Second-hand Swag

Goodbye...

2007-07-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

As much as I enjoy the idea of having a thrift-oriented blog, I just don't get as much traffic to this blog as I do to my original one.
Probably because I post to that blog more often.
Regardless, I have decided to go back to posting my thrift finds to Woof Nanny.

Please stop by and see my fun finds.
I try to hit thrift shops at least every other week.

Fun 'before' table

2007-07-04T22:33:00.000-07:00

Cute little pink tiered table I found the other day at a thriftstore.
It's not like it's quality, well-made or anything,
but sometimes charming just wins out.
I just think it has character.

Too, it's going to look adorable mosaic'ed.
I haven't decided if I'm going to keep the pink or go with a darker hue.

Thriftstore price: $8.50

Cute china plate

2007-06-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

I got this painted mice plate while thrifting the other day.
The handles are painted gold.
The maker's mark says Rosenthal, and beneath this it say Bavaria, and Donatello.

So I guess I have a Bavarian china cheese plate.

I just love whimsical items, so I couldn't pass this by despite the fact that it was not inexpensive, especially by thrift store terms.
But I had just gotten paid, and the cash was burning a hole in my pocket.

I paid $16. The plate had a tag that said 'rare'.
I wonder if it originally had a matching cover?
All I know is that I like it.

Anthropomorphic Carrots

2007-06-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

Cute linen dish cloth I got at an antique store yesterday.
Not sure if it's hand or machine stitched.
But it's cute!
Only $2.50.

New summer bag

2007-06-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

I love my new bag!

From my retail job, I know that this brand, Maxx NY, usually runs a couple of hundred dollars.
Even at discount stores, it still creeps toward $100.

I got this woven straw with leather accents bag at a thriftstore recently.
It was in mint condition--never used.
Pristine.

Thriftstore price: $9.95

Beachy Fabric

2007-06-11T23:00:00.000-07:00

I found this fabric at a thrift store the other day--they had a table of new flat folds, and this caught my eye.

It reminds me of Coronado's Tent City

Fun beach cabanas might provide a good fabric for my beach tote.
It's upholstery fabric, so perhaps not practical for a bag, but it sure is cute.
It's very textural--as if the cabanas are embroidered.

Two and a half yards of wide yardage.
Inexpensive if I were to buy it in a fabric shop, but expensive thriftstore wise.
I got this for $8.
It was haunting me. I had to have it.
I can't believe it was still there when I went back.

Another vintage apron, and some great fabric

2007-06-01T21:45:00.000-07:00

Poor neglected blog.
It's not that I haven't been thrifting, that's for sure.
Thrifting gives me life.

I found this amazing vintage apron recently

Sheer and beautiful, with a pink flocked floral pattern, and a sash that runs through buttonholes.
It's gorgeous.
I can't remember if I paid $3 or $4.

I enjoy finding funky novelty fabrics, especially juvenile prints.
Sometimes the source is unusual, like this 1960's children's curtain panel in a circus-themed print.
Thriftstore price for two matching panels: $3.50

God bless thriftstores...

I found some other linens that are for a swap partner, so I'll show those after she has received them.

Check out the small quilt I got too (posted on my craft blog).

Thrifted Mirror

2007-05-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

My mom gave me some money for my birthday, and I spent part of it at the thrift store.
This is a heavy mirror, professionally framed.
The wood is beautiful, though scratched in a couple of places, so I figure with the flat surface, it will be perfect for mosaic.

The total size is 28 inches by 32 inches.
Price was 50% off, so I got it for $10!

The shape in the reflection is just that (a reflection) versus any damage or discoloration to the mirror itself.

A lovely find.

Embroidered linens

2007-04-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

Gina and I are going to be doing a swap soon--she is sending me thrifted ties, and I'll be adding to her embroidery collection.
The problem is that embroidered linens just don't seem to be around that much anymore, or the ones I'm finding are really pricey.
Hmmm...I'll just keep looking.
My best bet is probably going to be garage sales.

In the meantime, I've had my radar out, and spotted this dresser set that isn't really Gina's style, so I'm, ahem, adding it my own stash of goodies.
Yeah, I know, it's just like shopping for Christmas--one gift for them, one gift for me, one gift for them....

I just thought this was really sweet, and reminds me of the palomino I had in high school.
I am considering (cover your eyes, purists) making these into a purse.
I figure it would better get displayed and appreciated that way, and I am more apt to use it.
There are a few loose flowers, but they're just french knots, so that's an easy repair.
The crocheted edgings are in excellent condition. No stains or snags.

(click image to enlarge, if desired)

I wonder what the history is of these pieces is?
I envision a grandmother lovingly creating this for a young girl.
Her room was lined with shelves of Breyers, and dreams of one day owning her own pony...

