Rusty junk heaven

8 years ago

I saw an ad on Craigslist today for a sale at a former recycling center/junk yard whose owner was a hoarder. I had to go!

Oh this place was rusty junk heaven. A mecca for people like me. It was a huge junk yard with so much stuff it was an assault on the eyes. There were hundreds of old metal chandeliers hanging from every rafter and piles upon piles of metal stuff. Some stuff was buried so deep it was going to take time to get out and it was hot today. I left with some real treasures. I want to go back next week after they empty more of the trailers and hopefully more human traffic will liberate more buried objects.

The two matching pedestals are cast iron. Can you believe the guy told me I could get industrial paint stripper to take off all the layers of paint? Ha! No way...those layers of paint are what make them so fantastic. Well, that and the rust. I paid $10 for the pair. The only thing in this pile that isn't metal is the funky tiki-looking head. She is chalkware but has obviously been outside for a long time. I will try to seal it with some clear outdoor sealer and hang her on my deck.

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hydrangeahead Central WI 4b

8 years ago

So jelly! I would be in heaven there as well!!!!!!

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Comments (9)

Granny J
8 years ago
It would have been hard for me to leave the place without a truck full of treasures. I hope you'll share how you use the items you found.
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5) thanked Granny J
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popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
Original Author
8 years ago
If I had a pickup truck, it would have been seriously dangerous. I always think that I want a truck, but then again, maybe the lack of one is what keeps me in check. :-)
sunnyca_gw
8 years ago
Making of some great projects, can't wait to see what you do!
mmmm12COzone5
8 years ago
Popmama, did you ever display the treasures? Any photos?
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
Original Author
8 years ago
I confess I didn't do anything really fancy with them. But most of them are out in the garden being used somehow. I'll have to post some pics.
citytransplant(zone5)
7 years ago
popmama, waiting for the photos of your really, really great finds.
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi citytransplant! It's cold here still (as it must be where you are as well) so I haven't done much. But I did get a Flea Market Garden magazine yesterday and I saw a good idea for the cast iron bases. They had put a rusty metal wagon on top of two of them. I just so happen to have a rusty metal wagon that is currently sitting on some bricks. It just may work! I currently have some hypertufa planters sitting on the bases, but I am contemplating the wagon now as we wait for Spring. I have the lantern thing on top of a column and it looks good. I'll take some pictures when the garden looks like more than a dead beige world.
citytransplant(zone5)
7 years ago
Looking forward to your photos and really looking forward to spring. Today is not only cold, but ice keeps falling from the sky. ( what the heck is that all about?) Soon, good weather, beautiful yards and great ideas will be here for everyone, very soon.... well honestly in a few more months
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5) thanked citytransplant(zone5)