Monday, February 6, 2012

Tin and Zinc Flea Finds


Last week at the flea market,
 I found this great old tin mold for a good price.
 I love the decoration on the sides.


Look at what else I brought home with me...
some down spout cage thingies...
My Dad says it keeps the leaves from clogging the down spouts...


I like to use them like mini cages with a little nest or bird inside.
:)


Does anyone know what this is?
Even Dad doesn't have a clue.

 Any ideas?


 Because I have a dozen of them!

 If you know what they are used for....please let me know.

If you don't know...
well, make up a story!

We'd love to hear what you think!
:)

39 comments:

The Green Pea said...

Please post if you find out what it is. Now I am curious.

Dar said...

I like your idea of using the leaf catchers for mini birdcages...I get it. As for the other hooky-thingies, I think I'd use them to run the water hose through so they don't destroy your precious plants, OR, maybe to hold rabbit fencing in place:/
very cool, whatever they are.
BlessYourHeart

Shanon at Vintage Sparkle Chic said...

Fun finds!
My guesses :)...... stakes for labeling the plants in the garden? To hold up the peonies, tomatoes? You got me, I have no idea. I'm interested to see what everyone comes up with, especially if they know the true answer!

~Shanon

Josie said...

My first thought was some sort of garden stakes??? Not sure but I do want to know!

Beach House Living said...

Love covered molds; enjoy! Those cage items are really interesting.

Lorilee said...

Cool stuff! I REALLY want to know what the mystery items are!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Loretta Castorini said...

Aha! Tweety bird sits on it!

Terri Gordon said...

Hello, Wow you must take some empty suitcases with you when you go, you find some really neat things. I think your idea for cages would be wonderful! I really don't know what the last things are, but they are interesting. Have a wonderful week and thanks for sharing. Hugs, Terri

Tricia @ Vintage No. 35 said...

Love your finds!

Carole said...

Looka like little birds to me but that can't be what they are?
cool stuff

Full Circle Creations said...

Great finds!

C Pohl said...

Would love 2 know what they r also...love the look ( whatever they turn out 2 b)

Love 2 find unusual finds also!!!!!

Carol

Bliss said...

Well you stumped me. I'm loosing my touch I can't even come up with a fake story. Maybe something will come to me in my sleep and I can post again in the morning.

~Bliss~

June said...

I don't know what they are, but let's say maybe farmer's wives used them as really big hat pins for their straw hats......um, ok, maybe not.
I LOVE the little teeny leaf catcher turned bird cage thingies Laura. You find the best stuff!
hugs from here...

Pollyanna said...

In their hook positions they would be great and funky bubble wands ....

Today's Treasure by Jen said...

When you open the arched end can you hook the end on another one, lock it and continue making a string of them all the same direction? Maybe? Then they could be an adjustable length rain chain? Ha, I don't know but wanted to find something different!!! Great finds this week. ~Jen

It's me said...

Beautiful tin darling.....it call's a poffert....that is where you bake cake in.....love Ria....xxx

vintage girl at heart said...

i think they are hose guides. i remember my grands using them i think.
really cool finds!

Mitzi said...

I don't know what those little things are either, but I like them and would have bought them too!

manon 21 said...

Ajoutez une queue et des petites pattes et voici un petit oiseau en fer....

Belle journée Laura,

Manon

Anonymous said...

I have no clue..... But .... I am curious to know!
Love the treasures.
Have a Peaceful Day!
Marilyn

Donna Reyne' said...

Cool stuff!
I too think they are hose guides. I found one quite similar in our yard when we were digging new beds a few years ago.
I love the leaf guard idea! that will be really cute!

Vintage Gal said...

Love your treasures. I agree ~ they look like hose guides, but I think you can come up with a more exciting use for them ;-)

karen - Simply Inspired said...

no clue... but i don't think it was a toothpick... ;-)
thanks for the inspiration.
-xok.

colleen said...

not sure but they kind of look like a gutter thingie to get the gutters to attach to your roof just because of the loop shape of them .;)

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Love your sweet little tin!
I am not sure what those thingys are but they would make great hooks if bended on some old beadboard!

Karena said...

Love your new pieces! your Dad is very smart I would have never known those are protectors for the downspouts!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Michelle Palmer said...

I think they would make fantastic bubble wands! :)
Or...
A fun lawn game for bunnies...
Or...
Billboard frames for fairies :)

Just a thought!
Hope your day is wonderful~

Carin said...

Came across your site and have to say I LOVE it!! Do you need fellow lovers of all things vintage to shop with you...it looks like you have a great time.

So that final mystery item...not so sure, but it coould be a cool bubble wand.

Anne said...

I was thinking "hose guides" as well...and don't you think the designs on your cake mold look very "Deco" 30s? Love it!
Best,
Anne ♥

mama c said...

I think they were used to hang the gutters. I purchased one from junk Market once to hang an old milk bottle in a tree with sand in the bottom and a candle stuck in it.

ByLightOfMoon said...

Fabulous finds, I was thinking of a flower frog when i saw your cages but the bird cage is a much better idea!

You did have some fabulous finds, I see a bird in the one you ask about! No idea what it is though.

You will think on a Upcycle!
Smiles, Cyndi

north pal said...

ohhhhhhhh,i don't know what they are,but i love them, especially the cage thingies. i so appreciate wire objects and i wonder why, really do. Bestest,Denise

Barbara Jean said...

don't know what they are but they are very cool

and LOVE those down spout covers. Perfect place for a nest. =)

blessings
barbara jean

Sonia Danette said...

They look like plant markers.

Arleens favorite home said...

Once upon a time there was a beautiful little girl named Laura. She was a very smart and talented little girl who loved to ask questions.
One day she found 12 gutter hangers, but she wasn't sure what they were, so she asked her make believe friend what they were and her friend told her that they were pot of gold catchers. Laura looked at her friend and said..you mean I have to look for a rainbow and follow it to find where the gold is, then knit a strainer to pick up the gold? Her friend said yes, and Laura said.. To much work and gave the gutter hangers to her Dad. The end.

Shannon said...

You find the neatest things! I have a couple of down spout covers that I use as cloches. I love the rusty trim on yours!

Donna said...

I'm with the 'other' Donna...
I too think they're hose guards.
My grandfather (Pop-pop) used them on his lawn and the wire was supposed to help guard against him running over the hose with the mower!
I suspect if I asked 'Nanny", she'd say t didn't always work!!

They also, however, look like the little wire 'dippers' for submerging and dyeing Easter eggs!
Fun find!!

Anonymous said...

hi
the wire cages are mole catchers
they are put in the run of a mole and he gets stuck in the cage as a mole cant turn round or revers