Whatta Lucky Find!

2011-08-04T19:04:00.002-04:00

I have not been taking the time to record my great finds and this is only a smidgeon. In fact, I got some stuff today but haven't taken photos yet.

This is a Goodwill find. I thought it was a bit too much since the horn is already broken but I collect these sachets and this is very unusual. I sort of wondered if it was a tree ornament but they usually aren't made to include potpourri. I need to clean it up and I will probably find a way to either round off the horn or completely remove it. I have several others in the usual round or egg shape that I haven't cleaned up for display. Goodwill prices their stuff so badly. Most of it is way overpriced.

But speaking of overpriced, I was in Big Lots this evening, the first time in a long time and everything I saw that I was familiar with at Walmart, cost MORE than Walmart! It's not like they get that great of quality stuff.

I think I got this rabbit doll at Goodwill too. I think it's adorable. I don't know if it has any usefulness - I think it's too hard for a pincushion and it is not all that stable standing. Great inspiration though.

This was a Hobby Lobby "find" a month or so ago. They had a lot of home decor that was 90% off. I absolutely love this! It's hanging on the wall of my non-decorated studio. Hopefully I will get to repaint and rennovate this room within the next year.

2011-03-27T19:30:00.002-04:00

I can't seem to remember or take the time to put my lucky finds here. I probably buy something every week or two but immediately put them somewhere and then forget. I have several pretty little plates in the kitchen waiting for me to decide how I will use them!

I got this last week at a little thrift shop undergoing rennovation again. They've moved everything around more than once but this time it was a major change and I see lots of things gone that have been there - categories of things, not just the actual thing. I'm not sure exactly what this is. It has a clasp - so is it a purse or compact frame? The clasp is not loose so it doesn't dangle open when you pick it up. Only $1.00

This is how it looks opened up with the outside up.

Here it is open with the inside up. I found some great metallic paint by Krylon - anyway the person's blog had several projects over time that they'd used it on - and I plan to paint this. I'm not sure what to do about the hinge. It's not screwed in. It looks to be riveted. I don't plan to "use" this so maybe it won't matter but I'll surely open and shut it from time to time so the paint will likely scrape off. I wonder if I apply some kind of wax on the clasp and the hinge after the paint cures, if that will make a difference?

I don't have a lot of readers here, but if anyone has an idea about that, please feel free to comment!

2010-10-27T14:49:00.000-04:00

I really had to zip around this morning to get these off my camera and onto here. So much never gets recorded! I got a beautiful casserole dish and a lovely square tin too but didn't take the time to put them here.

This is a thrift store that I hit off and on. They've had several "collector" dolls in the past month, apparently from someone's estate. Most are selling between $5 and $10, which is very low but most of the dolls are missing something. I hadn't seen this fairy doll before and fell in love immediately so I bought it.

Her head is in good shape, might need a light wash but nothing significant.

These are petals on her feet. They look a bit limp so I'll probably remove them. I'd like to remake her entire outfit at some point. The wings no longer have the velcro that attaches to the velcro on the back of her clothing.They were just taped on. LOL!

I always have to check out their undies and make sure nothing is ripped, no stuffing falling out or joints out of place.

Here's one I've been watching for quite awhile. She was marked down to $5 since the last time I saw her. Clearly she is missing numerous accessories. I haven't found the original online yet, but I suspect she had a mirror in one hand and a brush in the other. Her legs are bent so she has to sit.

Close up of the embroidered bodice. I think this is a dressing robe but I suppose it could be a dress. She is wearing a white fur capelet too.

And HER undies. So did she have slippers on at one time?

I really don't understand why most of the dolls at this place were stripped of their accessories. Were they played with? This second one has more places to clean up. Her fingernails have a hint of nail polish and I would expect a new doll would have painted nails.

Quite the mystery but it will be fun to renew them somehow! If anyone knows where I could find more info about either of these dolls, please email me!

2010-06-20T10:23:00.006-04:00

I actually do a lot more Thrifting than ever finds its way here. I happen to have a bit of spare time so I'm adding the latest!

This is currently sitting on the fireplace mantle. I think it's meant to hold Christmas cards or photos but I'm thinking of doing something different. Maybe put tatted medallions in the rounds as if they are framed? I don't know yet.

