Friday, January 23, 2015

Traps to Treasures

Mouse traps, gopher traps, critter traps?  I wasn't exactly sure what I was buying when I found a couple of scary looking traps at an antique store a few weeks ago, but I knew they had great repurposing potential and I'd eventually figure out what to do with them.

I decided to build a better mouse gopher trap and turn my junky finds into a couple of wall sconces/bud vases.

Kind of scary looking don't you think?  I was told they were mouse traps, but they looked too big and too mean for a little mouse.  Talk about overkill!  I did a little research and found out they're actually gopher traps.  Ouch!

 I cut and painted two pieces of a pallet board, cleaned the traps, then sprayed them with a matte acrylic sealer.  Of course every gopher trap looks better with a little bling.

I used a couple of U nails to attach the trap to the pallet board.

The glass tubes were a perfect fit.

They're looking a whole lot better and a lot less intimidating as bud vases.  I'm sure the gophers are a lot happier too.


Sharing with:
Funky Junk Interiors for Party Junk
My Repurposed Life for Catch as Catch Can
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
The Cottage Market for Junkin Joe

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Posted by Labels: antique, gopher trap, mouse trap, My Salvaged Treasures, pallet project, repurposed junk, trash to treasure, vase, vintage

38 comments:

  1. Spittin-ToadJanuary 23, 2015 at 6:40 AM

    Sooo cute...What will you think of next? :)
    Denise

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  2. ~Lavender Dreamer~January 23, 2015 at 6:51 AM

    What a cute idea. I would have had to put on my 'thinking cap' to come up with a use for these. You are so creative! Hugs!

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  3. Gigi HarlanJanuary 23, 2015 at 6:51 AM

    You can make anything look great, just beautiful! I wish I had your talent!

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  4. Linda @ Itsy Bits And PiecesJanuary 23, 2015 at 7:35 AM

    You made those traps into things of beauty now! Great re-use, Betsy!

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  5. Linda @ A La CarteJanuary 23, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    I would have run the other way from these scary things but you, yes YOU, turn them into adorable flower holders! CUTE!

    Linda

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  6. Donna WilkesJanuary 23, 2015 at 8:22 AM

    Beautiful little gopher memorials. Everybody will want one. So clever!

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  7. DD's CottageJanuary 23, 2015 at 8:34 AM

    So Lovely and genius of you Betsy! Love bling and the pink!

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  8. AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNaJanuary 23, 2015 at 8:47 AM

    How fabulous are these!? I would have never known what they were. So creative!

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  9. ~Damita's Pretty Wrap~January 23, 2015 at 8:55 AM

    You sure do know how to spruce anything up and make it sooooo adorable!! Those are so lovely and cute!! :) Happy Friday, have a great weekend! xo Holly

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  10. Rosemary@villabarnesJanuary 23, 2015 at 9:27 AM

    Oh yes. You've turned something quite scary, into something positively beautiful.

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  11. Rose LJanuary 23, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    I like this way of using them better than the original.

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  12. TamaraJanuary 23, 2015 at 10:27 AM

    oh my!! such creativity..and they are so pretty..thank you for sharing!
    Blessings,
    Tamara

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  13. Alexandra Prairie Charm-MyPieceofVintagePrairieJanuary 23, 2015 at 11:04 AM

    Thank you so much for featuring my blog! Have a lovely weekend ♥ xoxo, Alexandra

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  14. 20 North OraJanuary 23, 2015 at 11:18 AM

    Betsy - You would never think those cute things started out as a trap. Cute, cute, cute.

    Judy

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  15. Charm Bracelet Diva {at Home}January 23, 2015 at 11:43 AM

    Loving these! Can't say that I would have bought them, but then I'm not the repurposing mastermind you are!!! No one will believe what they were! SO very cool!
    xoKathleen

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  16. Curtains in My TreeJanuary 23, 2015 at 12:20 PM

    There is some happy gophers today somewhere knowing you saved their lives with rhinestones and glass tubes LOL

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  17. Pam JacksonJanuary 23, 2015 at 12:29 PM

    What an amazing idea! Took the terrible and scary looking to cool and so pretty.

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  18. mary scottJanuary 23, 2015 at 1:24 PM

    These are brilliant. Love the color & bling on such a clever idea.

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  19. JeanieJanuary 23, 2015 at 4:29 PM

    Well, the originals are really scary but your foofed up beauties are anything but! They're enchanting!

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  20. CherylJanuary 23, 2015 at 4:40 PM

    As usual, your creativity is amazing! Love this idea.
    Nice touch with the bling, too!

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  21. Carlene @ Organized ClutterJanuary 23, 2015 at 5:28 PM

    I didn't see bud vases coming from those traps! Very creative, Betsy!

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  22. The Polka Dot ClosetJanuary 23, 2015 at 5:44 PM

    I'm laughing!!! I bet you got a great price on your traps

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  23. The Polka Dot ClosetJanuary 23, 2015 at 6:04 PM

    OMG It did not let me finish typing ...You got a great price because no one else would know what to do with them...You are amazing...I love them

    Carol

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  24. Little Miss MaggieJanuary 23, 2015 at 6:20 PM

    You have quite an imagination to use a gopher trap for a flower holder. I bet we see these coming to a craft store or garden center next year. Someone will definitely want to copy this idea.

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  25. cynthia lee designsJanuary 23, 2015 at 7:15 PM

    Oh my...love these!! They turned out great.
    ~Cindy

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  26. Christa atCedarmereFarmJanuary 23, 2015 at 7:43 PM

    Haha, very clever! I would not have been able to guess that they were traps. Well done.

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  27. Marsha @ Tattered ChickJanuary 23, 2015 at 8:28 PM

    Only you could take something not so nice and making it pretty!!!

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  28. Art and SandJanuary 23, 2015 at 8:49 PM

    Your ingenuity never ceases to amaze me!

    Thanks for the sweet words on my latest blog post. I am finally catching up on blogs and emails!

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  29. Julia - Vintage with LacesJanuary 23, 2015 at 9:31 PM

    Very cool and pretty, Betsy! I'm sure you'll receive a thank you letter from the gopher union and will get an honorary membership :).
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  30. handmade by amaliaJanuary 23, 2015 at 10:00 PM

    This is brilliant, what an idea! The whole blog is lovely and full of inspiration.
    Amalia
    xo

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  31. Deanies StashJanuary 24, 2015 at 12:40 AM

    I love your creativity!! Now my dad would have said he needed those on the farm for his pesky gophers! Lol! But your use of them is so much prettier.

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  32. Michelle L.January 24, 2015 at 11:44 AM

    Can't believe what you did there! madly beautiful, what a crazy repurpose!

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  33. Vicky HuntJanuary 24, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    Your creativity never ceases to amaze me! Oh, how I wish I had your eye! These are so pretty...:) Have a lovely rest of the weekend.

    Hugs, Vicky

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  34. chateau chicJanuary 25, 2015 at 12:23 PM

    Oh my goodness, you are so creative...these bud vases in the traps are so cute! I love this idea!!
    Mary Alice

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  35. Tuula @ Thrifty RebelJanuary 25, 2015 at 12:54 PM

    These are absolutely beautiful! Love the addition of the bling.

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  36. Angie ChavezJanuary 26, 2015 at 12:52 PM

    Such a creative repurposed, Betsy!! Adorable!

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  37. Linda@Coastal CharmJanuary 27, 2015 at 10:09 AM

    What "neat" repurposed idea you had here!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  38. CatieAnJanuary 30, 2015 at 10:04 AM

    wow those are absolutely so adorable.....who would have thunk it? Wonderful

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