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plumberdaughter

Maple Grove, MN, US
member

I started collecting junk when my sons where little, I would Haul them to garage sales and antique shops. They where happy because I would buy them toys and they could search for just the right one. I started buying old furniture that needed to be repaired and refinished.

My husband started buying me power tools for birthdays and Christmas. I of course loved it, he got a lot of comments like "YOU BOUGHT YOU'RE WIFE WHAT"? from the guys at work.

Then since I had all these cool tools I started collecting old tin ceiling tiles, windows, doors, knobs and old junk that I could make into something else. My oldest son has loved building stuff with me, always asking what our next project will be. He is off to college so I'm now on my own and he checks this web site to see Mom's latest project. My younger son loves to search for Junk, but lets me do the building.

Can't wait for my next project so many ideas and not enough time.

Gender: Female

Birthday: 04/25/1963

Member Since: 12/30/2008

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Contributions

Bench from old headboard

Oct 18, 2009
10 comments

I felt like the Junk Brothers, but I didn't return the finished product to the original owners. I found this headboard at the curb with a free sign on it and I couldn't pass it up. I forgot to get a...

Buttons, Buttons

Oct 16, 2009
4 comments

Buttons, Buttons, I'm alway's collecting buttons. I added these buttons to a jeans jacket that I wore to my parents 50th Anniversary. I also added a fun picture of my parents when they where...

Instant Table

Jun 1, 2009
5 comments

This is a quick and easy table. I just put a scrap of granite counter top on top of a milk can. The milk can is from my Grandparents farm, "Memories". I did put some caulk around the top of the milk...

Granite Scrap Patio and Path

May 31, 2009
16 comments

Thanks Gretchen for your post "Granite Path". I loved the idea so much my Sister and I went dumpster diving at the store where she got her granite counter tops. I tried to pick out a lot of different...

Repurposed Hollow Core Door!

May 15, 2009
5 comments

I made this a few years ago for my Sister. This hollow core door was a freebee, I sliced the top part of the door off. Just turned the door on it's side and added 4 by 4 posts on each side. I got the...

Old Window Mirror

Mar 29, 2009
4 comments

This is a window from my sisters house, I replaced the glass with mirrors. I have a few more windows from my sister that I haven't used yet. Can you beleive that she gave them up? I also made the...

Tin Ceiling Tile Shelf

Mar 19, 2009
7 comments

This shelf I made out of an old tin ceiling tile. I picked up the ceiling tile at an Antique store while on vacation in West Yellow Stone. Of course I only bought one and wish I would have bought...

Old Rusty Plumbing Knob Shelf!

Mar 6, 2009
10 comments

My latest project, this is the plumber daughter in me I love the old rusty knobs. I made this shelf for my sons room. He needed a shelf for all of his stuff. I found rusty plumbing faucet handles...

Arch Window Stained Glass!

Feb 24, 2009
8 comments

There was a big open wall above our patio door so when I found this window I had to have it. This is an old Arch window that was missing the glass and I decided to make stained glass panels for the...

Re-Purposed Player Piano Roll Lamp!

Feb 2, 2009
13 comments

I found this player piano roll and just had to do the challenge. This did create a challenge just making all the pieces sturdy enough to create a lamp. I unrolled the piano roll so I could use it on...

Tin Ceiling Mirror

Jan 26, 2009
5 comments

I thought I would be so smart and router the boards so that the mirror is encased in the frame. I placed the mirror into the wood and glued the frame together, It actually looked really nice. Until I...

Old Window Medicine Cabinet

Jan 22, 2009
6 comments

This window was in bad shape I cleaned it up, took out the glass and replaced it with mirrors. I made a box, put in  the shelves, framed out the front and put on hinges. I started out painting...

Shelf from Antique Sewing Machine Cabinet Parts.

