scavenging

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slant-o-matic

March 9, 2012 in recycle-reuse-reduce, scavenging | No comments

Singer 403 Stant-O-Matic

Oh my! I scored big time on this little beauty.  My latest scavenging acquisition is a 1951 Singer 403 Slant-O-Matic.  Would you believe only 25 bucks from the Period Costume department sale at Greenfield Village?  I did have to spend a tiny bit more in parts, but now she’s purring like a kitten.  I’d love to keep her but she’s a gift for my mother.  Mom may have a few memory issues but she still loves to sew and this machine will be sweet and simple for her.

I also have to give a shout out to The Sewing Machine Man in Wyandotte who helped me put the new parts in.  The very best garage shop I’ve ever seen!

april 1st scavanging

April 1, 2011 in dollhouse+miniature, Irish waxed linen, necklace, scavenging | No comments

Antique Miniature Rocking Chair

I must confess I’m in the middle of a sewing binge right now. I’m currently consuming twice the recommended amount of fabric and defiantly defensive about changing my behavior or my perceived need to increase my wardrobe.

Until I get back to knotting here’s a peek at what my scavenging netted me from Town & Country Antiques in Livonia: another piece of furniture for the dollhouse I don’t own yet – a wee bit crooked yellow rocking chair, a rather elaborate pair of safety scissors, and a photo that reminds me of my sister and I (because we don’t look very much alike either). Draped on the chair is a macrame choker worked in Irish waxed linen that I once used as a class sample.

I hope you noticed the textured doily. My dear grandmother must have spent weeks crocheting all those yellow popcorns. The sturdiest of women, I will always be in awe of her innate talent.

march 4th scavenging

March 4, 2011 in dollhouse+miniature, scavenging, vintage | No comments

Antique Miniature with Macrame

Sometimes I leave the antique store empty-handed, sometimes I score big time. Or in this case, tiny time. Because I just can’t get enough of all things miniature, I scooped up this 5″ Oriental chest of drawers. The little vase atop was purchased at a garage sale last summer for 25 cents. Some day I would like to house all my little things in something that is not really a dollhouse but would function as one. I’m still looking for that special cabinet or cupboard.

The macrame necklace (not fully shown) is one of my first attempts at micro-macrame knotting. It’s a sampler of knotting designs that I borrowed from one of my very first beading books, Exotic Beads by Sara Withers.

saturday scavenging

February 19, 2011 in idea board, scavenging, vintage | 2 comments

Antiques Scavanged on Saturday

I have an ever so slight addiction to Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine. I just can’t help falling in love with the romantic look of new jewelry made from old jewelry castoffs. Inspired by the Winter 2011 edition, I gathered together some odd bits I’ve collected over the years. I really liked what I have to start with but I wanted to add a certain color and flavor.

So I headed over to a great antique store in my neighborhood called Village Antiques. Even though I usually walk right past the rhinestone counter, they really do offer great gobs of sparkly jewelry delight. I seemed to head straight away to these ever so cool blue aurora borealis crystal clip-on earrings, made by Weiss (right lower).

Other bits and pieces in my tray include vintage Avon, 1 Banana Bob earring that is sadly missing its mate, hollow lampwork beads made by Sylvus Tarn, vintage glass beads, a old strand of faceted garnets, and a few antique keys I’ve been saving for a very long time. So far so good. I like to think I’m formulating something here.