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Look! Mystery Sidewalk Find

83109popsicle1.jpgMy friend Anne (remember her gorgeous home?) called me this weekend all aflutter about this beautiful lamp she found while trolling garage sales on Saturday. In fact, the lamp wasn't even a garage sale find, but a freebie spotted on the sidewalk en route from one sale to the next. Can you tell what the lamp base is made of? Answer after the jump!

 
 

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If you guessed popsicle sticks, congrats! The lamp base is an intricate layered popsicle stick design that would likely put even the most talented fifth grader's Golden Gate Bridge model to shame. Anne was smitten with the lamp even before she noticed its humble materials.

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We like the way the light passes through the lamp base in Anne's window. What do you think? Can you get behind popsicle stick décor? Could it ever become a trend? Are we looking at the new antlers here??

(Images: Anne Wintroub)

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Look!, lighting, lamp, craft, garage sale finds

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Comments (21)

popsicle sticks! this style was really popular in the seventies along with beaded curtains and shag carpeting - oops!

posted by loveoldstuff on September 1st 2009 at 9:09am
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I guess it looks good in her house because it blends with the beautiful decor. But I'm not sure it would shine just anywhere.

posted by rosaleen on September 1st 2009 at 9:09am
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I kind of like it. It wold be cool painted a bright color.

posted by Icanmakeit on September 1st 2009 at 9:21am
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This is reminiscent of (and may even be an example of) the folk art genre known as Tramp Art. Many beautiful pieces were made, using humble materials such as these, by itinerant workers during the early part of the 20th century. Some of their work is truly museum-worthy. This looks like a very desirable piece, and a stellar sidewalk find!

posted by mirandabee on September 1st 2009 at 9:49am
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My father's side of the family is from Puerto Rico and I remember my uncle having these. He made a HUGE lamp about 3x the size of that one and said that they were relatively common down there. Thanks for showing it, I haven't seen one for years!!!

posted by RachelOM on September 1st 2009 at 10:11am
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It is "tramp art" made by an 8th grader out of popsicle sticks for a very special Mother's Day gift. I see them all the time at estate auctions.

posted by spanky on September 1st 2009 at 10:34am
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popsickle sticks!

posted by MODERnestS on September 1st 2009 at 10:46am
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It's pretty silly, but whatever. Something for everyone.

posted by MODERnestS on September 1st 2009 at 10:46am
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I saw one on the weekend in a Toronto consignment store . . . I couldn't believe they were trying to sell it. File this under another man's trash.

posted by ChrisToronto on September 1st 2009 at 10:48am
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the lamp is atrocious

posted by tallen5 on September 1st 2009 at 10:59am
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It's great in many ways, reuse, retrowise and architecturally. My only comment is the lampshade should cover the socket switch etc. You can find newly made "retro" lampshades, whip stitching and all at moonshineshades.com

posted by stt64 on September 1st 2009 at 11:11am
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pretty skillful 8th grader

posted by JaneLane on September 1st 2009 at 11:22am
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I think a new white lampshade would make this look 10x better

posted by casey_seattle on September 1st 2009 at 12:03pm
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i definitely think it needs a new shade!!

and, while some places could pull it off, it would only and forever scream Popsicle Sticks to me, when i looked at it. especially if it were never painted (which would be quite a task I would think!). Cool idea - but not for me.

posted by nikki moore - photography and vintage treasures on September 1st 2009 at 1:53pm
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Build yours with colorful marbles glued between every few layers of the Popsicle sticks! The crazier the shade the better; trim with pompom fringe.

posted by Vincent B. on September 1st 2009 at 4:54pm
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I caught up on Design Star last night and when they went to the grocery store, I envisioned buying tons of Popsicles to make a hanging lamp with the sticks...

posted by sfgirl on September 1st 2009 at 5:34pm
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I think Marge Simpson made this lamp...

posted by Daniel Poitiers on September 1st 2009 at 6:19pm
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Me, I'm liking.

posted by JoJenks on September 1st 2009 at 7:09pm
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Send it to the goodwill.

posted by latinwaterpolo on September 2nd 2009 at 1:21am
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No need to purchase a new lampshade...just hot glue some long fringe around the bottom of the existing shade and VOILA!

posted by KrapArtist on September 2nd 2009 at 1:51am
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Put a shorter "harp" on the lamp to bring the shade down past the socket and bulb. It will look much better. It's sort of geeky like it is!

posted by rachelrachel on September 2nd 2009 at 12:47pm
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