It seems to me that in life, people can be divided into two categories: those who upon entering a store will head straight for the clearance section and those who don’t.
I’m definitely a head straight for the clearance section kind of girl. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not judging those who want to check out what the latest styles are to arrive in the department store or the new seasonal decor versus that ‘last season’ stuff. But there is just something in me that absolutely MUST make sure that I’m not missing out on some kind of amazing deal.
But, there are some things that just never seem to go on sale. Or when they do, they are STILL way more than you would ever want to pay. I mean, it’s not just about whether or not you actually have the money for it. Sometimes, it’s the principle of it, you know?
Case in point…olive jars. I like them. I want them. Don’t ask why but I’m slightly obsessed with them. It’s totally irrational and makes no sense. Kind of like how my husband absolutely CANNOT stand to see those videos where it’s a dog’s head with a person’s arms inside a coat and the ‘dog’ is doing very ‘human’ things. Those totally freak him out and we could be totally sympathetic about this irrational fear but instead we just tease him by saying things like “Hey, come see this cool video we just found!” and then we all laugh hysterically as he jumps out of his skin.
After months of occasionally checking online sources and the aisles of every home store I would go in, I was never able to find an olive jar for under $50. And that’s just too much in my book. Even if we do really like olives! 😉
So, I dug through my stash of jars and pots until I found one that I thought I might be able to transform.
This one was the winner!
I applied a couple of coats of white paint.
Then I applied brown paint to the bottom half working my way up and then using the paint brush, creating a wavy edge all the way around.
A little bit of distressing and I had myself a ‘faux’ olive jar.
Now, it may not be exactly like the real deal. But then again, the ‘real’ deals that I’ve been seeing online aren’t even the ‘real’ deal, are they? They’re all reproductions of olive jars from days gone by. From yesteryear. From yore.
I think that ‘yore’ is a word that should really get back into circulation don’t you?
It doesn’t seem to matter anymore to me whether or not I ‘can’ purchase an item. Even if I had the extra money lying around to spend on something like an authentic olive jar, I know that I would never be able to bring myself to do it.
It’s more of a ‘should’ then a ‘could’ at this point, you know?
So, I’ll just keep on steering that cart straight to the clearance aisle.
And if I don’t find the perfect hidden treasure as I dig through the mounds of deals then, well, then I’ll just have to make those treasures myself!
Thanks so much for meeting me at the Fence today!
Just wanted to say thanks –really enjoyed reading your post. You have a great sense of humor but I really love how grounded your perspective is — always so much more meaningful to make something yours when you can.
Oh thank you so much! What a lovely compliment. 🙂
Your faux jar looks fabulous.
Love this idea! Thanks so much! And just by coincidence, hubs just sent me a link to one of those dog videos, She Dines Alone! Too funny! Thought you might want to *use* it on your hubby. http://wallythekat.tripod.com/A_Pages/AA-Videos-YOU-Tube/Dog-Dining-Alone.html
Sure you’ve perused every source for Olive Jars…up to the $1,000 jars on ebay. When I saw this one which looked so much like your “new” olive jar, just had to send the link to you. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-French-small-terracotta-glazed-olive-oil-jar-/161409915362?pt=UK_Collectables_Kitchenalia_RL&hash=item2594c7d9e2
Wow! I’m feeling even better about mine now. LOL! Thanks so much!
I am so impressed! Your olive jar is spectacular and your humorous writing style is so much fun to read! Thank you for both!
Thank you so much!
Well aren’t you the clever one!!!….it’s just beautiful!…hmmm I need to look in my stash in the attic!…and as for me…I head for the clearance racks first!!!
Kindred spirits for sure! 🙂
I’m a deal seeker too…love your olive jar! Have a great week!
Thanks Leslie! Hope your week is off to a great start!
Thanx thanx thanx for inspiration! I have a fake olive jar and I know just what I am going to do with it tomorrow. It’s only been painted 4 times, oh well adds to the patina right?
((HUGS)) Jo
LOL Joanne! I have a few of those jars that have been painted many times too!
Such a great story. I must confess I didn’t know what an olive jar was until you posted. I blame the fact that I don’t really like olives 🙂 Nevertheless, I really love your jar!
LOL Tauni!! Thanks girl! 🙂
I total did the same thing. With the French flower buckets. I had bought some plain ones. Several. All the cute ones were very decorated. And expensive.I got several and painted them and used wire ribbon for each season. I filled with silk flowers and have used them for year’s. Necessity is the Mother of Invention or desire??
Barbara Ann
http://Www.etsy.com/shop/barbaraannscreations
Vanessa,
I totally love your olive jar, you did an amazing job on it. Great idea……..I am with you $50.
is too much, and I can’t bring myself to spend that either even when I have the money.
Honestly, most of the time when you see people do remakes of something that is sold in stores, I
usually like the remake better……….so keep on making those cool things………..
Blessings,
Nellie
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I’ve read a single
thing like this before. So great to discover someone with genuine thoughts on this subject.
Really.. thank you for starting this up. This site
is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality!