I've always loved creating things from other people's trash.
Not necessarily trash such as milk jugs and packing peanuts, although that has happened - But more like items that people are planning to take to the Goodwill or broken pieces that people are trying to offload in their yard sales for $1. Growing up, my dad and granddad were always into thrifting/bargain hunting/picking, so naturally, I became rather fond of it all and begin doing it on my own as a sort of hobby.
On a recent trip to Goodwill, I came across some aluminum side tables with glass tops that were incredibly ugly, but I instantly saw hope! They were marked $4.99 a piece, which wasn't a bad deal, so I told a nearby worker that I wanted them and was going to pay for them and then return to pick them up. She came over, raised an eyebrow and grabbed a manager. After some whispering back and forth and adding in some waving arms and thigh slaps for drama, she said, "That's the wrong, they are way under priced." I was curious, so I asked her what the actual price was. She went on to inform me that the manager said it was the employee's fault for screwing up, and that I could have them for what they were marked for.
SCORE!
She helps me get them to the front, continues to talk about how she didn't know why they did that, and that the person who did it will be in big trouble, and those tables are worth way more thanblahblahblaaah - This is all happening as she is scanning the order. At the end, she says, "That'll be $4.99"...Uh...Ok? Seeming a bit dumbfound, I gave her the money and went on my way. As I loaded up and got in the car, the realization hit me that I had just gotten two large side tables for $4.99 that were originally incorrectly marked $4.99 a piece.
DOUBLE SCORE!
Obviously the math doesn't add up in this circumstance - but I was happy!
Later that week, I came across a local guy that sells live-edge slabs of kiln dried hardwoods. I gave him a ring, sat up a time and headed over to check out his inventory. High on the shelf in the back of his shed were two beautiful rounds of sassafras that had the middle eaten out by bugs. I saw nothing but potential and had to have them. When asked how much they were, his reply was music to my ears:
Eh, what about $5 a piece?
Sold!
I brought them home and quickly got to work - I had a vision!
I broke down the aluminum table bases, cleaned them well with denatured alcohol and sprayed them with a matte black paint (I love spraying matte paint on furniture like this, because it hides almost all imperfections). Next, I stripped the bark off of the wood rounds and using a torch, I burnt the inner and outer edges to a crisp. Using a wire brush, I knocked off all of the loose debris left by the torch and proceeded to sand the top and bottom surfaces to 240grit. I applied a coat of BLO (boiled linseed oil) and wax to the face surfaces and sprayed some lacquer on the burnt edges to keep the burnt effect from rubbing off. They were beautiful!
All in all, I had ~$25 into both tables. Upon finishing them, I listed them locally and found some buyers. I know, you're wondering what the total profit was on a flip like this...
I sold the pair for: $200
That's ~$175 profit for next to zero effort! Not only that, but the new owners love them - She messaged me later that day and said they looked perfect in their living room. That alone, was enough to make me smile, but the profit made me happy, also!
Alright guys, I hope you all enjoyed this original content! If you did, please feel free to upvote and follow! And as always, if you have questions or advice for me, please leave them in the comments.
Wauw that looks so great!
Thanks, @yummyrum!!
That’s a great talent to have, smashing looking tables. Cheers
Hey thanks, @mikenevitt! Appreciate the support!
I absolutely love it! I love taking old things and making them something new I also love that nature look so these tables are just wonderful. great job
It really can become addicting! Thanks a million, @soundlegion!
Old is gold!!! i do take care of my old things.
Agreed! Thanks for the comment, @njerik. :)
Best out of Waste:) nice work
That's for sure - Thanks, @foodlovers! :D
wow!nice table.
Thanks, @ritue!
Oh my gosh, I love how those look, what a great job! I hope your post inspires others to do the same :-)
Thanks, @playfulfoodie! I truly hope it does, too. :)
That is interesting. I wish I had such a talent.
I am gonna follow you. Follow me back if you like.
You could do this, @maryami! Try sometime!
I'm also into not wasting anything if I can help it. I'm not as creative as you about it but I'm trying. I just don't buy anything so I don't make any garbage haha
Haha That works also! Thanks for the comment, @whatamidoing!
I think that table is so cool!
Thanks, @lifes-a-donut!
no WAY. so cool, congrats. ;)
yes WAY.
Excellent! I heartily agree with the recycling and you created two elegant and interesting pieces AND you got paid $$$$
Great work, thanks for sharing :D
Hey, @handsolo! Glad to see you around -
Thanks for the awesome comment! :D
WOW! I feel like the goodwills in my area really gauge prices, Ever since I found out they're a for-profit it seems to make a bit more sense but STILL!
Killer find either way!
They do here too, their prices have gone up drastically in the last 4ish years.
Thanks, @dayleeo!
yeah I prefer to pop into smaller shops, but it seems Goodwill is a lot of people's go-to so you can usually find more there
np :)
Wow awesome looking table @rigaronib. Nicely designing it. I refer it. Also nice explain here.
Resteemed.
Thanks for your support, @madushanka!
You give a whole new meaning to the term table flipper 😆
Congratulations on your triple score! I especially like the matte black spray paint tip. I grew up being dragged to everything from garage sales to equipment auctions and this post made the frugal side of me cheer with glee. Awesome show, sir!!
Hahaha This is true!
Matte paint is my favorite, it's so easy to apply!
Thanks for swingin' by, @generikat!
It's always a pleasure to trip on into your blog and see what sort of excellence you have created!😊
D'awww! That really gives me some much needed reassurance!
I hope your week has been awesome thus far - Stay warm. :)
Thats really great repurposing work. Looks really stylish and hip. And what a bargain!
Thanks so much, @danielwong! It was fun, and the bargain was the best part!
I don't know what to call you, an environment activist or a business genius :)) you did both 👍
I have a friend who makes beautiful art out of scrap metal but makes no money! Very amazing job.... any suggestion how he can sell?
Here is one:
Thanks so much for your comment, @honarparvar!
Wow! This is a beautiful work of art!
Depending on where he lives, he shod try getting this sort of work into art galleries. Most of the things that I repurpose is furniture, so I'm able to sell them easily on websites such a Craigslist or the Facebook marketplace.
Do you have instagram?
I don't - I'm not a big user of social media...I probably should be, though. Hmm..
good work like it @rigaronib
Thanks, @hirakhan69!
Hey, u earn good money with nice deal
You done great job and earn nice profit