Wednesday January 6, 2010
Are you a painter, sculptor, or potter?
Do you knit, sew, or make original crafts of some sort?
Do you find more yard sale and thrift store treasures than you can ever use in your own home?
Why not turn your talent into profit by starting a flea market business?
It's not as complicated as you might think, and it doesn't cost much to get started. You will need to visit some flea markets to find a good fit for your product, but how can that be bad? This may be the only business where the initial legwork is as much fun as spending the profits.
Monday January 4, 2010
Several years ago, while yard sale shopping, I bought a heavy copper pot and a big copper skillet for $1 apiece. I use both of them all the time.
Both pieces were in perfect condition, but nearly black with tarnish. I guess the seller didn't want to polish them. Crazy, but it worked out for me. It only took an hour or so to clean and polish both pieces back to a new penny shine.
Friday January 1, 2010
In the late 70s, my grandparents had a kitchen with tomato red appliances and countertops. The builder chose them, but my grandmother loved them. At 88, she still longs for that kitchen.
Red Coffee Cups
Photo © Leah French
So do I.
I've been drawn to kitchen things in that exact shade of red my entire adult life, almost certainly from childhood memories of that particular kitchen.
I found this set of coffee mugs while thrift store shopping at Goodwill. The color was right, and had a chunky, earthy appeal. They'd have been right at home in my grandmother's red kitchen, probably hanging from one of those metal mug trees I remember.
I didn't buy them. The last thing I need is more dishes, but I'm feeling a slight pang of regret.
Thursday December 31, 2009
This year I've decided to focus my New Year's resolutions on projects for my home, mostly completing all those things I've been putting off. The first resolution on my list is organizing my kitchen.
Hotel Silver Coffee Pot
Photo © Wayne Shielly
After my parents and grandmother consolidated their kitchens into one household, guess who brought home most of the surplus?
My kitchen is just slightly larger than the average public restroom stall, but if I need to serve dinner for 50, I've got the cookware and plates for it.
Of course, 40 of them will have to eat outside on the sidewalk. But that's okay. It'll probably be easier for the paramedics to load them from the sidewalk than from the dining room.
I've gotten lots of ideas from my friend Wayne's kitchen. He turned a builder's basic kitchen into an attractive functional space for cooking, entertaining, and display. I particularly love his chicken wire cabinets.
