Now is the time of year for Thrifters

B

Blessed

Well-known Member
Well, Christmas has come and gone. So many receive so much and have no room, out for their old and many bargains await. If you are a thrifter for thiingsyou need in your household, the next couple of months are for you.

I grew up using thrift stores, large family, not a lot of money. I am not in that position anymore but I still love thrifting. Plenty of things you might need will be available. I like things for the kitchen, cookbooks (especially church cookbooks) nice pans never used, pretty dishes that are not only for use but make for get decorative items in your home) vintage lamps and lamp shades, Lovely old style bedding and wool blankets (even in Texas). Beautiful hardwood pieces of furniture from Grandma and Grampaw's homes that younger generation have no clue are treasures.

It is heartbreaking to know many things are coming from estates of those who have passed. It warms my heart to know that I the lucky one, am taking these things home to be treasured till the end of my days.

What about those so called old style coats, hats, dresses, suits that were made of cashmere or wool. Double chested, button down and for the ladies the beautiful swing skirt bottoms. What about those leather gloves, perfectly kept in a special box for the right occasion. What about the beautiful velvet robes for the ladies and smoking jackets for the men?

What about those hand tooled boots for the ladies and men from back in the day? These kids have no clue what fashion is or was!! They don't know Mr and Mrs @horseless carriage and the beautiful world of days gone by!! These young people could be the talk of the town and neighborhood if only they could leave those cell phones alone and look back at the history of homes, furnishings and clothing.

Boy, I am quite on the rant today. I am exhausted, I think I will be off for a nap, I have a lot of thrifting to do in the next few weeks. Somewhere in my rambles I need to buy an old used pick up truck to bring home all my treasures.
 

I get it! Unfortunately, most of the thrift shops nowadays are filled with cheap cast offs; most of the quality stuff must be sought in high end thrift shops and they aren't cheap! Sometimes we get lucky with used furniture. I find the styles and colors of what is considered popular decor hideous, too. I love an old fashioned Victorian touch in most things.
 
Blessed said:
Well, Christmas has come and gone. So many receive so much and have no room, out for their old and many bargains await. If you are a thrifter for thiingsyou need in your household, the next couple of months are for you.

I grew up using thrift stores, large family, not a lot of money. I am not in that position anymore but I still love thrifting. Plenty of things you might need will be available. I like things for the kitchen, cookbooks (especially church cookbooks) nice pans never used, pretty dishes that are not only for use but make for get decorative items in your home) vintage lamps and lamp shades, Lovely old style bedding and wool blankets (even in Texas). Beautiful hardwood pieces of furniture from Grandma and Grampaw's homes that younger generation have no clue are treasures.

It is heartbreaking to know many things are coming from estates of those who have passed. It warms my heart to know that I the lucky one, am taking these things home to be treasured till the end of my days.

What about those so called old style coats, hats, dresses, suits that were made of cashmere or wool. Double chested, button down and for the ladies the beautiful swing skirt bottoms. What about those leather gloves, perfectly kept in a special box for the right occasion. What about the beautiful velvet robes for the ladies and smoking jackets for the men?

What about those hand tooled boots for the ladies and men from back in the day? These kids have no clue what fashion is or was!! They don't know Mr and Mrs @horseless carriage and the beautiful world of days gone by!! These young people could be the talk of the town and neighborhood if only they could leave those cell phones alone and look back at the history of homes, furnishings and clothing.

Boy, I am quite on the rant today. I am exhausted, I think I will be off for a nap, I have a lot of thrifting to do in the next few weeks. Somewhere in my rambles I need to buy an old used pick up truck to bring home all my treasures.
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You're right! I need to start browsing.
 

Thrift shops around here are "thrift" in name only. Some want more than a retail store would want. A few years ago, I saw a shelf of small cat figurines in a SA. I rushed over to find none was less than $4.50. On closer examination, I saw they were dollar store items.

