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Wisconsin Magpie
Wisconsin Magpie

Wisconsin Magpie

One woman's quest to salvage the world's castoffs, lock, stock and bauble

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Category: Small Project Makeover

Posted on November 9, 2017September 24, 2020

Makeover | Decoupaged jewelry box

Here's my latest makeover project: a jewelry box. Here's what it looked like when I found it at a thrift store: The grey pleather and the plastic handles were a little sad. But when I opened the box up and saw the beautiful blue velvet interior, I knew it had to come home with me. …

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Posted on October 7, 2016September 24, 2020

Makeover | Painting a penny farthing

When we visited Mackinac Island, bikes were everywhere -- and I'm not just talking about on the streets (where no cars are allowed). A lot of the shops sell bicycle art and crafts and T-shirts. This old-timey penny farthing decoration was in the front window of Ryba's Fudge Shop. All the bike art reminded me …

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Posted on September 20, 2016September 24, 2020

Makeover | Twine-wrapped dog and cat

 Meet my two new pets. They're much less trouble than my two old pets. I found them at the St. Vincent de Paul Dig 'n' Save. (The new pets, that is. The old ones were also someone else's discards, but that's another story.) The Dig 'n' Save is pretty much The Island of Misfit Toys …

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Posted on August 22, 2015September 24, 2020

Crafting | Making a wooden arrow from a picture frame

Things are looking up around here. At least in my upstairs hallway. As I was hanging artwork there recently (you can read about it here), I decided I needed one more piece to stretch across the top of the wall. Maybe a sign of some kind, I was thinking. I checked the stash of projects …

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Posted on July 30, 2015September 24, 2020

Building a frame for a canvas panel

After watching the first two seasons of "The Borgias" -- and one episode of season 3 (because season 2 ended on a cliffhanger and I had to see how things turned out) -- I decided it was time to stop procrastinating and start hanging some art on the wall in my upstairs hallway. (I blogged …

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Posted on June 30, 2015September 24, 2020

Crafting | Tiling a tray with popsicle sticks

I bought this tray from a secondhand store a while back. (But it didn't look like this then.) The "before" picture of the tray is below.  I loved the size of the tray...  ... and the dovetail joints... ... and the black metal handles. What I didn't like was the Christmas scene. I wanted to …

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photo of Lisa Cestkowski

WELCOME

Welcome to Wisconsin Magpie. I’m Lisa, the creator of this site.

A history nerd and profligate collector, I spend way too much of my free time at thrift stores and garage sales, salvaging other people’s castoffs. When I’m home, I’m attempting to use power tools I have no idea how to operate and undertaking craft projects well beyond my skill level. Sometimes they actually turn out.

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Collector of castoffs. Haunter of thrift stores. Attempter of craft/DIY projects.

