Getting Picky

After 10 years of selling vintage and antique things online, I’ve barely scratched the surface of what I wished I knew and how I wished my business was doing. Still, I can’t complain. It’s been a fun ride and I make a profit. But I’m running out of storage space, so even though I don’t want to totally stop shopping for new inventory, I need to be more strategic. I’m not what that means for me yet, but definitely smaller things! Perhaps more jewelry.

So after dropping off orders at the post office and a quick trip to the bank, I headed to my neighborhood thrift store. I was determined to make good choices!!

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I think someone must have donated a box of vintage baby plates because more of them have shown up on the shelves lately. This 1950s ceramic made-in-Japan plate was a cutie, but just wouldn’t resell for enough.

I put this carved wood elephant thingy in my basket right away, but changed my mind right away too. It wasn’t old enough or good enough. No, no, no. Plus it was the kind of thing that would linger forever in my store. (Priced at $3.49.)

Found a similar one listed for $17.90. Definitely dodged a bullet.

This vintage Frankoma mugs were fabulous, but generally don’t sell for a lot and with the weight of them and effort/materials needed to ship these made them another “no go.” (I didn’t even bother to look at their price.)

This newer Banana Republic beaded purse was a possibility to sell on eBay but “Holy Smokes Batman” I couldn’t pay $16.09! I was expecting $4. I think it resells for around $20 to $28.

I spotted this original 1954 Coke magazine ad and loved the graphics. But these ads are not rare and sadly the frame was cheap plastic and just a throwaway. Priced at $5.79, it just wasn’t worth it to resell. Poop!

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BUT…after putting things in and out of my basket I did decide to buy this pair of vintage ceramic Czechoslovakia baby plates with absolutely charming transfer images. (Paid $5.21) They are likely circa 1920s-1940s and in remarkably good condition.

I am trying hard not to fall in love with them, but I think that ship has sailed!

Wouldn’t they be fun at a party to serve cookies or cheese and crackers?

So just two little plates in 30 minutes of scouring the store, but I have no regrets about the decisions I made.

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Now it’s two days later and I wasn’t planning a trip to my neighborhood thrift store. I had morning plans for coffee with a friend in the opposite direction, but she had to cancel at the last minute. Since I was already “all put together” my daughter asked if I wanted to go to the library and maybe take her to the grocery store too. Well fine, but since we’d be passing the thrift store, you know I had to stop in there first!

And yowee, I’m glad I did. But I kept my “let’s be picky” hat on.

These items were all interesting, but didn’t have enough value. I was really tempted by the little Florentine Italian tray, but these are fairly common. Though if the pattern had been more unique I would have grabbed it.

This huge burl wood basket was a wowser and only $6.79, but I had a stern talk with myself and in the end said no. Just too big.

In the “this might have been a mistake” category I left behind these Villeroy & Boch le Cirque plates. Actually if it had just been the two smaller bread plates, I would have bought them, but I didn’t want to take the one larger single plate. (This bundle was priced at $10.29.)

But there was a packed new merch cart and when I spotted these small porcelain bowls I had a BINGO moment. I couldn’t remember who made them but I knew they were good. Really good. Turns out they were also made by Villeroy & Boch in the delightful “Acapulco” pattern. This pattern debuted in 1967 and production ended in 1994. I’ll list the pair for $90.

And on one of the end caps I found this simple glass vase, but it was a signed handmade studio piece. Yes, please!

Turns out it was made by Two Tone Studios in their “Spiral” line. The couple have a website, but do not sell from it as they have relocated to Japan. I found other sites who do carry their work and was able to get an idea how to price this. I’ll list it for $60.

I spent a total of $13.38 on the two items today and came home well pleased. Wish every thrifting trip was like this one!!

Wishing you happy hunting,

Karen