Over the Easter weekend, my son and I head out to our fav local hot spot, Harrison Hot Springs. And our first stop brought us right on Rusty’s doorstep. WHOOOHOOO!
This is going to be Part 1 of 3 of our Easter weekend, because I’m a little heavy where pictures are concerned. You don’t mind, do you?! Even if I promise you more delish junk?
Anyway, let’s see what Rusty’s had today!
I love heading into their outside compound the most. The kinda stuff that keeps getting rustier resides here and the prices are reasonable. Spot anything you like? I sure do!
I’d bet your eye caught this wind turbine. I really REALLY wanted it but… eh… I wanted it for nothing and it cost something. So I moved on. But it sure would have made a cool light fixture. And being that I’ve yet to make a light fixture, it would have sat in my garage for at least a year or 2. Next time!
Hello, you!
Yes, this sweet little porcelain (I think?) kettle came home with me. It weighed a TON. I’ve never seen one made out of (what I think is??) porcelain before. It felt like a vintage kitchen sink if that makes sense. I should learn my p’s and q’s when it comes to naming stuff. Or just shop with Miss Mustard Seed. She knows the name of everything.
I couldn’t resist. The rusty teal and metal combo of this little tackle box did me in. And the fact that it can hold stuff makes it productive. SOLD.
Intriguing tear drop shaped rusty ol’ shovel. Anyone know what it’s meant for? I didn’t haul it home but it was cool. Maybe I should have?
THIS was just a bin full of fun! That chrome bumper would have been ultra cool in a flower bed. Imagine a row of abundant red geraniums growing right behind it. Remind me why I didn’t bring this home, please?! Probably price… that always seems to be a thing with me.
I also loved the red gas can but drew a blank on what to do with it. I just loved the pop of red.
This old timer of a ripped chair just made me smile. It’s intriguing to look at though, gotta admit. The shape and colour was so cool. I could see this thing covered in the garden with succulents, all creepy like.
But I left it… because I needed room for….
THIS! Ok, I wish.
Not so junky. This barely baby blue old timer hot rod was jaw dropping magnificent. I attempted to have the owners stand in the picture because they just belonged with that car. Just beautiful!
This tall, rusty metal ammunition crate came home. Oh, this is gonna be so fun…
Any guesses what I have in mind? Here’s a hint… I’m bringing it along to the Milner Village Garden event I’m talking at on April 9th. I have BIG plans for this sweet thang.
What would you use it for?
And then my heart absolutely burst….
… and broke, all within a matter of 5 minutes. This piece was indeed sold but let me tell you, I totally embarrassed my son the way I was squealing and going on and on about it. It was $90 and I would have paid it in a heartbeat, only because this piece was so unique.
Every metal wire basket was original. And the aqua metal framework… sick. Just sick.
I wanted this storage unit (swimming lockers?) so bad I would have given up my fridge if it was the last place to put it.
After this find, I truly had to take a few deep breaths and chill until I could break out of my instant, deep, dark depression.
I have no idea what I’d do with it but I don’t care! What would you have used it for? I mean, crafts, tools, storing more junk, I just don’t even know. But I still don’t care!
Sigh… hang on, I’ll be right back.
Ok, I’m back. I had to scroll to ditch that picture from my depressed mind. I’m good now.
Because I get to play with these guys! Coming soon to a monitor near you!
Next up.. you will LOOOOVE where we went next. It’s called The Back Porch. Coffee, junk and so much more. Stay tuned for Part 2!
Didn’t get your complete junk fix yet?
You can check out more junk shopping posts HERE.
Mamma mia! I’ll take everything! I agree with your choices! Enjoy the booty!
D.
oh my I would have squealed too…fun fun fun!
That locker basket was awesome! It could at least be pantry storage in the basement! I would have no place for it but I would make room… love it! Too bad it was sold 🙁
Great junk weekend, wish they had those kind of places on Long Island…
oh my heavens…i want that storage shelf!!! the possibilities are endless with that one, but i would love to use it in my sewing room!
We used the piece with wire baskets to store our “gym suit” and shoes for PE.
Oh, I could just imagine your heart racing as you saw that locker basket piece…and how disappointing that it was sold…I have done the same…raced toward a piece that made my heart sink and as you draw closer, there is a sold tag on it!!…but you did get some great pieces and can’t wait to see what you do with that ammunition crate…Have a wonderful weekend!
I love that locker. Would have bought it in a heart beat. The color would be perfect in my daughter’s beach inspired room. $90 is a steal. I live in New England and I can’t imagine finding it for anything less than $400
Aw man! Only $90! Somebody got a steal. I would have bought ten at that price! Wow! Great finds all around. My mind was spinning on the repurposing opportunities. Can’t wait to see more!
Well, I am with you on that turquoise piece! I was in love as soon as I opened your post!! So sad that it was sold! It was gorgeous.
Want that wire basket storage thingy!!!! holy the colour is perfect too.
Maybe you’ll find another one… keeping my fingers crossed!
I LOVE this post! It’s nice to see how you shop & see treasures through a sea of rust. I’m wondering if that porcelain jug might be part of a future water feature??? Can’t wait to see what you do with all of your finds! (And I am mourning with you over the aqua organizer piece.)
Donna- What cool, cool things you found there! Wow. I do believe that old steam kettle is made of cast iron and coated with porcelain. I have a similar one that was in the back barn of the old farm. I loved that first roof vent, too. How cool is that!?! It would make a GREAT light fixture- xo Diana
$90! OMG! What a steal! And what a heartbreaker it was already sold. I would have used it just to sit there and look pretty! My bathroom is not big enough, but I can picture it in a bathroom holding towels etc.