wisconsinmagpie
The latest addition to my downstairs bathroom: a D The latest addition to my downstairs bathroom: a DIY vintage-style first aid box. Can you guess what it was in its pre-makeover days? #vintagefirstaidkit #vintagefirstaidbox #diyhomedecor #vintagedecor #farmhousedecor #farmhousebathroom #upcycle #upcycleddecor #thriftedhome #thrifteddecor #cricutcrafts #cricutstencil #mythriftydiy #vintagefarmhousestyle #vintageindustrial #vintageinspireddecor
My latest thrift store bunny makeover. #beforeanda My latest thrift store bunny makeover. #beforeandafter #easterdecor #springdecor #concretedecor #concretedecoration #thriftstorefinds #thriftedhome #vintagedecor #farmhousestyle #farmhousedecorating #neutraldecor #thriftedmakeover #diyhomedecor #diycrafts #concreterabbit
Freshening up my home with some spring decor. Swip Freshening up my home with some spring decor. Swipe for the before and after of the jewelry box turned concrete apothecary cabinet.
#easterdecor #springdecor #springdecoratingideas #concretedecor #thriftedhome #thriftedfinds #apothecarycabinet #jewelryboxmakeover #beforeandafterhome #diyhomedecor #diycrafts #farmhousedecor #neutraldecor #neutralhomedecor #vintageshelfie #concreterabbit
Happy Valentines Day to all the lovebirds out ther Happy Valentines Day to all the lovebirds out there.
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#valentinesdecor #valentinesdaydecor #crafting #decoupage #newspaperart #newspaperdecoupage #newspapercrafts #diyvalentinesdecor #neutraldecor #neutralvalentinesdecor
Found the heart-shaped covered box at a thrift sto Found the heart-shaped covered box at a thrift store Sunday. The perfect way to finish off the #vignette on top of this cabinet in #Valentines Day  style. ❤️❤️❤️ 
#vignettestyling #farmhousedecor #neutraldecor #farmhousestyle #vintageshelfie #vintagestyle #thriftstorefinds #thrifteddecor #thriftstoredecor #rattandecor #secondhanddecor
Happy 2021, friends! Out with the old, in with the Happy 2021, friends! Out with the old, in with the new! Unless you’re a vintage lover, in which case, it’s out with new, in with the old ... 🤣🎉🍾
#vintagelove #vintagehome #vintagehomedecor
Merry Christmas Eve, friends! #vintagechristmas #v Merry Christmas Eve, friends! #vintagechristmas #vintagechristmasdecor #vintagechristmasdecorating
Give me all the vintage brass horns. They’re so Give me all the vintage brass horns. They’re so festive, especially with the addition of a few evergreen branches, berries, and a velvet ribbon on top.  #christmasdecor #vintagechristmas #farmhousechristmas  #farmhousecozychristmas #vintagehorn #vintagefrenchhorn #vintagebrassdecor #vintagebrasshorn #vintageholidaydecor #vintageholidays #christmaswreaths #diychristmasdecor #diychristmaswreath #classicchristmasdecor
A few of my #vintageelves in a vintage recipe box. A few of my #vintageelves in a vintage recipe box.
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#vintagechristmas #vintagechristmasdecor #vintagekneehugger #kneehuggerelf #vintagechristmasdecorations #christmascollectibles #christmascollection #vintagechristmaskitsch #elvesinabox #vintageholidaydecor
It was like Christmas morning yesterday when I red It was like Christmas morning yesterday when I rediscovered my collection of Santa #blowmolds in storage. 🤣 I haven’t set them out the last couple of years and almost forgot I had them.
#santablowmold #vintagechristmas #vintagechristmasdecor #vintageholidaydecor #vintagesantas #santacollection #christmasblowmold #christmasdecorations
Gobble gobble. Two of my favorite vintage #thanksg Gobble gobble. Two of my favorite vintage #thanksgiving candles. #vintagethanksgiving #vintagecandles #gurley #gurleycandles #vintageholiday #vintageholidaydecor #vintagethanksgivingdecorations #fleamarketdecor #thrifteddecor
Hard to believe it’s November already! Time to p Hard to believe it’s November already! Time to put out the turkeys! #thanksgiving #thanksgivingdecor #thanksgivingdecorations #thanksgivingdecor #farmhousethanksgiving #farmhousethanksgivingdecor #vintagethanksgiving #durkeesspicetin
Meet Frank. He’s a little bit robot, a little bi Meet Frank. He’s a little bit robot, a little bit monster, and all heart. Details on how I made him are on my blog.
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#frankenstein #diyhalloween #diyhalloweendecorations #diyhalloweendecor #diyhalloweencrafts #assemblageart #assemblage #halloweendecor #halloweendecorating #halloweencrafts #upcycling #upcycle #junkassemblage #myfleamarketstyle #farmhousehalloween #farmhousehalloweendecor #diyprojects #diycrafts
Sharing a little Halloween scene made up entirely Sharing a little Halloween scene made up entirely of #thriftedfinds (except for the Q-tip skeleton art, which my son made back in grade schoool — but the frame it’s in was thrifted).
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#halloweendecor #halloweendecorations #halloweendecorating #myfleamarketstyle #fleamarketdecor #farmhousedecor #farmhousehalloween #concretepumpkins #fauxpumpkins #vintagehomedecor #vintagedecorating #halloweenvignette #thriftstoredecor #thrifted #thriftedhome #thrifteddecor #thriftedhalloween #vintageporchlovesvintage
A few of my favorite #Halloween decorations. 🎃 A few of my favorite #Halloween decorations. 🎃 
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#halloweendecorations #halloweendecor #jackolanterns #falldecor #terracottapumpkins #copperjackolanterns #farmhousedecor #farmhousehalloween #farmhousehalloweendecor #farmhousehalloweendecorating #halloweenluminaries #pumpkinluminaries #jackolanternluminary #terracottajackolanterns #icollectcollections #fleamarketstyle
Took some inspiration from Emily at @weatheredware Took some inspiration from Emily at @weatheredwaresandco when styling my shelves for fall. I don’t have all the fabulous vintage pieces that she has, but I think I managed to capture her style. #myweatheredwares #amberbottles #vintage #vintagedecor #vintagedecorating #olivetheprettythings #vintagebooks #vintagecrockery #farmhousedecor #fallfarmhousedecor #fallfarmhousestyle #fallshelfie #fallshelfdecor #fauxpumpkins #fleamarketdecor #fleamarketstyle #shelfiedecor #shelfstyling #shelfie
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