Thursday, February 18, 2010

Thrift Store Finds...

As some of you know already, I've never been a thrift store gal. Yet, we often go and I always find great books and rarely look at anything else. But lately, we've found a few thrift stores that were of a different caliber than the one close to our house. There, we actually found some lovely treasures, like the tall vase above and the little white planter below.
Another interesting planter, which I am using upside down to display some of our Native American pottery from New Mexico. Can you see the snakeskin in the foreground? Daniel has found quite a few of those, the biggest of which was about six feet long.
This Japanese fan we actually found in a little antique store on the road to Charleston. It's gold one one side...
and silver on the other. Just beautiful!
And I was so happy to find this cute little bowl, which reminds me of a tea set I had as a little girl.
I think I am getting the hang of this sort of treasure hunting. The trick is to go often enough and to many different stores to find some real gems!

25 comments:

  1. I think you are getting the knack! Great finds!

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  2. That's what my Mum does, she goes often!
    I really love the Fan...and the bowl which reminds you of your Tea set...adorable.
    Happy finds! Are you painting today?
    Char

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  3. I love all of these Silke. The photography is so crisp. We have a dollar store near my work and I like to go there to buy plastic forks and knives to use for my snacks or just walk down there sometimes. No finds like the ones you have. Have a wonderful day! We have good looking weather here today.

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  4. Great finds - I'm a thrifty gal myself, can't resist the lure & I love a bargain too!! Hope you are both keeping well xx

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  5. silke, i live in a semi rural area, and every wed. night there is an auction that you would love--vases and chairs and paintings and surprise boxes filled with anything goes. things often go for $ 10 or so. i got a baker's shelf for $ 15. once you start looking, as you are finding out, it's total excitement!

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  6. Wow, those are amazing finds! I especially love the fan and that first vase. I need to go to the stores you are hitting up!!! Every now and then, we find something interesting....like a large wrought iron trivet with an image of a girl and her dog on it. It looks like a faerie tale...found it for $5. Sometimes you really have to hunt, but it's worth the effort!!!
    Have a great day! Theresa

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  7. Treasure hunts are so much fun....you found some lovely things...
    Hugs and Blessings,
    Butterfly

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  8. So may wonderful things to look at!! You've got a great eye!! I love thrift stores and you seem to have some terrific ones.

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  9. Lovely finds! The fan is beautiful and I love the tall vase. My daughter and I love to go thrifting - she's better at it than I am and usually finds some great bargains! (But the best part for me is being with my daughter...)

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  10. i'm afraid i'm another thrift store addict... there are a few in town here, sometimes ya get lucky, sometimes ya don't!! happy findings :D

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  11. great pictures!!! great finds!!!

    i am really in love with the gorgeous vase!!!

    happy thursday!
    xoxox
    k

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  12. Great finds. Yes I'm always in too big of a hurry when I'm in thrift stores. I think you have the right idea often and many.

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  13. oh it is addicting! it's like treasure hunting, irresistable!
    so glad you had a good time. now i want to go!
    love,
    lori

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  14. Yes, it's a treasure hunt...and it doesn't hurt to make friends with the store management. Twice a year, here in Coarsegold, we have a Peddlers Fair and although 80% of the stuff is junk to me, I have found some amazing treasures..I think two of my favorites, well 3, have been a 6 inch across sterling silver filigree butterfly pin, 6 yards of the most beautiful paper thin silk cloth, 50% of it had hand sewn sequins highlighting the big beautiful flowers, and I found what I now realize as paper cloth from Indonesia.
    Happy hunting...

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  15. I really admire people who can find quality treasures in thrift stores... I am no good at it.

    Love the snake skin, now finding them is also a gift. And I am intrigued with the Native American pottery from New Mexico and the clever stand you made! pure genius.

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  16. Those are great finds. We have a new Goodwill, but I haven't gone to it yet. I'll probably buy something and right now I'm trying to downsize. As the years go by, we have accumulated so much "stuff." God to get rid of a lot of things. Those items that you found are really very nice. Take care.

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  17. Your creative spirit clearly flows into every aspect of your life, Silke, including your discriminating thrift store shopping and your creative use of some of your treasures (like your pottery stand). I'm delighted to have found your terrific blog via your comment on Manon Doyle's. I'll be back!

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  18. I love your bowl. How festive the colors are. I am thrift store, yard sale, flea market junkie. I don't always leave with something but when I do you can bet I really want it!! :)

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  19. I LOVE thrift stores - they can be a treasure trove. Sometimes I leave empty handed and sometimes come home with great finds but I always have fun. At times, I find myself thinking about where certain items came from and how their journey brought them to a 2nd hand shop.
    You sure picked up some wonderful pieces. Enjoy!

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  20. Aaaw Silke! It's wonderful. I am so happy that you are playing with pastel. Make art for both of us because I am zero!

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  21. Fabulous photos again, Silke. Great finds. Isn't it fun repurposing!!! **blows kisses** Deb

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  22. How fun to hear about all of your finds! I admire those of you who do this regularly! I'm more of an occasional treasure hunter... So fun to share it with all of you, though!! Love, Silke

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  23. You've found some real jewels! I never go but think I may start!

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  24. Ooooooooh, nice finds! I love what you did with that planter for your Mexican pottery. It looks like an old Aztec temple now!

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  25. The love of the hunt and the happiness of the find. I think you've hit on some great treasures and you're right -- going often, and to various places gives you the most selection.

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