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!

Welcome Back to LilacsNDreams!!

Hello and Welcome back to LilacsNDreams!! Wow! It has been a very very long time since I have visited here. I deeply apologize for the absence of about 3 1/2 years from here. Wow!! Seeing that number, it really has been a very long time. I ask everyone to bear with me as I hopefully make some changes to my blog/website to update it...once I can figure out what I am doing again. LOL...I honestly feel as though I am learning things all over again because it has been soooo long. 

Trying to make my story short, and not sharing my whole life story, but things got really hectic/scary for a while. I had become ill, and was later hospitalized a few times with meningitis. I wasn't contagious, but it sure was scarey. The recovery time is something else too! I found out the hard way it wasn't something you just shrug off, and a few days later you are cured. It really truly is a long process of healing. For quite a while I couldn't be left home alone as I had to be supervised during my recovery....sorry, I am too stubborn for that! I couldn't drive, used a walker for a bit, had to rely on others...which I am independent.  Sometimes I pushed myself too hard, and later would pay for it. 

Now, during my illness, in and out of hospitals, husband drives truck and was home 1-2 times a week to check on our home and such....within the first month+ our home had been robbed 3 times. I know, how horrid, right? We pretty much lost everything...computer, cameras, tv, jewelry, food, etc. It was devastating, and a total shocker too. Being ill, trying to recover, and who could do such a thing, right? 

It took a while to recover from robberies as well. The ones who were guilty were caught eventually, but we were never able to get anything back. Without sharing details of all of this it took us a very very long time to come back from this situation. Besides getting new things....which it was really hard to shop for items lost, my husband wanted me to get a new wedding ring as well. Great, huh? Love him for it, but it was just really hard to deal with all of this. I couldn't get in the mood to do any shopping to replace things, plus I was still recovering from my illness too. 

Soooo, here I am today!! I am back, ready to work on things, clean house, get things back into order, and start doing a lil of what I was doing before all of this happened to change our lives. I finally brought a new computer home....let me tell ya. Waayyy different than using my iphone, and my ipad!! But, it's a good thing. Just I feel like I am learning things all over again....frustrating, but also fun too. Hey, at least I can laugh at myself when I make a mistake and realize what I have done😉😄 No one is watching, right? LOL!!

It's all a working progress....figuring out all my accounts, emails, passwords to things, activating some things again, etc etc. Taking a lot of notes, and it is slowly coming back to me. First things first...working with my website here, facebook, pinterest, and getting things in order. Once I am comfortable with all of that I hope to soon be back online selling things again too. A little bit of vintage, along with some DIY, repurposed, recycled, reused, and restored pieces too. 

Sooooo, that's everything that has happened from time past, and things I am projecting to work on from today and moving forward. Like I mentioned before....please, please bear with me. Stop by now, and then to visit with me/check on me. Hopefully soon you will be seeing a few changes with my blog/website as I train myself again on how to fix some of the issues, revise, and update things as time goes along. It's a working progress that I am looking forward to, am excited about, and ready to take on!!

Thanks sooooo much for visiting with me today everyone!! Was great seeing you stop by, and hope to see more of you as time goes along. You can always leave a comment, or drop me a line too. Love hearing from everyone!!

Till the next time, take care everyone! I'll be back!! LOL!😊

Glass Bell Cloche Dome Decorative Home Decor

Glass Cloche Decorative Home Decor

Glass Bell Cloche Green Anchor Hocking Vase Pink Flowers

Glass Cloche Candle Holder Repurposed Vintage Inspired



Glass Bell Cloche Dome Decorative Home Decor of today, and times past. Above you are seeing pictures of some Glass Cloches that I have repurposed, and are being offered in my shops. 

The first one at the top is the first Glass Cloche I had repurposed, and upcycled. This piece has sold with my shop at Etsy too. I used a glass fish bowl, or candy bowl. Added a upcycled ceramic knob with some pink ribbon, white lace, and with the drinking glass had added some rose decals to give a little bit more character with this. 

The second picture is a glass vase that was altered by turning it over, and adding a small mini candle holder at top for the knob. Inside the glass cloche is an Anchor Hocking Forest Green mini vase with some pink flowers that have been added.  This item is still available with my shop at Etsy also.

The last picture is a Glass Cloche made from a Vintage Trimont Candle Holder as the base, the glass is also from a wired candle holder, and soft pastel bouquet was done by Me, and added to the mini terra pot with a soft gold accent around the pot. You can see more pictures, and details for this item with my shop at Etsy as well.

Now, some people might ask what is a Cloche? The word cloche is french for bell. Cloche jars had originally been hand blown jars that were used to protect plants from the cold, and from the frost too. You may also find them referred to these as well:
• Bell instrument like with music. The restaurant bell shaped cover used for plate of food to keep it warm. Also, a dome clay shaped oven used for baking the single loafs of bread.
• The Cloche Hat which is a close fitting hat that women worn by flappers in the 20s.
• Row Covering which was a row of coverings protecting plants from those cold temperatures.

Basically, the Cloche was, and still is a rage in home decor. You will find websites that sell these different Cloche pieces, and some of them can be quite spendy too. To save cost you will find many crafters who have made these same pieces for a smaller cost. I myself enjoy making cloches, and then offering them to others to enjoy with my shop at Etsy, or also with my shop at Artfire too. I have viewed other crafters who have really made some beautiful pieces using vintage glass, or whatever pieces that they could find from Thrift Stores, and Yard Sales too. 

Cloches do have many uses. They can be very pretty, and can also be paired with many different things making a variety of different looks. Cloches are great for adorning mantles, counters, tables, some knick knack shelves, using floral arrangements or maybe a single flower, maybe show some precious photos in them or on them, show some seashells, ornaments, nests and birds, and so many possibilities. The pieces can be very versatile, and adorn any room in the home with all that you can do for your displays with them. 

Yes, I admit to liking Cloches, and having fun repurposing pieces into them too. I also adore some of the cheese tray Cloches by painting them, and adding some little touches of character with those too. Sorry, I could carry on with this, but do need to find a landing place with this. 

Thanks so very much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams. I am happy to see you visiting, stopping by, and finding Me too. Don't be afraid to leave a comment, or add to this topic if you wish. Have a wonderful day, and come back to visit again soon.