Deep South Treasures


I have recently added a new section to my Etsy shop called "T R E A S U R E S" and wanted to introduce these delightful repurposed vintage supplies, gifts, and home décor.

I rescued some of these goods from a historic building in my town ~ a former department store that has been vacant for more than forty years. Just before the building was to be gutted for restoration, I had the opportunity to go on a little treasure hunt throughout the building.

Other items I will be featuring in my Etsy "T R E A S U R E S" are from my personal collection of vintage and antique accessories, which I have either inherited along with my home, or purchased during my travels.  I have repurposed them into functional items and want to pass them on to a new collector of useful and lovely vintage chic.


These wonderful old department store hand written cash tally cards, audit sheets, and a bundled stack of customer receipts ~ all from the 1950’s ~ are fabulous for mixed media or assemblage art projects, decoupage, or as shabby vintage décor and vignettes in your home.


One hundred hand punched paper flowers ~ southern dogwood blooms and endless summer hydrangea blossoms ~ from the same lot are also included in this collection of old papers.



Some of these paper documents are almost seventy years old so the paper is very fragile and has a delicate aged patina.  The papers are bundled and tied with a pretty ribbon, while some stacks are in their original bundle tied with cotton string.  A paper flower with vintage millinery adorns the package.



I also found this assortment of rustic steampunk vintage industrial brass and silvertone keys in the old building.  All flat and uncut car, lock, door, house, safe, post office box keys ~ many styles.  Perfect for altered art projects, scrap booking, mixed media art, magnets, and anything else your imagination will let you do.

{This is a postcard depicting the original building.}


Drop them in a tarnished silver bowl and place on top of a stack of old books

Hang them on a door knob in your home…

Use them as charms on jewelry or pretty packages…

Add a little bling or glitter and re~purpose to use as funky magnets

Tie on heart shaped chocolate candy wedding favors {the key to his heart}...


Another one of my "Deep South Treasures" is this luscious vintage sugar and creamer set. I’m guessing these are circa 1960 or older.


Originally a muddy grey pewter, I painted each piece an antique white and then hand rubbed them with a golden bronze permanent ink. The hand rubbed edges of golden bronze accentuate the delicate flowers and flourishes around the handles, rim, and base of each piece.


 
They are both embellished with beautiful creamy velvet forget~me~not millinery blossoms; hand dyed and scrunched mocha coloured French seam binding ribbons and bows; and mother of pearl buttons and beads.


Since these are no longer appropriate for food use, nor are they food safe…



Be glamorous and use on your vanity to hold make up brushes and cotton balls

Decorate your wedding table and use for tiny bouquets near your guest book


What to do with a set of mismatched silver plated dinner knives?  Embellish them of course!  With scrumptious sherbet coloured hand dyed and scrunched French seam binding double bows and a single ivory porcelain rosette and transform them into one~of~a~kind letter openers.


Each of these silver plated dinner knives is graced with a lovely aged patina and the hand dyed ribbons create a visual harmony to the eye.


They make beautiful and functional gifts for anyone with an appreciation for the craftsmanship of the past and who wants to enjoy a little beauty every day ~ even during the mundane tasks of opening bills that come in the mail! 


They are also thoughtful gifts for teachers, brides to be, or a special person in your life.

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Shop my Etsy for unique Deep South vintage treasures and one~of~a~kind hand made gifts for every occasion!


Ciao amici,
Suzanne

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Sharing my treasures with some of these friends this week.

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