Vintage finds for your suitcase

Recently, I was in Kentucky visiting my daughter, Jenna and her family. She took me to the Peddler's Mall in Lexington, knowing that I would love it. She was right, it was filled with vintage treasures.  It is a sort of indoor flea market with the booths set up permanently and you pay for everything at one check out. [One difference and disadvantage from a regular flea market is the sellers are not usually at their booth so you cannot get information on their wares and cannot bargain.]

I soon realized that I could not purchase some of the things I normally would, as I had limited space in my suitcase. So, I had to "think outside the box". One thing I found and purchased were some wonderful magazines from the 1940s. 

 I love the ads! Not sure what I will do with them yet but I will think of something.






I also purchased several pairs of vintage earrings - something else that would not take up much space in my suitcase.

I purchased this pair of screw backs and did not notice that they were damaged until I got them home. :(


The veneer was cracked.

I decided to "up-cycle" them. This word is a recent addition my vocabulary. I learned it from the many creative Etsy vendors who not only recycle vintage items but improve them.

I kept the original design but added more vintage beads from my stash: 2 plastic, 2 glass and a couple of really nice, barrel shaped, aurora borealis, crystal beads. I used the original bead caps and they turned out quite nicely - I think!

I am a conservative, often politically incorrect woman who has gone "green!" I love rescuing lovely old/used/vintage things and recycling/upcycling/repurposing them. Thus, giving them new life in this world. 

You can find several other of my up-cycled projects in my shop on Etsy:Gilligan's Island