Monday, November 29, 2010

hardware store inspiration

I stayed with my grandparents during every summer of my childhood. My grandfather used to take me for rides into town in his olive green Dodge Dart. We'd stop off at the library and then without a doubt, we'd pick up something from the tiny hardware store. I loved all of the little bins of screws and nails, and it was my lucky day if we needed some because I got to count them out into a small brown bag. It's no surprise that one of my favorite places to shop today is our local hardware store. It's got something the big box stores will never have: inspiration down every little and not overwhelming aisle... plus friendly and knowledgeable staff who always seem available. And the little bins of screws and nails are balm to my nostalgic soul. I love our Agway, truly! I stopped in last week for some holiday shopping and found the unexpected: new gift wrapping and decor ideas with materials I hadn't tried before. Below is a roll of tree trunk winter protection wrapping paper.Textured brown paper. Yum!
hardware store inspiration
It's fun stuff... photos soon!
Are you a hardware store junkie, too? Isn't it nice to know you're not alone? Pin It
Posted by mayaluna at 7:37 AM

17 comments:

  1. GayleNovember 29, 2010 at 10:25 AM

    Can't wait to see what you do with this wonderful crinkly brown stuff!

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  2. AllisoneNovember 29, 2010 at 10:33 AM

    Hello my name is Allisone and I am a hardware store (and feed store) junkie.

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  3. AnonymousNovember 29, 2010 at 10:59 AM

    Our local hardware store, Killians' is so great! We have all these beautiful hundred year old houses around us that require special keys for all the crazy original locks and doors that still work - Killian's can do the job! Plus they sell honey and yarn.

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  4. se7enNovember 29, 2010 at 11:55 AM

    I am so with you!!! I stock all my kids stockings from the hardware store... a roll of duct tape, a ball of string... and then some twine... and nails and hooks and things!!! Love it!!!

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  5. AnonymousNovember 29, 2010 at 12:36 PM

    Just wanted to know that I featured your advent calendar from years past...

    http://ucreatewithkids.blogspot.com/2010/11/tutorial-holiday-advent-calendars.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. andreaNovember 29, 2010 at 1:17 PM

    My husband and I joke about how I would much prefer a box of tools to jewelry for any gift-giving occasion :)
    The hardware store is the best...I may have to stop in there today!

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  7. StephanieNovember 29, 2010 at 3:42 PM

    I love old hardware stores (and stationers too). I could wander their aisles for hours!

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  8. Sharon StanleyNovember 29, 2010 at 7:45 PM

    ...and i thought i was the only hardware store lover! i have even used little brown bags of treats as treat bags for boys birthday parties!

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  9. Lisa at lil fish studiosNovember 29, 2010 at 7:46 PM

    Oh, most definitely. I'm a long-time hardware store junkie. I used to go to them with my grandpa too and we'd always stop by the tiny, tiny grocery store (The Village Market) and he'd buy me a pack of Chuckles (and he'd eat the black one) and a pack of cream horns from their bakery.

    Now my hubby buys me tools for holidays. He's a keeper.

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  10. Gumbo LilyNovember 29, 2010 at 11:46 PM

    I love our local hardware store too. It's where friends meet.

    Jody

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  11. RachelhNovember 30, 2010 at 1:26 AM

    Love it! And so happy to know I'm not alone.

    I used to troll the hardware stores, marine salvage stores and industrial equipment catalogs for items to incorporate into a science museum project I was a part of. My husband and I got together during that same time, and he has often told people that he asked me to marry him because I knew my way around the hardware store better than he did!

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  12. kristinNovember 30, 2010 at 3:00 AM

    ha! we used to have an olive green dodge dart

    for the love of hardware!! can you believe Michael's now has a line of beading supplies that are all hardware copies? why not go with the real deal?

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  13. WendyNovember 30, 2010 at 10:32 AM

    I love the hardware store and the office supply store!

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  14. Tonya GunnNovember 30, 2010 at 4:06 PM

    I just love hardware stores, walking around dreaming of all the possibilities.
    As a child, I often went to work with my father - he has his own contracting business - and hardware stores were frequent stops (and lumber yards) and it was so much fun to just walk through all of the aisles.

    Warm wishes,
    Tonya

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  15. Sew FriendziedNovember 30, 2010 at 7:27 PM

    Brilliant! I am going to see if they have some locally. i bet they do, seeing as i live in the pioneer valley, not too far from you (i think?). Thanks!

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  16. Hopewell Creek DesignsDecember 1, 2010 at 12:27 PM

    Oh what a great find! Since my day life is a construction co I am always looking at the scraps the guys come back with before any of it goes into the dumpster. This brown paper I haven't ever seen before.
    I have had moments of wondering what can I do with scraps of drywall...humm..still no idea yet. But like you I am a hardware store addict as well as thrift,dollar & goodwill stores. Can't wait to see your photos!!
    Rebecca

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  17. wynziaDecember 1, 2010 at 2:06 PM

    how fun to know that there are so many other hardware store junkies! let my family tease, for i am not alone!!

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