Posted by I miss going back to school. I was one of those kids who looked forward to it reopening in the fall. I was ready to see my wider circle of friends again and loved getting new school clothes and fresh supplies. Yup, by September I was ready to sharpen my Ticonderoga #2 pencils and crack open the books.
Those days are long gone and I get a bit misty eyed thinking about them, but if I’m honest, it wasn’t perfect then either. Nothing is. So while I enjoy thinking about the past, it is just that–the past–and the here and now is what’s important.
And with that in mind I’ve been trying to live more intentionally. For my mental health I’m choosing to watch less news and choosing to do more writing and journaling! I’m also trying to spend more time outside and with family and friends.
On the vintage biz front I’m trying to fully enjoy when I am hunting for items, but also choosing to limit the number of times I head out to source. It’s too easy for me to focus on hunting and buying and before I know it I’ve got piles and piles of unlisted stuff and I start to feel overwhelmed and frustrated and annoyed by the clutter. Not good! Since I am not a high-volume store I don’t need to be sourcing every day or even every other day.
Also during my last few visits to my neighborhood thrift store my purchases were very intentional–bread-and-butter items that I knew would sell. Like this small brass Weinberg menorah. Over the years I’ve sold six menorahs, none taking long to sell. And the lovely Waterford crystal tankard was a no-brainer. Waterford typically doesn’t fly off the shelves, but it always sells.
I was hoping these two small enamel and crystal frames were Jay Strongwater (a brand to look for)…alas, alas, they are by Two’s Company. Still they are nicely made and lovely and I have sold similar frames in the past.
And this single small porcelain plate (possibly a butter plate) by Porgrund, Norway, might seem like one to pass by, but this “Farmer’s Rose” pattern is a popular and since the scalloped edge design is not as common if someone needs one to complete their china service, I’ve got it! (Replacements.com doesn’t have any right now.) Unbelievably this pattern has been around since 1932 and still looks fresh and on trend. The particular piece is dated for 1967 and looks like it was never used!
I’ll close for now with a question: do you miss your school days?
Hunting for Vintage 
I’ve been out of school for so long that I don’t miss them much. I do remember the feeling I had when I had new school supplies, but I also remember that other kids had the 64 pack or some really cool pens that I didn’t get. We got the basic, and that’s all we really needed…just what was on the list. That was elementary school. Junior and Senior High was basically a binder, papers, pencils, pens, protractor, and compass…not much. I preferred the basic blue canvas binder, and I kept it pristine…no writing on it for me! I kind of miss college, though…reading and learning and making acquaintances. I went to college late and graduated when I was 38 in 2002. I liked my art and English classes most.
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I didn’t the 64-crayon pack either for school. I did get some as a gift one year. All those lovely color choices!
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I loved school! I loved picking out new supplies, and the traditional shopping for back to school clothes! What would we all wear on the first day? That went through high school. I loved college too, only because I studied for a certificate, not a diploma, so I didn’t have to take classes unrelated to library science. Like math. Yeah, especially math. Like Fonda, I went to college late, closer to 50 than 40. I still enjoyed the shopping for binders and all then!
I only use Ticonderoga pencils! I mean ONLY! I found a big fat eraser at the art supply store last year shaped like a big fat Ticonderoga pencil! Says so too. Then, last week in the Goodwill bins I found one of those fat pencils for kids learning to hold pencils, it’s “My First Ticonderoga.” Really! I was so excited!
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I’m the same about Ticonderoga pencils, though I use only the black ones now!! (That fat pencil sounds adorable.) Elementary and college were my favorite years.
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