From Blah to Beautiful: Creative Ways to Liven Up Yard Sale Finds


by Lisa Koosis - Date: 2007-02-24 - Word Count: 524 Share This!

In warmer months, yard sales draw many folks each year. Some people hit yard sales looking for specific items, from antiques and collectibles to junk finds that can be turned into something extraordinary. Other folks view yard sales with hesitation, wondering what on earth they'd want with other people's discards. For those who might be deciding whether or not there's treasure to be had at a yard sale, here are a few creative ideas for spicing up ordinary household items that can be bought inexpensively at local yard sales.

So why not…

…decoupage used wooden picture frames or serving trays? Wooden items often get overlooked at yard sales because wear is easy to see on wood, but wood is the perfect canvas for decoupage, the art of decorating surfaces with pieces of paper. An easy craft to learn, decoupage is the perfect way to brighten up a yard sale find. Choose colorful papers such as leftover pieces of gift wrap, bright tissue paper, and great magazine clippings. Directions for decoupage projects can be found readily online, using your favorite search engine, or at most craft stores.

Decoupage works particularly well for items you're thinking of using in your child's room because you can pick out photos or clippings that have special meaning for your child. Fun, funky stickers make great additions for a child's room project design. Plus, it's a great project to work on with your child.

…jazz it up with paint? Almost any yard sale find can be given new life with a fresh coat of paint. Don't be afraid to be bold. Colors don't always have to match and an unexpected color choice can add a whole lot of pizzazz to an item.

For those artists out there, take an old serving tray or wooden bench and look at it as you would a blank canvas. Muster up your creative energy and paint something wonderful and one-of-a-kind.

…mosaic an accent table? Tables and benches make great surfaces for mosaic techniques. Bright tiles or colored glass go a long way toward spicing up yard sale finds that have seen better days. Beach glass and smooth river rocks are also great for mosaic projects

Not familiar with the art of mosaic? Your local craft retailer will carry what supplies you'll need and can also provide needed direction for you as well.

…hot glue on some baubles and beads! Most of us have boxes and drawers filled with old buttons and bows or various other decorative items. Scavenge broken jewelry for useful parts. Yard sale finds such as baskets and picture frames and plain wooden boxes can benefit from a well-placed bow. Be bold with your design. Don't be afraid to be a little whimsical in creating fun accents from yard sale finds.

The possibilities are as limitless as your creativity. Perhaps you might want to combine several techniques, or maybe you have something you've been just itching to try. Yard sale finds make great items on which to experiment because they don't cost a whole lot. So grab your sense of creative adventure and hit the yard sales early. With a little effort, you can truly find treasure in someone else's discards.


Related Tags: crafts, decorating, paint, garage sales, yard sales, decoupage, mosaic, tag sales, trash to treasure

Lisa is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.

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