Saturday, March 6, 2010

Patience

Is it me? Or have you noticed more and more shoppers at thrift stores lately? I don't know if it is the economy, or the weather, but the thrift stores that I normally go to have been filled with people. FILLED. Like you can't find a parking space in the parking lot. Thrift stores have become BIG business. It used to be I could go to any thrift store in town during the week and there were very few people there. Now it is like the Blue Light Special on any given day.

But one thing I have learned is if you are patient, you might just run into that certain something you have been searching for. Case in point -

About six months ago, my sister in love and I were at an Antique Mall. We found these very cute little dishes. There were several of them, and if I remember right, priced around $6 or $7 a piece. I really liked them, but was not willing to drop that much on these "little" dishes. Add to the fact that one of them had a hairline crack...........so I let them pass.

So on one of my Goodwill trips I came across these little beauties -

They were bundled and taped together for $2.00!

I'm always on the look out in the book section too. At our Hospice Thrift store I've come across a couple of books that I've been searching for.

Adding Ruby McKim's "101 Patchwork Patterns" was a very nice addition to my quilting books collection.

And a very elusive book that I've not found in our area made a debut one day -

woo-hoo.....

And speaking of books, Becky over at Sweet Cottage Dreams drew my name for this wonderful book -

WOW, what a wonderful book by Dianne Zweig. I have not been able to put it down. Just looking at all of the pictures and the little wonderful stories behind the collectibles from the 30's, 40's, and 50's!

Here are those little refrigerator dishes that I recently found at the Goodwill! I LOVE this book. Thank you so much Becky. If you have never been to Becky's blog, you must go by and pay her a visit. She has a heart as big as the whole outdoors and the most charming blog.

Have a wonderful weekend, and Happy Thriftin'!

7 comments:

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Our thrift stores are packed, too! One day last week, I actually had to leave a Goodwill when I was unable to get a place to park! I think it is the economy, plus people enjoy treasure hunting! At least I seem to be looking for different things than most people! Great finds!

AverettLadyNana said...

What pretty little dishes!
I love that book too. What a wonderful reference book! I don't go as much as I would like and rarely find something though I did today get a Pampered Chef baking bowl for $3 that is retired/discontinued. But my friend goes daily and she finds the greatest buys and often calls me...I see this and such do you or daughter want me to get it for you. She's on the way over now to show me her "pickins" for today.

Allie said...

Not only are our thrift stores packed, they've raised the prices! My son found a t-shirt he wanted, it was not in great shape, and they wanted 3.99! We used to be able to pick them up for .99. It's HUGE business nowadays, and I think it has everything to do with the economy. Either people are shopping for themselves, or selling on ebay. Most of the good stuff you can't find anymore.

Ruby McKim oh you lucky dog - and I love the look of that book you won!

SueWis said...

Yep, just went today to Goodwill. Found some really good treasures. The parking lot was full. The aisles were full of people AND people were standing near the stockroom door and grabbing the good stuff right away before it got on the shelf. Maybe this has been happening and I never noticed it before?

And it's true they are raising their prices. Plus, they know what to mark higher. I got some pretty Pyrex today but it was marked 6.99.

Jane said...

I have found the thrift stores to be busier too. But our local news did a couple of stories recently on the bargains that can be found by thrifting so I think our secret is being discovered!
Jane

★Carol★ said...

I agree, the thrift stores are so much busier than they used to be. And I also agree that if you're patient, the thing you're looking for will come around at your price. It happens to me all the time! Those dishes are shaped like little Spring flowers! Congrats on winning that book. It looks amazing!
Happy Sunday!
Carol

Shari @ My Cottage of Bliss said...

I definitely think the economy is a factor. But I also think bloggers have had a tremendous impact on making thrifting cool and acceptable. I know the large majority of the many blogs I read all routinely have posts that show the wonderful treasures that can be found in the thrift stores. Multiply that by the infinite number of other bloggers who are doing the same thing and ooops...the secret is out! :)