Victorian Trading Company's "Back Room" Treasures

I am fortunate to live a near a Victorian Trading Company Outlet.

While I seek true vintage items, VTC offers beautiful reproductions, of which many find their way home with me.

The VTC Outlet store near me has a "Back Room" that offers
damaged items at fair prices. 

I enjoy scouting through the back room for pieces I can repurpose and breath new life into them.  

Earlier this Summer, in conjunction with Birdsong 5, Peeps visited our local
VTC Outlet. 

I stopped by VTC before heading up to Birdsong 5 and ran into my dear friend Gail along with meeting other Peeps.  Fun!

Gail and I both love to shop the back room.  I had packed in my car, two repurpose creations from VTC's backroom.  One was an amazing necklace Gail created for my birthday last year and the other was a fairy garden gift I created, on its way as a gift for Karla.  

    We shared our repurposed creations with VTC and were posted directly onto the VTC Facebook page

 Gail's altered mini Altoid tin necklace is shown bottom center.  She used broken jewelry pieces she purchased from the VTC "back room" to create her gorgeous necklace to me.

This cherub piece was a former clock; however, the clock was broken.  I removed the clock and used its frame to house
a fairy garden.

 

front

back

front close up

 back close up

 

At home on Karla's buffet 

(photo courtesy of Karla)

On a recent trip taking Belle to the vet, nestled in the parking lot corner, I found a small chippy painted, weathered board amongst rain-soaked debris...my husband looked at me oddly when I picked it up, brushed away the debris and put it in the car to take home...isn't it fun to repurpose items with new life????

Amazing Swaps and Beth's Apron!

It's hard to believe Birdsong 4 ended nearly a month ago.

We eagerly anticipated its arrival and then all too soon it was over... that is until next year!

The Birdsong swaps are always amazing!  Here are the GORGEOUS swaps I received...

My BIRDSONG banner swap from Terri

I totally love & adore my banner!

I hung it directly over my work table in my studio where it inspires me daily.

Its serene colors and design speak peace & calmness to me.  

Thank you Terri!

Gail gifted me with her BEAUTIFULLY altered Altoid tin

filled with lovelies including this necklace she made

For my birthday she also tucked in this gorgeous altered mini Altoid tin she created into
a locket necklace  

Thank you Gail for all my beauties - I cherish them!

  
The last day of Birdsong the coveted door prize of Beth's apron was announced... Karla pulled the name from the drawing, walked silently over to our side of the room, came slowly down the aisle towards me.  I thought to myself how lucky for Heather or Nora as one of them must be the winner.  As Karla got near to me she gave me 'the look' and I screamed did I win it?  Yes I had!

My heart immediately filled with joy, tears welled in my eyes as you see I also won Beth's apron from last year too.  Not to be greedy, but I am sure hoping I win the 2015 apron as it will give me three of her aprons and as we know, three = a collection!  

 

 

 

 

  Beth, thank you for your beautiful apron donation!
I am thrilled to have two thus far in my collection!