Thrift Store Silver Plate & How I Clean It A Bit...

I was recently asked if I was in the "tarnish camp" or the "shiny camp."

Tarnish - all the way, baby. 

My reasons go deeper than the elbow grease required to keep things pristine, too. 

I LIKE the look of tarnish - it shows details you don't see on a totally shiny piece. It shows history.

Sometimes the places I shop don't bother to clean items. They can be very grungy. 

The tray below had some rusty looking stuff, white stuff, and even some green patina. I like green patina, but not for this piece.

I can buy undaunted because... I have the simplest, quickest trick to clean up a grimy piece while still satisfying my need for patina. 

Here it is:

Soapy steel wool pads - SOS or Brillo, usually.

I wet them, and scrub the grime off, revealing a bit of silver (and sometimes the copper underneath the plate), but leaving plenty of tarnish in grooves.

After a good scrub, I rinse well and dry with a towel until the piece is completely dry.

Here is a before:

The plate above is the same one pictured in the first photo. It had water rings, the price in wax pencil (I paid half-price) and general grunge. 

Here it is again, after a few minutes of steel wool and soap:

There is even an engraving. :)

Phi Kappa Theta

Christmas Party

1964

There is copper coming through the silver, but I don't mind. 

These days, I embrace the imperfect. No drama if something gets scratched that is already scratched. Party on and use the silver! Use the pretty towels, too.

Word for the Day:

Proverbs 25:11

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Possibly Linking With:
Sunday
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/	Nifty Thrifty Sunday
http://thoughtsfromalice.blogspot.com/	Sundays at Home
Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com	Mod Mix Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/	The Scoop
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/	Inspire Me Tuesday
Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com	Cottage Style Party
http://tarnishedroyalty.com/	Drop it or Swap it Party
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://staceyembracingchange.com/	Creative Inspirations
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/	Furniture Feature Friday
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
Saturday
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/	Party Junk
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday

New Work, Recent Etsy Sold Items & My Perspective, Etc.

11x17 acrylic & mixed media on canvas

Hebrews 13:2

This past week I completed a small painting, with Hebrews 13:2 as inspriation. It is done using simple imagery of a starry night sky, a few house shapes and suggestions of rocks, canyons, etc. that make up the terrain around my city. It is painted in black, ochre, metallic gold and sliver, and white. Painting is a nice way to relax and get in "the zone."

I also wanted to show you some items I've sold on Etsy recently...for those of you who are considering opening an Etsy shop - do it. 

Especially if you frequent thrift stores.It is an easy way to find good homes for cool things you see but don't choose to use in your own home. 

You know...the things you see and think, "How cool!" 

You grab them, put them in your cart, knowing they don't "go" anywhere in your home, but you love them anyway. 

You don't like the idea of leaving them on the shelf, unloved, un-appreciated. You KNOW they belong somewhere better. In a nice loving home where they will be highlighted and possibly given a place of honor. 

Maybe you have some things just like them already, and you love them, but don't need them.

 But you know SOMEONE is looking for one just like this. 

Because it's just plain cool. And it's vintage.

 They don't make them like this anymore.

You see them in magazines and you recognize their "cool factor." So you grab them, knowing it's a tad risky.

You might even wish you had more room, or even another garage, so you could keep this in case you change your style sometime...stranger things have happened.

Then you realize that's silly. If your style changes, there will be more cool stuff out there. So you decide to list it. 

If you create your own items, it is a great way to find more customers than yourself. :)

I can't say there's a down side to Etsy. For me, the hardest part is to estimate shipping when you LIST an item. I've tried calculating a faraway place, and still sometimes I end up eating a portion of the postage. Still, it is a positive experience for me, and I plan to keep doing it. 

Word for the Day:

Hebrews 13:2

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertainedangels unawares. 