I wish we had places like that in our area. The few we do have seem to be confused and charge more than I can ever afford to pay. That locker would have been in the $600 – 700 range here. It’s crazy.
Love these pieces! I have an old red gas can that I saved when my husband threw it out. I have not decided what to do with it but I love it. Maybe just use it in a vignette but I am definitely keeping it!
Totally loved loved Rusty’s Junk and what you got I too had a melt down when I saw the Swim lockers!!!!!!! Cant wait to see more totally awesome!
Thank You so much for sharing! I so appreciate your blog and all te info someday I am going to make it to Canada and attend a seminar where you will be at!!
Oh, I’d have snapped that locker unit up too! Who needs a fridge anyway? I used to not have one in my weekend home, and my boyfriend only got food poisoning once. x
What a fab place to dig through and yes that teal basket storage unit is amazing, and to find it sold would be some sad……glad you found some treasures to take home though.
I love your comment box! (Since opening the shop, my blogging has been limited!)
Your home will start resembling those seen on “American Pickers” if you don’t remain selective! You made great choices and you’ll have that ammo chest looking wonderful, in no time!
Cheers!
It’s just cruel when they leave out the sold stuff. I had my eye on that from the first picture. 90 bucks was a great price. I’m sad for you…
Oh, what a great place and I wish I had discovered it before I left Washington. Oh well…..I loved the tool box. I’ve collected many of them and filled them with succulents and they sit on the steps of my old step ladder out in the courtyard….I know you’ll come up with something special too!! Have fun!!
Rusty’s place looks like heaven on Earth! So much good junk! TFS…can’t wait for parts 2 & 3!!
Looks like a fun day of junkin’! Can’t blame you for trying…those lockers are way cool!!
Oh my… the old military tin is awesome! Can not wait to see what you do with this.
The shovel would be great garden art. The teardrop base could be a scarecrow face for some Halloween fun…I mean that’s coming soon. Right? 😉
Olivia Reinvented
Thee Reinvented Collection & Co
I could do so much with this funky junk! Great post!
Reminds me of Jim’s Antiques in Bethany, MO. The place was surrounded with lots of fun rusty things and tons of old windows and oh, I just can’t begin to tell you. We spent as much time photographing as we did exploring for great finds. Five dollar old cameras anyone? We found out how much the Prius could hold that year. 🙂
Oh my gosh–I was thinking just what you said about the locker. I looooooove it.
Oh my goodness. You did find some awesome stuff! Too BAD the amazing basket/bin shelf locker thing was SOLD! THat would be my luck too!
But, I think you still did pretty well.
Could the kettle be enamel over cast iron or something to make it so heavy? Or maybe porcelain like you said.
Will be back for part2!
The gasoline can would have made a great lamp!
Oh yeah! My heart skipped a beat when I saw that aqua yumminess!! $90! No wonder it was sold! I woulda grabbed it too!! :))
Love the lockers!! Sad it was sold.. Loved the kettle….. Military case planter for all my succulents babies…. By the way where is Rusty’s????
I want that aqua wire basket storage unit too! Probably never see another one. Reminds me of the town pool in Walterboro, SC where I grew up and went swimming twice a day, every day, every summer! So late 50’s!
I love this metal aqua unit…pity you couldn’t get it. I am joining you in pain:'(
For the Kettle- my grandmother had something similar- cast iron covered with enamel- also beautiful.
Loved part 1 and can’t wait for 2 and 3..
Wish we had a place like this close to home! Love the blue shelf and baskets too and would have walked home with on my back if I had to! Heartsick I’m sure!! Can’t wait to see part 2!
Hi Donna:
Just wanted to let you know the shovel in the above picture is designed to clean out dirt/soil from a hole dug for fence posts. Typically the hole is dug with a post hole digger or auger but it doesn’t remove the soil/dirt – that’s when the funny shaped shovel with a longer than normal handle is used.
BTW – my husband took a look at your latest email with the pictures from your recent trip to Rusty’s. We both agree you would have a field day in my husband’s workshop along with his collection of “stuff” in the back 40 but the really good stuff can be found at my father-in-law’s farm. Too bad you live in B.C. because I might actually consider paying you to stop by and help yourself!!!
Love your site and keep up the great work.
That’s all for now, Nancy
Oh Donna, you’ve probably heard this a million times in your life…but after seeing this post…well it really just fits…that poor wire basket holder…he really wanted to be with you…
‘Since she left me
I’ve never been the same
Cause I love my girl
Donna, oh where can you be?
Ok, it’s late, sorry…what a shame he was already spoken for.
But what you did bring home was awesome! 🙂
That locker baskets set you couldn’t get? I know what you mean… it would just hold so much! By the way, the kettle is enamel.
You remind me of….ME!!!!
My daughters cringe when I spot a road-side “find” or beg to go “antiquing” as a family outing.
Love your posts and finds!
Can’t wait to see your creations!
I would have fallen hard for that aqua-framed set of wire baskets, too. In fact I did from your first pic. Do you think that heavy porcelain pot might be coated cast iron? That would explain the weight. Haven’t found anyplace like that here in 35 years-yeah, I’m vintage myself 🙂
Janet
That shovel is a post hole digger
OMG….I LOVE that locker basket. I would so paint it white and use in my mud room for all of my family’s shoes. If for some reason it doesn’t work for you…I’d gladly take it off your hands. Just saying!!! You have picked some great things.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the old gym lockers – been looking forever for those! Someone else must have loved them too! 🙂
Oh I would of totally flipped for basket thing too! That really stinks that it was already sold! sniff sniff…..
shelly
That wire shelf is to die for. I would have felt my stomach drop (just like you) upon learning that it was sold. Aside from that, I’m looking forward to seeing what you did with your “junk”!