Junkin Jewels - Tuula from The Thrifty Rebel

Tea Cups and Classic Rock - A Match Made in Wonderland

I'm so thrilled to be here at the Inspiration Cafe as part of the Junkin' Jewels series. I'm Tuula, and I blog over at The Thrifty Rebel.

When it comes to projects there's almost nothing I love better than repurporsing something... giving it a new life as something completely different.

Tea anyone?

When I saw this box of 34 vintage teacups and saucers at my local thrift store... how could I possibly resist? Like any self respecting junker I had faith that I would someday think of something to do with them.

Well... time passes fast, and several months later that box of teacups was still sitting in my greenhouse/studio... mocking me... daring me to turn them into something. Anything!!!

Finally... last week when I was spending some time in there checking out my stash it came to me... and I got so excited that I had to start right away.

They have England engraved on their bottoms, and at first glance these teacups look rather unremarkable. (I was tempted to make a wreath out of them). But as we all know, first impressions can be deceiving... because...

TA DA!!!!

Sometime over the winter I'll have to figure out what to do with the 34 saucers.

But for now ... it's all about the teacups. Aren't the colours fabulous? And so unexpected!

Also in my greenhouse I had this set of thrifted ivory coloured planters. They look delicate, but they're made out of heavy duty metal and are very strong. They passed Miss Pixie's inspection.

Here's what the larger one looked like this past summer.

I tried the larger one on the lamp for size and it fit beautifully. It makes a perfect lampshade.

I cut myself twenty pieces of jute twine about 20" long...

borrowed the guest room lamp base because I needed something to hang the lampshade on while I worked...

turned up the volume on some classic Lynyrd Skynyrd, courtesy of You Tube, and started tying up the teacups... one by one.

Each one double knotted... finishing with a little jute bow, and changing sides as I went along to keep it all from tumbling down.

And I tied while I listened to 'Simple Man'.

And I tied to 'Sweet Home Alabama'.

Until I finished.. half way through 'Free Bird'. One of my faves of all time.

And then I had to sit through the rest of the 13 minute musical phenomenon... completely mesmerized and fabulously lost in the past, and feeling just like a free, free bird. 

Writing this now just made me have to go back and watch it again. Classic rock and junk makeovers go together like fine wine and cheese. Yummm!

Anyhoo... I digress.

The next day I hunted through my stash for a roll of thrifted lace, and wove it through the heavy wire slats. I found myself some classic CCR to weave to. Over and under, over and under.

And I wove to 'Have Your Ever Seen the Rain'.

And I wove to 'I Heard it Through the Grapevine'.

Until I was done during 'Bad Moon Rising'.

I alternated how I did each section because I thought 8 bows would be a little too much. The lace is just to lessen the glare of the light bulb a little.

It was still missing something though. So once again I dove into my stashes, and I came up with this silver toned tea pot.

I drilled a hole through the bottom, starting with a small metal bit and working my way up to slightly larger bits until my hole was just the right size.

I spray painted it gold, and put it on its rightful place on the top of the lampshade. The lamp finial is screwed on inside the teapot.

Here are some pics of the brass lamp, with the lampshade it came with that I didn't like, from when I thrifted it last summer.

I wasn't even sure I was going to keep it, but here it is now with its 'Wonderland' lampshade... complete with teacup fringe. 

And it's most definitely a keeper. 

It graces a corner in my master bedroom.

This lamp may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's so right for this classic rock chick with a junker's heart and a soul full of whimsy.

'And this bird you cannot change'.

I have to say that there are moments in this life that make me wonder where my inner child has gone, and projects like this remind me that I haven't lost her... that she's still here. I hope I never see the world through adult eyes only, because I think I would miss sooo much.

Thanks so much for letting me, and my inner child, visit with you today. We still have 14 teacups and 34 saucers to play with! Yay!!!

Spread some whimsy somewhere today... and smile! :)