Rust and Ruin Reborn : Selling Memories

Part of our goal in starting this business is highlighting the little parts of the past, yours and ours. Pieces that others might not find "valuable" but we know better. These special things meant something to us and those we love. They still have miles of use and tons of value to the right person.

As sellers curate their shops, lots of things go into the items they choose. Of course we want to consider trends. Mine is heavily based on my own tastes and styles. But another place I get inspiration is my past. My family is super important to me and here are a few pieces that I regularly carry in the shop that are a part of my memories! 

• Grandma's Jewelry Box : Everyone's Grandma had one. Everyone's. We loved seeing these beauties on her dresser and opening it to find the treasures laid out on the gorgeous velvet inside.

Want your own? Find this one here.

 Find this one here.

• Mirrored Dresser Trays and Hand Mirrors : A lady's vanity was her domain. A space just for her, filled with lovely things. I have my Grandmother's dresser tray and my other Grandmother's hand mirror on my own dresser.

Find this one here.

Find this one here.

• Needlepoint : I have two needlepoint pieces that my Grandmother made me for my childhood bedroom. Some of my favorites. My Grandpa made rustic wood frames for them, complete with beer tab hangers on the back! You just can't beat the homey feel of textile art.

Find this beauty here.

• Treasure Chest Jewelry Box : So what about the guys?! My tastes are also heavily influenced by my Grandfathers. One has always had one of these cool treasure chest jewelry boxes. What treasures there are inside! Chunky men's jewelry, pocket watches, turquoise rings...you're speaking my language.

Find this stud here.

• Vintage Military : Not only do I love the masculine industrial look of military, but both of my Grandpas were in the military, one in the Navy and one in the Army. So many amazing stories and history in the pieces saved from their experiences!

Find this warm piece here.

Last one can be found here.

• Vintage Tools : Nothing like Grandpa's wood shop! So many sights, sounds and smells. Many memories made and I love a good rustic piece straight out of the shop!

Find this slice of Americana here.

Find this rustic shop stool here.

I hope you've enjoyed this walk down my own memory lane. Vintage items bring a certain level of warmth and character to a home. Memories posted at crucial moments in your home make it truly yours. Pictures are great but things are a subtle reminder of where we've been and where we come from, evoking a story at every turn. I hope your home is filled not only with things you love presently, but also with things you've loved from your past. 

If you are looking for that special something from your past, check our website for the perfect piece!

What I Wouldn't Sell : My Special Favorites

I sell stuff. It's what I do. I think my family thinks I would sell my own grandmother if I could. But everything is not just an object to be sold. Each piece has a personality, a story, a history. I get attached to almost every item, even the ones I sell. I'm sad when they leave me but happy to pass them along to someone that will love them. 

Sure, some stuff is just...stuff but some stuff is special and I wonder why these items weren't special to someone else. 

Here are some items that I will never sell. Some I just love, some have sentimental value, some are just super cool and I want to show them off. 

• Needlepoint Art made by my Grandma, with my Grandpa's signature beer tab hangers on the back. Love these. There is a lot of history and their personalities in these pieces. Since neither of them are still with me, even more special.

• Postcards that my great Grandmother received dating back to 1901. My grandmother just gave me these. I think she thought I would sell them but there is no way. I do love them and will be looking for some that I am not attached to for resale. :)

• Jewelry Box that was my Grandmas. The ballerina is missing. The music doesn't play. But every time I open this jewelry box it smells like my grandma.

• Antique Seltzer Bottle. No sentimental value. Just love the green glass, rusty metal around it, and who knows what the mystery fluid is inside.

• Enamel Gas Station Sign Letter M. A couple years ago I bought a pile of enamel gas station sign letters that spelled out "happy" and "m". How perfect is that? As you can see, I do not clean off my vintage dust. :) 

• Antique Mirror. Bought this at a junk store. The framing in the back makes me think it's old and possibly handmade. No stamps or identifying marks. I don't usually like traditionally antique things but I love the decoration on this and my favorite is how the mirror is fading and chipping away at the bottom. I would never find anything like this again.

• It is downright weird how much I love these corbels. They don't match, the paint chips off daily, they were in a fire and the backs are half burned off but I think that's why I love them.

• Super cool surveyors tripod which my brother turned into a floor lamp. Love the height, the spindly legs, the different metals and that my super analytical brother did something creative for me. This year I hope to learn more about rewiring fixtures. So many cool things to do with lighting!

So there you have it. I do have a soul.

I would love to hear about your favorite vintage items! Feel free to share in the comments section.