“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Holy Bible: King James Version, Matthew 6:21
What’s your idea of treasure? Mine is finding old and still-useful objects to give life to by bringing them into my home. They have an eclectic personality and quality of workmanship that is often missing in newer, mass-produced goods.
Our little farm at Possum Creek is spitting distance from Bangalow, a gorgeous old town in the Byron Bay hinterland. It’s a fab spot for treasure hunting…
Here’s my latest find:
Ah yes, I sense your underwhelm.
But wait, it truly IS fabulous!!!
It’s a vintage flour sifter – a double sifter no less. You pop your flour in the top, squeeze the spring-loaded handle, and the flour falls through two natty screens that aerate and de-clump it, vital for that perfect cake!
Both my grandmothers had sifters just like this one, and mine has already been given a good work out, making fruit cakes for the upcoming CWA cake stall.
I got this particular treasure at one of my favourite shops Heath’s Old Wares, which stocks vintage wares, collectables, antiques and oddities. You’ll find it tucked up in Station Street, as you head towards the showgrounds and A and I Hall. It’s well worth a visit!
My little farmhouse is a shabby chic hodge-podge of furniture and homewares found at garage sales, auctions, thrift and antique shops, markets, rubbish tips, stuff abandoned for roadside pickup, inherited bits and pieces and items crafted by friends.
For me it’s not just an act of recycling; treasure hunting is a soul-satisfying way to live lightly on this earth, and to develop my own style, independent of ‘trends’.
What’s your idea of treasure?
What’s your personal style?
What makes your heart happy?
Maybe it’s time to include more of that energy in your life!
I too am a treasure hunter! It gives me great joy to find an oddly shaped side table or a crazy lamp in an op shop – or even better the side of the road! I love to bring them home and give them new life. The recycling aspect is a bonus, but the character, history and worn beauty of shabby chic decor is what makes me light up on the inside. This is the blog of another kindred thrifty spirit I think you’d enjoy (if you haven’t come across her already). Bright blessings and lucky finds to you Nicole xx
ooh woops – this is the blog. http://dottieangel.blogspot.com.au/
My quest to become more comfortable with abundance must not be as far along as I’d thought. I had to look twice to be sure I saw that $8 price tag correctly (here in the U.S., it would be nowhere near that). I’ll have to turn this into an exercise somehow — stare at that price tag until I feel comfortable and know that if I ever buy thread in Australia that I’ll be able to pay for it easily? Take it as a “sign of land” that abundance is on the way? 🙂
I went through a major, major clean out a few years ago. I think I went too far because I do miss some of what I got rid of. However, I do understand why people like it because of the “lightening up” feeling you get when you realize you don’t have to worry about as many things as you did before. I was more than a bit surprised at how many trips I had to make to donate everything — I had many carloads of stuff to go.
LOL -I don’t pay $8 for thread – these ones are that price because of the old wooden reels that the cotton is spooled onto. Must admit I would not pay $8 for them – but I’m sure some people would. Different things for different people. I will happily pay three times the going price for chicken or eggs to ensure that mine is organic and pasture raised – I guess it’s all about the value we put onto things.
Got it. And I totally understand about the organic food. 🙂
We do an annual excursion to Bangalow every summer holidays. We always seem to arrive too late as I’d really like to visit the shop that looks like an old chemist, full of lotions and potions. It’s always closed.
It IS an old chemist, and it’s still a chemist – well worth a look as well. Most of our shops open around 10am – maybe come a little earlier next time so you can have a decent explore!
Most definitely will. Next time I come down, I’d like to leave the family behind and come with a friend, then I can relax, have some lunch and enjoy!!!
As I have gotten older I am finding that my greatest treasures are the non-tangibles…family, health and contentment. I am also trying to downsize and get rid of things. I never throw anything out but always find a happy home…no matter what the item. And it gives me great joy to give…one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right?
Heh heh, I’m kind of the opposite – I’m always happiest when I’m getting rid of things. I’d probably be most content if I could fit everything I owned into my car. I can’t, but one room would probably do me fine. My boyfriend is quite the saver of things, so it’s always a precarious balance around here, and we pretty much divide the apartment down the middle. I’m currently on a tear to clean things out again, though. Feels. So. Good. 🙂
I’m all for having one’s own style! My greatest treasures are mostly woo-woo items like a few special crystals and pendulums, that sort of thing. I find them calming to hold and play with.
Glad you got out to have a good time – looks like fun! My mom and I used to love going antiquing (although rarely buying anything) before she moved away last year. 🙁
We only have a tiny farmhouse, Jennifer, so I only ever buy or scavenge what we have a use for. And every so often we have a big clean out, and then slowly begin again.
Except with books. Oh my goodness, me and books… I have been accumulating them since childhood, and I re-read them often! (Hooray for no TV!) I am in the process of working out how to turn an old feed shed into a library and writing space.
I feel for you that your Mom moved away, and I hope you find someone else special to go antiquing with – I think the looking is as good as the buying. Fills the senses in a wonderful way!
Much love to you 😀 xx
Ha ha, are you a Myers-Briggs INFP, by any chance? They’re usually the book lovers. My mom is one of those. 🙂
Pretty close.
Oh and I should confess my shed and paddock full of crystals and assorted woo woo too! 😉