Last week I wrote about Little Bits of Bigger Things – turning big items into unique embellishments for your Mixed Media or Assemblage work. It’s my favorite type of hunt – finding objects that will be so much more useful if only cut up a bit or taken apart.

This past weekend, I discovered a new-to-me flea market/vintage marketplace (it is now on my list of favorite haunts) and brought home a number of these large items that I immediately turned into little bits. Two were necklaces – no big secret on how to dissemble those but the results may surprise you. But first, let me start with the picture frame.

 

 

A resin frame for a 4″ x 6″ picture, it drew my eye. If I used frames, it would be a possibility for our cabin. Second, it was priced for only a few dollars. But I passed it by and kept up my hunt. However, I returned to it twice before convincing myself that it would be perfect for Mixed Media Assemblage work if only it was… broken. Yep, it now sits in my Art Room in delightful pieces.

 

 

 

So, guess what I did first when I arrived home? Took it apart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, it was time for the fun. Placing padding beneath and over the frame, I let my mallet do the work.

 

 

 

 

 

Now I have these wonderfully 3D pieces with a flat back – perfect for adhering to a canvas. I consider this a definite win as I just can’t find embellishments like this anywhere and as I slowly blend them into a number of art pieces, each will add yet another bit of uniqueness to its piece.

 

 

 

 

 

Next is the belt. A pretty belt for sure but not one I’d use in my wardrobe. Plus those pieces of silver are closer to tin and the belt was not well made. But that center silver piece? Around 4″ across – a perfect focal point for a larger work of art. And all of those other silver adornments – perfect embellishments!

 

 

 

 

It’s not a silver finish I’d use in a Mixed Media Assemblage piece, but that is easily changed. I’ll either antique the silver or paint it with Ranger’s Vintaj Patina. Just look at the yield when I finished disassembling!

 

 

 

 

 

Now the necklaces – the first was sweet for sure but hung in an indiscernible mess. And the price was right.

 

 

 

 

 

Disassembled, look at the number of embellishments. I love working with hearts so they are a welcome addition to my stash any time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second necklace is sort of a no brainer for disassembling but the yield looks different once in pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beads are large and unusual and, most importantly, will require no painting as I work with these colors often and they are aged ever so perfectly. I don’t find beads of this nature sold individually for anywhere close to this cost. Their width is approximately .75″ and they cost me $.20 per bead. Definite score.

 

 

I encourage you to go on the hunt next time you see a flea market or vintage marketplace. Going in, know that prices in these markets vary greatly – the first market you enter may price their items three times as much as the second market a few miles down the street. I usually find the least fancy looking markets carry the best finds.

Enjoy!

Vicky