Reduce, reuse, recycle

We're very fortunate in Canberra to have not one, but two tip shop outlets in the centre of town (and a Red Cross op shop just across the way). So when I arranged to meet a friend for an after-work catch up this week, I was pleased that we suggested meeting at The Green Shed, and deciding where we were going from there.

While I waited, I wandered the shop with my miniature eyes on, particularly inspired by my new studio (and recent visit to see the Alex Asch's latest exhibition...)

The first thing that caught my eye was a basket of vintage souvenir spoons (three for $1), with interesting handles and bowls

and, of particular interest: these styles, with holes in the handles with tiny metal charms hanging from them!

There was also a stack of vintage vinyl presentation folders, which, following my op-shopping rule of 'open everything', I discovered contained pages and pages of enamel tie pins. ('From Croatia' the shop assistant told me, as she pulled still more folders out from under the counter for me to peruse).

('Klein' is German for small: how could I not?)

At 66 cents each, I came home with a handful.

And speaking of handfuls: as I was sorting out some stuff in the (full-sized) studio I came across the doll that came with the MiWorld Fashion Boutique. Without feet (as I'd stolen her shoes back here).

As I was contemplating whether I should just throw it out, or if an op shop might be interested in it (even without feet), I suddenly noticed that the hands were in the perfect positions to hold things. Like candles. 

And so the poor doll lost both her feet and her hands. Followed by a decent burial in the rubbish bin.