I got this etched glass pitcher cheap! I've taken all the prices off and don't remember but I'm sure it was under $1.00. Very nice for cut flowers or some scented oil reeds.

This was only 50¢ and I mostly wanted the unusually shaped beads.

Love this little bag, probably a vintage jewelry or lingerie bag.

I love hanging things. I have lots of hanging candle holders even if I don't have them hanging anywhere yet. This bird looks like it would hold a small votive candle and I would hang it outside if I had a nice patio or gazebo. I can always dream!

2009-10-29T20:46:00.004-04:00

I keep forgetting to photograph my goodies and post them here!

I got this today at a local thrift store. It was $2 and I got a 15% senior discount too. The gold spoon is metal. It says stainless on the back so I'm thinking it is gold plated but probably not with gold. Beautiful set though.

Earlier this week I stopped at Trader Buck's and ended up getting the rest of this stuff. I love unusually shaped tins or those with an especially nice scene.

This one came with two dozen crocheted and starched snowflakes. They are crocheted in big thread and are probably 4" - 5" diameter. I really didn't want them, though I knit, crochet and tat. I'll find a good home for them though.

Everything I got at this place was $1.00 except this candy dish which was $3.00. It's nice and heavy - nothing on the bottom so I have no idea where it may be from.

I have so many butterfly motifs on so many things that I hesitated to buy this but they're on the inside too! How could I resist?

I love plates with decorative holes in them. Notice the inconsistent pattern and spacing of the holes? I'm guessing this was a reject but there is nothing on the back to identify it.

Here's a closeup of the lovely soft flowers on the plate.

That's it for now. Will try to remember to post on here!

2009-09-11T20:04:00.003-04:00

The past few weeks I've been admiring other people's great bargains and bemoaning the fact that I haven't been recording my own! These are some but there are way more!

These hooks were in an old alka seltzer glass tube. I don't think alka seltzer is even sold like that anymore.

These were the prize hooks out of the bunch. The hairpin lace loom was nice too. I have bigger ones but none that small.

This was one of my favorite finds. Only $3.00 but I suspect it should have 6 glasses instead of 5. No matter. It's on my table as a centerpiece right now.

In my last post, many many months ago, I showed this stand. I didn't think it could hold earrings successfully but it has and they are so handy on here!

This was in a tin of sewing supplies. A few years ago, I was looking for a vendor of 3 hole buttons for a project and what I found was way too expensive. A certain shirt manufacturer was known for these unique buttons - but I don't remember who it was. LOL!

I actually bought a couple of different wine glasses at Goodwill one day. Very cheap.

I like to collect small ceramic boxes in unusual shapes. I have a square one, a round one, and this fan shaped one. I probably have a heart one someplace too.

There is so much I haven't recorded! I've been putting many of them on my tatting blog so then I don't get around to posting here. Oh well....hopefully I will show what I do with things once I've repurposed them. I have a great chair that I just need to replace the seat in. A Gossip Bench that needs a little work. A quilt rack that is still in the garage from being spray painted. WhooWhoo! It'll get on here eventually.

2009-02-26T11:03:00.004-05:00

Bummer - I haven't posted anything in ages. I've made purchases but haven't posted. Holidays were busy and then life got in the way.

I've been using this to hang my earrings on. I was worried that it would tip over easily but it's been 3 months now and everything is good. I meant to take a photo of it with the earrings on it but .... obviously I haven't yet.

And this is holding a plant although it is not yet refinished in something besides chipped off-yellow. LOL!

I've also got a "chair" which I need to replace the seat on. Some plates, tins, gift boxes....fun stuff. Hopefully in a few months I'll be able to start fixing all these things up and displaying, using or gifting them!

2008-10-07T06:12:00.003-04:00

Last Friday we had the rehearsal dinner for my son's wedding and I went in early to decorate before the rehearsal. I ended up with an hour to spare. I was in Fishers, Indiana and as I came out of the restaurant, I saw a big ol' Goodwill sign so that seemed like a good thing to kill some extra time with. When I got across the street, however, it seemed it was just a drop off point, but the kind lady inside told me to turn right on 116th, turn right at the second stop light and the store was there.....several blocks later, that is. LOL! She didn't tell me how far to go once I turned right, but I found it.

