Happy Thrift Shop Day! #talesfromthethrift

I haven't had a thrifting post in awhile because we just haven't gone thrifting.  I guess it's kinda good we haven't gone because in a week, I scored some amazing vintage goodies.  I was actually going to post this next week but when you wake up to a message from Ruby wishing you a Happy Thrift Shop Day and Marilla doing a thrift shop post shouting you out - you get inspired to get to work!

Behold a Fenton Milk Glass bowl with a cover.  I actually had this in the bottom of Omie's stroller and a few thrifters were just waiting for me to put it back on the shelf.  $10 is usually out of my price range but I had to have it.  This may have been the best rule I broke all year.  Don't you ever question the workmanship on a Fenton piece - it is truly a masterpiece.

It is a little dirty still - I don't have the heart to wash it just yet.  Especially since the sticker is still intact.

My husband has been collecting "Big Eyed Art" for me for awhile now.  Our collection only consists of Lee prints and I have never heard of Ann (is it a knockoff?) Anyways, this is in excellent condition, still wrapped and was only $2!  Now if only he can find me a Lee "bear" print.

Scored this 2 pack of brand new vintage trays for my prop closet!

I have been on the hunt for a good Unicorn piece forever.  And then I laid my eyes on this and had to have her!  My rule of thumb is usually only spending $5 for thrifted art but hey, what's one more dollar for something you really want?

I had to make this picture HDR (High Dynamic Range) to show off the details of this handmade yarn owl from Mexico.  When I saw this figure, it immediately reminded me of breathtaking Huichol bead art.  It was missing a price tag and I was dreading what the price would be (or in some cases, I would have to wait the next day for them to price it) but it was only $1.99 - he had to come home with us.  If anyone has info on this yarn piece, let me know!  

What thrift store treasures have you found lately?  

Thrifted Art for under $5 Part II #talesfromthethrift

Art is always on the top of my list when I venture out thrifting.  I really enjoyed showing off my art pieces that I bought for under $5 and decided to do Part II.  We actually acquired more pieces during the past three months but some are already packed away.  We do have an extensive collection of antique frames that we're working on upcycling.

I can't find any information on this figure.  It is gorgeous and I would like to see the whole collection and possibly acquire more pieces.  He has so much personality and was a steal at .98

I picked up this Vintage "The Arts" book for .91 - there are quite a few pages of art and so vibrant.

This oil painting is gorgeous.  I call him Uncle Fred but Chris calls him Eraserhead (David Lynch) - he's quite mesmerizing.  Stretched canvas, not framed was $2.98

I was stunned to find a set of four framed and matted Ansel Adams prints for .98 EACH

Vintage Owl was .98

If you know me, you know I don't care for cats but this... I had to have!  Especially since it was only .48!  I kinda want neon green lasers coming out of the cat's eyes at the duck... whatcha think?
Have you posted about thrifting, antiquing or shopping at the flea market in the past week?  Link up with #talesfromthethrift and share your finds!  Share the love with this button!  

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#talesfromthethrift What I Bought

Is it too soon for another thrifting post?  I don't think so!  I haven't been thrifting in a couple weeks... was fighting a cold and lost the battle.  Homebound for a whole week straight and getting a little stir crazy!  I'm hoping to get some fresh air and hit the stores on Tuesday!  What have you scored lately?!  I would love to see your thrifting posts and hear your stories!  Show them hauls!  

Found this Vintage Culinary Institute of America Cookbook with wonderful forgotten recipes and gorgeous black & white pictures for .91!  I actually bought it for a friend but couldn't part with it.
Pigs In 'Taters anyone?  Totally going to try it!

Another Vintage find!  I don't want to call it a safe but its not really a recipe box either.  The key was inside and I couldn't resist the throwback colors and print!  Was only $3!

This was a very fun find for me.  I'm always looking for characters and this was a box of 12 but there was only 8.  One of them is chipped at the bottom but it gives it a little bit of personality!  Was a steal at $2!  They are made heavy, doesn't feel like wood and hand painted!

This thrift store is very hit or miss, most of the time miss... they only take cash and we were driving by saw the 50% off everything sign out front, had some cash on us so we decided to stop by.  The shop was packed and I could not believe no one picked up these Brand New SaltWater sandals!  They fit me perfect, my kind of color and a STEAL at $4!

Snowmen are so cute.  We wanted this sad guy in his cute scarf and not-so-perfect nose to come home with us... I turned him over to look for his price and found out he is a Department 56 piece!  Scored him for $3!

Vintage cherry glass.  I imagine there was a set of 4 but only saw 3.  I like even numbers and bought 2. I think they were .99 each

Vintage Santa glass .99 - Somehow I am building a Santa glass collection.

