Thrift Finds - See What Thrifting Can Do

My apologies for not posting for so long. Had a bout with tendonitis in my thumb and wrist. I had physical therapy for it which helped quite a bit. 


I recently changed  and rearranged a bookcase in our family room which had been the same for too long. It feels like a new space now. And of course, most of it has been thrifted.

I love sunflowers. I first saw these plates several years ago in a Mary Engelbreit

book about decorating. There wasn't any information about them in the book and I hunted them down on ebay. I found that they're MOMA plates and I have four of them now and one bowl, all from ebay. Each plate is a little different.

I also bought the majolica like pitcher off of ebay. Blue vase on the top is a recent find, it's pottery barn, which I bought for under $10.

This ball vase is a recent find, the books are all thrifted too. The baskets

are from T.J. Maxx and were not expensive.

I found both the brown pitchers at Goodwill at different times. More thrifted

books (had to buy the Peacock Manure & Marigolds just for the title), the little pewter sunflower frame I bought years ago at a gift shop.

It's funny how changing one area can change the whole room. I need to spiff

up the rest of the room and will post more pictures when I get that done.

Thrift Share, December 27th

Thought I would share a few items I thrifted right before Christmas. Two are brass, which is new for me, as silver is my preference over brass, bronze or gold.

I don't know anything about this brass angel, but I like the modern simplicity of it. It's a pretty good size, stands about 15" tall. I'm assuming that a glass votive holder is missing. I don't think one will be hard to find, just need to measure and make sure I get one with a lip on it.

When I first got this set of brass candle holders I was confused about how to make a regular candle stick fit in it. Then I realized that they were for votive candles, which I really like. I'm thinking these solid brass candle holders are mid century. Only one of the holders had a label on the bottom and a price sticker was put on it. I tried to carefully take it off so I could read it, but to no avail. All that can be read is The J_____ Collection. Anyone have any idea about them?

Awhile back I found this large metal frame, it is 20" square. It was scratched up and I was going to spray paint it. Instead I sanded it with fine sandpaper and I like the way it looks now. I put a nice thrifted print by Mary Cassat in it. 

Above the mother/child print I hung another drawing of a mother/child.

I bought this awhile back too, looks like an original, but no signature. I can't be sure it's an original until I take it out of the frame. I'll do that when I get a new frame and have a mat cut for it. A mother/child wood sculpture that I scored  some time ago carries on with the theme. It's funny how things work out sometimes, this wasn't something I planned, but I do like it. Serendipity I guess.

Thought I'd cleared the area till I saw my photo, stuff underneath, lol. I'm still working on this tablescape, added a plant and book about motherhood for now.

What did you find this week?

Thrift Find - Sign Marker Set

Many times the best thrift finds are totally unexpected.

I didn't notice this box in my first pass. It was on a low shelf and somewhat covered up. The age of the box is what caught my attention.

It's an old sign marker set!

It was a bonus to have the label intact inside. It says "Aristocrat Sign Marker, Number 2, Price $4.50." Looks like it was made in Chicago, Illinois. Some of the writing is obscured by the testing of stamps.

This picture is a bit dark. All the letters of the alphabet and numbers are there, punctuation too.

Not sure what I'm going to use it for, but there are many possibilities. The stamps are a nice size; the letters measure 1-1/2" tall. The pointing hand stamp is over 3" long. The price of $2.99 really sweetened the deal!

Thrift Finds - 7/11

I had two firsts this past weekend, went to Summerfest and a Brewer's game in Milwaukee with my hubby, daughter and her boyfriend. It was very warm, but we still had a great time. I did manage to hit a couple thrift stores, both Goodwill's and found a few nice things.

I bought several nice books for my other blog. I have posted about one of them, Tree in the Trail, by Holling Clancy Holling if you would like to view it, click here.

I have several different types of these Chinese Silk jewelry holders, can't seem to pass them up. I like this wood holder, need to clean the stickers off. I'm not sure what it's intended for, but I think it will go on my desk.

This is another first, a Russell Wright bowl in a soft gray. I bought it to plant some succulents in, but not sure if I should, don't want to devalue it.

I really like this green Pottery Barn lacquer paper holder. It will also go on my desk.

This was also a nice find - a mid century metal tray in very good condition for only $1.49.

What did you find?

This post is linked to:


Apron Thrift Girl
Her Library Adventures

The Mother-lode

The day didn't start right. I had bookmarked a gigantic once a year sale. I thought it started at 10:00. The plan was to get my daughter to her job by 8:00, go back home, sip coffee, eat breakfast, measure some items and pack my camera so I could document the sale and share it here with you.  I decided to double check the date just before we left the house. The sale started at 8:00. Ack!!! With barely enough time to change my clothes, I took my daughter to work and went to the sale without breakfast, brushing my teeth and forgot my camera. Sigh. 

This would be a good time to go through all the things a person should do to be prepared for a thrifting event.  But I won't do that now because this sale turned out to be the mother of all sales. It was a GREAT sale, clean quality items priced to move. I'm showing some of it today, got enough stuff for three thrift shares. So here is part of my bratty haul...

Some retro and mid century things, fondue pot in perfect condition, a dansk decanter, serving utensils, egg cups, pitcher, candle holder, plate, cute purple owl...