My mom was a big fan of post Christmas mark-downs. That's why I have a basement full of things no one wants. I still wonder why she ever bought these Santa hats. They still have the store tag on them

santa hats.jpg
 
I love to look and see many great buys, especially for dishes. Most recently I’ve just been buying a variety of canning jars for food storage, definitely not for canning. I bought new plastic ball lids and they work well. When I buy large sizes at Costco, I decant them into these smaller jars for flexibility.
 
debodun said:
Thrift shops around here are "thrift" in name only. Some want more than a retail store would want. A few years ago, I saw a shelf of small cat figurines in a SA. I rushed over to find none was less than $4.50. On closer examination, I saw they were dollar store items.

My mom was a big fan of post Christmas mark-downs. That's why I have a basement full of things no one wants. I still wonder why she ever bought these Santa hats. They still have the store tag on them

View attachment 392027
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Yes, they are more expensive now. You have to check each thing, label, quality and decide if it is the right thing for you. Less face it, sometimes there is something you don't know what the heck it is but you have to have it.
 
While in the suburban city, there was a very popular thrift store that was open on the 26th. People were there early. We went there and wandered through for about 5 minutes. Way over-priced. People seemed thrilled that shirts were half price. Full carts.

$2.69 for a Corelle soup bowl that I’d normally see for $1 and a seniors‘ day discount. Husband saw a well-worn shirt for $20.
 
carouselsilver said:
I get it! Unfortunately, most of the thrift shops nowadays are filled with cheap cast offs; most of the quality stuff must be sought in high end thrift shops and they aren't cheap! Sometimes we get lucky with used furniture. I find the styles and colors of what is considered popular decor hideous, too. I love an old fashioned Victorian touch in most things.
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I am also drawn to those things but we have the advantage. We have been around long enough to know the difference.
 
Jules said:
I love to look and see many great buys, especially for dishes. Most recently I’ve just been buying a variety of canning jars for food storage, definitely not for canning. I bought new plastic ball lids and they work well. When I buy large sizes at Costco, I decant them into these smaller jars for flexibility.
Click to expand...
I kept my canning jars when I moved here. Those Ball lids are the best. I bought 2 sets of each kind (one kind has a spout and one doesn't). I use them for everything. I loved canning so much I just could not get rid of my jars.
 
Jules said:
While in the suburban city, there was a very popular thrift store that was open on the 26th. People were there early. We went there and wandered through for about 5 minutes. Way over-priced. People seemed thrilled that shirts were half price. Full carts.

$2.69 for a Corelle soup bowl that I’d normally see for $1 and a seniors‘ day discount. Husband saw a well-worn shirt for $20.
Click to expand...
I know, I know, it is called thrifting. You know what you are doing!! If you are an early riser the best deals are found at garage and estate sales advertised in newspapers, online and on craigslist. I was so lucky to have a retired Mom who loved this stuff, she would go out and search. If she was sure, she bought it. If not, she gave me the address.

She was not sure one time, a beautiful solid oak dining table, leaves and 6 chairs, china hutch. She was not sure, called me at work and gave me the address. It was beautiful but I could not afford it. As always, I carried a notepad and envelopes in my purse. I left a closed bid on what I could pay. They called the end of Sunday and said it was mine at my price. It is still in my home today. Owned by a widow, that never had children, owned her whole life. I hope she is proud somewhere in Heaven I still love it and wipe it down with lemon oil every week.

If you are not sure but like it leave your bid, name and phone, It is like winning the lottery. It is like my chiina, bought at an estate sale by Mom. Beautiful, I could never afford it but should the day ever come I can sit 24 with all the including serving dishes I can do it. Maybe at my memorial lunch but they will eat in splendid style.
 
katlupe said:
I kept my canning jars when I moved here. Those Ball lids are the best. I bought 2 sets of each kind (one kind has a spout and one doesn't). I use them for everything. I loved canning so much I just could not get rid of my jars.
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My Mom was a big canner. We grew up in a small town and our home had an extra lot. Stepdad was big into gardening. They bot learned from their parents. There was a big storage area at the back of the house for Mom's canned goods. Only veggies and fruits, we had a chest freezer for meats, usually bought a half of an animal at a time. She had another smaller freezer for breads and such.