Rummage Sale!

2007-03-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

This weekend was the 80th annual Thursday Club Rummage Sale in Balboa Park.
My mom and I got there about an hour early to find a looong line. No worries, we brought camp chairs and coffee and just talked to the people.

*note to self: do not again mention how excited you are about going to scope out the fabric first.
The lady in line in front of me turned around and said, "oh, they have fabric here?" (cue Marge Simpson's growl...)

*note to other sale goers: do not arrive right as the doors open and expect to snake in line. It doesn't work that way, and even your asking if you can hang with us isn't polite)

My favorite find of the day was the metal shore bird (sandpiper?) ornament I got for 25 cents. Most of the ornaments were in Ziploc bags and I just grabbed and hoped for the best. I was pleased with the contents of all.

Price for several bags and total of items above: $1

The little lime green tree is an ornament that is like a bell--the base swings free. The tree itself is embellished with magic-wand wielding fairies. I love it.

I got 26 cardboard ornaments (or package toppers). I just love the designs on these. In addition to ones shown here are carousel animals and Victorian children.

I found a few patterns and some fun fabrics, though the selection of crafty items wasn't as large as last year.

Two yards of Alexander Henry "egg study" (perfect timing, right before Easter)--price $1 per yard.
a small piece of trout fabric by Robert Kaufman, and an upholstery swatch with dogs (or is it coyotes?) that I love. That one will go into making a small bag.
I think the small pieces were either 25 or 50 cents.
I also picked up several neckties, a few of which I posted to
my crafty blog.

They've got tables and tables of vintage linens.

I will make a wristlet from the tea towel (mint condition)
The potholder is identical to a blue one I purchased on ebay for a hefty penny from the UK (aarrggghhh)
Rummage sale price: $1 each.

I found several vintage cookbooks. I didn't even take the time to cruise the vast piles of novels, etc, and I forgot to check for magazines.

This booklet was printed by the Dairy council of California. I love the magic wand (the magic of sour cream). There is no date listed.

I wasn't in the mood to go through all the clothing either. There are so many areas to go through, it's just too much to do them all. I skipped the electronics, the tools, the baskets, and the jewelry.
My mom always heads to the plants area first. Local nurseries donate some great items.

An adorable kid's cookbook filled with pen and ink illustrations and recipes for spooky-type twists on food, especially appropriate for Halloween.

Booklet of party games from the 1950's.

This event is a huge hall with everything from furniture and bicycles to clothing and trinkets.
I didn't get any 'wow' items this year, but I still got a big bag full of goodies and emptied my wallet of $30 toward a good cause.
Most of all though, it's just fun!

Funny, but too true

2007-03-23T13:29:00.001-07:00

(click on image to enlarge)

Holy Thrift Score!

2007-02-17T17:10:00.000-08:00

Some people avoid certain items at thrift stores--towels, sheets, shoes...

I don't mind used shoes. I've found some purses and some shoes that were brand new. But gently used is okay with me too.

And these today were an adrenaline moment.
Leather CAMPER slip-ons, with an embroidered butterfly on one toe, and a dragonfly on the other. New, these are around $130. Thrift store price: $2.93. Oh my.

I wish with all my heart they were my size, but they are a size 40 (US ladies 10), so they're too big. I will either give them to a friend, or maybe sell them on eBay. Love them though!

Yay, finally a day to thrift again!

2007-02-09T21:09:00.000-08:00

Today was bonus check day, so I thought I'd treat myself to a stop in at a little row of thrift shops in Poway. One store was giving half off everything, and two of them accepted my debit card as payment (always a bonus).
I didn't have much time before closing, so I just concentrated on the sewing area. Well, and ties of course.

I found some weird neckties (love the turkey!)

A couple of patterns. Too small, but for a nickel each, I figure they are good for styling ideas.

A couple of fabrics--the green strawberry print is actually an apron in a hospital gown-style. Stained, but I can save the best bits of fabric for the strawberry quilt I'm planning to make. Cost: $1
The red is a flocked heavy upholstery type that I thought would make a great carpet bag. Maybe Amy Butler's 'Madison'. Cost for a large piece: $4 (more than I usually spend, but I really liked it).

And a big plastic recipe box filled with recipe cards.
The Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library. Cost: $1
I am having so much fun looking through these

Found Objects are the best objects

2007-01-17T21:21:00.000-08:00

Amanda of Soule Mama once posted about being at a rummage sale, looking under the table, and finding a handmade quilt. The price? Uh, one dollar. It was a hold-your-breath moment--she just wanted to hand over the cash, tuck that thing under her arm and escape before anyone figured out what they had. You can read her post here.

Well, I had a similar moment yesterday.

