Takin' this show on the road

It's gray outside, drizzling a steady light rain, and pleasantly hovering at around 63 degrees--a typical Spring day in New England, and I could not be happier!!

I'm out in Rhode Island visiting friends. I've been here many times and actually used to live on Block Island, a small island off the coast. So I've seen many of the tourist-type attractions. I've been to all the beaches, I've seen several Newport Mansions, lighthouses, etc.

What else can I possibly find to do in Rhode Island on a rainy, foggy day?

Really?? Do you really have to ask??

What are vacations for besides thriftin', antiquing, and shopping secondhand stores?!

So, the minute I landed on the ground on Sunday at around noon, I asked my friends to take me to a flea market in Charlestown, R.I. at the old General Stanton Inn. This flea market has been in existence for probably 30 years. I remember coming to it when I lived out on the Block in the 80s. It's a big one, chalk full usually, but it's a little early in the season here so there were a moderate number of vendors.

Fewer vendors means fewer customers, and we were there at the tail-end of the day on a Sunday when people are ready to cut some deals. My kinda thriftin' as you know! I got a few pieces of china there and, if I had driven out here instead of flown, I'd have been going home with a couple of pieces of wood furniture that were begging for a little chalk paint love. But alas, another time perhaps.

Closet Revival vintage clothing store

Then yesterday, we spent an extremely pleasant, albeit overcast day in Newport traipsing around from Salvation Army store to vintage clothing store to antique store and hitting other retail establishments along the way. The vintage clothing store was really adorable and I'm planning a feature on her some other time. The shop was extremely browsable (yes, spellcheck, I just made up that word) and the proprietor was a delightful young woman who, surprisingly, did not yet have a web presence for her shop.

Here are my finds thus far on my Rhode Island excursion.

I picked up the china and the pale pink glass candlestick at the flea market in Charlestown on Sunday. The other pieces of glass came from the Salvation Army thrift store.

See how the pale pinks are pulling these pieces together? Me likey!

This Nippon plate has pale pink around the edge. Yeah baby!

I love how this cup has ridges and dimples like a pedal. Isn't she precious?

Then the contemporary lines of this little demitasse cup just made me smile. Not as pale on the pink, but equally sweet.

Then, just inside the door of a really, really, really upscale antique store--we are in Newport, after all--was a tray full of random crystals from vintage and antique crystal chandeliers. The shop was full of chandeliers and I'm guessing the proprietor collected all manner of crystal chandeliers in order to replace crystals on the ones he had hanging in his shop. My mind started to wander and I started picturing how I could incorporate some of these crystals into pieces of jewelry. And so . . .

 

Imagine how that will look dangling from your neck? Can't wait to get started making some jewelry with these. I might have to go back and get more before the week is through.

I'm on vacation so I am ready to PARTAY!

Debbiedoo's Newbie Linky Party

 Singing Three Little Birds Inspire Me Monday

Simply Klassic Home Simply Klassic Sunday

Beez Rental Designs Frugal Treasures Tuesday

Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday

 Not Just a Housewife Show Me What Ya Got

{Primp} Primp Your Stuff Wednesday

 Apron Thrift Girl Thrift Share Monday

Beyond the Picket Fence Under $100 Linky Party

No Minimalist Here Open House Party

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

From My Porch to Yours Treasure Hunt Thursday

The Shabby Nest Frugal Friday

At the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

Ivy and Elephant What's It Wednesdasy

My Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday

 

What this is about . . .

This is about how you might make something from nothing. How can I take an old sweater and make it into something instead of throwing it away? How can I buy a $2 item at a thrift store and turn it into something that is the centerpiece in my mother's living room? How can I take a $15 ceramic class at the local city rec center and turn it into a money-making venture when I'm out of work?

Let me start by saying that I am not an artist. I am not calling myself a “crafter” only after years of art history and drawing lessons and failed attempts at being the next great American painter.

I am also not rich. It's just little 'ole me in this house and nobody else is funding a high-end craft habit for me. (On the other hand, if you'd like to make an offer, I would not be opposed to having a high-end craft habit funded by some kind and generous stranger . . . make that a kind, generous, and sexy stranger).

So now you know the down and dirty truth. I am a working class “jo” who has played around at making crafts most of my life just to keep myself busy. Many times the crafting springs out of necessity: I need a nice gift but can't afford to buy one; I need to wrap a gift but can't afford to buy wrapping paper; I need new window treatments but can't afford . . . you get the idea.

So, “Crazy” because it's always good to act a little crazy; it keeps friends and family guessing. “Thrifty” because I've never had a ton of money and had to learn to be a bargain hunter. “Crafts” because, after all, a girl needs a hobby. 

And don't worry, I'll tell you when I try something that turns out stupid or ugly or something that fails entirely.

Oh yeah, how do you like my new glasses?