Saturday, September 19, 2009

I have crossed over some line...and it was great!

On a recent crisp and sunny morning, I had a garden client meeting. (See my other blog for more details.) My following appointment got cancelled at the last minute, so I had a little time to kill. I found the nearest thrift (natch!) which happened to be a Salvation Army. When I first walked in, I saw the designated area for "Collectables". (And have you noticed it's always misspelled in the chain thrift stores?) One of my many pet peeves.

Anywho, a "Collectables" area is always a bad sign, as it means that someone has sifted through the donations, found the most interesting stuff and slapped outrageous prices on it. So, with a heavy heart, I turned my cart and headed towards the Bric-A-Brac section.

Dear readers, I needn't have worried. I spent the next 2 1/2 hours grabbing the best stuff I have seen in a looooong time. I was thirsty, I was hungry, I couldn't stop. I had two cartloads of stuff by the time I got to the checkout. Vintage floor lamp, hamper and matching shelf, kitchenware, chalkware, wire plant rack, vintage crafting supplies, Christmas, a set of old banana split dishes....It goes on and on and on....Here, I'll just show you the small stuff:

Chalkware girl, wrought iron key and candle holders, Christmas tin, large Gurley pilgrim candle, tole painting book, huge roll of old tickets, violet soap dish, nativity angel and a Made in Japan grape platter,

Owls (including a never opened owl embroidery kit with yarn), vintage and unused warming tray, the largest plastic grapes in the world, set of sweet Danish tiles, old aluminium tray, green bump chenille and a little shepherdess for my friend Beth,

handmade clown doll, 2 wooden spools, a vintage silverware holder, a hand mixer, brown duck, Fire King red leaf dish, milk glass plate, gold frenchy floral stand, 60's spicy cutting board,

and 2 tulle crinoline skirts...one pink and one fuchsia.

And finally, my favorite find of the day. This sprig of (turquoise!) feather flowers wasn't priced. The cashier gal was about to launch into her "I can't sell it to you if it doesn't have a price tag" thing, when I gently took her hand, looked directly into her heavily made up eyes and said: "Please don't make me go home without this." She looked over her shoulder to see if anyone was watching and then quickly threw it into the bag. I love her.

18 comments:

misselaineous said...

Oh Pam...I bow to you, oh great thrift shop huntress! "Don't make me go home without this"...LOL! You HAVE crossed the line, and the field is yours...SCORE!!! Happy Sunday!! *elaine*

kjkljk;ljljgjgfuyhd said...

Love the chalkware doll and the crinoline sisters! What fun!

★Carol★ said...

Wow, what a great haul! I never find anything good at SA or Goodwill. You're lucky that you got a cashier that would let you have something unmarked. Either she understands all about junk love, or you scared the bejesus out of her!

Maggie said...

You are the BEST!!
I never saw such a haul and all from one place.
Happy treasure hunting.
Maggie @ Normandy Life

Caro said...

WOWZA, scoooooore!!!!
I'm drooling and jealous! THose OWLS, man, those owls!!

*sigh*

Great stuff!

lala said...

Great stuff!!! Lucky you for snagging the crinolines - I NEVER find them :(.

will@ritadeco said...

You frikken crack me up...!
You certainly have a bag of tricks when it comes to getting a deal.
What's next?
A faked heart attack at the register if that piece of garden concrete doesn't make it into your car? You got it girl!

Will

Lisa said...

Jackpot is right!!! You deserve to find such wonderful treats.

Love the little white plate and the bee hive jar. I have some bee hive jars that were my mom's but never see any with colors like that!!

Have a great beginning to the week!!

flyingbeader said...

FAB stuff...I bow to you. I haven't had a chance to junk shop in ages. Love those crinoline slips & WOW...that turquoise flower is awesome.
dot

Lynn said...

Oh lucky, lucky you!
Those crinolines (we called them "can cans" took me back.
I remember wearing so many that I swept everyone's desk clean when I walked down an aisle at school!

Bonnie said...

Good haul! I have a theory that with they baby boomers getting older that a lot more stuff is going to start showing up in thrift stores etc. because they are downsizing.
The more the better!

Protector of Vintage said...

Wow...I have never even filled-up ONE cart during a thrift store shopping trip. Wonderful items. I especially like those Danish tiles. Take care~

The Thriftaholic (Leilani) said...

Wow, 2 shopping carts full, that's amazing!! I've been looking for crinoline skirts at thrifts for ages, still haven't found any so I'm envious of yours. Post pics of the bigger items soon. :)

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Love the crinolines!!

Vintage Christine said...

I just posted about thrift stores who aren't so thrifty. And now I know where all the good stuff goes that gets donated to OUR Goodwills and Salvation Armys--to YOUR stores. Our local Goodwill is just pathetic--there's a bigger one an hour away but of course they have their "Collectables" stashed behind a counter and of course they're overpriced. America's Thrift does the same thing. I never find anything decent at Salvation Army, either. The locally-owned thrift stores are invariably the best for finding the good stuff, plus you know you're giving right back to the community.

Carole said...

You had fun!

I passed up a set of 4 hostess dishes (you know the ones - glass plates with matching glass coffee cups) in the original box for $3 the other day. I used to want a set of those so badly, but I don't entertain much any more so there's not point. Be that as it may I'm still kicking myself. lol For that price I could have bought them and resold them.

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

You are too funny! Hats off to you! I love those crinolines!
Take care, Laura

EverydayMe said...

fun stuff... looks like your got some fun stuff... congrats on crossing over!!!
{{HUGS}} Michelle