19 March 2009

Second-Hand Spanish Wine Bottle



Today I'm participating in Holly's linky party over at her Homebody blog. I love the idea of sharing our thrifing treasures, and she has some great ones!

I haven't thrifted much while living in Spain. Thrift stores don't seem to be as popular here as they are in the States, but that doesn't mean we can't find them! My all-time favorite store in Alcala de Henares, the town we live by is called Segundo Manos, or Second Hand in English. I knew from first sight that I would be in love. Unfortunately, a lot of the items there that I'd like to own are large furniture pieces. Being here temporarily and having no car, I have restrained myself from buying anything I can't carry home on the bus.

One day when I was browsing with my Mom, I came across this wine bottle.


I had seen larger versions of this type of bottle at El Rastro in Madrid (Spain's oldest & largest flea market) but I didn't want to give my firstborn to pay for one, so I kept looking. This one is a bit smaller, but it was only 6 Euros ($8)! My mom persuaded me (easily) to get it. Part of the pursuasion was that she paid for it. I love shopping with my mom. :)


For a while it sat on my coffee table with various blooming branches or flowers in it, but I needed a lamp, so I attached a lampkit to it & bought a cheap shade.


It's hard to see in the photo, but the shade is more of an ecru color. The whole thing cost me about $12.


I need to take my camera next time I visit Segundo Manos so you all can see all the great stuff I can't buy!

17 comments:

Mary Lemon said...

Very cool. I'll have to show you the very fun Christmas decoration I bought where a local artist used an ordinary green wine bottle and drilled a hole in the side towards the bottom and filled the bottle with tiny white lights and painted a Merry Christmas scene on the bottle! You could do that!

Holly said...

Wow, that is so cool Erin! I never would've thought to make a lamp. I'd love to see that flea market!
Thanks for joining my party :)

Unknown said...

I love that, what a creative idea!

koopermom said...

I love that!!!!

Darija said...

what a great idea. it looks excellent

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

I love that bottle! You should totally take your camera with you next time. And I'm with you, I looove shopping with mom. It's probably good for her sake that she lives so far away :).

Cass @ That Old House said...

Wow, how cool to be thrift shopping in Spain. Lovely bottle, it makes a stunning lamp. Nice! And I know what you mean about shopping with Moms... only now I AM the MOM!

And it is still cool. Cass

Rachel Lundy said...

Very creative! That looks great.

cotedetexas said...

I LOVE this!!! What a great idea!!!

thank you so much for your comment about the family redo I did! much appreciated. I used a large bottle like that in shelves - but i love the lamp idea!

Joni

Humble Bee said...

Brilliant Erin!

Liz Harrell said...

I'm totally squealing and jumping up and down right now!

Katie @ makingthishome.com said...

Oh my gosh! I really love what you did. That bottle is absolutely beautiful, and such a perfect reuse.
Katie

Ali said...

Thanks for stopping by! I love your lamp, very cool! I am enjoying looking through your posts =)

Anonymous said...

that is a wonderful lamp! An interior designer would sell that for hundreds of dollars.

cherrey said...

it's great that you no longer have to drill holes on the bottle.. I'm thinking of making one pretty soon that's why I was looking around the internet to see what hardware I needed. Thanks!

cherrey said...

it's great that you no longer have to drill holes on the bottle.. I'm thinking of making one pretty soon that's why I was looking around the internet to see what hardware I needed. Thanks!

3 bedroom apartments said...

Incredible!!! There are so many creative people like you in this world!! Hats off to you!