Blog For Thrift Store Vintage Collectibles Upcycle Repurpose

 LilacsNDreams Blog For Thrift Store Vintage Collectibles Upcycle Repurpose DIY Handmade

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to see you landing here to visit with me!

I know I left here to go over there for another Blog I started for LilacsNDreams. I do still have that, but I just felt like I wanted to drop by here. Still kind of hard to let go where I have been for so long. So, here I am. 

This year started off a little rough for us here at home. I had hernia surgery which kept me in hospital for the night with an issue that came up. Next day everything corrected, was fine, and I was released. About 2 weeks later my husband had a heart attack. Something none of us seen coming, and was very unexpected. But, after talking, going over things, being told things we realized this had been coming, and finally surfaced. That happened on the 16th, and on the 23rd of January hubby had double bypass surgery. It was an experience not wished upon anyone. 

So, during this time of recovery, doctor visits, physical therapy there unfortunately was no income being received. Unemployment was filed for, but was denied. Reason…his inability to work/surgery. His boss was not on a “list” that this could be treated like a lay off, and they do not support medical issues. Hubby, and the boss…also our dear friend…were not happy at all. For the years he drove here where has all that money gone? His boss wants to talk with his accountant to find out about paying unemployment, can he quit paying it since it can’t be used, and those kind of things. Soooo living off of credit cards, using what money was set aside for a rainy day, and doing best we could. Survival with doctor visits, and each drive was over an hour from home. Medicines to buy…hubby has no insurance. Never really a need for it because he never gets sick, and has never really had a need to see a doctor. Also, due to his profession of truck driving he was not released to work as soon as others can be released. As the doctor explained he did not break an arm, or a leg that could be casted. Bone in his chest was cut open, and put together with wire. Takes time to heal, no stress, and no physical work that could injure the bone. The next surgery would be more difficult due to more damage to try to fix. 

Almost 3 months of him being home. A lot of walking, and a lot of sleeping. I had a lot of time during these months to think about things, and reach into my feelings a little about what I like to do with LilacsNDreams. I sooo enjoy some of the things when I first started out online. Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, Flea Markets, and that search for vintage collectibles. I enjoyed searching for home decor, glassware was another passion, I so enjoyed things as found but sometimes seen possibilities of them in another way too. How I could upcycle an item to do this, oh it would look great if it had this color added to it, wouldn’t this be unique if these pieces were united, repurpose it for another use, and so on. I enjoyed searching Thrift Stores which you seem to be able to find a little bit of this, that, and look through piles for things. I wish sometimes I could have like a Thrift Store where you can sell a little of everything you would like to put into it. Things old, new, used, discarded, forgotten, handmade, DIY, and honestly a lot of things I enjoy doing myself with online sales. Wouldn’t it be neat to have an online Thrift Store? That idea excited me thinking about it. 

Now, another thing IF I did something like that. Would I keep my name of LilacsNDreams that I have had, and worked under since 2004 when I started? I have the domain for it, could set up a website to sell on, and have had that for a long time too. I have done social sites with it, my different blogs, different selling platforms, etc. When checking with AI with this name it pretty much describes everything I talk about which is a good thing to know. I also have another name with a domain I acquired some time ago. I have dabbled with it, have a blog with the name, but haven’t built it up like I have with this name of course. That name is ThriftyShopGirl. So, it’s me thinking again. Taking the time to look at different things, different ways of things, searching around a bit, making my notes, and trying to feel out what is the right way. I like the Online Thrift Store idea so that I can dabble with a little of the different things I like to do, that I have interests in. I need to feel my way through with the name idea. That is something I really need to look at more, and feel out a little more too.

So, everyone that is where my thoughts, and ideas have come to after everything that has happened this year to bring me to this point. I hope to be able to decide a little more here soon so that I can start putting inventory together for this venture….which this will be the fun part!! The thrill of the hunt, and ideas! It feels good, and free when I think of this. The inventory won’t be a real bad thing to put together. The decision of the name has me caught up a bit, and will hold things up a bit till I can determine more the better way to go with it.

Sorry for the story book. I was happy to share some thoughts, and ideas with you.  Thanks so much for spending time at LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you here. If you would like to share something about this topic, please feel free to do so. Thanks everyone, and see you again soon!

Spring Time Clocks Change Go Forward Saturday Night

 

Spring Time Clocks Change Go Forward Saturday Night

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! Been quite a while, and I am guilty of not being here. Sorry, no excuses will be used. Just Holidays, weather, winter blues, and so on.

