Do I have a fun thrift store find and transformation for you all today! You never know what you’re going to find at thrift stores, garage sales and such, which of course is part of the “thrill of the hunt.” I’ve gotten into the habit of making quick walks up and down the aisles every couple of weeks just to see what I can find. I’m usually in and out in about 15-20 minutes and I typically find one or two items on these quick trips, though I have been known to come out empty handed. I try to be very careful not to be on a “junk hunt” but to look for items I really can use (for me or for gifts) or that I think are really beautiful.
Of course when I have extra time or if Brian and I are on a “date” (I think I’ve mentioned we enjoy visiting these stores together?), I love to take my time looking at things and figuring out ways I could use them differently. Ahh, now that’s my definition of fun.
So, look what I discovered on one of my quick walk-throughs. A ceramic apothecary jar -marked down to $1.99. Even though it was blue and white (have I mentioned I’m not a blue person? For some reason this really bothers my daughter, but I’ve never worn or decorated with blue – it’s just not me) and made to look like enamelware, it kinda reminded me of this from Pottery Barn:
I thought – very briefly – about putting a French image on it to knock it off properly, but I read that I’d need special water slide paper, and there were all these steps, yada, yada. Since I wasn’t sold on the French part anyway, I decided to go a simple route and use something I already had: stickers.
So after painting the blue edges with black craft paint (I used Martha Stewart’s all-surface paint, which I LOVE), I simply applied stickers to create a “No. 1” image. They are a calligraphy font, similar to this font I found on Amazon. And notice I didn’t even attempt to paint the lines perfectly – the blue lines weren’t straight either, so I just continued the hand-painted look and didn’t sweat it.
Woot! I think this is the easiest transformation to date – don’t you?
And guess what? I discovered the new jar coordinated with another ceramic faux-enamel jar we already had in our main bath! So I slapped some stickers on that baby and, ta da! A set of bathroom apothecary jars a la Pottery Barn. Oh, and just a tad less than the $39 and $24 price tags, too.
I really like the clean and simple look of the numbers versus the French labels on the PB jars, especially since there are two. I think that might’ve been a bit much for our little bathroom.
This was so easy I almost feel like it barely counts as a transformation. But the jar does look different (and better for my no-blue world), so I’m going with it. Plus, makeovers like this always get me excited to troll the stores again and see what other treasures I can unearth!
What do you think – a transformation or no? Wanna go and discover a treasure of your own?
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
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The Refeathered Roost says
January 28 at 8:59 pmOh this is just the inspiration I needed. I have seen egg cups that look very similar to your project that I’ve wanted but couldn’t justify the price. I picked up some plain ivory ones today for about one fifth the price…now you’ve shown me that I can have the same look as the ones I love.
Fantastic post!!
melinda
Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhouse says
January 26 at 6:07 amI love the simple transformation, very cute! I never even noticed the #1  thing, but it did make me giggle when I read it. 🙂 I noticed your Ikea canister in the background of the last picture. I have the same set of canisters and I did a tutorial on how to make the lids look galvanized if you’re interested. You can see that here: http://thecozyoldfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2012/04/kitchen-canisters-makeover-with-faux.html
Jami says
January 27 at 10:04 pmVery cute, Stephanie – thanks!
Crystal says
January 25 at 9:12 amDefinately a transformation. They turned out beautiful. Love it!!
[email protected] says
January 24 at 11:05 pmawesome find, jami!
visiting via jennifer rizzo and would love to have you stop by when you have a moment.
happy weekend to you.
michele
Mary Ann says
January 24 at 8:45 pmI like them, but have had NO luck at the thrift stores lately!
Daniela @frugal ain't cheap says
January 24 at 6:22 pmthose look amazing!! well done!
Tanya Hulbert says
January 24 at 6:02 pmI noticed the price tag said, “Goodwill”. Our Goodwill stores’ prices in Washington State have gone up drastically I hardly go there any more or donate. I garage sale more now but that is definitely not a year round activity in this state so I have to wait for Spring. Good find, and I too, like the black over the blue. Good choice.
Becky says
January 24 at 5:24 pmBeautifully done!
Annie says
January 24 at 5:15 pmThey look lovely! A designer item for sure. Never even thought of the 1 and 2 as some have commented. They look so fresh and clean. What a good way to keep things undercover in the bathroom. I’ll bet you’ll be on the look out for 3 , 4 and 5 for the next while!
Deb A says
January 24 at 4:57 pmI love this. It looks awesome. Great find
Old Time Cindy says
January 24 at 4:27 pmI think the transformation is great! Very sweet and simple solution.
Farmhouse hugs,
Cindy
KathyJ says
January 24 at 1:14 pmLove it!! I’m always on the lookout for jars… I have one that looks identical to your #2.. it was a candle and it now holds my cotton balls. I also repurposed another candle ceramic container – brown though and it holds my q-tips.
What a great find!
Diana says
January 24 at 12:47 pmGreat transformation! I love Martha’s paint, too.
I do have to snicker a bit with #1 and #2 in the bathroom, lol. Although what came to my mind first was Dr. Seuss with Thing 1 and Thing 2. Or Alice in Wonderland, with those “drink me” bottles. Very mysterious at any rate — which definitely tickles my fancy.
Sharon O says
January 24 at 11:54 amI never thought of the ‘number one and two’ in that way before. (well you know what I mean) The jars are adorable. I wish I was more creative. That is awesome.
Kelly says
January 24 at 11:52 amThose are beautiful! But, doesn’t it bother you that people will snicker when they see No. 1 & 2 jars in your bathroom? Or do I just have a puerile mind? (Probably… I’m afraid that’s the first thing I thought of when I saw they were placed in your bathroom.)
Kerry says
January 24 at 12:48 pmOh dear, my head is in the gutter, as well. I do have to say, however that you did a phenomenal job and really nailed “the look”. So cute!
Sakura says
January 25 at 5:54 pmYou crack me up!!! Funny stuff!
Gypsybiscuit says
January 24 at 2:39 pmThat’s exactly what ran through my mind too! Some days my sense of humor reverts back to summer camp at 11 years old… But once I got past my giggle I really thought this was a clever transformation. 🙂
Jami says
January 24 at 5:56 pmOh my goodness, Kelly!!! I never thought of that – ack. Now I’m going to have to be on the lookout for something to add at least a “3” to so that it’s not just 1 and 2 on everyone’s mind. 🙂
Jen says
January 24 at 10:19 amDefinately a fantastic transformation!
northern cottage says
January 24 at 9:24 amoh i just love when you score a deal & make it so much better….good with the black and numbers are right up my alley – well done girlie!!
http://www.northerncottage.net