I've already used the electric crepe maker for a family gathering today for Father's day. I really like the design of the faux wood tray. Pepper mill in the back. Nice lamp and big platter. 

Here's a closer view of the lamp, can't read the name written in it, does anyone recognize it? I'm thinking this must be designer.

These heavy ceramic knobs were just $2!

Can you believe this price for Danish 18/8 stainless steel candle holders? Item to the right is a ribbon holder that you mount to the wall. I'm going to use it to hang my scarves on.

Ceramic tureen and the candle holders

Some items from Japan

I really like the design of this lacquered wood jewelry box. For how cool it is on the outside, the inside has a kind of tacky red velvet.

This vintage Lightolier lamp from Japan is a definite highlight of my thrifting extravaganza. The stem and base are metal, shade is plastic, it was $15. I really like it's modern style and will find a special place for it.

I'll share the rest of the items over the next two weeks or so. Now I'm going to focus on finding a place for everything - and cleaning, organizing and decluttering my house. I want to take time to do projects I've posted about, so I can share them with you.

This post is part of Thrift Share and linked to:

Her Library Adventures

Coastal Charm

House of Grace

Very Merry Vintage Style

Handy Man, Crafty Woman

Blue Cricket Design

Faded Charm

Thrift Share

I had a good weekend thrifting, hope you did too. It was overcast here Thursday, Friday and Saturday - so good way to cheer up a cloudy day! On to the finds:

Found this nice stainless steel batter dispenser for pancakes and crepes. I didn't know what it was at first, thought it was a flour sifter :>)Good thing it says batter dispenser on it, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it, I paid $3.

I like these coffee colored glass canisters that were made in Belgium, paid $5 for the pair.

This Dansk pencil holder is teak and was made in Thailand. It looks nice with some markers in it and will go on my desk. Cost was $3.

I've been looking for a retro radio and this Panasonic faux wood grain radio fits the bill, it was $4.

I like the style of these mix drink glasses and it's nice to find a set of eight. Only .40 each - great deal. They will go in my bar cabinet.

This pair of ceramic/wood mid century lamps are in good condition and will go in my daughter's bedroom on the night stands. They were only $6 for the pair!  There is an old metal bed in this room that I had stripped to the bare metal and sealed with clear varnish. I think the lamps will add a nice contrast. Once I get shades for the lamps I'll take a picture so you can see.

I also found a couple more mid century plates for hanging or displaying. Less than $2 for the both of them.

I got two of these redwood benches at a garage sale for extra seating around my patio table - $5 for the pair, I plan to paint them and will also show this in a later posting with the tree stumps on my deck too.

Another project, thought this wood box was cute, like the shape of it. I'm going to paint it and will show you when I'm done with it.

Another ice bucket, this one was made In Italy by P.P.I., PEDRN or PEDRINI? It's nicely made, think it will go well with my Heller plates - I'm still on the lookout for a few more plates.

What did you find?

This post is linked to:


Her Library Adventures
Apron Thrift Girl
Coastal Charm
Creating a House of Grace
Very Merry Vintage Style
Faded Charm

Inexpensive Fix - Bar Cabinet

Here's a project I did last summer using thrift finds. I found a cabinet at a University Surplus Store. It's actually a metal bookcase that wood framed doors were added to. Wish I had before pictures, but that was before this blog. Anyway, the cabinet was all black, had stickers, scratches, a nameplate and was dirty. But I liked the lines of it and the super long hinges that show on the outside. I spray painted it gray inside and out,  except for the doors which I painted black.

I use the cabinet for storing glasses, ice bucket, coasters etc. 

Above the cabinet I hung this print my husband and I bought in the Napa Valley as a memento of our trip. The print has a border of wine labels and a map showing where different wines were made. 

The wood sculpture was a steal for $20.00 at annual thrift event for a local assisted living organization. 

On top of the cabinet I have a ceruse finish tray with different coasters and a decanter. 

I'll probably do more rearranging/adding, just not sure what to do yet. I like this cabinet, but it's not permanent. It was an inexpensive fix.  I'd like to put a nicer piece of furniture in it's place at some point. No rush, this cabinet is very functional until I find exactly the right thing when I can afford it.

Thrift Share Monday

I didn't do as much thrifting as I would have liked  this past weekend, was out of town for a wedding with little extra time. But I did pretty well with the limited time I had. 

I  found this nice graphic print that shows the design of a bolt transmitter (whatever that is). Need to find a new frame for it, not sure where I'm going to put it yet, but I like it.

I like this  charcoal drawing of a mother and child. I have been looking for a drawing for awhile and this one fits the bill nicely. Also need to find a good frame for it and a mat to set it off. 

This polaroid frame is made for the pictures from an old polaroid camera. I may very well have some, but I'm thinking to put some old black/white photos in it that I have of my parents from the 40's and 50's.

This big heavy metal picture frame needs a light sanding and new coat of paint. I will probably paint it in a similar color as I like the color and it will go in my living room. Just need to find a picture to put in it.

Last, I was pleased to find this mid century magazine holder. (complete with dust)It's a good size and will fit bigger books. It has a refinishing in it's future also.(I will do a before/after in a later post.)

This posting is a part of Thrift Share Monday with Apron Thrift Girl and
Her Library Adventures.