, country. A few years ago I discovered the joys of roadside thrifting. I would pick up all sorts of things and often hand them on to friends who desperately needed that type of thing. eg: coffee table for a new divorcee; huge, perfect mirror for an old widower who wanted to frame it and hang it in his bare hallway, etc. Once I picked a desperately worn screen door and having removed the metal inner section used it as a bedhead for my daughter who loved the wrought iron look. We have just had our local clean up. You can find my most recent finds on my blog at http://willy-wagtail.blogspot.com . Even though I've just gotten these goodies I can't wait for next years clean up - I get all excited when I think of next years possible bargains!
Posted by cherrie | February 26, 2008 5:14 PM
Posted on February 26, 2008 17:14
Hum - all of my favorites are probably hand me downs from my family - rather than thrifts that I have purchased....like the high chair we use for our Granddaughter...it was my Mothers! I am going to post about it soon.
Posted by Julie Size | February 27, 2008 10:26 AM
Posted on February 27, 2008 10:26
I absoutely love your blog and ideas. I Thrift Shop because I find treasures that I cannot find anywhere else. I fix them up, put my stamp on them and enjoy them everyday.
Thanks for the inspiration,
Debbie Kay
Posted by Debbie Kay | February 27, 2008 12:03 PM
Posted on February 27, 2008 12:03
I'm not a thrifter yet but I may be one soon. I just love seeing all the wonderful treasures that people are able to find.
Posted by Lisa | February 27, 2008 1:20 PM
Posted on February 27, 2008 13:20
You have a wonderful blog. Your story about the old house and how you began to understand it when it was for sale was wonderful to read.
I'm working on my second home - making "mine and ours" for my husband and myself. It is a fairly straightforward 1954 ranch type house with no real redeeming architectural character. But it is slowly coming together. Slowly because I'm not working right now, except occasionally.
It sounds like you're on the right track; just keep plugging away and it will all come together. Even with a background and education in design I've gone down some of the paths you describe in your writing. But I've learned, as you have, from each one.
Posted by Decorina | February 27, 2008 4:08 PM
Posted on February 27, 2008 16:08
Angela,
You know as green minded as I am trying..learning to be, I hadn't given a lot of thought to furniture and decor items as recyclable...so this really gives me even more inspiration to go thrifting. You are too clever to use that for your threads...it's really perfect isn't it.
Rose
Posted by Rose | February 27, 2008 8:38 PM
Posted on February 27, 2008 20:38
I fully agree. I love that you are able to use it. The thread looks beautiful sitting there in their intended place. It will make you want to reach up there and create something from your colorful threads.
Posted by Lisa at Greenbow | February 28, 2008 2:18 AM
Posted on February 28, 2008 02:18
I'm Dutch and we are known for sniffing out good buys and deals of new stuff or old. :-) My best recycling thingy was finding all those second hand concrete slabs for my kitchen garden for free. New it would have cost me about 300 to 350 euro's. And the fun part is that I get so many compliments about how good they look in my garden whereas many a designer would turn up his/her nose at such lowly things as concrete slabs. :-D
BTW love the thread rack, it's pretty and functional; it's pretty functional. ;-)
Posted by yolanda elizabet | February 28, 2008 5:10 AM
Posted on February 28, 2008 05:10
I'm probably most proud of the things I drag off curbs (entry table, patio table and chairs). Getting exactly what I want for free; recycling doesnt get more rewarding than that!
Posted by Liz | February 28, 2008 7:25 AM
Posted on February 28, 2008 07:25
I am a big fan of the addage "use it up, wear it out and make do" Our society would be a lot better if we all worked on this more. I love your thread box. Its darling.
Posted by Nanette | February 28, 2008 7:48 AM
Posted on February 28, 2008 07:48
That is brilliant! I have been wanting to buy a thread rack for ages! I love thrifting for the same reason.
~Heather
Posted by Mrs. Jones | February 28, 2008 7:50 AM
Posted on February 28, 2008 07:50
I didn't see the last question ... I found a sad little desk for $5 at a thrift store a while back. No one wanted it. With a coat of paint, it is very cute. It was my first piece of furniture I painted, and my husband didn't see why on earth I would want that thing until I was done, and then he totally got it. If you want to take a look, it is here:
http://heatherjslife.blogspot.com/2007/04/i-finished-project-la-la-la-la-la-la.html
~Heather
Posted by Mrs. Jones | February 28, 2008 7:53 AM
Posted on February 28, 2008 07:53
How great- I actually use an old silverware tray for my thread too!! We are totally on the same wavelength! :)
Posted by Kaylyn | February 28, 2008 10:50 AM
Posted on February 28, 2008 10:50
What a great idea. I am always trying to find new ways to use old things. My husband thinks I'm a bit of a nut sometimes, but oh well.
Posted by oliver rain | February 29, 2008 4:43 PM
Posted on February 29, 2008 16:43
what did I salvage and save from certain doom?? well firstly my DH.. *W*
But I like to go opshopping and my thing is watering cans and galvanised tubs.. even watering cans that have holes in them, they make great planters!
Lissa
Australia
Posted by Lissa | March 2, 2008 1:13 PM
Posted on March 2, 2008 13:13
I love this thread rack...cleaver!
Posted by ruth | March 16, 2008 6:49 PM
Posted on March 16, 2008 18:49
Oops ...clever!
Posted by ruth | March 16, 2008 6:51 PM
Posted on March 16, 2008 18:51
Love this idea!! All the furniture in my home is from other peopls. It's all hand-me-downs, and I make it mine by painting or changing the fabric or what have you.
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Posted by Michele | May 31, 2008 4:14 AM
Posted on May 31, 2008 04:14