You may have noticed I'm drawn to copper things. My first thought when I saw this tin was that it would be great for a tatted bookmark, as a gift box.

Once I picked it up though, I could feel it had something in it and a quick glance revealed some cookie cutters. It wasn't until I photographed them that I figured out what the shapes were...I think! It looks like a little train but isntructions with pictures would be nice to give me a better idea - could be a truck but I think it's a train.
(added - I found the original: http://www.fancyflours.com/cookie-cutter-set-train1.html Sold out but they were $14.00!)
This card minder book was in perfect condition except that the price label at the top had a few letters written above it in something black. I asked the cashier if she knew what it was, because if it was permanent, that pretty much ruined it. She didn't know and I decided to buy it anyway. Some acetone did remove it as well as the gummy stuff from the label, but I was holding my breathe until it all came off without the color of the cover!

Inside are several pockets by month with a page for anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions to keep track of.

I've been on the lookout for small square frames for my lace motifs and found two of them that are perfect!

I also bought three sweaters and a Mother/Daughter Memory Box. I already gave the box to my daughter to use for herself and her daughter. Wish I'd gotten a photo of it. The tin was $1.99, the card minder book was $1.99, the memory box $2.99, the frames were $.99 each and the sweaters were $2.99 each. A nice little stash for less than $20.

So...that was my time-killer to help relieve tension before the wedding! (which was beautiful)

2008-09-13T14:43:00.002-04:00

I haven't had time for quite awhile to go thrift shopping but yesterday turned out to be the day. My son's wedding is coming up in 3 weeks. I've had the dress for months and knew I needed silver shoes and a bag to complete the outfit. It's unlikely I'll wear them again for perhaps years so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on them. I'd been checking clearance at Walmart, the only store I've been in lately, to no avail. I had to mail a package yesterday and it happens that one of the Goodwill stores is nearby so I stopped in. I walked back to purses and belts and immediately went to this small matte silver purse that is perfect!

Well, I mosied around awhile and picked up two very nice sweaters, one in a soft green and the other taupe, very plain - classic, one by Eddie Bauer and the other by Paul Harris. I don't generally show clothes here though. Then I walked to the opposite side of the store, not really expecting to find any suitable heels. My feet are small and wide, hard to find a good fit even in a shoe store, but guess what? Yay! One pair of silver sandals, size 5 1/2 and when I tried them on, the strap across the toes did not bind like they usually do and my pinkie didn't stick out. Whoo Hoo! Purse and shoes - $5.98 total.

I still had time to kill and now I had the fever so I drove down to Trinity Missions and snooped around there. I found this big silver Nieman Marcus bag for $1.00. It will hold my small bag and all the other essential stuff I will need once the wedding ceremony is over.

I love boxes of all kinds and especially unfinished ones that I can paint. This is basically a document tray, meant to hold papers, but it could hold bottles or whatever you wanted. Only 50¢. They're usually around $2.99 at Hobby Lobby.

I've never had baked garlic but I keep hearing it is so good. I got this clay baker for 60¢ and the tea ball (I collect tea paraphenelia) for 50¢.

Also bought a few pairs of slacks, one dress black and 2 cotton that I may wear on the family cruise we're taking at the end of October.

I love it when it goes like this!!!

2008-07-07T22:16:00.008-04:00

I've had the photos and scans for awhile but no time to post them. I think I've left out a few things too! Anyway, most of the linens will be posted on my tatting blog but I'll try to remember to put them here too. This one has one tiny brown spot that I hope to get out but if not, I can always crochet a blossom or even just embroider a tiny satin stitch in white over it. I don't really use things like this a lot but I love to look at them and marvel at the handwork. I think I paid $3.50 or right around that for this.

This fairy on the frog tickled me. I've considered painting it,watercolor style, but have not had time to even think on it much. It's a bit too small for outdoors unless in a low-growing flower garden which I don't have at the moment. I just like it. It could go in a big indoor pot as decoration too. I think it was $.49.