I haven’t been crafting, and not really much of anything honestly. Spring is coming, I am excited with a few things I’ve gathered to craft with. Have a few ideas, and I hope I can do as I am planning on too.

 I have some doctor appointments I need to take care of. In May we will be in Tennessee for a few days attending my nieces graduation from college. Then, in June our niece gets married. This is a special time for us with her wedding. Her mother (my husbands sister) passed away about 5 days after giving birth to her. So, the aunts got together 1 weekend, and took her dress shopping. Along with her dress she got her veil, her shoes, a hair clip to wear with her veil, and a necklace and earring set. Since my husband, and I live closer to her we have been doing what we can to help her with her wedding preparations. Some of it financially too. No limit set. We want this special time to be fun, and memorable for her. Things are going pretty good, and the time is really coming up quickly too. 

I wanted to put a reminder out to everyone too. This weekend, Saturday night, need to remember that we set our clocks ahead an hour. Yes, that time of year again. We get to spring the clocks forward, and will unfortunately lose an hour of sleep too. Just think spring is soon here. I like this time of year when everything looks fresh, is alive, beautiful colors, getting away from the winter blues, and onto a great spring season. 

It was great having you visit LilacsNDreams, and Thank You so much for stopping by! Take care, be safe, and hope to see you again soon. 

Repurpose Recycle Reuse Restore Reclaim Upcycle With LilacsNDreams

Repurpose Recycle Reuse Restore Reclaim Upcycle With LilacsNDreams

Hello to all visiting today! I deeply apologize for my absence. It was not intended, and unfortunately unavoidable. I had been sick with a really bad head cold for a good 3 weeks. It’s that time of year with weather changing that I normally get this, but usually does not last as long as this one did. Sadly, I had just seen my doctor for regular appointment a few days prior to me becoming sick too. I’m feeling so much better, a lot less of a cough, can breathe again, and eating has come back with my appetite.

Due to the time frame of this happening I was not able to work on any projects that I wanted to do, and then post them with Facebook Marketplace. Instead I am working hard to get our other house in order for our daughter, and family to stay there while visiting us for Christmas. Air mattresses for them all to use, towels and things there to shower, and so on. Most of time will be spent with us, but they cannot bring their dogs to this house with our dog here. He is high strung, and other dogs around does not work well with him.

I have been getting some things to start preparing ahead for everyone being here. We will not be celebrating Christmas Day, but on the following weekend. Works great for hubby to get home, and have time off. Works pretty good for those visiting with other family members, and also for friends to stop in too. As always we have the open door policy…Stop on in for a meal, to visit, for the company, you have no where else to go, etc. So, I have a little time to prepare christmas snacks, get pies put together and made, and etc. Busy busy like many do at this time.

So, right now I have plans for after the first of the year to sit down, work on projects, and get things posted with Facebook Marketplace. I’m hoping to have a website set up which will be easier to visit, and shop. I have something in mind I have been looking into, and hope to have it working in a few months too. Crossing fingers!

So, with a little imagination some of the old items can be like new again, and once conventional things can  become unique. I’m hoping for us all to learn some things, share some things, and be inspired with Repurpose, Recycle, Reuse, Restore, Reclaim, and Upcycle with LilacsNDreams. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you visit, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and be safe! Happy Holidays!

Glass Angel Handmade Repurposed Upcycled Restyled Home Decor

Glass Angel Handmade Repurposed Upcycled Restyled DIY Home Decor at LilacsNDreams. Welcome everyone!

I haven’t gotten as far as I wanted to with my order of glass angels, but I have gotten them started. I first put the glass bases through the dishwasher to clean them well. After they were cleaned, I pulled them from the dishwasher, and then I had them sitting out for about a couple days before I attempted anything with them. 

I was worried thinking I didn’t have the glass ornaments I wanted to use for their heads. With moving I wasn’t catching up to my supplies fast enough. I was starting to think I might have to use some light bulbs for their heads instead. I was fortunate enough, and happy to have found them before I was ready to assemble, and glue things. 

I have different ribbons of purple coloring sitting out to choose for their wings, and to add with some embellishments I will use. I’m thinking of twisting silver pipe cleaner with the purple to make their halos. I don’t want all 3 angels to be completely identical. I will alter them slightly so that each one is unique for each person that will be receiving them. 

Now that the weekend is over I should be home a little more to spend time working with these to complete them. I’m getting anxious to work with them, and get them completed for their new homes. 

