Category Archives: resources

Blog Snog

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Let’s be open, I get a little thrill out of the communal love of blog! Who can deny the little flutter that comes with a comment, or a pingback or a ‘pin’ interest..

I’ll have to admit, I seem to be more into reading blogs, blog crawling or creeping as I think its known, than posting at the moment. Its why the Salvage Sisters are a great duo, right sis! What with the Sis upping her photos another notch, the inadequacy is ever greater to be a contributor to the beautiful world of blog.

I just wanted to rave about a few blogs I’ve been creeping lately, with a focus on good old Northern Ireland for today.. and give them more a peck on the cheek, than a snog! Phew.

First up the really and truly ‘Absolutely Glorious’ by Jenny, a fellow East Belfaster, and dreamy, inspiring and i’d say romantic blogger of life. She makes the everyday into something Sugared, Spiced and irresistable. Pop over to see her world of kitsch memorabilia, perfectly placed blooms, and charming muses on life. If you’re left longing for one of her irresistable looking bakes, check out her business Silver Spoon Society.

Next we have the artiste and mad hatter Aly over at Aly McLoughlin Harte. Here you’ll pick up a a dollop of positivity and a dash of the joy in every day in her fabuously honest, and hugely creative musings on the day to day of family life..

Lately, I was given a word up on Mel Wiggins, and all the more keen to read on, when I saw she hails from the Craigavon direction, near where I grew up! Assuming you’re a blog boff if you’re here, you’ll know that comeradery, and joy that comes from having something in common with someone you dont even know and have never met! What is that. Im still not sure. But I’ve been enjoying her adept skill at actually doing the things I intend to, like home made cosmetics and cleaning your house with vinegar, Acting up against Human Trafficking, and i loooove it – ‘Crafternoon Teas‘ for the fellow craft amateur/enthusiasts to unite in a joined purpose to create.

Now for those more reflective moments, when all your inventing, crafting, and thrifting is done I’d say Tell it in Colour, will lift your spirits and poke your positivity, and Steve Stockman’s Soul Surmisewill stir you up, especially if you like to go deeper in the everyday.. his analytical view of life and love through song lyrics is an alka seltzer for the soul..

Kissing booth!

 

Catherineholm

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I happened upon this beautiful coffee pot last year in a charity shop in the Borders, at the handsome sum of £1. Obviously it has mid-century written all over it. I recently discovered it is actually part of the highly collectable Catherineholm range of enamelware, produced in Norway mainly in the 50’s and 60’s. I love the chance occurrence of buying something special second-hand, which doesn’t happen very often these days with charity shops getting canny about their vintage goods. It looks like i’ll be a while building up any kind of collection as there isn’t much of it in the UK.

So that got me to thinking about the need to be well informed beforehand so that the thrill of stumbling across a collectors item in a charity shop becomes more likely. I then saw this book in Oxfam and quickly swiped it up and have been studying it ever since. Its a highly selected and detailed group of 20th century objets d’art, with some notable omissions (Cornish Blue being close to my heart), but it gives an overview and approximate price for each item, within a broad rane of categories. High end bargain hunting here i come!!

Vintage Homebird

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The Salvage sisters have had the delight of a few days on the same side of the shuck with Lucy being in Northern Ireland for a few days.

After the trauma of actually having to clear some things out that we couldnt possibly salvage or find room for, at the car boot, we undertook a little intentional rambling around NI to unearth some new treasure hot spots I’d heard about on the vintage circuit.

vintage homebird

I have never had a reason to go to Greyabbey before, but that is where the lovely Keri Johnston has opened the most beautiful space to retail her very attuned collection of vintage, retro and kitsch memorabilia. After a gorgeous drive about 20 mins out of Belfast hugging the coastline, we were excited to find this little town has a plethora of antique shops and the like. With the warmest welcome, we pottered through the three room space on two levels, laid out to eye watering, heart quickening, I want-all-of-it perfection.

 

Keri’s enthusiasm and warmth is exuded throughout her shop to inspire you even more than the fabulous lay out. Get on down there if you get the chance.

Watch this space for our next treasure ramble..

Road trip, Coffee, Salvage..

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The treaty of blogging elevates you to the official position of ‘go-to’ person on your chosen topic!

I got a call from my good friend Vicki lately who needed some Salvaging done, I was her woman!

Her late Grandmother, a prolific seamstress, had an insatiable addiction to haberdashery in all its forms. I have never in my life seen a stash like it, with every description of wool, fabric and fibre imaginable, and for that matter unimaginable! I believe she made almost everything she wore. I would love to see some photos of her in her finery. This lady had an eye for quality, and she makes my hoarding won a minimalists award.

