Shopping in Kentucky

Junk store in Kentucky.

Elizabeth Shreve Paintings

A friend of mine - who also happens to live right down the street from me - is a wonderful talented artist. She studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and where she received her Master of Fine Arts. I love the colorful aesthetic and the irony of the roles we play as women. I have chosen a few paintings in which the women are clothed in an attempt to 'keep it g.'

Fears and Desires Magnifique by Elizabeth Shreve

Elizabeth's Paintings can be viewed at the Carl Hammer Gallery in Chicago.

I and Pie by Elizabeth Shreve

Pleasure by Elizabeth Shreve

Repurposed Ironing Boards

From Apartment Therapy

On a recent quest to figure out a few ideas for a wooden ironing board top I acquired a while back, I came across this photo from Apartment Therapy on a unique use for ironing boards. You could argue that these are too narrow, but for informal sidewalk seating, I think it is perfect. How great is it that they fold up and have adjustable heights?

Originally, I was thinking that I might decorate the top of the ironing board with bottlecaps - as shown in my previous Junk Score Post. Since I only have the top of the ironing board, I was thinking it might be fun to add some spindles (like the ones below) as legs to create an ironing board sofa table.

Below is an example of an ironing board sofa table posted by Itsy Bits and Pieces.

From Itsy Bits & Pieces

Decorating for Kids

The best part about decorating for children is that I feel braver about adding bright colorful designs. Although I am drawn towards bright colors and cluttered aesthetics, I censor myself because it isn't quite mainstream. But with designs for children, the sky is the limit! Here are a few examples I have come across:

The rainbow tree stumps are a neat idea. Below is a daycare center room that has hanging plasticware as art. Dollar store items like these are super budget friendly. I can just imagine having a child who is crying, fidgety, or cranky and being able to entertain them with the handing objects, without having to bend over to find something off the floor. I especially like the large triangle structure for dual use with chalkboard on the outside and pseudo tent/play fort.

From KiDs Care

Bottle Caps into Art and Decoration

 

One of the coolest uses of bottlecaps I have seen so far, and well executed I might add...

Just a great use of color and pattern. I have been collecting bottlecaps for a while, waiting for the right project to inspire me. I am from Wisconsin so I know plenty of beer drinkers that are willing to do their part in adding to my craft supply collection.

There are a number of different kinds of glues you can use for this type of project. According to eHow: Mom, Tacky Glue (like Aleene's), your handy dandy hot glue gun, metal adhesive glue, or Epoxy Resin Glue (this is a 2-part adhesive that only works when you combine the two together).

Sealing projects like these are also a smart idea. Spray on Varnish or polyurethane are both options. However, both need some research and investigation to make sure to be safe - because they are chemicals, so ventilation and skin protection are important.
A few more inspiring projects below!

From Great Green Goods

From Chet Pourciau Designs

Collage and Mixed Media Art

Collage, Mosaics, and mixed media art is so inspiring to me. I look at this mass of objects and I see history. I imagine where every little piece must have come from. I am interested in how artists preserve and compose a piece like this. What kind of adhesive do they use? I think of all the little junk objects I have collected and would love to make one of these.

I have also considered doing something similar for my father's tiny tchotchkes.' After he passed away, I received a box where he kept his Jaycee pins, his tie clips, watches, cuff links, and other miscellaneous things he kept over the years. These would be ideal for this kind of a project. All of those objects are not worth any money and have seen better days, but I have a hard time parting with them for sentimental value. If I were to add them to a collage/mosaic piece like this and hang it on the wall - what a great way to honor my father! I am thinking about doing the same thing for all my little similar objects. After doing an internet search I found this "Memory Mosaic," from Fine Art America.

Memory Mosaic

Welcome to Junk Score!

Welcome to Junk Score! A place to gather ideas about living frugally by turning everyday items that might (Gasp!) be otherwise thrown in the garbage. Junk is our friend. Recycling and upcycling all kinds of materials to create treasure. Beauty can be found in repurposing and giving new life to items destined for the landfill. A little bit of trash to treasure, a little bit of shabby chic style, by turning junk into art and saving a money along the way. Yard sales, gargage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets plus a little elbow grease and we can create our own home decor, garden art, and other household items.