Barn Sales, Farm Auctions, Middle-o-nowhere Estate Sales… for me these are the best places to find grungy old garage & gardening elements.  Still, the perfect wooden ladder for re-purposing is becoming more and more difficult to find.  But oh the beauty of a good ol’ ladder… and all the things you can do with one!! 

Ladder Pot Rack ~ you could even hang a chandelier from the LADDER for a fun & funky lighting fixture!!  Image via WomansDay.com

In our Flea Market Shopping List we have a long list of objects you should never pass up, after finding all of these fantastic ideas wooden ladders are on the top of my list!!  Makes me want to run away to a million little towns this weekend and track down the perfect ladder specimen…

LOVE this Ladder Shoe Rack Idea from Country Living, Sept 2009

Sideways Ladder Shelf ~ Image via Ette Studios

Image via Country Living, June 2010

Re-Cycle * Re-Purpose * Re-LOVE

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

Earlier this week I was having a conversation with the boys from Junk in my Trunk Radio Show and we got to talking about JARS.  We talked about how our grandparents used to save and wash their jars to re-use for dinner scraps, about how our parents used the same jars in their garages to store nails and screws.  We talked about how, as young adults, we became horribly nonchalant and just threw jars away without re~cycling or re~using them {shameful, shameful behavior} ~ but finally we have embraced the concept of Re~LOVING and we now recycle our glass jars, or, better yet, re-use them like this…

Lanterns made with re-used wire hangers from
The Home in Paradise

Baby Food Jar Chandelier from Ulula

Jar Night Light from Tree Hugger

Cupcake in a Jar from Renegade Cupcake
You can also bake cakes and pies in jars which make fantastic gifts and yummmy desserts… check out these Cakes in a Jar.

Recycled Jars for storing bulk foods, oatmeal, tea… plus 9 more ideas from Re-Nest.

DIY Mason Jar Soap Dispenser from Heather Bullard

Garden Lanterns from Gardner’s World

Finger Cymbals for kiddos from MakingFriends.com
This is one of my favorites!!

Vintage Clear Canning Jar Chandelier from Etsy

Organizing nails & screws with recycled peanut butter jars from Chez Larsson.  Just like Grandpa used to have…

Re-Cycle * Re-Purpose * Re-LOVE

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

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Cactus Creek’s Flea Market Shopping List features a list of items that you should NEVER pass up when shopping in a flea market, antique mall, yard sale or dumpster dive… We feature these items on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show every Thursday morning… go to JunkMafia.com and click on the lil’ Red Radio to listen live at 10:00am CST.

Today’s JIMT Idea is GLOBES… collect em’, paint ‘em, cut ‘em up ~ here are a few ideas from the best of the best on the www.

 
Globe Clock from T.O.M.T.

 
Chalkboard Globe from Flickr

Globe Bowl from Matangi on ETSY

Globe Pendant Light from Project Create-a-Home

{look at the size of that cat ~ Oh my!!!}

Any other big ideas for GLOBES??? 

Re-Cycle * Re-Purpose * Re-LOVE

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

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There are no limits to what people will use to decorate their homes, use for art, or wear on their bodies.  We are in a time and culture where thinking outside the box is not only celebrated, it’s expected of the individuals who are going to rise above the rest.  That’s what our JIMT {Junk In My Trunk} Ideas are all about ~ showcasing visionary ideas for common objects.  We talk about the ideas with the Junk Mafia on the Junk In My Trunk Radio Show every Thursday morning at 10am CST ~ you should listen in sometime.

Happy Trails from Vintage Sculpture

This week we’re talking CARS.  Using old car parts, hankering for a trip to the junk yard, imagining big things for cast offs from the local mechanic, these are whimsical uses for could-be boring objects. 

Take a look at each item, are there any you can’t live without??  Anything that inspires you to salvage your own car parts??  What kind of project would you create??

