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Three new pieces of art for only 10€ each! I found these at a nearby Dutch thrift shop—one of my favorites for buying art. They usually have some great pieces, and art is one of the few things they have that’s not ridiculously overpriced.
These three are oil on canvas, large—the biggest (third picture above) measures 31 by 43 inches—and signed “Margriet 02.” And they are awesome. At least I think so.
Here’s where we stand with the budget:
Original art budget: 100€
Previous purchases: 59.50€
Cost of these pieces: 30€.
100€ Budget remaining: 10.50€
What is this?I once heard the advice: Spend $1000 a year on art. Only I don’t have an extra grand laying around, so I wanted to see what I could do with just 100€. I love a challenge (and an excuse to go shopping!). Of course it doesn’t hurt that Europe has the best thrift shops.Take a look at what I’ve bought so far.
A little something to brighten the day. Because this is what we woke up to this morning:
A winter wonderland. As in, we wonder where the the heck spring is.
Seems weird when there’s 5″ of snow on the ground, but the bright spot in what’s been a dreary, gray winter is…daffodil season! And it gets even better when they are 40 for 1.89€. (Thank you, Aldi.)
The glasses I’m using as vases are the best thing I never knew I bought. Story goes like this: At a thrift shop in the Netherlands. They were having a sale of glasses—10 for 1€ or 50 cents each. I had four glasses in my basket, and I HAD to leave immediately so I wouldn’t be be late (again) picking up Jacob at school. Being cheap that I am, I grabbed six more glasses (with the intent of re-donating them) and dashed to the checkout.
It wasn’t until I go home that I really looked at them. Six souvenir glasses from the 1964-65 World’s Fair in NYC. 10 cents each. Unbelievable. One of my favorite thrift-shop finds.
And, no, I won’t be re-donating them.
I have a new piece of art to add to my collection. I found this anatomical print of a fly at a little antiques store in Alkmaar, Holland. It’s copyright 1960, printed in Germany in 1972 and measures 32 by 44 inches. Hanging here, temporarily, in my hallway.
This was a bid of a splurge budget wise—the most expensive purchase to date at 25€. But I love it, and it was really a steal considering what it would go for back in the states (read: way, way beyond my reach).
It appears I have a bit of a theme going on. I assure you, that is unintentional. I love the black and the mint green and the graphics. (It’s difficult to appreciate in a long shot, but look at that close up.) The fact that it’s another insect is coincidental.
Here’s where we stand with the budget:
Original art budget: 100€
Previous purchases: 34.50€
Cost of this piece: 25€.
100€ Budget remaining: 40.50€
What is this? I’m on a quest to build an art collection based on the advice: Spend $1000 a year on art. Only, I don’t have an extra grand laying around. (Who does in this economy?) My challenge is to find affordable art, to prove something beautiful doesn’t have to be expensive. My budget: just 100€. See what I’ve bought so far.
If I needed another reason to love Belgium, it would be this: the thrift stores. They have THE BEST stuff. Like this woven wine basket. It’s handmade, lined with straw and inside is a 25-liter glass demijohn. There is also a cap (like a little basket) that covers the top of bottle. For some reason I didn’t get it in the picture (kid probably stole it). The little metal tag on the top says “Cogever Bruxelles.” Haven’t researched to learn anymore than: I found at my new favorite store, it is awesome, it was a killer steal.
Guess what I paid for it?
Yep. A whole 5€. Crazy, huh. Here’s the glass demijohn out of the basket.
I mentioned this before. I’ve heard: Spend $1000 a year on art. Brilliant advice…for anyone with an extra grand laying around. Seeing as I’m not one of those people, I wondered what I could do with just 100€.
This idea is something I’ve been thinking about for a while; spending time in London visiting museums and galleries has cemented it. I’m going to do it. Over the next year, I will create an art collection with just a 100€ budget. There are no real rules, but I can say most things will come from charity shops, markets and bazaars due to budget constraints.
What can you get for a 100€? **SPOILER ALERT** A lot. And here’s the latest:
A signed oil painting from 1978.
Cost: 2€.
Budget remaining: 96€. (I’m counting the last piece in the tally.)
The frame needs repainting, but there’s a bonus painting on the inside.
Love a challenge, love a bargain. This should be fun.
A while ago, I bought a picture frame from a thrift shop in Belgium. It’s a heavy-duty, 16×20 metal frame. Certainly worth more than the 1.50€ I paid for it, but…the real treasure was inside.
Only recently did I take the back off, to reveal, turned backwards inside the frame, this image:
JACKPOT! Just the other day I was thinking how our house was missing something. A large, embarrassing photo of an awkward kid in a leotard, maybe? (I’m sure my parents would happily donate one. Please don’t, Mom and Dad.)
I turned her sideways to save space; for the full effect click here. The poor girl is looking for a new home, so speak up if you want her. Otherwise it will be the bin. (You know you can’t put photos in the paper recycling?)
Stopped at the Dutch thrift store after breakfast at IKEA today. Look what I found. It’s titled “III”, signed and numbered 167 of a 250 print run. I think it’s pretty cool. So did Nicholas; he’s claimed it for his room. You’ll die when I tell you what I paid for it. 2€.
So I’ve heard a thing before, a piece of advice: spend $1000 a year on art. Absolutely great advice…for people with disposable income. Seeing as I don’t really have one of those right now, I wonder what I could do if I spent a fraction of that—100€ on art over the next year. Art on a budget.
There is this really bad “art class does the Dutch masters” painting I’ve had my eye on. It’s the Girl with the Pearl Earring with big white, mouth-full-of-chicklets teeth. The only reason I haven’t bought it yet is, there is no price on the front and it’s high on the wall, on a staircase. It would take a lot effort to get it down and then might be out of my price range. Which, as much as it makes me smile, isn’t more than the change in the backseat of my car. Maybe next time. I’ve got 348 days and 98€ left to spend. And who doesn’t need a really terrible Vermeer?
Also super excited to find another elephant lamp base so now I have a pair.
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