Rustic Salvage

Repurposing, Re-using and Recycling Trash into Art

Rustic Salvage used in imaginative ways

Recycle centers, particularly those that are in rural settings, are a good source of rustic salvage potential.

In the spring once the snow's gone all those piles of junk appear once again, making this a good time to ask if you can check it out.

I keep my eyes open on road trips to farm areas especially, and routinely go to garage and yard sales.

If the price is right (free) I usually won’t turn my nose up at anything with rustic craft potential. Vintage windows, thrift store finds, tin cans for lanterns or old painted furniture, it’s all good. I make the most mundane and at first glance, unusable junk into a unique and interesting craft for my garden, or even in my home.

Even a small ad on Craigslist will bring in some rustic salvage. Most times people don’t recognize what they have, so this is not a sure thing by any means.

Some of the very best rustic salvage is stuff I’ve spotted that someone has in the back 40, rusting away, and says, oh definitely, take it away. I love that! I’ve found treasures you can’t imagine in old farmsteads, junk yards, recycling centers and thrift stores.

Once you find some good haunts, keep going back. I cull the ones that want more money than the items worth, or what the heck – try bartering.

Some places will purposely have higher prices on some things, just in the anticipation that someone will try for a bargain. It’s fun too, once you get the hang of it. Don’t take it as an insult if they don’t go for it, just keep trying.

Auctions are great places to find odd and unusual items, but don't get carried away and pay too much - it's the one drawback to country auctions, especially those that are put on by certain auction houses as everything is 'as is, where is' meaning that there are no refunds. Make sure you know the value of what you're bidding on.

Estate sales are where the family of a deceased relative sells off everything that might be worth anything at all. These sales, especially those in the country are a valuable source of great finds - usually sold for pennies on the dollar. If you're a savvy salvager, then this might be for you.

There has to be a reason for reality shows like Pawn Stars, American Pickers and now Canadian Pickers to be so popular. Everyone loves a bargain, and even more so if they can feel like they got the best of it – by selling you some rustic salvage that they had no use for. Don’t let them see what you make out of it, or you’ll never get another opportunity to fleece them!

Don’t pass up the chance to recycle old barnboards for crafts, shabby chic furniture (this link opens in a new window) or other salvaged art.