Trash to Treasure recycles golf clubs to make chimes, more

Trash to Treasure is owned and operated by A. C. and Lea Murray. They built their business from handcrafted and recycled items.

They are able to keep their prices low and have an opportunity to get quite creative.

Trash to Treasure is located at Turner’s East Gate in Booth 50, off Highway 19.

Having four rooms of handmade and recycled items, you will find something to fit any home decor and budget.

A. C. makes golf chimes that are made from the shaft of five clubs, one head, golf tees, and club handle.

They have a wonderful musical sound and will be enjoyed by anyone. The four heads and handles that are left are used to make hat racks, coat racks, lamps, and bookends. There is no waste.

Lea laughs as she recalls the response she gets from the owners of the pawn shops when she goes in search of the golf clubs. “I think that they think I am a lost, little old lady not knowing what she is doing, but actually I am on a mission. A. C. is called the golf club bandit. It is funny, he has never played golf, except miniature golf with the grandkids, and they always win.”

You can find waste cans, tissue covers, stepstools, fan blades and much more in Americana and Texana style, where the items are painted with the American and Texas flags.

Lea had a young lady from Hawaii come to her shop. Six months later she returned, having her husband drive her to Canton from Fort Worth, only to find the paper mache, stackable Americana boxes she liked, had been sold.

Clearly disappointed, arrangements were made to craft and mail the boxes to Hawaii.

Lamps are hand painted and the shades are hand covered to match in Americana, Texana, and university logos. Old boots are used to make the western boot lamps and bookends.
The first three pairs of boots used were the ones the owners wore boot scooting. Their daughter taught country western dancing for three years, but being underage, they had to accompany her to the clubs where she taught.

Other items they sell are waste cans, spur bookends, towel racks, and a small group of handmade Raggedy Ann products.
Twenty-five years ago Lea started her painting with oils, and portraits in pastel.

A. C. assisted his wife by setting up displays and waited patiently until she was through. Lea suggested he develop his own product line which grew into his own woodworking business.

When A. C. retired after 45 years as division support supervisor for TXU, and Lea retired from 27 years as secretary for superintendent of schools for DeSoto Independent School District, they decided to take their crafts to Canton First Monday.

This is a hobby they enjoy since it is something they can do together and have been at Canton since 1998.

A. C. is affectionately known as the mayor of East Gate. East Gate is one big family. After hours they cook out, and play cards and dominoes, with ages ranging from five to 80 years old.

For more information contact A. C. and Lea at (903) 872-8988.