I think there are many different things they call it these days – but I always referred to it as “Dumpster Diving”! Not that I actually ever dove into a dumpster – but I have been known to look carefully through a few to find a “treasure” or two…..
I personally have been “junking” for at least the past 20 years. I think it’s kind of an addiction – once you get the BUG, it’s very hard to pass up a Yard Sale, Antique shop, Thrift Store or something that was “kicked to the Curb”……I like to say, I’m Junking 🙂 I started Junking with a friend many moons ago – we both loved to paint and felt the NEED to transform everything we bought. Our Junking days lead to a couple of books that we wrote together – Painted Chairs – Painted Whimsies – TrashFormations and Painted Fabric Fun.
Painted Chairs was the first book I wrote and chairs had always been one of my favorite pieces to paint……I started collecting chairs with the vision to transform them all and write a book. I was lucky enough to “score” the deal and Painted Chairs was published. BUT, my addiction to buy chairs just couldn’t stop……at one point I had to rent a storage unit to store them all! LOL I finally had to give up and had the biggest YardSale of the neighborhood back in 2008…..most people assumed it was a multi-family event (but it was just my obsession to buy everything I saw)!!!
My Junking days had to be spread out – after letting go of the storage unit and Paying to store my “great finds” – I realized there just wasn’t enough hours in the day to paint all my junk and I had to quit buying everything I found!!!
I do have a few weaknesses – Old Sash Windows – Vintage Doors and Frames……these items are always hard to me to pass up! I think part of my love for Junking is the search for something unique that speaks to you – whatever that may be. Searching through Antique shops, yard sales, Vintage shops – Good Will and Salvation Army are two of my FAVS!!!
I have made myself a promise that I can’t buy anything else until I paint two items I already have…….I’m running out of room once again!!!
I’m currently working on Transforming an old picture frame that will frame my Chalk Board that I painted on my office wall. I’m using the American Paint Company chalk/clay/mineral based paints on this project.
One more project to Up-Cycle and I get to go junking again. For me – I feel I’m giving something discarded new life – keeping our planet a little Greener and I love taking the personality of the piece and adding to it’s natural charm.