As everyone knows we have been moving, and taking our time with it too. We hadn’t decided completely what we were going to do with our home we are moving from. It’s a small fixer upper that we have done some work with. As of right now we have decided to clean it up, get things in order that are there, and at this time we are going to keep it. We discussed about me using it as my crafting, selling, and office area. It’s about 15 minutes from our other home. So, I wouldn’t really be going out of my way going there different times during the week to work on things. When I am done for the day I can leave it till I go back. Kind of like work stays at work, and home is home. In the spring we will look at things again, weigh in on how the housing market is doing then, and maybe determine more of what we want to do with it.

Thank You to all who visited with LilacsNDreams today. Take care, and be safe everyone till the next visit. Toodles . . . . . . 

 

Handmade Homemade Hand Altered Buying Online and Local

 

Handmade Homemade Hand Altered Buying Online and Local with LilacsNDreams. Welcome to everyone visiting!

Special reminder that buying products this way is better for everyone, creators and buyers. 

Handmade is considered made, or prepared by hand rather than by machine. It is made by hand, a hand process, and made by people using their hands. Individual pieces, or materials that compromise a finished item. Paint, wire, and pieces combined that create a final item. 

Hand Altered is glued, nailed, screwed, sewn, stapled, embroidered, inscribed, painted, drawn, photographed, etc. Any alteration, or embellishment to an item by hand, hand controlled machine, and traditional art or craft method. Hand Altered can also be referred to as hand embellished, or hand assembled too. 

Homemade can be referred to pieces that are repurposed, upcycled, restyled, reimagined, etc. Made or prepared in the home, made by oneself, crudely or simply made. Creative touches, quality supplies, ingredients, and so on. 

So, why pieces like this? Many reasons which I will mention a few.

1)  Find something unique. Home decor, clothing, wall decor, and many things will not be exactly what someone else has. You can keep up with the trends  by fixing, adding, changing, fixing it up. Makes it unique for you.

2)  Super Craftsmanship. Handmade items get individual care, special attention, focus on details, quality control, etc. There are no assembly lines with unskilled workers. 

3)  Putting money into good hands. When you pay an artist, or craftsman for their work they are actually getting the profit from it. You are not paying a CEO of a major company, their overhead, and so on. You can also improve the economy, and make a difference by shopping this way with Handmade, Homemade, and Hand Altered.

4)  Better Customer Service. I like to think that buying this way you get individual attention from the seller. When receiving products you might have a hand written note, a thank you, and once in a while you might get some little freebie included with your item. If you have a problem with some kind of mix up, lost or damaged in shipping, maybe item received was faulty, it is almost always taken care of effectively. These sort of issues though happen less frequently due to the care, and the concern Sellers strive for in having Happy Customers. 

5)  Go Green. Smaller scale operations will produce less waste, use recycled materials, found objects, industrial salvage pieces, etc. items that could have gone to the landfills, but with these technique of Sellers they are spared and used.

6)  Get custom items and alterations. Great to have things made just for you. It’s a pleasure to receive one of a kind items, and maybe to help complete a vision you might have of something not yet out there. Also, if you don’t have the skill or time to make it yourself, there is someone out there who does. 

7)  Make somebody’s dream come true. Many of us dream about quitting the day job, becoming your own boss, and doing what you love to do everyday. Whether it is for you, or helping someone else with this, it is very inspiring. 

                              “Do What You Love, and the World Will Follow”

As mentioned before there are many categories that fall into these topics mentioned. Jewelry, clothing, accessories, home decor, housewares, vintage, used, soaps, lotions, bath products, etc. they all have something in common. Start from scratch, connect things, or pieces making something for you. 

There are many wonderful sellers out there doing all kinds of work. They take much pride in what they do, and like many others work very hard at what they do to make their items to be offered to you. When shopping please don’t forget about them. I would suggest if you have not already bought something like this . . . Give it a try. You will be very surprised at what you get, and will want more. It’s addictive! 

The picture below was made by a friend who is no longer here. She took much pride in her work, and spent much time with it. This bunny was made from colored glass beads using safety pins to form the body. Under the body was a light, and when lit was so soft colored and cute!

Thank You for visiting with LilacsNDreams. See you again soon. Till then take care, and be safe!

Toodles . . . . . . 

Federal Glass Bowl Candy Dish Compote Holder Wood Bowl Glassware Home Decor

 Federal Glass Bowl Candy Dish Compote Holder Wood Bowl Glassware Home Decor with LilacsNDreams. Hello to everyone who visits today!

