Salvaged Curiosities

Proud to be a Member of the new Avalon Rose Market Square!

2010-08-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

Avalon Rose Market Square is a new online shopping directory where you'll find everything from housewares, jewelry, antiques, clothing, babies & kids items, beauty products, art, graphics, gothic items, paper goods, supplies, and services that I'm proud to be a member of! I'm so excited that my Vintage Argus Rangefinder f/3.5 50MM Camera was featured in the first grouping of Spotlight Products.

Vintage Window Screen Project

2010-06-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased this great vintage screen window that I found in an old garage. The possibilities! The first thing that popped into my head was using it to display old family photos. I tried a couple of different options for attaching them, but found that straight pins worked the best.

I raided my wife's sewing supplies (shhhhh!) and found a bunch like this...

Then I used two needle nose pliers to bend them. I had to make sure to bend them as close as possible to the head of the pins otherwise they kept falling out of the screen.

From there I started poking them through the photos and then through the screen. Remember that you'll be making holes in your photos going this route, so if you want to keep your old photos intact, it may be best to use copies. You could also use other vintage paper ephemera such as postcards as well.

Other ideas are to hang decorative thingamabobs from it. I'm big on using what you have on hand, so I used a clock, vintage hand mirror, antique ceiling tile, and a metal fleur de lis. I used 20 gauge wire to attach it them to the screen. One thing to remember here is to try not to use anything too heavy as over time it will cause the screen to sag.

There are also other options which I didn't try out for lack of time, but florals would be one that I think would look really nice! Or maybe to display vintage textiles such as doilies or handkerchiefs.

As a Fan of the American Pickers TV Show....

2010-05-03T06:30:00.001-07:00

I sure was excited when I drove by this place not long ago. Had to snap a photo. ;)

Display Ideas for an Old Metal Chest

2010-04-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

I came across this old Union steel chest (Pssst.....it's available HERE!), and I got started thinking about different things that could be done with it. No one has ever accused me of being a decorating genius (or even an amateur), so I got a little help with a couple of these ideas.

First, you could just use it to store things. I mean, those little trays would be great for beads, nails, craft stuff, you name it. But what fun is that? Vintage things like this are begging to be displayed.

What about to display old family photographs?

Or small collections?

Or florals?

What else can you think of this utility chest could be used for?

Weekend Trip

2010-04-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, I went on a trip and scored a TON of new goodies for the website. It's going to take me awhile to get everything listed, but I'll give you a sneak peek of what's in store....

Retro Red and Rhinestone Rockabilly Earrings	Rusty Pink Vintage Hanson Scale
Set of 3 Vintage Religious Medals	Italian Vintage Oval Metal Picture Frame
Vintage Argus Rangefinder f3.5 50MM Camera	Vintage McGraw Electric Fan

Lots of New Goodies Listed This Week!

2010-04-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

A lot of new items got listed this week at Salvaged Curiosities. Check out a few of them below! And don't forget! FREE U.S. SHIPPING on everything all the time!

Vintage Black and White Iowa License Plates

12" x 12" Antique Cream Painted Tin Ceiling Tile

Bowling Pin 1985 Amflite II

Vintage Art Nouveau Style Brass Floral Lady Mirror

Story Behind the Truck

2010-04-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

My story behind my truck picture, is the story of my childhood. It is the first truck my father ever owned free and clear. It is a 1967 Chevy C20, which used to sport white wooden livestock racks in the truckbed. I had many days shoving seven or eight 200 plus pound hogs into the back of that old beast. Hogs that I helped feed and care for, but hogs that had to go to town to pay our bills. We also used it to haul our family lawn mower in the back, to mow a local cemetery for extra cash. I traveled many miles in the bed of that truck, just standing in the back, face in the wind, hands holding tight to the livestock racks.
Fast forward to a couple of years ago. The truck was worn, beat, and had been permanently parked in the back yard. But the price of steel was high, so the local junkyard offered $350 for the truck. My dad thought he'd won the lottery. Until I matched the price....
My dad thought I was a fool. But I have a rare piece in my collection now. A piece that I have sweat and tears in. A piece that is so much more than monetary value. A piece that I can truly, truly be proud of to be the main photo for my business.

So Long Spoon Rack....Hello Key Rack

2010-04-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

Earlier today I posted that I was giving a spoon rack a makeover. Here are the details....First I cleaned and sanded this poor old thing...

Then I primed it using Krylon Indoor/Outdoor white primer (dries in 10 minutes....sweet!)

After that I painted it with Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Gloss White paint. Finally I replaced those kitschy spoons with antique skeleton keys.

That old brass tack at the top was replaced with a keyhole thingy that was from some scrapbooking stuff I found and honestly didn't know what I was going to do with it when I first found it. Lookin' good, huh?

Ok....now I have the primer and the paint finished, but this baby has to cure a bit before I can offer it for sale on the site. Don't want any of the awesome black tissue paper we use for packaging sticking to it. ;)

When this recycled key rack is ready, I'll definitely be putting a link to the listing up!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE LISTING!

Spoon Rack Makeover

2010-04-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

I'm sure many of you have seen these. The spoon rack. My grandma had one, my aunt had one, my mom had one, but I sure as heck don't....until now, that is. This one is nasty, dirty, dusty, and even came with a few deceased ladybugs. I'm going to give this baby a makeover though, and when it's all done it'll no longer be a spoon rack. That's just a hint. ;) Stay tuned......more pics and details to come!

New Finds (almost) Everyday!

2010-03-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

We are committed to adding new goodies, finds, and curiosities to the shop (almost) everyday. Here are some photos of some of what is available. (Psssst......FREE SHIPPING on all US orders!)

Pair of Antique French Padlocks

Vintage Westclox Metal Alarm Clock

Vintage Glossy Black Rose Shelves

Gothic Black Crystal Necklace and Earring Set

Gothic Wrought Iron Gate Topper

Ok, there you have it....just a sample of some of the fun finds we have. Hopefully you'll find a curiosity that is just for you. Looking for something in particular? Just ask, and we'll see if we can find it for you!

Salvaged Curiosities is Now Open!

2010-03-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce that Salvaged Curiosities is now open for business! Who are we? We are finders/pickers/investigators/diggers and more. We find things. Interesting things, unique things, beautiful things, rusty things.....things that can often be termed 'curiosities' and bring them back to life. We sell old, new, recycled, and repurposed stuff that we think you will find interesting. We find things. Just for you. Hope you find that certain curiosity that is just for you!