ARTful: using or characterized by art and skill

Salvage: to rescue or save especially from wreckage or ruin


[ARTful] Salvage was born from a love of creating, repurposing and salvaging. I simply abhor seeing perfectly "useful" items headed for the landfill or tucked away in a cardboard box, never seeing the light of day. I believe there is always beauty to be found, even under a layer of rust or a coating of dust. I see scratches, dents or imperfections as badges of honor to be worn proudly. I have a great love for the history, story and life of a piece. We lovingly dream up ways of restoring new life to these discarded and neglected fragments of life. I am glad you are here and hope you will come again often. Please make yourself at home; friends are always welcome. I'd be thrilled to hear from you and get to know you better.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

New freebie goodies - hit the jackpot

We are in the middle of relocating to Central Florida. It's been a 6 month crazy process but I think we are finally moving. (At least the movers say they are coming Monday). That's positive right??  So, as you can imagine, we have been sorting, organizing and throwing away (GASP!) many items. We had local friends come over today to look through the discard piles for their garden. After she took home all the goodies she wanted she called and said she had some goodies for me to look through. LOL  So much for downsizing!!  She has a gorgeous "Secret Garden" brimming with pretties (statues, stepping stones, mosaics, totems, sculptures....you get the idea). She has decided she is finished making these and was offering me some of the glass ware and plates she didn't want. Okay, never turn down free ART materials, right? So I now have 3-4 boxes of plates and glasses and doodads. I am totally psyched!  While I am loading these in the truck, here come Hubs carrying what appears to be a VERY HEAVY tote. It is FILLED with stained glass pieces for mosaics!!  Woo Hoo!!  I am dancing around like I have ants in my pants. What??  You don't want these anymore?  Okay dokey.....come to me my little gems!!  Now how could this get better you ask?  There are 4 more totes of glass, about a dozen shoe boxes of sorted by color glass, a flat filled with vintage church window glass, stacks of gorgeously patterned tiles, 2 adorable small shutter sets and the cutest handmade glass doors. People I am so blessed. This is the repurposing freebie Motherlode!!  I am humbled by the gift, truly. Can you imagine what I can do with all of this??  Anywho.....here are pics of "some" of the haul!! Oh, and FYI, those are filled to the rim 5 gallon buckets.....very heavy!  :::smiles:::









10 comments:

  1. Shelly WOW oh WOW what a haul!! I can't wait to see some more of your finished products now! That sunflower plate is going to make an amazing tower for sure! Way to GO!

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  2. Shelly - what a load! Almost a shame that you are moving now, but you are going to have fun when you get set up! I'm happy for you!

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  3. Dang Shelly!!! You got some great goodies! :)

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  4. I am so jealous. The stained glass pieces are phenomenal. I just know you will create even more beautiful mosaics with them. I can't wait to see what you do with the piece that looks like a door.

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  5. WOW! what a beautiful haul...I am SOOO envious! I want to come play with you! when you get settled in, I need help with a project...I need to figure out how to add some plates to a copper clematis teepee. it is currently wrapped with copper wire...but it's boring looking. it needs some blinging up or something...I think various colors of glass antique plates would be very pretty...I'm just not sure how to do it. Anyway....have a GREAT move!!!
    : )
    ~Jody

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  6. Wow - that's some serious stuff! Lucky you. Hope the move goes well.
    Susan

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  7. Great stuff, you will be busy for sure....where is Fl?...I moved from NC here to east coast Fl, close to Space Center in 04....
    I have admired your Artsy talent a long time and can't wait to see new creations...
    Good luck with the move
    hugs
    Brenda

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  8. Oh Shelly that is GREAT!!! How sweet of your neighbor...just shows you how special you are!!!

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  9. OH WOW...What a SCORE!!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE That Flower plate!!! Perfect! You sure got some GREAT Goodies!!

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