Yesterday was kind of a lazy relaxing day. So, when it was time to consider what to share with everyone I was a little bit stumped, and not quite sure what to share this time. So, I went back through old pictures, looking at past things I’ve done, having memories of things I did, etc. That is when I decided to share a little bit of things I had done over time. The pieces I am sharing have all sold back in time when I started this change of interests for selling. This would be around the time I was getting started with repurposing different pieces, and I was starting to experiment with painting too. I miss some of these pieces, and wish I still had them. I enjoy being able to combine sometimes a vintage piece with another to give it a new life for others to be able to enjoy too.

This is a Federal Glass Bowl Candy Dish Compote Holder I had repurposed, restyled, and upcycled. 

This was a cute, sturdy little piece that I combined 2 pieces of glassware uniting them to make this one compote piece. Many uses for it like a candy dish, candle holder, jewelry dish, catch all, in bathroom with some soaps and things, and the possibilities are endless. I used a gorgeous iridescent clear glass bowl by federal glass. I united it with a glass candle holder with an hexagon shape to make the base/stand for this adorable piece. Both glass pieces were sturdy, and just adorable together! It look store bought.

Now, this is a picture showing some items I found while thrifting back in 2011. Pay more attention to the brown wooden bowls. Those bowls were my first projects that I painted. I used white spray paint, a French blue spray paint, and the pink paint I used was a pink slipper color. It was a trying time to learn to paint with spray paint, what to do so it wouldn’t run, and I also tried a little of distressing with the white and blue bowl compote stands. The other pieces you see I eventually did some plate compote stands with them too. Creativity of uniting pieces is fun, and makes the finished items unique in small ways. Adds a little life, and character to items being repurposed and preserved for new times and uses.

Below you will see a picture that shows the wooden bowls I had painted with the colors mentioned. I was pretty proud of myself, and how they looked when finished. It excited me to do more too!

Hope everyone enjoyed seeing some of my first repurposed, and restyled pieces I made. I haven’t done as much with the compote plate stands like I use to. But, I do dabble a little bit with it yet. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams everyone! I appreciate you stopping by, and hope to see you again soon. Take care till the next time, and be safe everyone! Toodles . . . . 

Mini Wooden Crates Handmade Restyled Repurposed DIY Crafting

 

Mini Wooden Crates Handmade Restyled Repurposed DIY Crafting with LilacsNDreams! Welcome to all who are visiting.

Today I am going to share with you an item that is used for crafting, and give you a few ideas that have been shared too. All of the pictures below came from one of the Facebook Groups that I follow, Dollar Tree Farmhouse DIY. So much fun, others helping others, and sooo many crafty ideas are shared there too. Many crafters you will find get a lot of their supplies from the Dollar Tree stores, and Dollar General stores along with other places too. With these 2 stores you get new products you can create with. Painting, Mod Podge, glue, calendars, placemats, wired garbage cans, pizza pans, sheet pans, and the list goes on. 

So, one of the members of the facebook group asked for some ideas that have been done with the wooden mini crates that are sold at the Dollar Tree store. What you see below the picture of the crates is just a few things of what everyone was sharing. 

Crates shown are what is being used for the craft ideas people were sharing

The mini crates here were painted, chalkboard tags added to the front, some wooden balls making mini pulls, and these mini crates were placed inside the bigger crates which have been painted, and stacked too.

This project was created with the mini crate which was added to 1 of the handled cutting boards. You can see what was painted, paper/cloth added, wording, ribbon, etc. How cute for a counter top, or on the table too.

This is cute too! Looks like the crate was stained, had some stained feet added to the bottom, white wording was added on the side, and some cute embellishments were added in the top of the open crate.

This is another crate stand that had been made by putting the smaller ones into the bigger stacked crate boxes. Chalkboard tags added to the front, and this piece shows how they can be used for pull out storage drawers probably in the bathroom.

Another popular craft to make with this mini crate is the appearance of stacked books with wording, some saying, names, dates, etc painted on the side. This one was decorated with some twine wrapping the books together.

Both of these pictures show the front, and side of this stand. You can use popular arrow signs for the sides with the wooden crates/boxes, or you could even use some paint stir sticks put together. A rope twine had been wrapped on the sides adding a little more character to this stand. The mini crate boxes could set within the trays used on this stand. 

There are so many things that can be used to craft with, and create with at your dollar stores, things found from thrift stores, and so on. The possibilities are endless. The next time you see something you like, you want it, but don’t want to pay the price on it. Keep in mind that maybe you can still have it by making it, and spending a lot less than what you see in the store. Plus, you can alter a little by putting your color on it, some little touch you want to change, something you might want to add, and etc. 

