Luanne Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Today in the name of minis, I dumpster dive at work to retrieve some water bottles. It was the recycling bin in the auditorium, no one was there. I definitely provided the curiosity for the security guard if he was monitoring the security camera. I wanted the plastic rings from the empty bottles to make a light similar to this http://tj-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/2013/05/DIY_pendant_light.jpg I felt a slight shame but I know only you guys would understand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armymom166 Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 No dumpster diving here (mostly because I would never be able to get out of the dumpster), but I have been known to wander around at social gatherings saying "If you're done with that (whatever), I can just take that for you." That has definitely cut down my invitation to social gatherings... I also had everyone at the DFW USO saving paper towel rolls for me so I could glue them together and put my moldings in them. I think I ended up with about 400 cardboard tubes. I still have them because my hubby's promise to make something more sturdy from PVC pipe has not panned out. The TSA folks thought I was crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I haven't been able to spot anything useful for minis in dumpsters, but I do give parking lots a thorough going over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 Thank you for the validation. It feels so good to feel belonged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodentraiser Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I just threatened to kill for some staircases on another thread. LOL But I'll be honest, I don't think I would really do that. However, I have been known to spend the rent money on some miniatures I needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 I hesitated. I agree people I work with don't need to know this version of me. I couldn't help it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyole Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 It always feels a little clandestine as I put the empty little jelly containers, wrapped in a napkin, in my purse at a restaurant. I guess I'm waiting for someone to ask me to empty my bag for a search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I'm in this club too. All throughout this summer, during our 6 week hospital ordeal, I scavenged all manner of discarded tidbits that rode home in my totebag and were added to my mini stash. I was always worried someone would look in my bag and call security or something terrible like that. It was simply too irresistible with so many fabulous possibilities for future minis being tossed away. (I did not, however, take anything that had chemicals, toxins, or body fluids on it. My daughter made me promise that when she observed what I was up to) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimajo Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 God, you guys kill me. I haven't gone beyond my household trash yet, but I know it's coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 Jo- Go out there! I don't make an extra trips to find things, but sometimes I find things on the road when we walk the doggie. Selkie- I hope you are doing well. I agree my medicine cabinet is a treasure. My bakery chimney bit is from my niece diabetes 's medicine. https://www.flickr.com/photos/54971771@N04/16754112237/in/album-72157651556792366/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beulah Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I see what is in my future now, LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 3 hours ago, amyole said: It always feels a little clandestine as I put the empty little jelly containers, wrapped in a napkin, in my purse at a restaurant. I guess I'm waiting for someone to ask me to empty my bag for a search. It's not clandestine; you have to wrap the used containers in napkins to keep the residual jelly/ butter/ syrup from yucking up your purse or pockets. 2 hours ago, Selkie said: I'm in this club too. All throughout this summer, during our 6 week hospital ordeal, I scavenged all manner of discarded tidbits that rode home in my totebag and were added to my mini stash. I was always worried someone would look in my bag and call security or something terrible like that. It was simply too irresistible with so many fabulous possibilities for future minis being tossed away. (I did not, however, take anything that had chemicals, toxins, or body fluids on it. My daughter made me promise that when she observed what I was up to) I freak out the staff whenever I have to have a procedure done in hospital because I ask for the IV tubing thy used for me; with clear drying glue bottoms the sections make great glasses. 1 hour ago, Luanne said: Jo- Go out there! I don't make an extra trips to find things, but sometimes I find things on the road when we walk the doggie. Selkie- I hope you are doing well. I agree my medicine cabinet is a treasure. My bakery chimney bit is from my niece diabetes 's medicine. https://www.flickr.com/photos/54971771@N04/16754112237/in/album-72157651556792366/ When I was a school nurse one of my health support aides was diabetic, and she gave me a couple of her empty insulin containers to use as propane tanks for my travel trailer: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Norma Jeane and I thought some small rocks would be perfect in the landscaping for the Adams old-time general store. We armed Lloyd with an empty cottage cheese container and aimed him toward a local church that used red lava rock as mulch. It was just what we needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caseymini Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 When I first started doing serious minis, I used to go to the same restaurant for Sunday breakfast. I told the waitress about my minis and asked her to save me sone of the cream containers to make lampshades... Big mistake!!! The following Sunday the waitress came to the table with a very LARGE trash bag full of empty creamers! There must have been at least 500 or more. I politely thanked her and saved five when I got home... Needless to say, I didn't mention anything else to the waitress that I needed. I learn fast! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted August 28, 2016 Author Share Posted August 28, 2016 You guys have great stories! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamrockgirl18 Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 I feel ya- this past year I went on an official Artist Dumpster Dive that was sponsored by the Post-Landfill Action Committee at a local university. I didn't find any mini stuff BUT I found alot of other cool stuff that made it worth it. I also have a predilection for picking stuff off the side of the road, and I have found some mini stuff doing that. Most of the time it's discarded toys (like barbie stuff) that I re-paint. I've also been known to take styrofoam packing pieces from my places of work as well as boxes and cardboard bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamrockgirl18 Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 18 hours ago, Selkie said: I'm in this club too. All throughout this summer, during our 6 week hospital ordeal, I scavenged all manner of discarded tidbits that rode home in my totebag and were added to my mini stash. I was always worried someone would look in my bag and call security or something terrible like that. It was simply too irresistible with so many fabulous possibilities for future minis being tossed away. (I did not, however, take anything that had chemicals, toxins, or body fluids on it. My daughter made me promise that when she observed what I was up to) I've always had a big fear of hospitals, but this makes me alot better! Even if something happens to me and I need to be hospitalized, at least I'll have opportunities to scavenge for mini-making supplies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted August 28, 2016 Author Share Posted August 28, 2016 That's funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smjsome Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 Artist Dumpster Dive! That sounds amazing! yesterday I took little square cheese cake containers at a Chinese place when visiting my son, he didn't even blink, and he's 24. Even handed me his friends, after wrapping it in a napkin. His friend made a face, and he waved his hand like I'll explain later man. came home and as I was unloading my bag, my husband picked them and added them to the dirty dishes he was loading in dishwaser, no questions. Its possible I am the crazy relative. I used to have this great aunt .... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 My grandmother used to check in the trash bins behind the five & dime stores when I was little, and bring home the still-playable toys she found there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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