Look What I Found!

Look at that! Found that next to the trash a few weeks ago. I know it doesn't look like much. At first glance, just a pile of old broken picture frames. I picked them up anyway to have a closer look... and am I glad I did.

My treasures

First there are a few I can use. I will up-cycle them. Some still have their glasses and are usable as is. Good for me.

The two tiny one I can sell. They are nice and decorative. Not a huge profit, but easy work. The large one, oval, with the rose flower should sell as well. Very shabby, just need a nice paint job a bit of lace or ribbon to hide the 2 missing flowers on the side. Someone crafty will snatch that I'm sure.

And then, in the middle of the pile.... a very old daguerreotype photo from a Parisian photographer named Pillas. Mid 19th century. It's a very lovely looking photo of a young woman wearing a nice gown and necklace. I'll probably list this one in auction. Daguerreotype can sell well, we'll see.

Daguerreotype by photographer Pillas in Paris

Here's the most recent daguerreotypes sold on ebay, with price realized: daguerreotype price realized

Don't discard trash picking! You never know. Although technically it wasn't really trash picking since it wasn't in the bin, it is still the trash of someone else.

Found in the Trash: Zinc Watering Can

No yard sales today, I decided to take it easy. Kids and husband are away for the long weekend and I needed some rest. Went shopping in the morning and on the way back home I found this lovely watering can:

Made of zinc, it's not a vintage piece BUT it is a very nice find because they are extremely decorative and are not cheap to buy. I see them all the time in posh Parisian florists.

I will be cleaning it and ask husband to repair thee handle (need soldering) and turn this into a planter. I'll print vintage style stickers to put on the sides.

I live in a wealthy part of Paris and I have decided that I don't care what people think if they see me picking their trash (it's not like I am actually going INTO the garbage bin!). This little gem was just waiting for me on the curb along with an old dirty chair (that I didn't pick, don't worry). Go me !! And you should have see the face of the concierge a few weeks ago when I hauled back a HUGE box of packing foam I found in front of the school next door.

I need to make an habit of always take my backpack (so un-Parisian) and a few bags when I go out.

Found on the beach and Sold on eBay

The kids and I love to go beach combing to find treasures: unique pebbles, sea glass, polished pottery shards, special float wood. It's fun, kids love it and it's a cheap activity. Over the years we have collected all sorts of things from these trips and some were sold on ebay.

This lot of old French pottery shards, found on the Loire river banks, sold for $6.99. I suppose the buyer will be  making jewelry with them.

Natural Sea Beach Pottery Shards from Loire River in France