Hope you enjoyed this, and maybe are able to get some ideas of things you can do too. If you’re not the crafty type, but know someone who is, maybe they can help you out with your idea. Don’t forget to check online too. There are a lot of crafters out there who would be happy to help you because they love what they do.

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Hope to see you again. Till the next time take care, and be safe. Toodles . . . . . . 

Glass Candle Candy Snack Dish Pedestal Stand Home Decor

Glass Candle Bowl Dish Stand Candy Dish Jewelry Dish Snack Dish Bowl Pedestal Stand Home Decor Centerpiece Table Decor by LilacsNDreams.

I repurposed, restyled, and upcycled this gorgeous glass stand by using 3 pieces of glass. I united them using an industrial adhesive. I used a glass candle holder along with 2 glass snack dishes to make this pedestal stand. All pieces have a very clean shine, and show very very minimal signs of use, if any. I am not seeing, or feeling any knicks, chips, cracks, etc.

There are Many Ways to Use These Pedestal Stands:

~ Can be used for all types of events, and parties. Wedding, Anniversary, Birthday, Display in a Shoppe or Cafe, Special Occasions, Office Supplies, Catch all for everything, etc.

~ Great for displaying candles, candies, nuts, mints, pastries, truffles, etc

~ Unique home decor center piece, table decor, candle holder, some succulent plants, etc

~ Add a little glass cloche with it

~ Add some seasonal decor, some of your favorite things, knick knacks, etc

Many versatile uses to consider, scatter around the home for use, and I think you’ve got the idea. Another unique feature with some of the stands is that you can flip them over to use in a more single simpler way. This will depend on the base that the stand has.

MEASUREMENTS:

    About ~

6 1/8” tall
5 6/8” diameter
5 1/4” wide base foot

Buy this for yourself, or for an unforgettable gift!
Please note sale is for glass item only. None of the decorative accessories are included with this. Only used for visuals, and suggested ideas.

It’s a pleasure to help you find your treasures. Please ask any questions you may have prior to purchase. If you need more pictures please let me know. I would be happy to assist you. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and come on back anytime.

I am listing this gorgeous handmade stand for $32.00. This price does include shipping.

Payments are accepted with PayPal, or Venmo too.

Any questions please contact Me (Kim) by email with lilacsndreams@gmail.com

Handmade Gnome Pink Bandana Biker Style Gnome was created by LilacsNDreams! I love this one because it is just a little bit different than a lot of the gnomes that have become so popular. This is the second gnome that I have made. First one was done with a tomato cage that now sits on my porch. This pink gnome is a gift that I will soon give to my hairdresser with my next appointment. 

This is how the gnome first look when I completed it. I wasn’t quite settled with it. In my opinion I felt it needed just a little bit more height. It felt like it was just sitting a little too low. As you will see in the next 3 pictures I had added a little bit height with it which I feel made it just a little bit better. I’m learning, and next time I will know a little bit more what to do.

The supplies I used with this project was a mop head from a mop I got from the Dollar Tree store. I cut a corner of a pink bandana to use for the gnome hat. I used a pink Pom Pom for the nose, and I added just a few little pink flowers to a few of the strands I braided. For the base I used a pencil holder from the Dollar Tree store.  

I removed the mop head from the mop handle, and I dropped the black neck of the mop head into the pencil holder. Before doing that I added a little glue around the rim of the pencil holder. Next time I will push the mop head further down into the holder. This will help shorten the beard that is around it.  With this gnome I unraveled all of the mop strings. Was trying to make it a little bit fuller. I attached the pink bandana, I added the pink Pom Pom for the nose, and I braided a few of the mop strands which I then added the little pink bows in some areas. 

After studying how it sat for a little bit I went in search of something to use to add a little bit of height to this. I used a small glass votive holder. 

Now, remember I am no expert doing handmade crafts. A lot of it is following what others do, sometimes adding my own touch, etc. I need to get another mop head because I would like to make another gnome. Not sure what kind of hat for it, bit that will come to me as I go along. 

When you have a chance visit my Shoppe at Etsy. I offer vintage collectibles, and repurposed Upcycled handmade items too. 

Christmas is soon here. Hope everyone will be able to share some time with family, friends, or have some whee you can go.

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams today. Drop on by anytime. Take care till the next time you visit. Toodles . . . .