 
Rat Rod Lamp Light from ETSY

Cadillac Necklace from Hi Octane Jewelry

 

2 Girls Stuff at Marburger Farm, Fall 2009
This was my very favorite vendor at Round Top Antique Week last fall & I’ve been looking for a hood like this one ever since…

Vintage 1950’s Mercedes Benz Hubcap Clock from Steven Shaver Designs

Reclaimed Car Hood Coffee Table from The Weld House

‘Pontiac Face’ Art Sculpture from Rhett Johnson

Hawk Earrings made from Recycled Car Parts by Emily Baker of Emily Baker Sustainable Jewelry/Sword + Fern

Re-Cycle * Re-Purpose * Re-LOVE

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

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Yesterday I had a meeting with the Junk Mafia about some upcoming projects and we started talking about STEAMPUNK. What is it?? How did it get started??  What are the key ingredients to make something register as steampunk??  And finally… how does the Steampunk idea fit into the world of Re-Cycle * Re-Purpose * Re-LOVE??

I most often see the word ‘Steampunk’ when looking through hand crafted jewelry ~ especially on ETSY.  I’ve wondered what it is but have never taken the time to research it until tonight.

 
Steampunk Tripod Floor Lamp + Sam Van Olffens’ Art from Art via Art Donovan. Steampunk Art.

STEAMPUNK defines an entire culture that is often associated with Science Ficton or fantasy.  From fashion and music, to applications of technology, Steampunk is usually set in a historical setting resembling the Victorian era.  While the Steampunk genre is set in the past, or a world resembling the past, it is the concept that modern technological developments occurred earlier in history, but were accomplished via the technology already present in that time period. For example, airships, submarines, typing tools and others objects were reimagined as mechanical devices that were powered by steam.

 
Steampunk Bracelet from EDM Designs on ETSY

Steampunk originated in the late 1980’s as an answer to society’s obsession with the rapid pace of new invention and technology, it’s a trend that pays homage to the early days of the Industrial Revolution, steam and spring powered technology.

How do you know that something fits into the category of STEAMPUNK?? 

According to MTV Steampunk MUSIC you will often feature orchestral characteristics, or possibly a Tom Waits-esque metallic, gritty sound. A lot of steampunk bands offer a merging of different tones and instruments.

Steampunk Style at Home via The Steampunk Home

Regarding FASHION MTV describes the Steampunk trend as a look that reflects the Victorian and early Edwardian eras (roughly 1801-1910). Corsets, gowns, frock coats and top hats are accompanied by goggles, ancillary wings, compasses and DIY accessories. Much like the extraordinary world of literature, steampunkers accept that everyday items can perform unconventional tasks. For example, a pocket watch would double as a time machine, or a compass could navigate you through the stars.”

Steampunk Threads

I think that the STEAMPUNK concept is best summed up byThe Steampunk Home Blog… “It’s finding a way to combine the past and the future in an aesthetic pleasing yet still punkish way. It’s living a life that looks old-fashioned, yet speaks to the future. It’s taking the detritus of our modern technological society and remaking it into useful things.”

So it’s taking old things and repurposing them to be something new that looks even older… I guess that’s Re-Cycle * Re-Purpose * Re-LOVE

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

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Every week we look at a different item that you can save from the trash pile ~ find in a junk drawer or antique store ~ and then transform into something useful or fun for your home or closet or jewelry box.  This week is bullets.  YEP, bullets. 

My Grandpa Summers re~loads his own bullets for target shooting and he always has empty shells available.  Those empty shells are perfect for Junk Jobs big and small… mostly jewelry to which there seems to be no limit of ideas.  Here are a few that we found from some the very best re-purposing folks in the marketplace.

Bullet Cuff from Western Vintage Revival
This is just one of  the stunning new pieces from the Chris Morrison collection over at Western Vintage Revival.  Fantastic!!

 
Bullet Bracelet from Astali

Repurposed Bullet Casing ~ Twin Serif Necklace
~ from Found Made New on ETSY

Brass Bullet Casing Necklace from Rebecca Ward Jewellry
This one is called ‘Shot to the Heart’.

Shotgun Shell Belt Buckle from A Well Dressed Bullet
This website has an extensive selection of BULLET jewelry & other items ~ perfect gifts when you’re shopping for Dad!!  

