rusty stuff = decorating buzz

Some of you may remember old farm sales where there was lots of machinery and rusty parts which were not big sellers.  Amazing that in today's market, those items are considered desirable.  Several years ago I attended occasional sales south of the twin cities and encountered plow parts used as center pieces gracing a very long table (6ft?) They were flying out the door.  The dealer said she had to replenish several times that morning.  Now you can find articles and pictures in almost every decorating magazine showing examples of how items can become wall decor, stools, tables, sculpture type designs and almost anything your imagination can come up with.  One of the dealer/designers at Yesterdays created a bonanza in late summer with the use of gears, tractor seats, pulleys and other large or small pieces of primitive hardware.  She and her son were kept very busy coming up with new creations and trying to find new sources of raw material.  In the latest issue of Country Sampler there is an article called the "wheel deal" using sprockets as wall art.  Restoration Hardware and Cabins and Cottages (?) magazines had articles on this new craze.  Hopefully, I'll get some pictures downloaded so you get an idea of the raw material used in these projects.  Yesterday, my batteries died in the camera and the sun disappeared behind clouds so I didn't get photos.   Next I need to figure out the mechanics of downloading!  Success!!  The items shown above are creative products by Gayle a designer/dealer at Yesterdays.    Awesome!!