I know... you are wondering what is this and what the hell is she going to do with it.  Its a Vintage GE home hair dryer system!  The case is awesome.  It looks like a round suitcase.  I honestly don't know if it works, I don't care - it is in excellent condition.  Seriously.  Someone either loved this or never used it.  I'm not going to use it on me, I'm going to add it to my props collection.  It was only $1!!!

My husband and I have been looking for a globe forever.  Came across Vintage ones that were pretty scratched up, some were crazy overpriced and found this baby for $5.99!  We love it!  Duke loves it and always has questions!

DuckTales JELL-O molds still in the package!  Was only $1
Have you posted about thrifting, antiquing or shopping at the flea market in the past week?  Link up with #talesfromthethrift and share your finds!  Share the love with this button!  

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Popped My Estate Sale Cherry - Part 2

Last month I went on my first estate sale adventure and I was slightly bummed I got there late because I missed out on some great items.  I watched men load gorgeous pieces of furniture into trucks while I waited for my turn to go in.  When I finally got in, women were running around like crazy with their finds and still continuing the hunt.  I can imagine most (if not all) weren't collectors but flippers.  I guess you can say I'm a little of both, there are certain things I'm looking for and there are things I can't pass up to make a buck or two.

These are some pictures of what I bought
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Thrifted Art for under $5

Good art is hard to find while thrifting.  Most art collectors hold onto pieces forever or sell them (rather than donate) so if you come across a good piece, buy it.  Buy it even if you have second thoughts because I guarantee if you leave the store, it will always be on your mind.

We used to have a rule about not buying art or pictures but I fell in love with an original painting that I could not pass up and now I'm always on the hunt for paintings, prints, figures and frames.

Our price point is $5 and under, we usually won't spend more than $10 on frames, art or figures.  It would have to be an amazing piece to break our rule.  

Even if you can't find a work of art - try upcycling.  Use Pinterest to inspire you!




What type of art and figures do you collect?   

I found this framed, signed and numbered Todd Bratrud print at Goodwill.

This framed, signed and numbered print by John Luke Eastman was actually 50% off!  One of my new faves in our collection!

This is an original painting by EIKO - I haven't been able to find any information online or from friends so if you know anything, let me know!  I love it more than everyone else in our family - was a steal at only $4!

Another original painting - it wasn't signed so I have no information on the artist but I love it just the same! I think it was $2-3.

I'm a huge fan of ornate frames - this plastic one caught my eye!  Was only .98

I don't care for cats but I'm a huge fan of white ceramic figures.  It's a great size and was only $1.99

This was a double score - white ceramic figure and Our Lady of Guadalupe!  I love religious figures but very picky on which ones I buy.

Found this at Goodwill too.  It's a framed print but have no information on the artist - looks vintage.  So adorable!


Also sharing at Apron Girl's Thrift Share Monday

Ballin' on a Budget: Summer Swag

My teens are always shocked at the stuff we find thrifting and the super low prices... especially since we have found popular streetwear brands like Supreme and Obey.  Now there's an all around fascination and love for the sport in our family.

It's especially exciting for me because Ty is around the same age my brother got into thrifting and would drag me out shopping with him.  It was so fun!  I still remember finding a pair of vintage Levi's for a quarter and vintage Candie's heels for .90!   Those were the days!  Before it got so popular.  Before eBay.  Before consignment/boutique shops.

Ty (the 15 year old) wanted to go thrift shopping this weekend and was on the hunt for Hawaiian shirts and Bill Cosby sweaters for "Summer Swag".  He found 5 Hawaiian shirts and 2 Bill Cosby sweaters for a grand total of $17!

1.  Crooks & Castles beanie $9.99 - jackthreads.com
2. "Bill Cosby" sweater (actually vintage Sears) $3.98 - thrift store
3. Suede Vans (New!) $12 - thrift store

Do you have a budget for your kids Back-to-School shopping?  Do you still shop for them or you let them shop on their own?  Do you think your kids would like "used" clothes?

Today's Scores

I guess when shopping doesn't damage my bank account, it makes it feel somewhat okay to shop thrift stores like a maniac.  I promise not to photo bomb my blog every other day with my hauls.  I'm learning to shop smarter and choose what to post.

Who could pass up a vintage dress at a great price?  Not me!  Was pleasantly surprised I could fit my 8 week post-natal body into it and look cute.    

Williams-Sonoma!  Dreamy!  Perfect to experiment with in my test kitchen!

I'm a sucker for vintage!

And Bunnies!  (Made in Japan!)

And Books!

And Buttons!

This Hello Kitty cable knit vest made me laugh.  I didn't pass it up because of the price.  But is it bootleg?  ( Funny thing is that we saw another one at a different thrift store a few days later.  Weird!)

It wasn't till last month that I heard about dooce.com - I've been online since 1996 but no one in my circle really talked about her blog.  I came across this book at Goodwill, loved the cover and it wasn't till I got home that I read the bottom cover and realized that this was the Dooce's book!  


Happy Thrifting!