The Demise of the Fleamarket (as I knew it)!

I am sure fleamarkets have all sorts of reputations by the people who frequent them. This is just mine... I have visit them from time to time in my life. As a child my father would make and sell Soulful Christmas music at our local market. There would be someone selling perfume/incents, another selling cast offs from an estate sale or home clean out. Almost always somebody had a large barrel grill cooking the best ribs you have ever tasted.

I now visit fleamarkets more often than before. You see, I redesign jewelry and small furniture items and accessories. So the fleamarket, thrift store, garage and yard sales are where I can find some of my best buys. Of course curside shopping is the absolute best bargain because it is free!

Anywho, now all I see at the markets are dollar store items! Everything is cheap. Whatever happend to the vintage clothing, tchotchkes, mixed tapes, they old guy selling used hardware and tools? Where's my local farmer selling vegetables and fruit.... Now all I see is junk....and DEFINITELY not the good kind!

During one of my recent trips to a once reliable fleamarket it was SO crowded, I couldn't even find a park. This was in the middle of the day... don't these people work?! LOL

Right off the back I was hit with designer knock-offs of every kind!

 All sorts of stuff... Even things bought in bulk and sold individually... HA! What a rip!

 More socks than you can shake a stick at....(whatever that means..I think I'm getting old)

 Turning-skin-green jewelry.

 But the people were there in full force. Good for the vendors I suppose...bad for me.

 These are cute...but I'd rather buy them from a handmade jewery artist... and the handmade ones are not that expensive... $10-$20.... definitely comparable.

 Loads and loads of stuff... some would say too much stuff..... but nothing for me :(

 Cheap fashions anyone?

 Ah... such a disappointing trip. However, there was one small glimpse of joy on my way out... partially buried deep in the dirt, I found this little gem. Most folks would walk right over it.... but not me. This is what I love to do.... Find old grungy, discarded items and make them neat and interesting!

 So I cleaned that baby up. Sprayed with a clear coat as not to damage anyone's clothing...added a few jeweled letters and a suede cord & silver finding...and...

 Voila! A piece of Found Item Art.

No I understand that this isn't everyone's thing... but it's mine. It's the way I help beautify this earth... one recycled item at a time.

That Girl, Ang

Reversible Remixed Jewels

I call them reversible because I made them large enough to slip over (the average sized) head LOL - they are about 32" so it shouldn't be a problem.... Anywho, since there is no clasp the necklaces may be turned to adjust the design to your liking.

I'm having so much fun making jewelry that my larger projects are getting jealous! I gotta get back to them. Yikes, I have a show this October!

PLEASE CHECK OUT :

Usable Art - A store page for my creations. Look out for the giveaway next week. I will pick a name from a hat. All you have to do for an entry is leave a comment on the giveaway page post and become a follower!

Keep on Truckin' Earrings!

What do you get when you pair Swarovski crystal beads, sterling silver findings and vintage Hess Truck toy tires? Great pair of Truckin' earrings! The 1st pair I made was couple years ago...after thinking about them for quite some time. I sold them at a show to a man who's niece was turning 13...and who's father a collector of Hess Trucks.... Uh-oh.. Hope they didn't cause a problem.

Well if there are any purest out there.. please note my dad always bought 2 trucks for my kids... one to store...and another to destroy..through play. I couldn't bare to through them away..... so I came up with this idea after thinking about my childhood tire swing. LOL Enjoy your memories!

Swarovski Capri Blue and Garnet Hearts!

Topaz and Siam...

More Topaz and Peridot.

Have you ever used toys in you junk revamps? Add a little fun to your ventures.... After all... if it's not fun... Then why do it?

That Girl, Ang

PS - These may be purchase at my etsy store.

K is for Keys, Key Plates and such!

KEYS glorious keys! What's not to love? Keys signify authority, opporitunity... Key plates signify a door way to the known and unknown. Over the years, I've collected many, many keys.. unfortunately I've somehow hid them from myself. However, I did find just enough to bring you a delightful display. Enjoy!!

Most of these keys came from a great little spot in downtown Greensboro, NC... I forget the name. The key hole plates I got from eBay.

Look at the cool detail.

The piece is unique in it's own right. It is labeled "Bert"

These keyplates (it that the right name?) are just devine. I could only find 2 of my stash.. they'd make great necklaces!

Ooo look! Lovely key plate jewelry.

This key I bent in the spoon bender I purchased off of eBay. I drilled a little hole in it and.....

Voila! A key bracelet!

They compliment each other very well.

Do you use Keys or key parts in your design or art? If so, what do you make? If not, why are you waiting? LOL

That girl, Ang

Please check out my byABPryor Etsy Store.... or my new blog Usable Art for Sale! for unique, fun gifts! Thanks

Ruined Bag turned Good!

About 2 years ago, I purchased this LOVELY apple green bag on eBay. It was vintage and it was new...still had the tag attached!
I was as happy as a Lark. I loved it so, it inspired me to do a photo shoot with it and one of my vintage dresses in 2009!However, I was careless and did not store it properly. Unfortunately, it was ruined. I tried to clean it with acetone.... BAD MOVE!So I pondered... what could I do to fix this fiasco! How could I be so careless?! Then I thought ah-ha! FLOWERS... I have tons of flowers... maybe I could accessorize.... SO I got my handy glue gun and this is the final result.
I actually love it even more! What do you think?! Well if you think you want to buy it... It sold. But I'm a creator. Just ask❣️😉

That Girl, Ang

Long time no see/ hear nor read... LOL (Projects)

Well yes, I 've been gone for a while.. just a lot going on in my life. But I have completed some projects and will post now... I hope you all enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them...