I had to go to the library to re-do my resume and type a cover letter (my brother forgot to add Word to the computer). I opened the door and started the trek to my car, as usual walking past boxes of freebie books that they leave against the wall there. I did a quick glance...
Is that a vintage cookbook? Wait a minute...is that another one?

The ENTIRE BOX was filled with old cooking booklets.

We're talking Found Objects. Free. For the Taking.
Okay, I was almost hyperventilating.
I mean, I'm the type of person who will take one item and leave the rest for other people. But but but...it was vintage booklets people!

My temptation was to grab the entire box and make a mad dash to my car.

Instead, I grabbed the box (uh, one has to call dibs) and calmly (seemingly) walked over the the brick wall to sit with it, and started browsing.

I had to have more than one.

Is that bad?
I mean, someone didn't want them...and I really wanted them...
Hopefully I haven't developed bad cookbook karma.

Anyway, I politely chose 17 booklets and left the rest (a still-full box) where it was.
I can't tell you how many times I thought about driving back over there last night.
Sigh.

Here are just a few pics to whet the palette:

Knox Gelatine...copyright Nineteen friggin' twenty nine!
As Amanda would say, "Oh My".

The New Art, by the General Electric Kitchen Institute, 1936
(click on any of these pics and it will take you to my Flickr page, where you can see additional images)

Carnation Milk booklet for teens, 1967

This ad is from a holiday booklet for a local liquor store, December 1967.

So many more images to post, I'll continue this later this week...
But incredible find, huh?

For the love of eBay

2007-01-01T21:32:00.000-08:00

I just got this nifty shoe-shaped wine holder, carved with huts and tiki-stuff on ebay for $1.99.
Even with the $8.95 shipping price, it's still an excellent find.

Swag can be scored in thrift stores, rummage sales, garage sales, and...yes, I think we should include online auctions.
Everything seems to walk through ebay's doors eventually.
Vintage fabric, vintage sewing patterns, out-of-print books, art....
It's really a fun place to shop.

What do you thrift for?

2006-12-25T23:21:00.000-08:00

Fabric is not the only thing I find thrifting.
I post a lot of fabric here, and other linens, because it's easy to scan.
But I find ALL KINDS of goodies.

Like this fun crocheted rug, handmade and basically felted.
The owner must have not liked the outcome, but I love it.

Miscellaneous stuff, like these apple ornaments that match my apple wreath and apple garland (those were full-price deals).
Decorating with fruit, even faux, just feels fresh.

Sewing notions and patterns (duh)
I have paid as low as 10 cents, sometimes 35 or 50 cents, but usually 95 cents.
Rummage sale prices are usually at a quarter.

aprons (detail of the pocket here because it's so precious)
Thrift store price for this apron: $2.50. No, I take that back--I think it was $1.50. And it's in mint condition.

I also love stoneware, and I have a soft spot for canisters and dishes.

I regularly find clothing, and of course supplies for art work.
I've mentioned old games and books, but I also like tins. I am learning about crafting with metal, and these can be cut up and used to make dolls, etc.

I have found toys for kids (the ones who don't care it's second-hand). And every once in a while, I score furniture.

Bookcase that I may eventually mosaic.
Thiftstore price: $7.95.
I have a similar one I found in an alley on trash day.
Nothing wrong with either one.

Garage Sale Joke

2006-12-22T12:57:00.000-08:00

(click on image to enlarge)

Neckties

2006-12-08T21:15:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to find while thrifting, is bags of neckties. You know, ties that didn't sell at the $2 or $3 each price, so they cram them all into a bag. Today I got 125 neckties for $4.95. I've actually paid less before. I swear, opening those bags is like digging for treasure--there are always some especially delightful finds.

Look at the wine bottles! The Escher-esque frogs!

Fun beach scene! And look at the fish!

Vintage Children's Books

2006-11-27T18:52:00.000-08:00

I don't have children of my own, but I enjoy finding old books for their illustrations (especially the pen and ink ones), or for gifts. Here are some recent finds:

Adorable "Little Red Riding Hood" from 1967. It originally had a Peepul Pals doll to go with it. I checked ebay, and Peepul also had games and paperdolls...similar to Little Kiddles.

Thrift store price: tag says 60 cents, but if I remember correctly, it was a dime.

"Cannonball Simp", a cute little book from 1966, about a dog who joins the circus.
Thrift store price: 50 cents.

Trees illustration from an amazing book, "A Tree Named Moses", by Laura Nelson Baker, 1966. I adore this book.
Thrift store price for former library book: 50 cents.

Bird illustration from same book:

Fun fable, "The Swineherd". Whimsical illustrations, though not very detailed.
No date, but perhaps late 70's. How sad that I'm labeling that 'vintage'. Sigh.
Thrift store price: 45 cents.

