The Repurposed Fish Bowl

So, numerous years ago I acquired some glass retro fish bowls at a yard sale for super cheap. I've always had aquariums and figured they may come in handy for back-up, water changes, disciplining naughty fish . . .

Somewhere along the way, one has been misplaced. Perhaps it broke. I can't recall. The other has been sitting quietly in my basement for years in plain view, yet I never really paid it much mind . . . until recently.

A few months ago I wrote a post about simple and stylish, plain glass being used in home decor. I had purchased some cool, vintage, glass gallon jugs which prompted that post. A big trend I'm sure you've seen is repurposing those vintage jugs into table lamps or hanging pendant lights among other creative uses.

Since I was focused on clear glass, that plain fish bowl sitting in my dark basement suddenly seemed a whole lot more appealing. I figured I could use it in a new way. Albeit quite simple, if you have a spare fish bowl laying around, you have a great container for displaying items such as these natural accents - some bought, some made.

A nice mix of decorative spheres made from natural elements such as various vine, grasses and jute rope.

Thanks to Pier 1 for this excellent coffee table.  I bought it many years ago but have yet to grow tired of it.

A vintage vise (foreground) makes an excellent table accent.

Great earthy colors from both the coffee table top and the displayed accents.

Keep your eyes peeled for vintage fish bowls at yard sales.
I know I'll be looking for more now! 

Sharing this at:

Tuesday
Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
At Home With K - Terrific Under Ten Tuesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia - Tuesday's Treasures
Sassy Sites - Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday

Wednesday
Someday Crafts - Whatever Goes Wednesday
The Thrifty Home - Penny Pinching Party
Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays

Thursday
The Brambleberry Cottage - Time Travel Thursday
The Shabby Creek Cottage - Transformation Thursday

Classy Glassy

Boy did I make out well yesterday while "thrifting". Without realizing it at the time, I had purchased all clear glass items during my multiple stops.

Three vintage glass EO BRODY vases . . .

Two old gallon jugs with vintage metal lids (yeehawww!) . . .

. . . and an old, glass gallon jar full of rusty nails. 

Yes, I wanted the nails for some of my projects and the jar of course was an added bonus.

I was a bit turned off by the label . . . (I hate mustard) but it wasn't a deal breaker.  That old label makes it cool regardless of my disgust of yellow condiments.

However, I'm sorta liking this look as is. Could this gallon jar of nails be the big brother to . . . 

A small, vintage bottle filled with random rusty nails.

. . . this little guy?

So, for now, an old jar filled with rusty nails makes yet another decorative statement (in my world). I'll pull nails as I need them but keep the jar sitting out among my other rustic, vintage finds as it just "works".

Have you noticed that clear glass is gaining popularity again in decorative lighting? Simple, classic, chic seems to be the direction. Add some snazzy Edison bulbs and we are talking cool lighting! Of course repurposing old jars as retrofitted lamp shades and pendants, or glass gallon jugs as lamp bases is a popular "sport" these days. Perhaps I'll dump those nails after all and make a lamp instead!