The past is the future

The other evening I had the television on and saw an interesting ad for Saturn, the automobile company. The focus was on being green and being mindful of the footprint we leave. Next thing I see is an antique shutter being used to display photos, and other vintage objects being reused and repurposed and recycled. Wait a minute! Isn't this a CAR commercial?

Well, yes it was, but the message coming from every direction right now is that reusing vintage objects in creative ways is a very eco-friendly way to live. Couldn't agree more. We've been advocating it for quite some time.

I've already told you about our Sea Bags and record album purses, and bags & totes made from vintage Oriental weavings. We just keep finding more and more wonderful recycled things to offer here at Antiques on Cannon. Our latest additions:

Game board journals
These are just too cool! Vintage game boards like Monopoly and Scrabble - complete with charms and spelled out words - cut down to journal size and bound. They are great fun!

Typewriter jewelry:
A super stylish use for keys from old (I mean really old manual typewriters) - transformed into earrings and bracelets! They look just sensational, and are terrific gifts for the young and young at heart!

Recycled Can Animals:
I met a gentleman at a street fair recently who is making charming animals out of tin cans - lions, giraffes, elephants - they are whimsical and fun and terribly charming! He learned the craft in Zimbabwe where they have been practicing this ingenious form of recycling for years. Just delightful.

Vintage flash cards:
Perhaps my personal favorite! I stumbled on a real find with these vintage cards that have a super clean look - old style typefaces in black type on ivory cards - with words: "enjoy", "always", "luck", "turtle", "yes"; and phrases "cookies, cookies", "did not", "with you" - and the one that makes me smile every time "will not hop". Enclose them with a gift, use as a bookmark, express a sentiment, display on a bulletin board, or sprinkle them around the house for a little whimsy - they are nostalgic, sentimental and inspire a smile all at the same time. That's a lot of bang for your buck.

So go green with us - reduce, reuse, recycle - find new joy in old things. Or, as the flash card says: "yes".

marilyn