Shedding some light on my favorite part of junkin'.

     Want to know my favorite part about what I do for my part of the Tumbleweed Cotillion business? I'll tell you.

    I'd have to say that my most favorite part of my glorified junk business is right at the very beginning. Yes, the very moment I first spot an item that for whatever reason, seems especially interesting or vintage. Looking at old castaways in a thrift shop, flea market, or yard sale, seeing it with fresh eyes, and then, having an idea suddenly spark in my mind of how I can envision the treasure recreated. My eyes glaze over and my head very nearly spins as I my brain goes in a million different directions. I am filled with a burst of sudden and complete energy and inspiration. I cannot wait to get the new-to-me item home and begin making a large mess creating a masterpiece.The next thing I know, three hours have passed (although it feels like twenty minutes) the item is completed and priced and I am so excited I could stay up all night doing project after project, and I find myself repeatedly sneaking back to the item I reinvented, just to gaze at it and smile with a huge sense of satisfaction. Seriously.
     Now that I think of it, I guess I just covered almost every aspect, start to finish, of what I do in my business of bliss.

     Anyway.

    I'm just sharing this because I am wondering if any of you experience this phenomenon as well. Surely I am not alone. It's completely exhilarating to me.
     The picture above shows an example of one of the latest gems discovered on a thrifting excursion recently. You see, I got not one, but two of these charming little iron lamps a couple of weeks ago while out thrifting in the biggest little city with the other Tracey.

   Okay, they didn't quite look like this when I found them. They were pretty scuffed up and had no shades, or ribbons, or doodiddles decorating them. (Let's just say that they were in the "rough" stage of the diamond in the rough category)
      I could see their potential right away and was thrilled to snag them for a makeover before we head to Alameda this weekend. I can just picture one of these on a table in an entry, or in a corner of the kitchen, or even on a powder room or bathroom counter, can't you? (Talk about mood lighting. The perfect little muted light to take a bubble bath by, if you ask me, and I am somewhat of an expert on the proper atmosphere for bubble baths.)

*sigh* See why I love doing what I do? Now, if only I could do it full time.

Comments

[Becky Schultea]

Hey Tracey!

Full time may just be closer than you think...but it will definitely be in God's best timing!

And YES, I share your passion wholeheartedly!! You are definitely not alone. That's what keeps me on the hunt..."THAT" moment when you spot "IT"...and your mind reels with possibilities...and the satisfaction of rescuing something that was forgotten and giving it a new life and purpose. It's what makes junk stores and garage sales my favorite places to go...even when I don't need a thing...I often will go just to look and experience that thrill of discovery...brimming with possibilities...!!

That does it... gotta head out to a junk store nearby today just to sharpen my treasure hunting skills...although I am redecorating and might just possibly have to bring "IT" home if I happen to spot it!

Always good to stop by...my daily addiction! Have a great week Tracey!!

Hugs and Blessings,
Becky S. at Just Bee 'n Me

PS - LOVE the bubble bath mood lamp :o) It's adorable! Good eye!!

[Kris]

Ahhh, Tracey...a true kindred spirit! You are sooo right...the thrill is in that first instant when you spot a treasure!...and so many times I ask myself "why would someone get rid of THIS???" But then I say "thank You Lord!" and snatch it up!

To do this full time truly would be bliss, wouldn't it?...perhaps one day we will be able to do just that...until then we just keep on with the dream weaving...

Kris

[Robin]

How funny to see what I think expressed so well! I can feel something just call my name and then I snatch it up! You're right, the hunt is so much fun.
When I find the right thing and get it done and in place, I just keep going back to the spot it's in and looking at it..so happy!
Keep praying for the full time, God will make a way!
Robin

[angela]

what an inspiration you are, especially to one who shares your passion BUT who doesn't quite have the talent or the vision as you and many others have. I do try though and have that wonderful feeling when I accomplish a transformation. so keep up the good work especially for us who try harder and look towards you for great moments in blogland!!!!

[cindy~my romantic home]

Haha, my thoughts exactly!!!! I love the thrill of the hunt, the envisioning, the creating and I laughed when I read you go back and gaze at the finished item...I do too!!!

[Kathy]

I understand completely! I never see things as they really are, I look at what they can be:>) Wonderful little lamps, and giving something a new life instead of wasting it gives a great feeling too!

[Carrie]

I too love to find "treasures in the rough". A bit of soap and water, a touch of paint, a few personal touches.... I can't wait until garage sale season to arrive.

The lamp looks great!!!

[Sheryl]

I am fairly new to your blog and have a question for you. What do you do to old suitcases? I see them all the time at my thrift stores and think they could be good for something but just don't know. I'm always a little iffy about the yuk smell if I open them....I'm funny about smells. Any advice?

[myshabbyroses]

I totally understand the excitment of spotting an item and the ideas start flowing! Love that feeling! Isn't this a great business! Have fun this week-end, hope you sale lots.

[Teresa Sheeley]

I know that exact feeling! It just takes you over. :) I think I should follow your footsteps though and actually finish the project as soon as I bring it home, instead of letting it sit in the garage for days and days. :)

Just saw the Tumbleweed is listed on the vendor sheet for Farm Chicks. Looking forward to meeting you Tracey.