I got this plate at the flea market for $1.00. I got a similar white plate at Goodwill later which I'll have to post here once I get it photographed. This one was $1.00. The booth owner had 4 total but I didn't really care for the others.

Originally I tried to get everything in one shot and it wouldn't work so I kept reducing the number of items but never was happy with the picture. I need to clean the gold compact up and it will eventually hold some tatted lace. The little ceramic box is just big enough to hold a shuttle. I love little surprise containers like that. I think each of these was $.49 or perhaps $1 for the ceramic box.

I love cobalt blue glass and just happened to find this pitcher. There were other pieces but this one I especially liked. I think it was $3.00. The tatted hanky came from another booth and it was $1.00. I don't have a lot of cobalt blue but I have enough to use as a decorative collection. I just need to put it all together and find a way to display it! hmmm....it's time to paint my kitchen....

2008-06-19T22:51:00.002-04:00

This adorable wooden penquin was a purchase a week or so ago from Trinity Mission. I had him sitting on top of a bookcase and forgot to put him here but I was photographing the stuff I bought a few days ago from Goodwill and remembered him. I love penguins and have a glass paperweight in the shape of a penguin from another thrift store hunt several years ago.

When you open him (or her) up, there is another one! But only one. Perhaps there were more originally but I don't think any bigger ones since the label is at the bottom of the bigger one here. I thought the front was chipped but it was a piece of paper that I easily scraped off before taking the photo shown before this. Only $1.00!!!

I got these jewels the same day in a baggie for 75¢. I probably need to start doing something with all this costume jewelry but I'm afraid the ideas will have to continue to incubate. I really don't have a lot of spare time to devote to it until after my son's wedding....and then it's the holidays...but after that...maybe. LOL!

This is one of my favorite buys and I think I have something similar stashed away somewhere. I will take out the paper about the special babysitter and replace it with some textured paper or fabric and some tatting. If I don't give the box away, I will store some special tatting shuttles in it.

See? Plenty of room for some shuttles or it could be a jewelry box or hold change or buttons or whatever. It has an excellent finish on it.

I got this cute little take-out purse for only 49¢. The fabric is a brocade and the frog fastener holds it closed. I had a lot of trouble getting the frog closed so it wouldn't be too practical for real use, but it makes a unique container for odds and ends.

Another 49¢ purchase! There were 3 ivy edged bowls and every single one of them had a tiny chip like this one but I loved it so much I bought one anyway. I will probably put buttons or beads or something like that in it. Underneath it says, "Superior Hall Quality Dinnerware - tested & approved by Mary Dunbar, Jewel Homemakers Institue - Cameo Rose"

This was only 49¢ too. It's a pink/peach colored glass globe. I think it's newer than the antique glass of this color but I liked it anyway. I suppose you could put a candle in it...or maybe a small rose with water.

I also got some clothing but I don't think it's exciting enough to put here. Maybe another time.

2008-06-02T20:59:00.000-04:00

I decided to make a quick stop in at Goodwill today after I left the post office. I was actually looking for another swimsuit to use in my water aerobics but none to be had except one that I'm sure is wa-a-a-a-y too big. I never look at the belts. I've never ever in my life had a small waist even when I was small otherwise. It's just not in my genetic makeup, but I happened to be right in front of them and lots of people were around so I couldn't move easily so I let some sparkle catch my eye. Do you know that belts are only 99¢ each at Goodwill? And I hit the jackpot!

I found THREE of them that had beads well worth the purchase price. That's what I told myself to justify buying something that I can probably never wear, but they are in excellent condition, every one of them! I love these big jewels! I'm thinking surely they go with someone's belly-dancing costume.

I just love the stones on this one but it is actually something I could wear too. I tried all of them on when I got home and I could wear this one and the jeweled one. Of course, all these workouts I'm doing have got to pay off sooner or later, don't they? LOL! I suspect I could find another use for this too without taking it apart.

This one is too small and probably always will be too small for me. I even tried to make it a necklace, but it just bunches up all wrong. This one also reminds me of something you would wear with a belly dancing costume.

I love this tin box. I think it is long enough to hold my bookmarks. It has some kind of Oriental characters on the sides. It's in excellent condition - no rust or worn spots or scratches. Only 49¢!!!