Possibly Linking With:
Sunday
http://www.twiggstudios.com	Sunday Show-off Link Party
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/	Nifty Thrifty Sunday
http://thoughtsfromalice.blogspot.com/	Sundays at Home
Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com	Mod Mix Monday
http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com	Revival Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/	The Scoop
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/	Inspire Me Tuesday
http://cityfarmhouse.com/	Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/	Show Me What Ya Got
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com	Cottage Style Party
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/	Penny Pinching Party
http://tarnishedroyalty.com/	Drop it or Swap it Party
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://staceyembracingchange.com/	Creative Inspirations
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/	Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/	Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://www.commonground-do.com/	Vintage Inspiration Friday
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/	Fabulously Creative Friday
Saturday
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/	Party Junk
http://too-much-time.com	Get Schooled Saturday
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday

Thrifty Life Thursday #18 and Features from Last Week...

Since I have no photos to show you of a few recent thrifty finds, I'll share my bedroom view out Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs. It was lovely. Blooming trees, budding bulbs, a sweet garden bench and a footbridge...I could get used to that. 

(Insert the sound of a stereo needle scratching a vintage record album here.)

Today, I have a clogged kitchen sink with cracked p trap, a broken washing machine, lots and lots of things on my calendar that draw me away from doing the un-fun work around my house. Three plus trips to various hardware stores to find the correct p trap for my 1945 house, and I still don't have it, washing dishes in a plastic tub and pouring the dishwater down the toilet...thank you for paper plates and disposable cups!

Still, life is good. I am loved. I am full and warm and have more than I need. Tonight I enjoyed happy hour with three sweet friends, two of whom live far away. It was sweet. I am thankful. 

You can be thankful for the lack of photos of my house, my kitchen sink, etc. I am also thankful for YOU for bringing more loveliness into my life, even virtually and from a distance. 

Have a peek at this week's features from last week's party:

Tania from Farragoz Designer's Notebook shared a lovely post about specialty-painting two mismatched glass front cabinets in her home to create a stunning display of wonderful items!

Jann from Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen shared a garden birdcage stand she salvaged and created, along with other wonderful garden ideas and photos. 

Patti, of Ivy & Elephants, shared a most fabulously whimsical collection of vintage salt & pepper shakers - you must see them to appreciate them! (Those girls have the most unusual and wonderful collections between them!)

How 'bout this bread and butter set? Amazing. 

Please pray I find the perfect p trap to fix my sink, so I can do something a little more fun than plumbing, which is NOT my gift. (I have a nice semi-empty front bedroom waiting for me...)

Have you been to any garage sales, thrift stores, flea markets, or have you found anything wonderful on the curb? We want to see it!

THRIFTY LIFE THURSDAY #18

Gathering Guidelines:

This is a gathering for people who enjoy hunting for treasures 

that may have previous experience or lived a former life elsewhere. 

Please share items that are second-hand or are composed of second-hand materials.

Types of Posts to Share:

• Home decor, furniture, collectibles, garden items and even wearables are welcome, as long as they have a second-hand element.
• Please, no food items, new pieces from "real" stores, or crafts, unless made with upcycled, thrifty finds.

• Hand-me-downs and curbside finds are welcome, as are items found in thrift stores, garage sales, antique shops, flea markets and other interesting places.
• Treasures may be listed as you found them, or with your updates, tweaks, and re-purposes; befores and afters are both welcome.

• Items need not be "vintage" but must be pre-owned or second hand.

• Posts including Etsy and other shop links are welcome! For visitor enjoyment, please link to your blog post, not directly to your Etsy shop. 

Etiquette:

• Though it is not a requirement, it would be lovely if you would follow Revisionary Life some way - via Blogger, Pinterest or Facebook or subscribe via email. Links are located in my sidebar to the right.

• Please link your post (not your blog address) back to Revisionary Life.             
• Please visit at least one other party friend.

• I'd love for you to comment and introduce yourself if we've never met before. :) Otherwise, don't feel obligated to leave a comment. 

Features:

• Featured items must meet the criteria above. 
• Only posts that link back may be featured.
• I will try to email you and let you know if you were featured!

Word for the Day:
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.