Bullet Cufflinks from Cuffwear
… and this website has an amazing selection of Cufflinks.  You know I love a man who can pull off blue jeans and pearl snaps everyday, but when he does get all dressed up then cufflinks are required.  My favorites on this site were the Level Cufflinks ~ perfect for a handyman when he’s out on the town!!

Soooo…. want to Do-It-Yourself??  You can learn how to make your own BULLET EARRINGS or NECKLACE right HERE.

 Re-purpose * Re-Cycle * Re-LOVE

gal·va·nize (glv-nz) - To coat (iron or steel) with rust-resistant zinc.

Galvanized buckets are used for everything from containing our trash, to serving cold drinks, to being used as a garden pail.  BUT there are even more ideas out there that seeming to keep popping up. 

 
Recycled Barrel Chairs from Great Green Goods

Image from Garden Vintage Antqs from Judy Hill Designs
Galvanized Metal Culvert ~ recycled into the perfect bar top table.

Image from Apartment Therapy
Trash can lid re~used as a buffet service dish… perfect for serving wings, ribs or nacho chips before the big game!!

Galvanized exhaust fan re-used as an INDUSTRIAL CHANDELIER at Marburger Farm.

Image from Tacky Tiffany on Flickr
Hello, brilliant little galvanized sink.  How great would this be out at the farm?? Ahh, love it!!  I also ran across the bathtub below ~ not sure how practical the bathtub application is but it’s rustic charm is definitely undeniable.

Image from Apartment Therapy

Image from Apartment Therapy
This patio is from the same house that featured the Cow Kitchen that I posted earlier this week ~ this gal’s style is so charming!!  The upside down horse trough re~used as an outdoor coffee table is spot on.  Another one below… Love it!!

Image from Better Homes and Gardens

Galvanized Herb Garden from ~ ALSO from Apartment Therapy

Image from Better Homes and Gardens
Galvanized Buckets serve as great storage ~ we use them all over the Cactus Creek STORE for displaying goods.

Galvanized Buckets, Trash Cans, Metal castoffs can be found everywhere, especially farm auctions!!  Have fun out there diggin’ and pickin’ and finding your treasure, and remember not to pass up the galvanized goods!!! 
Re-purpose * Re-Cycle * Re-LOVE

** Click HERE for more MUST HAVES **
on our Flea Market Shopping List

Do you have more ideas for GALVANIZED METAL GOODS?? …be sure to leave a Comment & LINK with your ideas!!

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

** Click HERE for more **
Junk in my Trunk IDEAS!!

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About six months ago I was visiting with the Junk Mafia when we got the BIG IDEA that I start a new segment on their Junk in my Trunk {JIMT}Radio Show.  The idea for the segment was to take “junk” and talk about ways to re-use it in ways that are charming, functional, and unexpected, and thereby keep the dumpsters a little more empty, and the world a little more GREEN.

It has been a blast to watch the JIMT Segments take off, transform, and effectively work when it comes to thinking outside the box.  Not only are the ideas ENDLESS, but the sources that we are working with ~ from time-tested magazines to stay-at-home-mom-bloggers ~ are BRILLIANT and completely inspiring.

Today is all about BIRDCAGES. They are everywhere you go when you’re out junking, flea marketing, or shopping antique malls. Some are simple while others are more ornate, rustic and full of character. What to do with the BIRD CAGE?? Why oh why are they all the RAGE?? Here are a few ideas to inspire you and ensure that you never again pass up a bird cage when you’re out and about.

Chandelier on a BIRD CAGE STAND from Poetic Home
If you find a bird cage stand ~ anywhere, anytime ~ purchase it immediately. Do not pass it up, do not be a cheapskate, do not question your actions.  BUY IT.  Then you can use for hanging a fancy chandelier as seen above, hang a rustic lantern in your fishing cabin, hang wind chimes, hanging plant, or even a piece of art!!!

 
Birdcage Designs from AmourAmour.com via West Aussie Weddings

Birdcage Firewood Holder from Freshly Found

Birdcage Centerpiece from Boston Home

Birdcage Centerpiece from Good Housekeeping

Birdcage Centerpiece from Country Living

Soooo… DON’T leave behind the BIRDCAGES!!! 