Jan 19, 2009
5 comments

 I made the shelf from parts that I had found in my Dads garage, the center of the shelf and the knobs are from a Antique Sewing Machine Cabinet that had been dismantled. When I found the parts...

Bathtub Planter!

Jan 16, 2009
8 comments

I found this bathtub and I had to have it. I drilled some holes in the bottom and filled it with soil to use for a large planter. I have many old metal objects that I use as planters. Dreaming of...

Very Inexpensive Bathroom Makeover

Jan 12, 2009
15 comments

The bathroom had white walls and ceramic tile for the baseboard, but no tile on the floor. I started out by removing the tile, putting up wainscoting, a pine board across the top with knobs, added a...

Antique Door Knob Coat Hooks

Jan 9, 2009
16 comments

I used Antique Door Knobs on an Oak Board to create this coat rack.

Shelf, What Is That Made From?

Jan 6, 2009
6 comments

I made this from the top of and old window, the top was all I could salvage. I also used tin ceiling corners and of course knobs. I guess you could call this funky junk!

Candle Holders!

Jan 3, 2009
3 comments

These posts had been sitting in a garage for years and where split. I sanded finished, cut one shorter and put trim on the top and bottom. Nice big Candle Holders!

Old Dresser Re-mix (appliance garage)

Jan 3, 2009
18 comments

This was truly JUNK! This was an old shell of a dresser, missing all four drawers and full of spider webs. I think most people would have put it on the burn pile. I brought it home hosed it out, took...

Tin Ceiling Fixture Lamp & Sign

Jan 2, 2009
8 comments

I made these lamps using antique light fixtures and galvanized pipes. I actually found pipes that threaded into the fixtures. The hardest thing was drilling a hole through the insulator in the...

Vintage Fireplace Grate Shelf

Jan 1, 2009
13 comments

"ANOTHER GREAT GRATE". This is a shelf I made from a fireplace grate, I made it to cover up the ugly thermostat. My sister gave me the grate from their fireplace, they are remodeling their house and...

Old Door Porch Swing

Dec 31, 2008
10 comments

We needed a new swing for the front of our house so I made this porch swing from a door. I turned the door on it's side, cut it to size and used cedar lumber. I didn't have a pattern for the swing I...

Vintage Register Grate Clock

Dec 30, 2008
7 comments

I cleaned up the register grate and sprayed it with a spray poly to help prevent further chipping. I took an old clock apart and retro-fitted it into the vintage register grate.


Recent comments


Re: Little Display Cabinet

Love your cabinet, One more project that we have both done. I love anything made with old windows or doors.

http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/6989/old-window-medicine-cabinet

posted: 9:56 pm on November 20th  

Re: Repurposed Dresser for Craft Room

We think alike! I did the same thing, I found a dresser with no drawers and had to get it. Love your re purposed dresser.

posted: 9:50 pm on November 20th  

Re: Stone Walkway Nearly Free

I love you're path, I made a patio last spring. You did a very nice job laying it out. I love the pieces being close together and fit together like a puzzle. I want to make another patio.

http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/11785/granite-scrap-patio-and-path

posted: 9:44 pm on November 20th  

Re: Simple Idea for Old Windows

I'm a lover of old windows too! I can't pass up windows or doors, I've got a collection of both. Your arrangements with windows are great.

posted: 9:06 pm on October 16th  

Re: Happy Autumn

I love the cart, what a great arrangement. Most of my plants are done, snow and freezing temperatures have done them in.

posted: 12:16 am on October 16th  

Re: I gave my Dad "JUNK" for Father's Day!

This is great I want to learn to weld. Then I can collect even more junk that will someday become a project.

posted: 12:11 am on October 16th  

Re: button necklace

I love this, I have sewn a lot of buttons on shirts and jackets. I love this idea.

posted: 11:29 pm on October 15th  

Re: I love a collage

I love this, you did a great job. All of the items look so nice together.

posted: 11:22 pm on October 15th  

Re: Junkin' in Maryland

Man, I have to come to Maryland. I love old doors, windows, shutters and free that's the best part.

posted: 11:16 pm on October 15th  

Re: Pack it in!