More fun fabric finds

2006-11-21T23:50:00.000-08:00

Five yards Tori Richard Hawaiian fabric, thrift store price $6. That's a bit steep for thrift store prices, but this funky color haunted me for awhile. I'm glad it was still there when I returned. Not sure what I'm going to do with it--it's a bit silky like a rayon, but it may just be a cotton blend. Maybe the back of a quilt. I like the unique quality.

Denim-weight fabric, a little over one yard, $1.50
Reminds me of Ikea fabric. I love fruit images.

Thrifted polyester shirt. I love grafitti fabric. I figure I can make a purse out of it. I don't remember what I paid for this, but it was probably just a couple of dollars.

Woohoo!

2006-11-19T00:17:00.000-08:00

Thrift store find of the century today--rolls of cut fabric strips that I assume are meant to make your own bias tape. They could also be used in quilting, as ribbon, in rag rugs...
Yards and yards! Two rolls of the red-white-and-blue Zodiac print (one roll pictured so you can see how much fabric I'm talking about!), three rolls of the yellow-and-white floral, and one roll of the luscious red-and-white Asian(ish) floral print.

The best part? Each roll: 60 cents!

Thrifting for fun fabric

2006-10-07T13:37:00.000-07:00

Thrift stores are great places to find vintage fabric, or fun novelty prints. But don't forget that fabric might be in clothing or linens too, not just the remnant pile.

Beautiful painting-like Japanese bird scene on a pillowcase.
Perfect condition, 99 cents.

I love novelty prints. This turtle fabric is from a lady's shirt. Great condition, $2.39. You figure I'll probably get at least a yard from it, so that's a great price for a unique fabric find.

Vintage tablecloths are wonderful to sew with--even if the piece is faded or torn, parts may still be useable.
From my Flickr photo page, check out this article about making children's clothing from tablecloths, from the May 1951 issue of Woman's Day Magazine. Or making an apron from a man's shirt

Some helpful books to consult include:
Vintage Fabric Style: Stylish Ideas and Projects using Flea Market Finds in your Home

Sew Vintage: New Creations from Found Fabrics

Crocheted Throw

2006-10-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

So interesting how different decades value different things. Just a few years ago, crocheted things were so 'granny,' and that carried a negative connotation of dark, musty rooms and doilies on furniture.

Today at any upsale linens shop or major department store you can buy chenille throws, crocheted or knitted throws, and some will set you back quite a few bucks. Throws are comfort, luxury, home. One of my friends once gave me a beautiful throw from Z Gallerie ($50) that she said I could wrap myself up in and it would remind me of her. She gave one to each of her closest friends, inspired after her mom passed away and had recently given her a giftcard...so she bought a throw and said every time she snuddles within it, it's as if her mom is giving her a hug. I love that metaphor.

I got this lovely handmade peppermint throw at the Salvation Army for $2.50. I keep walking by it and just swooning. It is in absolutely perfect condition.

detail of the lovely variegated yarn

Craft materials galore

2006-09-29T21:48:00.000-07:00

Really odd that I'd do two posts in a row that feature games, when I buy so many other items more often...but this is just such a fun find. If you do collage, mosaic, or multi-media art, thrift shops are ripe with materials. This is a German word game, will be perfect for art projects, and it was only 79 cents! Note the umlaut over the U and the O! Cool, huh?!

I also got this cute lap quilt (baby quilt?) today, with this rockin' fabric with a girl skipping rope.

She charged me something ridiculous, like $1.39 or something (I can't find my receipt). It's in great condition, would make a cute picnic tablecloth, or perhaps the fabric can be reused. There's a label on it stating it was made by a quilting group or guild, so I'm thinking it may have initially gone to a premature child or a sick child????

Also today I got a pair of leather Enzo shoes for less than $3, some vintage children's books (also for collage and only 39 cents each), fabric pieces, and I can't remember what else. Country stores often have great prices.

2006-09-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Finally! My first post! I just want to start sharing some of the goodies I score at thrift shops, rummage sales, and the like. Along the way I hope to do a bit of philosophizing about thrifting also--why we thrift, etc. There is so much to talk about!

But right now I want to share what may be my favorite thrift find to date. A game board in mint condition, from 1960. It has little plastic cherries in the little bins there. My God, I love this. I have become enamored with the idea of collecting vintage game boards as art. Some (like this one that I got for a mere $2.95) can be had for next to nothing. Others, like the popular Mystery Date, can fetch $30.00 or so on ebay.

Yay for Thrifting!

2006-08-08T22:14:00.000-07:00

I have decided that an entire blog space needs to be devoted to my love of thrifting. I will post about great finds, fun places, maybe even some philosophies. Check back soon.