Scavengers

I've already touched on the shoestring budget Dan and I are tackling this project with. That's for several reasons: obviously, the main one is financial -we don't want a big mortgage hanging over our heads.

The others relate more to the environment and the satisfaction that comes with being resourceful and knowing you've done things for a fraction of what you'd have paid if you just rang a tradie to come and fix it, or bought everything brand new. Actually, I buy very little new anymore. I have morphed into a dedicated op shopper and scavenger over the years. It becomes an obsession after a while, to dig through piles of trash in search of your treasure.

There are various ways we're looking at sourcing materials for this project cheaply. I use Freecycle daily. For those not initiated, it's basically an online service for listing things you don't want anymore that other people might be able to use. Anyone out there who wants what you're offering sends you an email. You pick from the emails who you want it to go to.

I've already mentioned my love of op shops, but more recently I've discovered a few little antique shops worth visiting regularly too. Then there's Gumtree, and Ebay of course. Gumtree more-so, Ebay less-so. Gumtree favours the early and the lucky, Ebay favours anyone willing to pay the most money. I prefer to be the former.

Dan's also been asking around to source supplies and has found us a  kitchen, complete with granite benchtops, for the princely sum of nothing. It'll be going into the little house.

Here's a few of my favourite finds for the last year or so (minus the cowboy boots, even though they were definitely the best find).

1. Enamel canister set from an antique shop. Not super cheap, actually, but in great condition and I've wanted a set for the longest time.

2. Old ammo box Dan found at the tip and cleaned up.

3. Lucinda's gorgeous doll house was a Lifeline find. It needs a bit of work still, but is handmade and cost $40.

4. Marburg antique shop has some amazing treasures.

5. Wardrobe! This one is silky oak and actually came to us through Gumtree for $60.

6. I bought the chair base at an op shop for $11 then sewed some new covers and sold it for $48 on Ebay. The cover took ages to make, so I wouldn't be making a business of it, but it was nice to do one.

7. Planter stand from Lifeline. $20 from memory. Baby was not included.

8. Little tin rose necklace, again from Lifeline. $4.

9. Overlocker - freecycle! Such a great find, and came after I put out a wanted notice looking for one. It's old but was a dressmaker's standard machine and works like a charm.

10. An unused second-hand shop in Lowood. I liked the building.

11. An old drinks trolley I found at Lifeline. I'm pretty sure there's a nice hardwood table under the colour, but I don't mid the genuinely distressed look the paint has picked up over the years.

Care to share your favourite bargain buy or place to source cheap thingies?