Posted by Wednesday was a long, tiring day of air travel (gosh, I really hate flying these days), but what a joy to finally pull into our driveway and be home. We all know the feeling–vacations are grand, but there’s a point when you’re ready to be home with all your familiar comforts, routines and people. I was ready.
And it feels odd to say this, but yes I missed my neighborhood thrift store! It’s tiny, but good stuff hits the shelves from time to time. Sometimes it’s priced too high to resell, but I have found antiques, fabulous studio pottery, sterling silver, original art and Waterford crystal. And that’s not true for every thrift store. Over the years I’ve thrifted in many parts of the U.S., from coast to coast, and have discovered a vast difference in the quality of donated goods. Which makes sense. Goods will vary between low-income and high-income communities and between rural locations and urban centers.
All that said I was sooooo ready to dive into my local Goodwill yesterday after a week away. And blessed be I even found a few good items!! This small vintage beaded purse has the tiniest seed beads sewn around the pearls! Lined in silk (stained with age) its cloth label has been lost, but it was likely made in Hong Kong or Belgium circa 1930-1950. There is very little wear and loss on either side. A lovely piece for a collector.
The vintage pressed glass wine goblets are in the retired “Miss Desiree” pattern by Villeroy and Boch. A nice everyday glass, I have sold them before so they were a no brainer. I used the vintage wicker basket/trug to carry the glasses in the store, but realized it was a darn good basket and decided to buy it! Here’s a larger version for sale on Chairish.
I know some folks “poo poo” baskets, but some have real value, history and take great skill. Now my little trug is nothing super special but it is a good thing. Vintage. Sturdy. Attractive. Usable. I gave it a wash with mild Dr. Bronner’s soap and rinsed it off and dried it in the sun. It is the right size for gathering a bouquet, corralling napkins, displaying favorite paperbacks or a hundred other things.
Total spent: $14.36
So while I was jazzed about finding a few items, I hadn’t had a sale in days which sometimes happens after you reopen your Etsy store when it’s been on “vacation mode.” (I reopened it while I was still in Tennessee.) Your store remains dead. Invisible. But the other day I FINALLY started getting views again and “favorites” and then a sale!! And then another. So I guess my store is alive again! Phew!
Wishing you happy hunting,
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 