A Momentary Pause

Hi friends!  I took a bit of a pause from the Olive Basket since the holidays, but only momentarily.  Like the leaf in the picture below, our little lives over here in Austin have been in a bit of transition (including moving apartments), but we are getting settled into our new surroundings and our new routines.

Thank you for hanging in there with me through the pause of the new year!  

My hope is that 2015 will bring lots of new finds - shops, bakeries, cafes, products, ideas - and that you can be inspired by all the creative businesses that are popping up everywhere.  My exploratory travel schedule has slowed down quite a bit, but when I do get a chance to get out and about, I will be sure to bring you stories about all the inspiring shops and businesses that I discover along my journey.  In the meantime, I will be focusing the Olive Basket on Market Finds, Artisan Goods, and Creative Ideas that I come across.  It brings me such great joy to discover one-of-a-kind, beautiful goods that I can use to create warm, welcoming spaces and places for others, so when I come across these treasures, I will be sure to pass them along. 

 Stay tuned as I transition the focus of the Olive Basket just a bit and know that you can count on me to bring you what I see along my journey through neighborhood markets and small town main streets.  Thank you for walking with me on this journey and here is to a path full of new ideas and inspiration!!

A Bright Idea

I was out a couple of weeks ago venturing through some of the antique stores in my little corner of the world and came across a clever idea.  I have seen tons of ideas (especially on Pinterest) where creative folks use vintage bed springs or bed coils to make all sorts of crafty things - vases and letter holders seem to be the most popular use of this vintage find.

 

But, my most favorite use of them by far I saw hanging in one of these antique shops I visited.  It would have never crossed my mind to use them in lighting in any sort of way, but when I saw the display of hanging bed spring pendants, I was amazed and instantly thought- "why didn't I think of that?"!  I am a sucker for pendant lights anyway and this was just such a simple way to combine my favorite lighting function with something interesting and unique.

I am guessing this could be a fairly inexpensive lighting project too.  I have seen the vintage light kits (bulb + cord) available online and ranging in price from $12-$15 per light.  The vintage bed springs can be about $2-5 depending on the pricing at your local antique store.  I personally think this would be such a fun idea to use in a creative work space, a kids play room, or an outside dining space.  Of course the shop owner in me saw this display and was inspired to use them in some creative way as I look forward to new shop spaces in my future.  

If you have a bright idea on how to use vintage bed springs, I would love to hear (and see!) what you have found or what you have made.  I am always inspired by how people take vintage finds and architectural pieces and then discover beautiful and creative ways to re-purpose them.  Hoping this "bright idea" inspires you in some way today!