Saturday, January 30, 2010

The Thrill of the Hunt

As much as I am passionate about creating art, I also love hunting for art or objects d’art or well, just weird stuff- especially in the most unlikely of places. The dirtier the shop, the better, and if I have to dig through greasy, dusty junk to look for treasure, I am one happy camper.

This morning I ventured out to a local antique shop that is so packed with boxes and furniture and all sorts of everything that I had to scoot sideways through the narrow aisles. Underneath a table, I found boxes that looked as if they had come directly from an auction -- many of the goodies were still in their yellowed newspaper wrappings. Interesting. After sorting through old license plates, tobacco pipes and costume jewelry I hit pay dirt.

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This gorgeous little flower vase- in perfect condition- was resting against some old tea towels. “I must have this,” I thought to myself. Its coppery glaze and elegant shape would be perfect in my living room. I dug deeper, casting aside broken picture frames and holiday ornaments and found this small metal “thingy.”

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It’s heavy, grimy and tarnished. Perfect so far. I have no idea what it is (the owner later confesses that he has no idea what it is either- awesome). I must have this too. I begin backing my way out the path, there is actually no room for turning around, and I spot this colorful box of …. Tags. Wow. In the original box. Made in Italy. And they are spectacular. Beautiful.

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I have no idea what to do with them but they are so nice (perhaps thank you notes on some of my really special pieces). Must. Have. Them.

I gather my treasures and head toward the counter… On the way, I spot an old pocket watch (the kids will enjoy taking it apart). It’s mine too.

As soon as I saw the little metal thing I knew it would be perfect as a candle holder. I tried it this way:

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No. How about this?

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Nope. Or this?

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Nope.

Finally, I tried this:

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Oh yes. Exactly. Best part of all, my treasures less than twelve dollars altogether. I couldn’t be happier if I found a pot of gold!

7 comments:

  1. Fun, fun! Pud and I like to poke in flea markets and antique shops. Is it weird that we like their smell?

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  2. Yes, that smell is so distinctive. I love it too! Its like when you pull open the door and you are bathed in that smell, you know there's going to be good stuff inside!
    PS-I would love to spend a summer weekend with you all and do some flea mkts and antique stores.

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  3. Oh, that sounds like such fun. I wonder what that "things" is, but it did look just right with the crystal candle holder. I would say you were quite careful nin only buying these items.

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  4. I have no idea what it actually is... perhaps one side of an old twine dispenser -- like you would find at a general store counter. I like what it is doing now though. I WAS very disciplined but I WILL be going back!

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  5. I can relate-I call myself a junquie...a bit classier than the obvious, but still determined-I agree with your choice of candle holder-it reflects back on the original metal 'stripes'...could be wrong, but that looks like an old car part to me...hmmmm..happy hunting!
    Wendi

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  6. An old car part?... That would be awesome! Who knows- I totally love it. I am decorating an entire little area based on it- old metals, glass, coolness ... The bad thing is that now I want another one, or a few of them, they would make a great artsy statement all clustered together.
    Perhaps I'll be hunting in entirely new places now!
    Thanks for touching base!

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  7. these tags we found in Siena Italy in a cobbled street a few years back now - a little shop that made books and beautiful calligraphy - I think a florentine design - use them - don't just put them in a drawer

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