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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

TYPESETTER TRAY FUTURE PROJECT

Vintage typesetter tray
One of our dear friends asked me if I wanted this the other night when we all met for dinner.  She thought we could do something neat with it at the farm.



Of course I said yes!
These things are cool!

For now I'll put it aside as a project for later when there is more time to just relax inside but my mind is wondering about the possibilities.

Should I paint it?
Leave it as is?
Wallpaper the back side?
Put glass over the front?
Hang it on a wall?
Lay it on a table?

And then what to put in it?  I've seen shells, rocks, leaves, photos, trinkets, mementos, etc.  I am going to create a crafting space at the farm, and this could also be valuable to hold beads and thread and things like that.

Decisions decisions.  Anyone seen any cool ones?

18 comments:

  1. Maybe you could paint it with a magnetic paint and then with some sort of a metallic paint over the magnetic paint. When you find little trinkets around your property, i.e. cool rocks or toy soldiers that were buried in the ground a long time ago, you would have the option of sticking a magnet on it so it stays in place or you could place it in one of the trays (if it has no issues staying in place). I would also hang little baby hooks on two of the bigger trays so that you and 2nd man could hang your keys from it. Make it a functional yet chic display at your back door or something.

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    1. That's a great idea, thank you! I was thinking I could put some metal on the back too. I like the idea of making it practical too. :-)

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  2. 1st Man,

    I've seen them used with pictures in each square, or you could take the back off and place a nice mirror over the back side. This way when you hang it, you still have the little shelves and a nice mirror at the same time.

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    1. Dang, another great idea. Pics are smart! And mirror background would be great!!! thanks!

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  3. 1st Man - THAT gorgeous gift needs 4 legs and a glass top. it NEEDS to become a coffee table and a centre-piece in your living room! and yes, fill each section with rocks from around the farm, trinkets and sand. i will send you some cape breton island sand if you like!!!

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. Ha, great idea, except it's very small. I probably should have put something there for scale. If I had to guess (it's not here in town it's out at the farm), it's probably 16x20? Hmm, with the sand suggestion you've given me an idea....let me let it percolate a bit.

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  4. A friend of mine has several of these and uses them as wall hung shadow boxes for; travel trinkets, shot glasses, pins, sand in a bottle, shells, vintage pair of eye glasses, ticket stubs.

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    1. More great ideas. Actually, I like the idea of ticket stubs, that's kind of neat. Of course, I also have my mom and dad's glasses, that could be too. I'm thinking now I might need to find another one or two of these, ha. Thank you!!

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  5. i used to have one exactly like it hanging in my powder room filled with things i picked up on my travels.

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    1. Sort of a memory box huh? It would be nice to look back and remember a nice trip or two. Thanks!

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  6. oohh...I love those old trays!

    I have an idea...you live in an old farmhouse, right? I'm guessing you have found some interesting relics while remodeling and digging up the property...how about putting those pieces into the slots? An old rusty nail, a piece of pottery, a lost-and-found piece of jewelry...the whole thing could evolve and fill in as your find items ;-) Your property's history on display!

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    1. Hi there!! We have found a few pieces of stuff and I'm sure there is more to be found. That would be a sort of history of the property box huh? Love it! I don't have a lot of stuff yet, but it's a great way to start with what I do have so far. Thank you much!!!

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  7. I love this!! I like the idea of covering it with glass and making a shadow box out of it, too. It could be a cache of things meaningful to you. Check out the Garden Love column on my blog! :o)

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    1. HOLY COW! Thank you thank you for the shout out. You are too kind. You know your comments always mean a lot to us and we appreciate them. I sometimes miss replying to some (including yours I'm sure) but know that all are definitely read. And everyone reading this, head over to her blog for some truly inspirational posting!

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  8. I have one in the attic that I sponge painted and filled with shells we collected. I have another which I left as it and filled with rocks I've collected. That one fits this house better and hangs in the guest bathroom. Enjoy filling yours.

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    1. I love that you saved shells in one and rocks in another. It's like a theme. Great idea. And it gives me another idea too. Thank you!!

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  9. I have 2 that I plan to use to display some of my gemstone collection. Probably as end tables, with velvet inside and glass tops. I'm sure you'll find the perfect "filler".

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    1. Gemstones? That would be beautiful! These are small so no end tables but I definitely will put something fun in there and a glass top. Thanks!!

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