Super Cute! They work so well together It looks like they where made to be together.

posted: 11:12 pm on October 15th  

Re: Instant Table

The Candle holder my sister in law gave me for my birthday. I have seen them at JCPenneys, it is new item not an old item. Chalk is what is used around bathtubs, sinks, counter tops to keep water from seeping into the walls. It also will hold stuff together nicely. I just used it because I wanted to be able to take the granite off someday. Chalk will scrape off later, stays pliable.

posted: 7:23 pm on June 1st  

Re: Old Windows - New Greenhouse

Wow! I love it, this is great. Great use of old window's.

posted: 4:03 pm on June 1st  

Re: What's New Pussy Cat - Contributor Challenge

Wow! One more time, very cool lamp. Where do you find all the cool tin for lampshades? Fun!

posted: 11:50 pm on May 29th  

Re: Adirondack from salvage

Excellent use of recycled materials. Very nice chair.

posted: 11:44 pm on May 29th  

Re: Rustic planters from repurposed dock boards

Very nice planters! Great use of salvaged boards.

posted: 11:38 pm on May 29th  

Re: FLOORING SAMPLES

I love this floor it looks great and something no one else has!

posted: 12:24 am on May 24th  

Re: Sample cabinet doors that I am going to make into a table for our living room

I love this idea! I love the patch work look. Can't wait to see the finished project.

posted: 12:22 am on May 24th  

Re: MORE & MORE

this is cool stuff, I love the table and benches.

posted: 12:18 am on May 24th  

Re: Garden Bench

Very nice, I love this. What a great idea and what a nice gift. Isn't fun to find junk to make into something so cool?

posted: 12:14 am on May 24th  

Re: Where do you keep a keyboard?... In a piano, of course.

This is great! I need this in my living room, my son is back from college and has taken over the coffee table with his computer. What a great way to hide the computer and all the cords.

posted: 10:53 am on May 16th  

Re: Unusual planter

I love this! This is a great idea for a planter.

posted: 11:31 pm on May 15th  

Re: picture frame

I love this, what a great gift.

posted: 10:30 pm on May 15th  

Re: Sewing Table Sink

I love this, what a great idea! I want to do this, I'm sure my husband will love the idea of ripping up the bathroom. Ha!

posted: 10:25 pm on May 15th  

Re: Quick simple fix

I love this! I've been wanting to make something with chalkboard paint, this looks great.

posted: 10:23 pm on May 15th  

Re: Galvanized Flower Garden

I love this! I love to make metal junk into planters. By the end of the summer this will look great!

posted: 10:18 pm on May 15th  

Re: OFFICE SUPPLY ORGANIZING

I love this what a great organizer.

posted: 10:08 pm on March 28th  

Re: Wine cabinet

I love it! Very nice! This is a great way to re-purpose an old radio and I love the finish. Kim

posted: 5:53 pm on March 25th  

Re: RAD-ical Lamp

Wow, another great lamp. I love the graphics you put on the bucket and all the hardware you used. Very clever! What great idea's you have.
Kim

posted: 5:42 pm on March 25th  

Re: Doll Leg Vase

Ha! That's cute love it!

posted: 11:25 pm on March 21st  

Re: ...More salvaged fencing!

Love the rakes and bird houses on the fence what a great detail.

posted: 11:21 pm on March 21st  

Re: Feel'in "all" Right

Jim, WOW! This is great! I love the lid serving tray. Another great paint job, now I want to do a painting project.
Kim

posted: 3:59 pm on March 13th  

Re: Door bench

I love this. This is so cool, because you use the whole door for the bench. I love doors!

posted: 10:48 pm on March 9th  

Re: Recycled Jewelry

Very nice, love it all! Just love the use of the vintage elements.

posted: 8:42 pm on March 6th  

Re: Arch Window Stained Glass!

Hi fellowjunker, I have a hard time scoring the glass, if you don't score it deep enough the glass won't break correctly. I love putting it together. If I cut glass more often I'm sure my technique would improve and I wouldn't bust as many pieces.

posted: 11:26 am on February 28th  

Re: Farm Rescue

This is such a cool piece and the arch window looks like it was part of the original piece. Very nice.

posted: 4:33 pm on February 26th  

Re: It's a Reel Lamp

I love this! Wow

posted: 10:21 pm on February 24th  

Re: It's all about the wine...

Wow, this is very cool. Love it!

posted: 10:16 pm on February 24th  

Re: Kitchen Redo

Wow that is absolutely beautiful! Did you add trim to the doors or where they inset to begin with? I love the paint finish.

posted: 2:46 pm on February 4th  

Re: Winter White Garden -- Piano Roll Challenge

Very cool! I love the roses what a cool centerpiece.

posted: 2:40 pm on February 4th  

Re: Re-Purposed Player Piano Roll Lamp!

Thanks for all the nice comments. It's hard to pass up a good challenge especially when it has to do with creating something out of JUNK!

posted: 2:25 pm on February 4th  

Re: JMS Contributors' Challenge

Help! I tried to put my player piano member challenge in the member project galleries and it went straight to member junk. I created a player piano roll lamp.

posted: 11:59 pm on February 2nd  

Re: Candle Sconce

Great use of an insulator. I'm impressed with the distressing this looks very old.
Kim

posted: 9:09 pm on January 26th  

Re: Another use for broken dishes...jewelry!

This is Beautiful, did you use a glass grinder to smooth the edges? I love the colors and the use of the vintage button.

posted: 9:03 pm on January 26th  

Re: Vintage Jewelry Redesigned


Gretchen
Beautiful, I love the button clasps. Kim

posted: 9:26 pm on January 25th  

Re: Whisk Broom Arrangement

This is great! I love it!

posted: 9:27 pm on January 22nd  

Re: Les Fleurs Table

This is beautiful, very nice paint job. I've done the crackle finish and can never achieve the large cracks.

posted: 8:33 pm on January 20th  

Re: Wine Rack

I love this, great idea! I just posted a shelf that I made out of parts from a sewing machine cabinet that I found in my Dads garage. Now I will have to see if my Dad has the drawer bases too!

posted: 8:47 pm on January 19th  

Re: Antique Door Knob Coat Hooks

Hi, Gretchen
I used the regular Gorilla Glue that says bonds: Wood, Stone, Metal, Ceramic & More. I found it easier to replace the metal shaft with a dowel, because I hate using a hand saw. I love power tools. Some of the knobs did have the square opening and I just found a dowel that fit tightly into it. Kim

posted: 6:57 pm on January 19th  

Re: "Soilax Bucket" Tool Box Lamp

This is so cool, I love the use of the galvanized pipe. I love the key's and the whisk broom. Very clever.

posted: 3:46 pm on January 18th  

Re: My Makeover is finished!

I love it! Very clever and it hides all the clutter.

posted: 3:47 pm on January 16th  

Re: Very Inexpensive Bathroom Makeover

Lani, I'm not sure what the name of the color is But I have the mixture.
QUART ACCENT BASE (2600)
COLORANT OZ 48 96
AX PERM YELLOW 0 23 0
B LAMP BLACK 0 14 0
F RED OXIDE 0 17 0

posted: 6:54 pm on January 13th  

Re: Dreaming bench

This is cute, love the paint job.

posted: 10:05 pm on January 12th  

Re: Shutter Closet Door Panel Divider

Love it! What a great way to have a defined entry space and not walk right into the family room. I love the old window's hanging from the ceiling.

posted: 7:43 pm on January 11th  

Re: "THE UNCOLA Crate" Shadow Box Table

Too Cool! I had a feeling this was a JunkArchitect post. Love it keep the posts coming.

posted: 7:36 pm on January 11th  

Re: Snow What?!?