My trustee day tripper Fionna and I set off through the vales of Ards along Strangford Lough, through Balloo to Killinchy. This was to me an uncovered patch in our quilt of scenery here in NI. A grand day out, with beautiful coffee shops along the way, and sheer views over the water here and there.. it feels like you’re driving to the edge of the world.

Fill er up Fi!

We came upon our destination, where Alan, Vicki’s dad was clearing out. After the salvager’s excitement of seeing a few remnants and juicy tit bits, we were baffled as roll upon roll of beautiful material, and balls and balls of the finest wool kept appearing.

roll up

chair makeover sorted

life supply

 

Angora

As many an unconverted salvager would, the builders who were there at the time, were more highly amused and baffled at our delight in filling our car literally to the roof with our ‘treasure’. Much the same as Vicki’s husbands response! Luckily Ivan has given up on noticing my stock-piling.. almost. He uses this skill for the house work too! Hee Hee.

Tweed

Leather! any ideas?

Crocodile Dundee

 

Now, if you have an interest in some remnants, or what to do with rolls of leather.. give me a call, or drop in, it’s looking for a home, there’s only so much my garage can hold. xx

Salvage hi five

I hope Vicki finishes this coat off!

Storage solutions?

 

Retropolis

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I had to get straight onto the blog to share my latest delightful furniture purchase from my latest salvage venue. I occasionally pop in to Drum Farm Antiques near the city bypass, and was pleasantly surprised during yesterday’s visit to find a new business adjoining the warehouse called Retropolis Antique and Vintage Emporium. Only 4 weeks old, they have a great spread of furniture and trinkets, either lovingly restored or in need of an imaginative friend. as it happened, i was late for a meeting so i didn’t get to ponder and pontificate in my usual way over the cabinet, an eclectic paring of glass-topped and shelf-bottomed loveliness, formerly a shop fitting. But it was love at first sight and there was no need for deliberation, especially at the enticing price of £70 including delivery later that evening. Luckily there was a rugby match on so that i could spend the evening staring at my new illuminated friend, dreaming up possibilities whilst Malkie was otherwise occupied.

I have opted for a cutesy china/enamelware combo for the display, but i’m sure this is merely the first incarnation of many. I have tried to keep it simple but also make the most of a great display opportunity. But i’m wondering if i should stick to a few signature wow-factor pieces….what do you think?

Edinburgh salvage secret

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Last Thursday i discovered one of the best kept salvage secrets in Edinburgh. I had heard about a ‘lane sale’ somewhere in Leith, and after a bit of searching came upon Ramsay Cornish Auctioneers in Jane Street. They host a ‘proper’ auction every Saturday, and then sell off the rest on a Thursday morning in a very informal and slightly haphazard auction. Having orchestrated a Thursday off work, i headed down cash in hand and browsed the goods, laid out in 3 or 4 rows in the back yard of the saleroom. Suddenly the auction started, with a guy holding up some things and a few punters standing around bidding a pound or two on each. Most things were selling for between £1-£5, and that, i must point out, includes the furniture. One guy bought a wardrobe for £1. Unfortunately its a case of survival of the fittest – those that shout the loudest and stand nearest the front win.

One of the great things about this auction is that you can bid for individual items of your choice rather than whole lots in which you inherit one great thing and 5 other large pearlescent ceramic budgies. And because the crowds are relatively small, you are generally successful in bidding. Its clearly a ‘regulars’ thing, as most punters there seemed to be known by name – Mrs. Sprott and Ellen were on fire! (ie they clearly have Diogene’s Syndrome.) If only i were off every Thursday….

So, what treats and trinkets did i procure from this merry event? My first purchase was this pretty oval mirror with distressed white frame, £10.

All the others came in at a mere £1 each. The material remnants are great for little sewing projects. The first chair does actually have a seat! And the second is a beautiful elm and blue velvet combo.

I even came away with a husband-item: a pair of Argyll (Hunter) wellies for £1. Everyone’s a winner!

Salvaging – not just for sisters

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Out by Balerno reservoir, the old boardwalk over the bog has recently been dismantled, leaving all this lovely wood for a canny passer-by. We have bemoaned the lack of good sun-spots in the back garden, so the boys wanted to create a decking at the bottom (for free), so we can enjoy all those sunny evenings Scotland is about to see! Here they are hard at work, salvaging and laying the foundations for the DIY decking. Pictures of the finished results to follow…