For more items on our Flea Market Shopping List go HERE.

Do you have more ideas for Birdcages ~ be sure to leave a Comment & LINK with your ideas!!

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

** Click HERE for more **
Junk in my Trunk IDEAS!!

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The other day I was flipping through a book with Ideas for Kids Rooms & came upon the image below…  H-E-L-L-O-O-O, I love it!!  It got me to thinking about all of the things you can do with old tires.

New Kidspace Idea Book (Taunton Home Idea Books)

THEN, last weekend at a Yard Sale, I came across these old tractor tires for sale & thought, hot diggity, it would very clever and fun to just pile these up, add a little round glass top, and use them as a end table.

Sooo, here we are with another item that shouldn’t be passed up ~ TIRES.  Now, I don’t know how easy it is to find these CHEAP ~ at the Yard Sale the tractor tires were only $50 for the pile, which is a fair price.  But you know we all love a deal & tires might be available from some places for free ~ I know that people are always trying to figure out where to dump them. 

Here are more useful products on the market made from recycled tires ~ some of these ideas would be easy to recreate.  Some, not so much.

Car Tyre Stools & Table from Kitsch-U-Like
{I guess that’s how they spell tire in the UK}

Recycled Tire Plant Pot from David Smith & Co.

Recycled Tire Planters
Another way to reuse an old tire as a planter or pot ~ this link includes instructions but beware, the site clearly states that this project is “Not for Lazy People”

Bicycle Tire Belt from julienjaborska on ETSY

Recycled Tire Tube Bag
This recycled Tire Tube Bag is from the Animal Rescue Site where everything you purchase benefits abandoned animals… they have a HUGE SELECTION OF RECYLCED TIRE BAGS & WALLETS

Bicycle Wheel End Table from A Portfolio Recycled

 
Moose Tire Swing from Porch Swings & Benches
My boys have these out at the farm and it’s one of their favorite ways to spend an afternoon!!!

SOURCE: ThriftyFun.com

 ** Click HERE for more from our **
FLEA MARKET SHOPPING LIST 

** I’m sure there are TONS of other ideas for old tires ~ feel free to leave a comment ~ and a LINK ~ if you want to share!!! **

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

** Click HERE for more **
Junk in my Trunk IDEAS!!

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I hardly ever pass up an umbrella at an estate sale.  Last fall we went on a road trip & wandered into a store that just blew my mind ~ the selection, merchandising, the whole thing was phenomenal {I have no idea the name of the store, I have the one image BELOW but lost their card, shame on me.} Anyway, they had UMBRELLAS hanging from the ceiling and I thought it was very clever and colorful.   Thus began my collection of umbrellas ~ for someday when we were ready to reproduce the idea in our own Cactus Creek way.

Fast forward to last weekend when a gal bought one of our umbrellas at the Cactus Creek STORE & told me all about this DARLING umbrella she had seen decorated for spring in some magazine. That was all she knew ~ it was in a magazine and it was cute. Well I’ll be gosh-darned if I didn’t stumble on said cutie-patootie umbrella in the April 2010 issue of Midwest Living last weekend.  Check it out BELOW…

Produced by the brilliant Matthew Mead, Photographed by Jay Wilde ~ who I’m sure is equally brilliant.

So what other inspiration can we capture from UMBRELLAS?? Ideas for keeping them OUT of landfills, and instead filling our worlds with colorful whimsy?? Here are a few images to get you thinking out of the box…

Images ABOVE & BELOW from It’s a Jaime Thing from Amorology Weddings

Umbrella Chandelier by Shelly Sabel from Yanko Design

Umbrella Art Installation from Found Shit

Umbrellas as art & light… Flying Robert from Ali Siavoshi

SOURCES: Make UMBRELLA into a Bag * Recycle Umbrella IDEAS

** Click HERE for more from our **
FLEA MARKET SHOPPING LIST

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

** Click HERE for more **
Junk in my Trunk IDEAS!!

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