Recycling Old Frames

At our church (LDS) we have a table where everyone puts things they no longer want for anyone to take for free. Last week, just in time, someone was giving away three very ugly (BG), matching brass frames (see pic, on the left). They were very sturdy, stand up types.

I took them home and spraypainted them to match the handles on my refurbished bedroom furniture. I covered the inside glass part of the frame with painter's tape, and reused it for all 3 frames.

The result were three matching, nickel coloured frames. They now sit on my dressers, and as soon as I find some great pics of my family, off to Walmart to have them processed for the frames!

Don't be afraid of spray paint, it doesn't clump and gives great results. I used Krylon Chrome for these.

The Twig Lamp

I needed a lamp, but couldn't afford a new one, at least, not any that I really want. I love nature and especially trees. I happened to have on hand a bunch of small branches that I had cut last year for a project, but never got to it. Perfect, as they had thoroughly dried (don't ever use green or new cut wood for projects, it shrinks!).

I also had an old lamp that I took apart and used to make a new lamp. I had to cut the wires near the socket to get it out of the casing. And I had to buy a new socket ($5). All you need is a metal rod to thread the wire through, a wire with a plug, and a socket. You simply take the two wires that are split at the top and wrap each of them around each screw on the socket, then tighten.


To the left is the lamp with a different shade.


I got the nice lampshade (below) at Ikea on sale for $10 (I rarely go there, only for curtains, but happened to walk past the lamps). I had to add a ring to get the shade to fit, again, from the old lamp. I simply glued the sticks around the metal rod and stuck the socket at the top. I kept it long on purpose, I like the tree look :-)


Voila, my twig lamp. Total cost $15.

The Reason for Being Here

A wattle fence was a fence built centuries ago (and today!) by ordinary people to protect themselves and their possessions. It was a simple concept--longer stakes were spaced apart and driven into the ground to begin the fencing. Then smaller branches were woven between these "stakes" and eventually formed a solid wall. An example of a wattle fence is shown on my blog banner (coming!). It cost nothing, but it involves a lot of work and gives a feeling of accomplishment.
This blog is about building your own wattle fence....and the symbolism involved. I began building my wattle fencing when I had absolutely no money to buy a "real" fence. But it wasn't just the money. I needed a time-out, a reason to be outside and out of the house, and a stress reliever. I needed physical labour with a practical result.
Whatever your reason for being here, my reason for sharing is to make your life richer and happier even though you are facing difficulties. These can be financial, physical, mental, spiritual, so many reasons....you may be in an unhappy marriage, a difficult family relationship, or alone. It really doesn't matter, hopefully you will find something here to get you motivated and excited about life again and it shouldn't have to cost you a a fortune. Emphasis will be on using or reusing what you have already, or can get for free. It does involve work though, so roll up your sleeves and dig in!