Labor Day at the Thrift Store

My tiny neighborhood thrift store was having a Labor Day Sale (35% off) with an 8:00 a.m. open so I pulled myself together and was standing in line with 10 other folks before they unlocked the doors. I had a chatty guy behind me and that was fine till he asked me what I would be looking for in the store. Now, for a bit of context, no one else was talking. It was quiet. Dead quiet. Except for him and me talking. Mostly it was me answering his questions. And for this one I laughed a bit and said, “That’s one question I won’t be answering.” There was no way I was broadcasting to a whole queue of potential competitors what I was looking for. But I will tell you! I was looking for Waterford crystal, MacKenzie-Childs pieces, sterling silver, antique picture frames, old tapestries, quality costume jewelry. And I have found all these before at this thrift store. Multiple times. So it was not mission impossible!

Once inside it was bedlam for a few minutes, but I was methodical and undeterred and in the end fortunate to find a few things. Not what I was hoping to find, but still okay.

I was on the fence about this little snowball porcelain bunny by Cybis. Not really my thing, but he was kinda cute. They are listed online from $25 to $79 but do they sell? Well according to Worthpoint data over 15 sold in 2024 on eBay alone at various price points. Okay. So he should sell.

I was enchanted by this vintage folk art terracotta piece from Estremoz, Portugal. I’m guessing it’s Mary and Jesus riding on a donkey…a wonky donkey! (Perhaps the flight into Egypt?) At least that’s how I’m seeing it. It’s an uncommon Estremoz piece and with Christmas around the corner I think it has nativity appeal as well so it might sell sooner rather than later. But no worries if not. I’ll put this on our mantel!

I literally walked past this 16″ pierced, engraved and chased copper tray four times before I noticed it. Granted it was on the bottom shelf buried under a pile of silver-plated trays. Once I pulled it out I was struck by its size and beauty. Another woman was looking at metalware too and once I pulled this out she moved next to me. Hmmm…was she waiting for me to put it down?? Sorry, sister, not a chance. This was one to buy.

Likely from Kashmir, India, it’s vintage with a few small areas of corrosion but nothing egregious. It has a lovely patina and I won’t be polishing this.

Here’s a similar one for sale that has a 12″ diameter and a hanging hook.

I like that mine has no hook and was not meant to hang on a wall, but to be used. I found a few bits of wax on it so I’m assuming someone had candlesticks on it, but it would work beautifully serving appetizers or drinks. It’s a very usable boho piece.

Total paid for all three: $11.

So I found a few things. And I was thrilled. It’s never a whole cartful like some vintage resellers I watch on YouTube. Actually I appreciate when resellers post videos where their thrift/antique store visits are a bust because that’s reality. It’s not going to be a home run every sourcing trip. Before this sale, my last two trips to this store I had walked out empty handed. But I was glad my labor was not in vain that day!

Wishing you all happy hunting,

Karen