A couple of weeks ago I posted a blog about a vintage sofa purchased by a shopper who designs her own textiles. That sofa was bought at our last AO estate sale in Shoalmont. Then it was redesigned. And it is now for sale on a trendy new Austin store on S. Lamar, Mockingbird Domestics.

Featured prominently in the front of the store, Spaniola’s lovely sofa is selling for $3,750.

The store has been opened for about a year and a half. Owner Laura Daly says she is thrilled with Spaniola’s work and already has a few chairs in the store that she designed.

Spaniola, owner of Bunglo, upcycles vintage furniture with new material that she designs herself.

Mockingbird specializes in repurposed vintage furniture. All the furniture in the store is either vintage redesigned or made in Texas. Many of the artists they work with are in Austin.

They also hold artist-run workshops, so be sure to check out the website… and the store! It’s filled with treasures. And while you’re you’re at it, be sure and say hi to Laura.

Mockingbird Domestics website

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Below are a few of my favorite upcycle/recycle ideas found on Pinterest:

Lets say you found some great #vintage shutters. Ok so you don’t really need shutters, but aren’t they cute? Make them into a side table. From Good Housekeeping:

Linked to this Good Housekeeping article: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/crafts/how-to-build-a-table

Do you know how often we see old globes? Sure, there are some people who collect them. But we also get plenty that simply are not collectible due to condition or lack of interest. But look what they can become! Paint it. Decoupage it. Glue photos to them. Turn it into a lampshade. Decorated globes are a great way to take something old and make it new.

Originally linked to this website: http://aestheticoutburst.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html

And then there are LISTS on Pinterest. 101 ways to do ANYTHING. This one here is a great example of what to do with old magazines. There are so many old magazines that we never know what to do with. You can buy old magazines at estate sales for pennies and turn them into really unique treasures.

A list of 100 + ways to creatively use old magazines: http://chrysti.squarespace.com/always-chrysti/2010/9/24/100-ways-to-creatively-reuse-old-magazines.html

This one has got to be one of my favorites. We see soooo many #vintage non-working watches that are just beautiful. I love the idea of making them sentimental, yet keeping their original shape. You could take the faces and make them into necklaces too.

Photo from Tumblr: http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9a00zPTNF1rdmhz3o1_1280.jpg

Ok I have to show off. This next pin has an Amber Ostrich purchase inside it. Blue Note Bakery, a local Austin bakery, used this hatbox as a cake stand, bought at one of OUR estate sales! Pretty cool. Naturally, I have repinned it to one of my boards.

Linked to: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e5/02/8a/e5028ab1efbc00bbd8035aadabf15646.jpg

Have you ever been tempted to just buy old records and make them into stuff? Here’s a great example of how to reuse that vintage vinyl. Use it for cupcakes or cookies, donuts, whatever!

Use #vintage #vinyl: http://divinepartyconcepts.com/2012/06/26/vinyl-record-dessert-stand/

There are so many ideas on Pinterest. I can literally spend all day on there getting inspired.

What are some of your favorite Pinterest finds? Have you ever used an Amber Ostrich purchase to make into something you found on Pinterest? I’d love to see your “Pinspirations!”

Follow Amber Ostrich on Pinterest.

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Now that the holidays are over and you can focus on next year’s gift giving, consider planning ahead and looking for gifts while shopping at estate sales.

Some of the reasons behind shopping at estate sales (or thrift shops, etc.) for Christmas and birthday gifts are:

• Less expensive, saves money
• Better quality
• Unique items
• Finding treasures that have sentimentality

Shoppers look for items that their gift recipients know they have bought used and appreciate the items. I’m not suggesting that one buys used items that could be purchased new. But items that have value above and beyond the price tag are often bought at my sales. Things like, artwork, vintage knick knacks, furniture, classic kitchenware, vintage toys, designer decor, handmade items, vintage crafting items, collectibles, and so much more.

Give classic toys for Christmas.

Imagine if, instead of buying cheap plastic toys for the kids in your life, you bought them a vintage toy from your childhood, perhaps something that isn’t even made anymore?

Or, if you have a relative who collects vinyl, or trading cards, or vintage crafting supplies, imagine the looks on their faces when you present them with an item they’ve been searching for?

Give vintage vinyl for holidays and birthdays.

More then likely, this isn’t something that can be accomplished with one stop at one estate sale. Most of my returning customers come to all or most of my sales knowing that with each venture into a new estate, they could just find that treasure they’ve been looking for.

Ok maybe it’s not as convenient as shopping at a big box store, but dang, it sure is a lot more fun!

It may be too late for this year. But just imagine how much fun you could have shopping throughout the year, spending less and buying items that you know your family will love!

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Classic items from estate sales have passed the test of time when it comes to organizing materials. Also, in my opinion, they just look nicer. Often, they will last for years and you (hopefully) won’t need to replace them as often. And in many cases, they might actually be less expensive than buying newer, lower-quality organizers.

What a great vintage closet organizer.

Back in the day, folks separated their various styles of clothing or used these things to keep their clothing fresh and critter-free. In this day and age, you could find a new use for these hanging closet organizers. Stick your fancy dresses in there; separate pants from skirts; or just jam all your extra bed linens and be done with it. It’ll keep your closet fresh and easy to see everything else.

Find a fresh use for an old-fashioned dress organizer.

Naturally, old trunks make fantastic storage and gets all those random things out of the way. Use a vintage steamer trunk to store linens, use as a toy box, store crafting or sewing supplies, or use it to store out-of-season clothing. And, it makes a great little bench. Double uses!

Old steamer trunks make great storage!

A vintage knick knack drawer makes a great jewelry case. Add a hat box, and you’ve got decorative, plus more storage for various sundries.

Get creative with your organizing. Antique suitcases make fabulous storage!

Vintage suitcases, good for storage and decorative too.

And you know, even if you’re not getting fancy about it, you can always find cute, interesting baskets at estate sales. Baskets make organizing life easier in so many ways.

Cute baskets for organizing, found at most estate sales.

What are some ways you’ve organized using vintage items? We’d love to hear your stories.

-AO

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As we complete the pricing of over three to four thousand household items in one estate sale, we end up with bits and baubles. I call these leftovers minutia.

Q. What to do with all the little bits?

A. We make craft bags!

Crafty bags!

With all the recent crafting interest in up-cycling and recycling jewelry, etc. these bags are the perfect answer.

Q. What will I find in a typical AO craft bag?

A.It could be anything….

Each bag is filled with a variety of objects.

You may find items such as mismatched earrings, broken bits of jewelry, beads, foreign coins, charms, key chains, interesting stamps, small toys, matchbooks etc.

Each one unique.

They aren’t always mismatched items, occasionally, when we have an abundance of jewelry, they are filled with matching earrings, and good conditioned jewelry in order to save time and effort on pricing.

So, you’ve been coming to our sales for years and never noticed these bags?

Q. Where do I find these craft bags?

A. Usually located up at our jewelry counter.

Let your creative juices flow!

Send us a photo (or tag us on Pinterest so we can repin) of your creation made from one of our craft bags and we will send you a special Amber Ostrich gift!

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