Found in my thrift store shopping yesterday! I can't wait to put it in my garden somehow! My first thought was to find a pretty gazing ball, and set it on top. Then I thought I might use it as a bird feeder, though I'd have to plug the stem somehow so the seeds don't go all the way to the bottom, and the feeder part is shallow enough for the birds to reach the seed. But I feel like I'm missing a bunch more opportunities, I just can't think of anything else to do with it, whereas you all have such unique ideas about how to use your finds! Do you experienced Junque Re-Purposers have any ideas for me?
My first thought too was a bird feeder or even bird bath. I'm sure you could find something to plug it with. Or find a plate, saucer or bowl that would fit the top. Or... you could even use it as a planter. I'd still plug it and maybe put some succulents in there since they don't have deep root systems. Nice find!
Succulents huh? I was thinking about planting a plant directly in it, but figured there wasn't anywhere near enough room for the roots. I didn't know that about succulents! But not for outside, right? Succulents won't last in cold weather, will they?
Many sedums like Angelina and blue feather are from northern and Central Europe so should be hardy (I couldn't find their exact low temps). They also hand down and would be quite pretty on a pedestal like that. I love your find! Lucky lady
However you use it, since it is hollow you might want to fill it up to just about half with sand or pea gravel to lower the center of gravity. You could easily make a bird feeder or bath out of it by placing a clay plant tray inside it, either a little lower than the top edge or one that sits a little higher. If you decide to plant in it, sand or gravel in the bottom will give it stability and good drainage. Otherwise when all that soil gets wet in a good rain there is no way for it to drain off and the plant roots would be in danger of becoming water logged and rotting.
I love that!!! Are there any stickers or anything on it?? The reason I ask is that has a very "Art Nouveau" look to me. It might possibly be a real keeper! Of course it's hard to tell from a photo. You have great taste! :-D
Stratsmom, there was no engraving or markers on it that I could see. It used to have a bottom piece (I'm thinking felt or cork) but it's just raw under there now. It's very dented too around the rim, (hard to see in the photo) so it isn't something I'd use in my house, but it just looked perfect as something for the garden. I'm about to post another thread showing all the work I did this morning, and how I ended up using it, to compliment a couple other finds!
Hi Ronni,..that is a lovely find,..as Stratsmom wrote it has an "Art Noveau" look,..quite true its the sort of work you see for sale in "Liberty Of Regent St,..London". Oxalis debilis,..'Shamrocks Pink',..would look nice in there or Saxifraga hypnoides,'Densa',..or as mentioned any of the succulents. Oxalis debilis,..'Shamrocks Pink'. ( photo / image / picture from Philip Nulty's Garden ) Saxifragra hypnoides,..'Densa'. ( photo / image / picture from Philip Nulty's Garden )
