Poppin' Tags

I've done a fair bit of tag poppin' at thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales over the past few months, and the result has been some fun new projects and items around our house.  Dare I say, it was _________ awesome?!

First up is this cool tray that I found at Goodwill for $5. It looks a little rough now, but I really like the shape, and will definitely be sanding it down and painting it.  I'm thinking black with gold on the inside (although I'm open to suggestions).  I plan to use it to house coasters and a candle on our coffee table in the dining room.

Next up is this cute ceramic owl that I bought at a yardsale up the street for $1.  I actually bought two, but I'm not sure what to do with the second one.  Maybe gold spray paint?  Because, let's face it, what CAN'T be made better with a little gold spray paint?!

I also bought this lamp at the same sale for $1.  I'm not sure what the plan is for this, but it definitely includes a new lamp shade.  Maybe I'll wrap it in jute twine and use it in my office?  I could use some softer lighting in there.....

Each year, we go camping with my Mr. M.'s family and visit a big outdoor flea market. That's where I stumbled upon this thing for a buck.  I'm not sure what it is...a pillar candle holder?  An ashtray?  I just thought it was fun and that it would shine up nicely.....

...which it did.  It fills out a little vignette on one of our end tables nicely.

And finally is this pair of lamps that I purchased at the same flea market for $15.  I liked the square details, and knew they would be a fun project as soon as I saw them But I made a fatal flaw in the purchasing of the shades  They are big lamps, and came with really tall, really ugly lampshades.  I hated the shades, and figured that I would be able to replace them easily, so I insisted that the seller keep the shades.  I figured it was one less thing for me to throw away, and it helped the lamps fit into our trunk.  So I took them home and refinished them before I began the hunt for new lampshades....

Before

After

.....only to discover that the large, tall lampshades I need for these lamps are not cheap or easy to find! Grr...why didn't I take the original lampshades?! Yes, they were ugly.  But maybe I could have covered them, or used the lampshade frame to craft a new shade....I'll never know.  

I'd love to use these lamps on the end tables in our bedroom, so the search for shades continues.  I actually saw a set in someone's yard last week, but it was labled 'Indoor Yard Sale' and the idea of having to ring the doorbell freaked me out, so I kept driving.  I know, I'm weird.  

Have you popped any tags lately?  What did you score?