Smiles,
Teresa

[laurie herring]

Oh tracy I so know what your talking about. There are times I just think to myself someone really needs to a intervention, I get all glassy eyed with the endless possibiltys. last weekend the denali was so packed I had my husband holding things in the front seat. Have I told you what a saint than man of mine is? love the lamp. a couple of things I have bought latley I have really thought of you, they are so differant that I know you would understand.

[paddywack designs]

you're right nothing beats the first moment you see a piece of junk just begging to be rescued and reborn!

[Nancy in CA]

You just seem to have the right words for everything. I get this same feeling not only with looking for precious junk, but seeing a new line of scrapbook paper or sweet little dresses for my granddaughter...and I could go on and on. Love, love the lamps. Wish I lived near and I would certainly snag them up right away. Have a great day and thanks for all you do. Nancy

[Wendy H.]

You have many kindred spirits here, Tracey! :-)

I'm heart-glad that you have found your bliss and are following it!

You deserve every good thing and I can't think of a better way to "live well" than to be successful at doing something you love, love, love. May it be full time for you soon.

Thanks for the daily inspiration.

[Wendy H.]

BTW, I think the "link within" widget works perfectly for your blog! Nice touch! :-)

[Shelley]

As I was reading, before I got to the part where you asked if we ever feel that way, I thought that I feel like that when I am scrapbooking. I'll see a picture or a cute embellishment or fun piece of paper and my mind goes in a million directions of what I could create. I also love to sew, so it's the same thing when I see a cute pattern or some fun fabric.
I'm so glad you are loving what you do...I wish you could do it full time too! You rock!

[Shelley in SC]

I could feel the "thrill" washing over me as you described it!! There is nothing more satisfying and exhilirating than to have an inspiration, accomplish it, and then sit back and drink it in. Yes, bliss!

[Kathy]

I love your little lamp and the way you photographed it with the music sheet and printed pages as a backdrop.You are certainly in the right business because you know how to merchandize your little treasures. I love the way inspiration takes on a life of its own and the way it can energize you like nothing else can!

[Debra]

I too know what you are saying. The "treasure hunt". No map, but that makes the thrill even better when you find the buried treasure!
Debra

[jill]

Ohhh...ABSOLUTELY I know what you mean! It's so refreshing to find people out there who feel the same way, since real life friends and family might admire that trait, but certainly don't share it or necessarily understand it.

I used to do this more with furniture and things for the home (and dreamed of owning a little shop that would justify my desire to grab every discard I found to make it into something new). Now, with 6 kids (and one more to arrive in 7 or 8 weeks) to add to my messes (who are so inspired every time I do something creative that they want to start creating all over the place themselves...and then we end up with a big mess that a hubby without one single creative bone in his body just doesn't understand), I take my creativity and "transformations" out on fabric as I create clothes for the kids to wear. This is more easily justified with hubby -- "he/she has outgrown everything, so I've gotta start sewing!" The inspiration and the process are the same -- I see a line or piece of fabric, my mind starts going in a million different directions with ideas, I grab a sketchbook to get it all down, and I get busy. The right-sized dressform comes out, pinning and dreaming commence again, the child I'm sewing for puts in their 2,000 cents worth, and I work and tweak until I have something that I (and my children) love.

The creative process is amazing. Can't you just imagine how God must have felt when He was creating the earth and everything in it? No wonder He didn't rest until the 7th day -- who can sleep when they're in the middle of a creative burst?!

Thank you for putting into words what so many of us love to experience!

Love your blog!

~Jill~

[Robin]

I always look at things in a different way, other than their intended purpose. I think my heart actually races when I spot something...then the transformation begins....and my mind is spinning....just like you described...and yes...going back and peeking again and again...! So Much FUN! I'm still trying to figure out how to do it full time too!

[Sharon]

I love reading your posts. Lots of smiles about shared loves like finding the perfect "treasure" in someone else's idea of trash! That's where the creative magic comes into play - such fun. Continue to enjoy your business venture and best of luck! Hugs, Sharon

[Sheila at Halo Hill]

I'm right there with ya, the discovery is my FAVORITE part!

Hugs,

Sheila

[Cheryl B.]

I can totally relate to the thrill of creating, the totally losing track of time while creating, as well as the frequent going back to look at what was created!!!
Real quick like, my son got engaged in mid-Oct., was married out of state by mid-Nov., and we were hosting a full wedding reception for them here in mid-Jan..
The Lord blessed, as the brides fav. holiday is Halloween, and my son's fav. color is orange, so we went with a fall theme. I rushed out and bought up fall flowers which were on clearance, having no idea exactly where the reception was to be held, or whom all I would be making coursages, etc. for. I ended up making 32 coursages or boutenieers - he had ALL of his aunts & uncles and cousins involved one way or another. But what fun I had - spreading all of those previously bought flowers around me, and creating :-D I put each finished one in a baggie, labeled with the reciepients name, in box's - but I couldn't close the box's - I kept wanting to re-look at the finished projects :-D And now, I even like looking at them in the pictures ;-} I was just so-o thrilled that my 'ideas' actually turned out !! :-}