So it is official, my first dumpster dive. I had heard all about this from my other junker friends but I didn't think I would ever do it myself. I usually find my goods while out and about at flea markets, garage sales, estate sales or from thrift stores. I never thought I would resort to this this but I knew it would eventually happen. Just looking at myself after my daughter took the photo I think maybe I need to get back to the gym sometime soon. Yikes.
The dumpster in question actually sits in back of my store so I didn't feel any hesitation to do so. The piece I was looking to pull out of here was going to make it to the landfill anyways so I felt I was doing something good for the environment. A good thing right? Yeah save the earth.
Here is what I was looking at. Can you see it. Ya the picture doesn't do this justice but it was a broker mirror. The frame was all wood and still had some life left in it, guessing it was used for a dresser or something like that. It still had the attachment wood on it and the price tag to boot. Wish I could have saved the mirror but I guess it wasn't meant to be. I did however salvage the frame however it was a little wobbly.
The mirror or better yet the frame which I wanted was not so together and it was barely holding together with some masking tape and a few nails. I knew once I got it out of the dumpster I would have a better idea of what I could do with it. I am hoping someone will appreciate this piece even more after I add my magic to this neglected piece.
I grabbed the glue to mend the piece back together and allowed it to dry overnight. I used wood glue for this project. The glue has saved many pieces I have sold in the past. It is amazing what can be glued back together and how glue can give a piece some needed stability.
I had these wooden carved thingamagiger (I know someone knows what this is called) I had purchased at a flea market. I bought a whole bag of them and have used them in the past to spice up a piece when it needs a little "Bamb". Ok I stole that line but it was all I could come up with in an effort to write this piece in a timely manner. I ended up gluing this wooden carved piece on and nailed it on as well to the top of the frame, I thought it needed something more and it did.
I did add a shelf to the bottom of the piece and then painted it white, my go to color for any piece I want to sell quickly. Guess I could have done it in any color at this point but honestly everything looks better in white and it gave the piece a newness which is what I wanted. It is starting to look like something Worthy of selling, me thinks.
So of course I had to distress it a little. I broke out the sandpaper and got to work on the piece paying special attention to all the corners and edges. I am liking how it is coming out so far. Guess I could have skipped this process but given the darker color of the wood underneath I thought it would give the piece a better look.
Chalkboard, I have sheets of it in the shop, why you ask? Glad you asked. I sells tons of the stuff and put on anything that will allow me to. I buy the sheets at Home Depot and buy the paint and do my own. I keep them in the shop and when I need one I cut it to size and get it attached to whatever I am working on. I know you can now buy the sheets already painted but to save money I do my own. It's what I do for you and to keep my business costs down.
So after cutting the piece to fit I attached it with old screws and my drill. This time I miss measured slightly and since I wanted a tight fit I had to sand the piece until it fit just right. Guess I could have cut it a little shorter but that would be the easy way, right. I figured use a little muscle and sand it to fit and after seeing my picture of me getting into the dumpster it probably was a good idea.
This is the final product. A chalkboard with a shelf one could use just about anywhere. You like? I do. Just want to throw this out there to all of my followers who are getting rid of an item. Give me a call if you think I can use it for a project to re purpose. I love to do these projects, a lot of work yes but look at the results. Thank you reading. Cisco
