Sometimes when things don’t work any more we toss it out. but that’s not a good idea. If we think outside of the box and use our imagination we might find a new way it can be used. I guess that could be applied to most anything we have in life, instead of tossing it out rethink the use. In a blog earlier this week I showed how I used pickle jars to store things in my studio instead of tossing them out to the garbage. Before the garage day look at what you are getting rid of and ask yourself what can I do with these things. If it’s not screaming at your more than likely it is just garbage. Toss it out and move on.
Last spring Greg made a trip to see his dad in Arkansas. On his way back he made a stop in Little Rock at an estate sale. He found this old radio that didn’t seem to be getting any attention at the sale. Greg thought it was really cool and vintage so he bought it. My husband knows me so well, the minute I saw it I knew I would reinvent it into a light. Not a light that would make a room light filled but a night-light in the corner of my bedroom. Yes I’m afraid of the dark and a low light keeps me happy. Greg paid a whooping $10 for the old radio.
I had the body for the light so I started working on it. It had lots of damage, peeling wood, cracks and holes. I sanded, wood filled and then painted it with a beautiful slate gray. It required 2 coats because of all the wood fill and damage. Once dry I placed parchment paper (for the oven) over the holes where the speakers once were. I attached that paper with glue so I didn’t have to worry about it coming undone. I used parchment paper because it could take the heat from the lamp. I found a very small lamp at an estate sale to set inside it. By using the small lamp I didn’t have to damage it anymore with bolting and screwing a light fixture inside. On the outside I sanded the edges of the paint to give it that all loved worn look and gave it 2 coats of clear finish. It turned out lovely and it was ready for my master bedroom. Oh but wait, what will I sit it on?
Well off to estate sales, garage sales or thrift stores to find a base. Right in my own neighborhood I found a metal plant stand that was old and rusty. I brought it home for the grand price of $3 and gave it some good old elbow grease. Once all the rust had been wire brushed away I gave it a coat of flat black spray paint. It covered the old rusty metal fabulously. Greg attached the radio light to the metal base. There it is a beautiful night-light for the corner of my master bed room. I took lots of photo in different places in my home trying to get a shot that showed the beauty of this piece. It wasn’t an easy job to do because when the light is on it cause a glare of my iPhone camera.
I hope this blog inspires you to look around at what you have and don’t want so you can discover its next life. I love doing this it makes me Blue Happy and I know it will make you also. Hope your Friday is full of discovery and Blue Happiness!