Truth is I never learned how to can. I was only in charge of cleaning after harvest, chopping and prep. We also had plum, peach and pear trees. I have never me another person that understands how good a pear preserve pear is.
 
Jules said:
I love to look and see many great buys, especially for dishes. Most recently I’ve just been buying a variety of canning jars for food storage, definitely not for canning. I bought new plastic ball lids and they work well. When I buy large sizes at Costco, I decant them into these smaller jars for flexibility.
Click to expand...
My son thinks I have lost my mind, I save any jar I buy. I have a special place in the kitchen. Great for left overs, taking food gifts to someone, mixing up salad dressings. Oh, what a joy to be crazy!!
 
katlupe said:
I have two thrift stores within walking distance of my apartment. One is run by the Pink Ladies from the hospital. They are quite large and I can get lost in there half the day.
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It is great and fun way for us to get out and walk our steps. It is one of my favorite past times. No one bothers me until they pick up something I want just before I see it! LOL
 
Blessed said:
It is great and fun way for us to get out and walk our steps. It is one of my favorite past times. No one bothers me until they pick up something I want just before I see it! LOL
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When I’d just moved here 20 years ago, I walked into a thrift store. A woman was just paying for a sweater that was ‘me’. Funny how memories come back. Thanks for jog back in time, Blessed. I no longer wear that style, so it’s ok.
 
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carouselsilver said:
I get it! Unfortunately, most of the thrift shops nowadays are filled with cheap cast offs; most of the quality stuff must be sought in high end thrift shops and they aren't cheap! Sometimes we get lucky with used furniture. I find the styles and colors of what is considered popular decor hideous, too. I love an old fashioned Victorian touch in most things.
Click to expand...
Fortunately I've found some decent older vintage furniture to match my 1930s brownstone apartment. Crown molding, high ceilings and large windows like in the old movies. The last apartment in the building like it. The others have been remodeled with that ugly new gray reclaimed style. I'm always looking for older vintage stuff (along with some modern) with good quality and affordable. This is good time for it.
 
Blessed said:
My Mom was a big canner. We grew up in a small town and our home had an extra lot. Stepdad was big into gardening. They bot learned from their parents. There was a big storage area at the back of the house for Mom's canned goods. Only veggies and fruits, we had a chest freezer for meats, usually bought a half of an animal at a time. She had another smaller freezer for breads and such.

Truth is I never learned how to can. I was only in charge of cleaning after harvest, chopping and prep. We also had plum, peach and pear trees. I have never me another person that understands how good a pear preserve pear is.
Click to expand...
I have the best intentions of canning. I have all the needed items but just don't have the will. 😒
 
Blessed said:
My son thinks I have lost my mind, I save any jar I buy. I have a special place in the kitchen. Great for left overs, taking food gifts to someone, mixing up salad dressings. Oh, what a joy to be crazy!!
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Call me crazy too! I have shelves of jars, mostly mason, but any good jar gets saved. That would be any dark glass jars and bottles, unusual sizes, or tiny jars, or unusually large jars! Yup, crazy.
 
Blessed said:
What about those hand tooled boots for the ladies and men from back in the day? These kids have no clue what fashion is or was!! They don't know Mr and Mrs @horseless carriage and the beautiful world of days gone by!! These young people could be the talk of the town and neighborhood if only they could leave those cell phones alone and look back at the history of homes, furnishings and clothing.
Click to expand...
You flatter me Blessed, but thank you all the same.
 
Blessed said:
Well, Christmas has come and gone. So many receive so much and have no room, out for their old and many bargains await. If you are a thrifter for thiingsyou need in your household, the next couple of months are for you.

