Yes, I am very, painfully, aware that so far Spring has been the mother of all disappointments. Seriously Universe - ICE PELLETS? Yeesh. But, although the tulips are slow in poking out their heads, the Garage Sales have begun (Cue the music! Start the skipping!). That is right my thrifty friends, yesterday my mother-in-law and I went to my first yard sale of the season, in the posh area around Old Mill. We were there just at the end, which means we probably missed some good stuff, but got some great deals. For example, this cheerful, hand-stitched wool shawl. No holes, no snags. $5. Perfect to inject a little colour into a room or outfit. Love it.
This pretty watercolour came in a square glass frame, but it was poorly mounted and the frame need to be cleaned up. Maybe I could just hang it on some pretty clips? It is definitely an amateur work, but there is a special place in my heart for watercolours, and these look like they might have been intended to be peonies, which I love. Pretty colours for spring, don't you think? It was $10 with the frame, and they threw in the little watercolour of the roses below.
I also got a little lamp shade for a thrift store lamp that has born a naked bulb for fall too long - who knew it was going to be so difficult to find those little shades that slide on to the top of the soon-to-be-outlawed incandescent bulb? But the big haul was a couple of brass bookcases with smoked glass shelves.
Do I remove the plating to make them chrome (which I don't currently like as much as brass), remove the plating and spray them gold, remove the plating and try to get my hands on some Rub N' Buff, or put them on the curb? I await your wise council... :) Not bad for Yard Sale #1 - eh? Come'on Spring, let's do this.
those are very cool brass finds! Have you tried Brasso? they were used on my 30 year old indian brass lamps and now they look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sundeep? I did try Brasso, the problem is that they aren't actually tarnished, just scratched up through the plating. But I guess if I leave the Brasso on long enough, it is an easy way to remove the brass plating completely!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried using brass cleaner? I have a brass plated coffee table (very similar stlyle to your two) that's a bit dingy and on Friday on a whim I rubbed a spot with some Brasso and it made a huge difference. Now i just need to do the rest of it.
ReplyDeleteIf that doesn't work I know Above Ground Art supplies caries Run 'n Buff in Toronto.
Lastly if all that doesn't work - don't put them on the curb - I'll take them :)
PS - You had some excellent luck this weekend - I love everything!
dont you dare get rid of that brass! You leave them alone and let the worn goodness shine on! As long as it isn't falling on the ground where little fingers can grab and feed to little brothers, that is. :) love them. well done! xo
ReplyDeleteI love the brass - hopefully there's some way of restoring it cheaply. Love the fabric too - you're getting me all excited to go yard sale-ing :)
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