I love it! Very cute and I like that kind of snow better then the snow we have here. Ha!
I usually have people looking at me like I'm nuts too! Usually at the hardware store or lumber yard when they ask me for help and I try to explain what I'm trying to do. I usually have to look around and try to figure it out myself.

posted: 8:15 pm on January 10th  

Re: Antique Door Knob Coat Hooks

Sorry I forgot to mention on my previous post that I drilled holes into the board. Then put the dowel with the knob already glued into the board.

posted: 8:06 pm on January 10th  

Re: Antique Door Knob Coat Hooks

Hi Gretchen and Leah (answer to attaching knobs)
I got the Oak board at the lumber yard, I usually buy the boards that aren't perfect. They are not plained really well more rough. I think they look aged, I also used the router to round the edges.
I attached the knobs with a dowel. I found a dowel that fit very tight in the back of the knobs, then cut them so they fit inside the knob and through the board. I used gorilla glue to glue them into the knob and then into the board. Gretchen if you need it routered I have a router.

posted: 8:02 pm on January 10th  

Re: I've Pulled Another Wheelie

I love your wheel idea's. I have a old metal wagon wheel out in the snow bank I may have to go see if I can pull it out. What could I do with an old wagon wheel?

posted: 8:20 pm on January 9th  

Re: Antique Door Knob Coat Hooks

Thank you for the nice compliments. It's my therapy I always have to be doing something. If I don't have a project going I'm lost.

posted: 8:10 pm on January 9th  

Re: Old door vanities and benches

I do love all of these doors! I have a door that I leaned against the wall, I may have to do something like this with it.
Thanks for all the great idea's.

posted: 10:31 pm on January 7th  

Re: How to of Gretchen's Button Jewelry

I love these, I love anything with buttons. I've been stitching buttons on clothes. Fun!

posted: 9:39 pm on January 6th  

Re: Old Dresser Re-mix (appliance garage)

Gretchen,
I grew up in Sauk Centre and I met you through my brother. I got you're Christmas letter, does my picture not look like me? That is why I checked out this web site, I had went to this site quite often a few years ago. I just don't think the site had the capabilities it has now. Kim

posted: 7:33 pm on January 5th  

Re: Vintage Fireplace Grate Shelf

We've never had a problem with the thermostat, I think because the grate is like a vent and very open. This is also open on the bottom so we can change the temp. if needed and also see the temperature.

posted: 4:03 pm on January 4th  

Re: Old Dresser Re-mix (appliance garage)

It's Minars Bottling Co. St. Cloud, MN. My Husband grew up in St. Cloud and seen this and had to have it! The box does look good in the red dresser. Gretchen I actually know you, from St. Cloud. Have run into you many times in Buffalo. Love all you're posts, Kim

posted: 10:44 am on January 4th  

Re: Ski Lodge Headboard

Love it! Love the Cabin sign, what a great idea.

posted: 9:26 pm on January 3rd  

Re: Ski Lodge Headboard

Love it! Love the Cabin sign, what a great idea.

posted: 9:18 pm on January 3rd  

Re: STRANGE CARGO CONTINUED....

I love the tables, what great ideas. They are fun conversation pieces.

posted: 11:11 am on January 3rd  

Re: Old Door Porch Swing

Thanks for all the nice comments. Wow I just love all the great idea's I'm getting from this site. This is better then HGTV!

posted: 2:06 pm on January 1st  

Re: Vintage Sled Nightstand

I love this what a great idea. One of a kind, love the painted sign on the front.

posted: 2:03 pm on January 1st  

Re: Memory Lamp

Wow, I love this a rotor from a car. My boy's would love this lamp too! This may give me some Idea's. Thanks!

posted: 1:51 pm on January 1st