I grew up using thrift stores, large family, not a lot of money. I am not in that position anymore but I still love thrifting. Plenty of things you might need will be available. I like things for the kitchen, cookbooks (especially church cookbooks) nice pans never used, pretty dishes that are not only for use but make for get decorative items in your home) vintage lamps and lamp shades, Lovely old style bedding and wool blankets (even in Texas). Beautiful hardwood pieces of furniture from Grandma and Grampaw's homes that younger generation have no clue are treasures.

It is heartbreaking to know many things are coming from estates of those who have passed. It warms my heart to know that I the lucky one, am taking these things home to be treasured till the end of my days.

What about those so called old style coats, hats, dresses, suits that were made of cashmere or wool. Double chested, button down and for the ladies the beautiful swing skirt bottoms. What about those leather gloves, perfectly kept in a special box for the right occasion. What about the beautiful velvet robes for the ladies and smoking jackets for the men?

What about those hand tooled boots for the ladies and men from back in the day? These kids have no clue what fashion is or was!! They don't know Mr and Mrs @horseless carriage and the beautiful world of days gone by!! These young people could be the talk of the town and neighborhood if only they could leave those cell phones alone and look back at the history of homes, furnishings and clothing.

Boy, I am quite on the rant today. I am exhausted, I think I will be off for a nap, I have a lot of thrifting to do in the next few weeks. Somewhere in my rambles I need to buy an old used pick up truck to bring home all my treasures.
Click to expand...

When we lived in Providence RI, Many of the mansions on the East Side had changed hands and the local Goodwill had tons of bargains. I noticed that sets of furniture had been reserved for different doctors, presumably for their waiting rooms. I still have a Victorian buffet that I got there for $40.
 
I have enjoyed shopping at thrift stores all my life. My mother always shopped at thrift stores, so i learned early. It is kind of like going to an auction, some things there will be way overpriced, and some will be underpriced, since the prices do not always know the value of an item.
My best deal ever was an early morning stop at a local thrift store who had stocked up the day before (when they were not open).
I found a box of old dishes for about $10, and I immediately took it to the counter and aid for them and put the dishes in the car. The dishes were a nice set of Franciscan Red Apple, which my daughter loves, and I gave them to her.
The set was in excellent condition and was the made in California early Franciscan china.

This is not her dishes, but this is what the Red Apple dishes look like.

IMG_7455.jpeg
 
Happyflowerlady said:
I have enjoyed shopping at thrift stores all my life. My mother always shopped at thrift stores, so i learned early. It is kind of like going to an auction, some things there will be way overpriced, and some will be underpriced, since the prices do not always know the value of an item.
My best deal ever was an early morning stop at a local thrift store who had stocked up the day before (when they were not open).
I found a box of old dishes for about $10, and I immediately took it to the counter and aid for them and put the dishes in the car. The dishes were a nice set of Franciscan Red Apple, which my daughter loves, and I gave them to her.
The set was in excellent condition and was the made in California early Franciscan china.

This is not her dishes, but this is what the Red Apple dishes look like.

View attachment 393117
Click to expand...
Wow...lucky find and at a great price too!
 
Happyflowerlady said:
I have enjoyed shopping at thrift stores all my life. My mother always shopped at thrift stores, so i learned early. It is kind of like going to an auction, some things there will be way overpriced, and some will be underpriced, since the prices do not always know the value of an item.
My best deal ever was an early morning stop at a local thrift store who had stocked up the day before (when they were not open).
I found a box of old dishes for about $10, and I immediately took it to the counter and aid for them and put the dishes in the car. The dishes were a nice set of Franciscan Red Apple, which my daughter loves, and I gave them to her.
The set was in excellent condition and was the made in California early Franciscan china.

This is not her dishes, but this is what the Red Apple dishes look like.

View attachment 393117
Click to expand...
You got a great buy. Those are valuable. My mother left behind a "Desert Rose" pattern set, which is similar.
 

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