I also got 4 tops and a reindeer candle holder but I'll spare you those images this time. LOL! I'm a happy happy thrifter today!

2008-05-24T20:35:00.000-04:00

I passed a garage sale on my way to tat guild so I just had to stop on my way back! Didn't take me long to spot this box of goodies for $5.00. Lots of acrylic paint and spools of ribbon plus lots of other stuff, but the paint and ribbon is what got me. If I'd had cash, I would've offered less but since I had to ask if I could write a check, I felt ucomfortable asking to write a check for even less. LOL! No matter, I'm quite pleased with my booty!

2008-05-18T19:14:00.000-04:00

I really need to keep this up better! This is a chest of drawers I found at a garage sale for $2. It has some surface blemishes on it but I'll be painting it anyway and can repair at that time. My sister asked me what I would do with it...I think I'll store my vintage linens in it. At any rate, it will go in my craft room.

I got this copper candle lantern at Goodwill. I thought the sticker said $.99 but it was $1.99. I tend to keep my eyes open for stuff I can hang things on, primarily my lace for display, but I also love hanging candle holders. Almost everything I have is wrought iron, which I also love, but I have a small collection of copper pieces if I ever decide to put them all together in a display.

I got this at the Trinity Mission outlet for $.75. It's big - about 6" high and 3" across. My first thought was to put flowers in the shaker holes, but we'll see. I was thinking fresh flowers but I could put tatted flowers in it OR, I could use it as it is designed to be used - as a shaker. Of some kind of foodstuff...or maybe bath salts? Or potpourri. I think it will be many things in its lifetime with me.

I got this small vase holder at Goodwill too. The flowers are part of a bouquet my son & his fiance got me for Mother's Day. I may take it to work. I like something I can just put a blossom or two in. We have so much around campus and I am sometimes tempted to pluck something. ....shhhhhhh.....

This came from Goodwill too. It's nice notepaper for a short note and I also look for things easy to embellish with my tatting. The box will come in handy later for something, I'm sure.

There's so much I've gotten and forgotten about. I happened to walk by this in my kitchen...I think it is a candleholder. I got it at a garage sale too. My intended use for it is to make it into a pincushion with tatted ladybugs.

Now...just to make time to follow through with all those plans!

2008-02-01T15:35:00.000-05:00

Wow....I kept thinking I needed to post here but couldn't seem to get to it. I'm sure I don't have everything but I've got the good stuff here. This is a wooden teapot shaped box. I collect tea-for-one's and tea accessories.

I think this will hold teabags or infusers or sweetener or teabag caddies or whatever I want! I can always paint it too. It was cheap. Either 50¢ or $1.

I love this wine caddy...only $1.99 at Goodwill. If you'll remember my last entry, that one holds 2 bottles and this one holds 5....way more than I normally have anyway.

Just another view. I need to clean my countertop off but this will be perfect for that spot.

This is a vase I got for maybe a quarter. Just big enough for only one or two blossoms. I love it though.

When I got this box, the cashier said, oh, this must be part of that bigger set where the lady was looking for a missing one. Must be...but it's mine now. Only 50¢ again. I currently have some crocheted thimble holders in it that I used for demo in a class.

I think I got this retractable tape measure for 10¢. It had a glued on applique which I took off. The plan is to personalize the empty spot now and put it with my needlework tools. I often need to measure a motif for one reason or another.

I couldn't pass up this pink glitter purse for 50¢ at Walmart. I have a plan for it as a gift. I have a friend who loves pink and this just screamed out her name! I'll probably take the silver chain things off. I can't figure out what those dangles are on it anyway.

I've had a project in mind for one of my lace groups, a challenge. I've seen this done in another medium - crazy quilting, I think, and got the idea from that. I want them to find a 2nd hand bargain pic like this and embellish it with their lace. This might be too big...haven't decided yet.

I have no idea what this is but it looked like it would hold suncatchers and crystals....or pierced earrings, very nicely.

It was 99¢ at Goodwill.

Now, I'll have to spend at least as much time finding stuff to get rid of this weekend.

