The following three ideas may take being somewhat adventuresome but trust me, the result will make it all worth it !First, research a local stone fabricator in your area. A fabricator makes the template and cuts the stone for granite, marble or stone countertops. Once you’ve located one, pay them a visit and remember to put on your best “I’m a Tack Hoarder – help me” face. Then ask them very sweetly if you can do some “Dumpster Diving” for their left over chunks of stone that have accumulated from their recent projects. All fabricators have dumpsters filled with pieces that have broken off during the cutting process. If you are really nice to them (and maybe even bring them some cookies…. or a cupcake will work, too) and ask them if they would finish off the edges of the piece you have found.
But even if they don’t, the broken chunks will give an interesting rough quality to your piece. Make sure you bring the stirrup iron with you and try to find pieces of marble, or granite that will fit nicely on the iron.
Now, take a moment and be proud of yourself ! That’s probably the first time you went dumpster diving and you’re on the road to recovery since you just made another great use for some of that tack !
For the following three ideas use a silicone glue to adhere the irons to the stone.
Make sure that you press down really hard and secure the irons in place and then allow them to dry for 24 hours. If you touch them before it is dry the iron will slide on the stone.
Soap Dish
Here is a fun way to continue the memories of that great ride while taking a bath or shower…Ha ! Line up two irons the width of the piece of marble/granite and lay it inside the irons. Silicone to adhere....add a bar of soap that will compliment the stone and you are done!
Bookends
Use two pieces of Marble or Granite and place your stirrup irons on the inner side of each piece. You can also stack the pieces of marble one on top of another for better support of larger size books.
Desk Mail Organizer
If you’re like me, your mail has a mind of it’s own and winds up in the craziest places, like not in my house but in my car. So this simple Stirrup Organizer may help keep it together. Take a piece of slab granite or marble and silicone your stirrup irons on each side (dependent on the width of your stone remnant) and that’s all it took to get you a little more organized – and to make another use for your old stirrup irons.
Take a new look at what’s in those trunks, storage bins, and plastic tubs. Are you ready to let go of some of your beloved tack? Then donate it to an equestrian-related organization or take it to a 4H or Pony Club tack sale.
Here's my best advice for the rest of us hoarders….. Pull out a favorite piece and think about how it might be used for a different purpose and help you bring your love of horses home!
Now, don’t you feel better?
Don’t get rid of all that tack – embrace it! Each project is easy and not very time consuming. You’ll still have plenty of time to ride…..or ……time to visit your favorite tack shop for the tack sale they are having!
Mary Cox is an equestrian interior designer who has accumulated a ridiculous amount of tack. She welcomes your ideas and creative solutions for using all that tack. Contact her via her website at www.equestrian-interiors.com (where you can also view entertaining videos of these projects, and more). Mary’s blog at www.blog/equestrian-interiors.com features thoughts, ideas and resources on equestrian home décor and design tips.
Take a new look at what’s in those trunks, storage bins, and plastic tubs. Are you ready to let go of some of your beloved tack? Then donate it to an equestrian-related organization or take it to a 4H or Pony Club tack sale.
Here's my best advice for the rest of us hoarders….. Pull out a favorite piece and think about how it might be used for a different purpose and help you bring your love of horses home!
Now, don’t you feel better?
Don’t get rid of all that tack – embrace it! Each project is easy and not very time consuming. You’ll still have plenty of time to ride…..or ……time to visit your favorite tack shop for the tack sale they are having!
Mary Cox is an equestrian interior designer who has accumulated a ridiculous amount of tack. She welcomes your ideas and creative solutions for using all that tack. Contact her via her website at www.equestrian-interiors.com (where you can also view entertaining videos of these projects, and more). Mary’s blog at www.blog/equestrian-interiors.com features thoughts, ideas and resources on equestrian home décor and design tips.