Today’s blog comes from our staff photographer Katherine Harris, who is a pro at scouting out vintage goods and repurposing curbside finds. Her apartment is like a DIY workshop and something new is always in the mix. With fall sales in full swing—Hunt & Gather’s sale is this weekend with 20 percent off storewide—we caught up with Katie for a little inspiration from her trip last week to Junk Bonanza, which comes again in April.

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A wannabe veteran, this was my second year to the Junk Bonanza. This is not a roll-up-your-sleeves thrift store­–like experience. Inside Canterbury Park, booths overflow with antiques and vintage galore. Tins are filled to the brim with trendy and older items from handmade jewelry to old photographs to repurposed goods. Everywhere you look it’s a Pinner’s delight so it’s easy to see why people willingly pay the $9 to get in the door.

The author, Katie, is pictured on the right.

My girlfriends, Maggie, Amanda, and I arrived a half-hour early and still a large line of excited treasure hunters had formed around the side of the building. Hardly in the door, I first noticed a new spin on the globe trend: small hanging lamps made from half globes and colanders. Though tempted, I saved my money for the ultimate prize, an antique ladder to hang blankets on. On our way out I spied Pies and Aprons—the owner Christine helped me find delicate pink ribbon to tie up Christmas packages. It was the perfect kick-off for fall DIY excursions.