Thursday, April 7, 2011

Thrifting Thursday


I hope this little adventure into thrifting has been helpful to you. I've enjoyed rambling a little about how I have thrifted through the years.

Last week I mentioned that we would talk about where to find treasures to collect. A collection can start innocently enough. You find a seashell, and then another, and before you know it you have a jar full of seashells. Or maybe someone gives you a cream pitcher as a gift. You find another one at a thrift store or antique shop. You have started a collection.

So where do I go to find little treasures. Years ago the most likely place to dig for hidden treasures was at yard or estate sales. We have them quite often here in Florida. With the balmy weather, it seems to invite opening your garage and cleaning out the clutter. One man's junk is another man's (or woman's ) treasure.

But in the last several years, thrift stores have cropped up like the corner drug store.

A good place to start is your local Good Will or Salvation Army stores. I have found many collectible items at the Good Will. Some days I go and find nothing, but then there may a day when I hit on a great find.

Antique shops are also a good place to seek out treasures. But I would suggest that you know what you are looking for, and have a good idea of what a good price might be. Some Antique shops can be quite pricey. But then again you might come across something like this.

On our most recent trip, my daughter and I found an Antique Mall just outside of town. It was a very well kept shop with lots of individual booths. As I walked around the back of the store, I came across these pink glasses. It was love at first sight. They are not old, but they are the same color as my other pink depression glass pieces. When I saw the price, I knew that I had to take them home. There were 9 glasses, for $10! Now that was a far better price then if I had purchased them new at Home Goods, or even at the Good Will. And the funny thing is, we had just been to an Antique shop in town the day before. In that shop I almost bought six pink glasses that were marked 1/2 price off of $6 (EACH). But the glass looked a little odd to me. They had some kind of film on them, and it did not rub off when I tried to clean it with my hand. So I left them. And was I ever so glad I did when I came upon these little beauties.

One thing that I might note is to be patient. Sometimes you might be looking for something special. And you just have to keep looking. This happened with the kitchen scale that we found last month.

I've been on the lookout for an old scale for my kitchen. They have been mostly too expensive for my budget. But when I found this scale, in great condition, and in my price range, I knew it was a keeper.

So tell me, where do you go to find your treasures?? I'd love to hear about your adventures in thrifting.

Linking up with Time Travel Thursday

5 comments:

Jane said...

Great post with lots of good info!
I find my treasures mainly at thrift stores and/or antique malls. Like you said, some antique malls can be pricey but I've found some good bargains at others. I don't go to many garage sales. If I'm out and about and I see one I'll stop. I like shopping garage sales but I work during the week and on the weekend I want to sleep in :)
Have a great weekend.
Jane

Unknown said...

Jocelyn, if EVER our GW was worth the time & effort ... I'd be there with bells on. Green with envy all you gals that have worthwhile ones to visit.

Pop over for a peek today ...

Have a beautiful weekend.
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

FUN GIVEAWAY ends 4/10

Allie said...

Those glasses are gorgeous! I love thrift stores, estate sales, yard sales - however the prices have gone sky high. Yesterday I stopped briefly at my favorite church rummage sale, they have them twice a year and usually are filled with vintage sewing notions and fabric, not to mention tons of other stuff. SO disappointing - the place was almost empty of stuff, although I did find a very few vintage linens.

Julia said...

I've been finding treasures in our basement. We bought my grand in-laws' house 9 years ago. We have never gone through ALL the stuff in the basement that was left here. I have found some of the neatest things recently. I will have to do a post about them soon.

SewCalGal said...

You are such a great shopper. Love those pink depression glasses too. Lucky you to find them first.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com