Old movie fans can probably appreciate this one. I admit.. off beat & warped.. yet so cool! I am placing on Etsy later if you are interested...LOL (and yes, the hanger is attached ;)




I am actually in the process of adding on more flowers & cinnamon sticks.. Mmmmm the cinnamon smells delightful. The board is an edge of an old artist canvas stretcher. It is coated in black board paint.... How about this to hang on a door.. LOL I will update pictures later...





I got this idea from the JunkMarket Website... Lanette Lorsung. I took the wheels off of a Jeep baby carriage, the board is a vintage artist canvas stretcher piece, wire and blackboard paint. I am actually putting more silk flowers and cinnamon sticks on it to take p some of the space on the hanging wire... but yum... it smells delightful! Enjoy! ;)





This piece was made from the frame of an old boxspring. It had too much potential to just throw away. I removed the bedsprings to place in my etsy store ;). Then I painted & accessorize... see if you can figure out all of the items I used.......





This potting chair is a work of labor as it is my 1st and it is labor intensive... I keep changing my mind. Please know it's a work in process.




I WISHED my computer didn't catch a virus and a fever.. as all of my photos and inspirational links & pictures are gone. These pieces were a helluva mess. I was at a gardening show working on the handles when another vendor asked me for the 2 below pieces.. I should them for $15 a piece... I know - I know but I brought them to work on.. still had a couple of flaws. I was so excited she asked that I just blurted out " How's $30?" LOL Well she told me to bring all my stuff to the plant shop and perhaps I can sell to them or cosign other pieces.. so it might be well worth the 45 min trip...LOL Although this show was free, it was poorly advertised with low attendance.. but one of my best shows ever... so by the time she purchased... I was good! LOL




Thanks for being patient....

That Girl, Ang

New Dawn~NewDay~New Life

Happy New Year All! I'm feeling good... because I choose to feel that way. Thank God for Free Will! I wish you are a glorious New Year filled with all things Renewed, Reloved, Rework, Recreated to fit your life. Whatever, you can't use... Recycle!

The above was made with recycled wallpaper samples and removable drawer front facades, wire & scrap ribbon & rub-ons....

With Love,
NJT

3rd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge - 2008

Time To Vote
This is a challenge I started on the HGTV Holiday Craft Board in 2006. I am inviting all to join in... You can join by posting your picture on the HGTV board @ this link
However if you are not a member of the board & don't want to join... Don't fret ~ just reply here and email me your pictures... I can post for you on the HGTV Holiday Craft message board.


(Shannon's Ribbon Tree Ornaments on the =>right is the 2006 winner.
Raindrop's Snowman Ornament on the <=left is the 2007 winner)

Please see the details below:

Can you believe it? It's Our 3rd Annual BREAST CANCER AWARENESS CRAFT CHALLENGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am inviting all CRAFTERS (beginners, hobbyist & professional) to join this challenge.

I am so inspired by the survival stories I struggles I have heard surrounding the Breast Cancer. I thought a "Craft Challenge" is a great way to continue the awareness (BTW - this challenge can also be adopted for other awareness issues as well)

Here's the challenge:

Create, Repurpose, Recycle or Reuse an items to create a craft that celebrate those affected by Breast Cancer. Keep in mind the national awareness color for breast cancer is pink. You can incorporate other colors but keep the theme. All mediums are accepted: Papercrafts, T2T, Mosaics, Computer, Sewing, Painting etc... whatever your precious heart desires...

The challenge begins today Thursday, October 2, 2008! It ends Thursday, October 9, 2008. That is the deadline to post your pictures. You only have to post a picture of your creation. We will all vote on the final entries from Friday, October 10th to Friday, October 17th. The winner will be announced on Saturday, October 18th. The winner will receive a special gift from me - a gift box full specialty BC Awareness products.

Participants of this challenge are encouraged to gift their finish project to a survivor or donate it to a local organization or fund raising event.

Are you ready? Who's up for the challenge?

Please share with your friends on other boards... I need you all to market this challenge to get the word out & to help raise awareness. Let's make this a huge success!

Why not do something to help make a difference?

NJT

TIME TO VOTE

Class of '08 Vintage Typewriter Keys Bracelet

class of... updated typewriter bracelet - A590 IS,
originally uploaded by byabpryor.

Hey - here's one of my new creations photographed with my new camera. I did list this on Etsy and to be honest, I am quite nervous. I usually share my wares face to face via a craft show or as a personal gift. I know - we are our own worst critics. What are you hard on yourself about?

This is also my photography debut... well not really.. but it's my 1st real digital camera - the Canon A590 IS. SO, I am getting use to it and posting at the same time. If you have any helpful hints or constructive criticism, encouragement - please do share! I recently joined the Shades of Inspiration an online photography challenge that inspires through weekly color photo assignments! Come along for the ride.. it should be entertaining to follow my quest to be a story teller... through pictures.

Please Enjoy!

NJT