2007-11-01T21:48:00.000-04:00

I haven't had time to get these photographed or to write about them. I actually bought these last week. I collect tea-for-ones and have so many that I didn't need this one, but it was only $1.50 so I couldn't hardly pass it up. I might give it to a friend. It looked nice on the plate in the store but they don't really go together all that well. I loved the shape of the white dish. I'm not sure what it's called but I'm sure it has a specific name/use. The plates are just cool. I'm not sure what I'll do with them but there were only a quarter each. The covered round piece is just something I really liked and only fifty cents. I'll store something in it.

Today as I left lunch, I went across the street with my sister to a place touting a "garage sale" sign. Looks like they were going out of business. I got this magnificent set of three heart-shaped tins for $1.00!!! In perfect shape, on the large side, and they nest. The label on the bottom says, "A Special Place" "made in china" "2002" Another label says "quantity - 1 set" so they definitely were sold as a set originally. I love them!

Last but not least, I got this hideously yellow plant stand for $1.00. I love yellow but not on this. I'll repaint it eventually, but for now...it's holding a basil plant that I brought indoors!

2007-10-14T10:11:00.000-04:00

I got this blouse at my daughter's garage sale last week....it was actually in my sister's stuff. the blouse itself is too small for me and I don't like the lace around the sleeves, but I love pintucks and embroidery, which is why I took it. I'll do something with it!

Yesterday my sister and I went to a tearoom (Helio's) in Carmel, IN. I couldn't believe there were NO tea-for-ones there. The woman told me there were and explained where they were. She was going to show me but got sidetracked and I looked again myself where she had pointed. I think she misunderstands what I mean. There were small teapots, that only hold 1 or 2 cups of water, but not the teapot and cup stacking together, which is what I meant.

Anyway, we went to the antique mall further down the street and I bought all these linens. Excellent condition so they weren't real cheap but many had been marked down to half price so I still got them for a good price.

I suspect I already have these 2 booklets but I wasn't sure so I got them. The copper scoop will go in my candy jar at work.

Now this is a gift for a friend who has a lovely collection of vintage hats already. The clerk told me I should be paying $60 for it instead of less than $10. These are booth consignments so she had no power to change the price. I don't agree with her anyway, but it's still a good deal.

Someday I'll look into what the stampings inside hats mean but I thought it interesting that it said imported fur when it's really feathers. Probably the company was known for its fur products.

2007-10-10T08:25:00.000-04:00

I tend to collect smaller versions of these, but I also get the big ones if they are a good price and these were. $5.99 and $6.99. Usually they are at least $12 and usually closer to $20. I buy them to paint on....haven't yet, but I will.

I probably won't show that much of the clothes I buy, but this is a top I really liked for the style. See the split in the back? It has a beautiful drape to it too when it's on. I love details like pintucks and unusual buttons or decorative seaming.

Right now I'm pretty busy and don't have time to pursue where I'm going with these, but I'll eventually show what I do with the things I buy.

2007-10-05T21:50:00.000-04:00

Several months ago I stumbled upon a blog that featured thrift store finds....right up my alley of fun, I have to say. I enjoyed it, probably bookmarked it, and promptly forgot about it.

I do lots of thrifting myself...and today, I was just so damned pleased with my finds that I felt I really needed to start showing them off. This isn't all I got but I think they are the most significant.

I've pretty much stopped getting tins but I have a crafty exchange coming up for the holidays and I can use this to put some little gifts in. It's perfect in size and shape. 49¢

I don't drink a lot of wine but I do like it and I always have a few bottles handy. This is the perfect container for the few that I have. I know wine is supposed to be stored on its side, but this is fine for what I have short-term. $1.99

I was inspired to get this because of a lace friend's display of some of her work. I'm pretty sure it will hold some of my own this holiday. The bottom is not nicked - just looks that way with the carpet curling up over the edge. 99¢

I love these shadowbox frames, especially the lighter green ones. They match my walls perfectly and they are the perfect size to hold one of my tea-for-ones or something equally bigger than a framed flat picture. The larger one could hold some of my other tea paraphenelia but I will need to repaint that one. The lighter green ones were 99¢ each and the bigger one was $1.99.

I also bought a lacy black shawl and a black shirt with the most intriguing design details - both were 50% off the regular $3.99 price.