Finding Art in the Mundane: Vintage Jar Lids (and a giveaway!)

Our house was built in 1952.  We bought it from the original owners.  Before we closed escrow, the sellers asked to meet us.  They were selling their parent's home, their childhood home, and they wanted to meet the family who would be moving in.

At first we thought it was a bit odd, but in the end it turned out to be a wonderful thing. I loved hearing stories about the family that lived here before us, the escapades and adventures of the 3 sons, how their mom made blackberry jam from thier bushes and how their dad passed out grapefruit and avocados to the neighbors.  You can read about it here.

The sons were also pleased to give us many of the things around the house that they didn't want themselves and couldn't imagine anyone else wanting.  I inherited some of their mom's bowls and sewing notions.  We got the high-fi and a modern looking end table.  

Aaron found his paradise in the garage.  He got an old push mower.  A vacuum that looks more like a futuristic piece of sculpture than a cleaning tool, and many other odds and ends that make up the garage of an old man who has puttered around in there for over 50 years.  

Odds and ends like these:

I discovered them last week when I was cleaning and organizing Aaron's studio for him.

Can you guess how they were being used?

Yep.  In the ultimate old man way--nailed under a shelf holding a jar full of nails, screws or bolts.

And despite the nail holes, I think they are just fabulous.

I'm hoping Aaron does a painting of them.

And that's the thing about art.  You can find it anywhere.

Take a closer look at some of them.

There are so many reasons I love these lids.

Of course, the fact that they are vintage makes me love them from the start.

But also, I love the type.  The colors.  The images.  The design.

Can jar lids really be art?

You betcha!

So can lawn chairs.

Like this:

This is my next giveaway.
Another hand carved, limited edition, linoleum block print by my husband, Aaron.
If you want a bit of retro summer hanging in your house, then this is your lucky day.
Just leave a comment here and you'll be entered to win.
For extra entries, become a follower, share on facebook or your own blog.  
You know the drill.
I'll close comments next Sunday, the 22nd, and announce the winner the next day.


And yes, this give away is to celebrate my braces coming off.  They're off and it feels so good to have my mouth free of metal.
I'll post a pic soon.  Promise.
Happy Monday.  
Love from,
Greta