fernseed

It's funny. We get a ton of unwanted sugar and flour jar donations. In fact, we sell them for a buck sometimes, because we can't convert them fast enough. This one I kept because it is large, about 10" tall. Perfect use for a terrarium, and this one includes three donated cacti from Joaquin Miller, Oakland, reclaimed drain rocks, organic soil, new sand, new river pebbles, new river stones and collector's rocks. $24

We mix the new-old with the old-new. That's what is different and special about Fernseed.

A wall display using antique foundry moulds and new photo frames. As requested by Joanne, from Massachusetts. Hope you love it! I do! Foundry Moulds $65 to $110. Frames $6 - $12. Mirror $20. Frames and mirror were hand-stained at Fernseed by moi (Kristine).

To be honest, I "think" it's a liquor bottle... At this point, I retain and reclaim so many bottles, I am losing track what they were, where they came from, and who drank from them (hee). This bottle is beautiful. The green makes me think it was made using recycled glass, so perhaps tequila from Mexico? 5" tall. Air plant needs very little care when in bottles with small necks. They like condensation, hence they thrive in terrariums. Sea shells were reclaimed. Some old sea fossils included. $14

Retained-reclaimed 2" apothecary jars now hold air plants and succulents. Reclaimed sea shells from a chandelier. Sand is new. Old sea life fossils included in a few. $6

This vintage suitcase sits on legs from an antique director's chair. We repurposed the broken chair to create this side table. Two American-made items combined to create a very functional and attractive piece of furniture. Legs were stained to match suitcase. This item is #2 of this series. $65 as is.

Once a fuddy-duddy vintage cabinet with mismatched hinges and a broken handle... Doors swung wide, so did not work well as a hallway cabinet. Guess what? We removed the doors. Patched the holes. Stained the exterior red and stained the interior rustic orange. Coated it with polyurethane to make it water-resistant in case you spill a few drops of this or that. Solid Black Walnut (wood grain visual still intact). Measures 29.5" high x 36" wide. $175

We use mostly water-based stains because it is easy on the wood, on the environment and on the eyes.

To view "before refab" image of this item, click here.

This rescued dresser was covered with stickers, pen marks, graffiti and ballpoint pen scratches. We cleaned, sanded, filled in the scratches, applied two coats of red water-based stain, then applied a water-based polyurethane coat to protect it from future scratches or stains. We also removed the poor nail job from the dovetail joints and re-glued. This was hard work but very rewarding. Measures 32" high x 32" wide. As is for $195.

To see before + after images, click here.

When we work with solid wood, especially antiques and American-made vintage, we will do our best to use water-based stains first, before we decide to paint. We also apply to all our refabbed/refurbished furniture with a protective-coat. It is to protect them from future scratches and stains. We would like to see you keep these things retained in your homes for a long, long time - instead of our landfill.

An unattractive clear vase from Grandma's house was revived with some red paint, then repurposed into a cachepot for a succulent garden. $18

Oh, what to do with all those cabinets doors that get tossed after a remodel? We decided this one would work well as canvas for stenciling. This Russian propaganda stencil was painted by Jeremiah Bal, an Oakland artist. 2 of 10. $295

An endangered specie admired and replicated in the form of a plush toy, using all reclaimed materials -  old sweaters, torn blankets and scrap fabric. The organizational beneficiary is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Designed and hand-created by Kristi Holohan of Oakland. $48

Jewelry and valet boxes hand-made from a tree, which had to be cut down because the roots damaged the neighbor's foundation. This Oakland resident, Edmund Eng, decided to optimize the Black Walnut to create beautiful boxes, instead of using the tree for firewood.

These boxes are incredible. You will not be disappointed. From $55 - $200. (These would cost three times the price if from a department store, which would most likely be made in China using faux wood.)

Fernseed believes in supporting local artists and artisans. We wish to increase demand for local jobs, not demand for new materials.

A mid-century filing cabinet repurposed into a dresser and stained burnt orange. Solid wood. Original hardware. $75

This buffet/cabinet is rustic and beautiful with its aging flaws. Original hardware and untouched (no staining). Measures 66" wide, 22" deep, 32" high. As is for $175

Left: Scrap metal art by David Nyquist. $175

Top and above: Illuminated gas and found objects artwork by Dan Caven. $750 per art piece.

Repurposing the unexpected into the extraordinary can be darn easy. Ingredients? Elementary computer skills, self-adhesive paper, and some reclaimed Kleenex boxes (or any thin cardboard box, for that matter.)

We believe reusing is the first and best sustainable practice before other practices. These small ink-well'esque mini vases were created from tequila bottle toppers (1800 Tequila)... We sell them with ferns and succulents, both eco-friendly plants because they require very little water and maintenance... 4-

*Did you know fern is a prehistoric plant and the first to have a vascular system? Cool little fact or what?