Sunday, July 25, 2010

Flea Market Finds.

After a fairly crappy week, I have finally emerged from my codeine/ibuprofen induced fog - I was suffering from what turned out to be to be a tooth abscess. Hence, I managed to have just one visit to the op-shop after I had some dental treatment and before the reality of the bill for that treatment set in!


I have just discovered the joys of cutting up pewter - it is a really easy metal to work with. I have been fastidious though about collecting lead-free pewter - seems many years ago lead was a big component and truly I need to hang onto all of my currently functioning brain cells, so why risk poisoning them? Hunting up this material was my main objective for going to the op-shop but since I was there and pain free ...


This A3 size book is chocka-block full of Ansel magic. I plan to give it to a photographer mate - after I have had a good peruse!


Just imagine - no Photoshop - just hours of waiting to get the best light etc - what a talent.



Whilst in the "book department", I also found this book on origami and bought it for the sole purpose of learning how to make these ...


I love these cicadas! I s'pose I could have found the instructions on the Net but hey, you can never have too many reference books!



I am not sure why I purchased this card except that it reminded me of every piece of stationary I ever owned as a young teen. I was mad for those letter sets - y'know - notelets with matching envelopes in a special matching folder thingy? Loved, loved, loved them and this was the prevailing style in the late 70's. Guess I was feeling nostalgic!

This next item was purchased before the "dental horror" but I decided to include it because I can show you an "after" shot!


This pure wool jumper was in the dog blanket box - such a warm garment - never underestimate the joys of the dog blanket pile! To be fair it had been slightly shrunk and had fallen foul of the Pilling Fairy. Oh and does anyone remember when we thought mustard was a good fashion colour choice - yeah - blame the 80's I think - 'cos the body of this beauty is oh so MUSTARD! All of these factors must be why it ended up in the doggie blanket pile! Good luck for me, bad luck for any cold dogs out there 'cos at just 50 cents it was definitely coming home with me! And here is what it became ...



I felted some of it into  nice plump beads. The red discs are re-purposed from another necklace and I cut the 'beadcaps' from a brass planter - then I stamped, patinaed and domed them. Actually, I roped my son into stamping some of them and oh joy oh bliss, he is a natural with a hammer, which may come in very handy! It is a longer style of necklace and I am happy with how it turned out. The felting was a bit hard on my hands though so next time I plan to revise my methods! Hope you all had a nice, fossicky week. Head to Sophie's to join in Flea Market Finds or to just check out what goodies others have found this week.

12 comments:

Rustic Tarts said...

Sorry that you haven't been well....I thought the silence was due to the final days leading up to SALA...and lots of creations were happening.
I enjoyed seeing what you found this week and the end result from the knitted jumper was a complete (& lovely) surprise.

sharingjam said...

Darn it you are so talented!!! Love the upcycling!! Hope you are feeling better - I think I have been to the dentist 3 times already this year... and have an appointment for 2 more visits... darn wonky tooth that needs repair!! Hope you are feeling better soon!...

Elizabeth said...

Who would have thought..........it's just gorgeous Sue.

Melissa said...

Poor Darling, Hope you are feeling better,
as always fabo
M

Thea said...

Hi Sue, Sorry to hear about your tooth agony - ouch! It's funny how you talked about the stationery sets as that is what I found this week. Hope you feel better soon! x

Unknown said...

Your talents are endless, to make a necklace like that from a jumper.. WOW. I am super impressed. I hope you are feeling better after your horrible week, horrible tooth problems are the worst kind, take care

mylittlebirdie said...

wow thats amazing a necklace from a jumper, cant wait to see the finished product, so intrigued! glad to hear you're feeling better, have a much nicer week than last : )

collectingfeathers said...

I am really interested how you cut the pewter and how you know if it has lead in in (not that I would have time to make anything, or the skill) but it is always good to have lots of information about little things floating around on the hard drive.
Hope you are feeling better

nadine paduart said...

listen, finding an ansel is serious business! ir reminds me of a similar find in one of our local shops, but they'd put it in a make-do e-bay... arrggghhh.. i'm not doing that sort of thing, so count yourself sooooo lucky! are you sure you don't wish to hold on to that, for inspiration???
hope that tooth has shut up!
x

Cherie said...

Ohhh WOW gorgeous post, gorgeous treasures too! Hope you have a much better week than previously.xo

Emma said...

Just catching up with you, I'm gobsmacked at your beautiful jumper into neclace! I read somewhere that if felting hurts your hands (which it does mine, a bit) then use your feet! Envious of your Ansel Adams book, but I'm sure i have one somewhere... I must look. As for your stunning forks, fabulous :)

I thought I'd followed you but I hadn't so I did!

Anonymous said...

Crikey!! What a lot. Goes without saying but I will- nice balls!! hee hee, love Kath.