Posted by I was out doing a little thrifting the other day. Well, it’s “my job” and I love it. But sometimes, sometimes, it is hard in surprising ways. There are struggles I just didn’t expect!
For example, I found this crystal bowl that was heavy, beautifully cut with no damage, but also unsigned–likely Polish and Czech made in the last 20 years. That day it would cost about $7 with my discount. But unsigned how much could I sell it for? Maybe $40-ish? I’d be lucky to make $25 in the end after a long wait, if it did sell.
Still it was a lovely thing. Really lovely and part of me wanted to get it for myself. But I didn’t need one more lovely thing. I left it on the shelf for someone else.
And what about this antique bit of worn silverplate (possibly a sugar bowl without its lid)? It was pretty in a woe-be-gone way, but another thing that is almost impossible to sell, and sadly I did not need another piece like this either. There is only so much you can save! And I loved this vintage Phinney Walker fold-up travel alarm clock, but when I wound it up in the store it didn’t seem to be working. If it had been $1 (rather than almost $6) I might have bought it just for the cool face. But even in the best of times, travel clocks like this don’t sell for me.
These are just some of the things I wanted to buy on that visit, but didn’t. I had to say no.
So did I buy anything?
Well the vintage Heath ceramic pepper shaker’s a bread-and-butter winner, even as a singleton! (Listed for $45.) And the Cole Haan leather purse in mint condition was a “yes, please.” I adore well-made, soft leather purses and this one in red me swoon a bit in the store. (I may have to give this a test run!)
And after Goodwill I found a few vintage paperbacks at our library sale room. As a former psych major Freud was pushing my buttons…in a good way!
This 1979 “Freud for Beginners” is a hilarious graphic version.
None of the books are valuable, but all are sellable.
Total spent for the shaker, purse and books: $21.60.
But I digress–my whole point in writing this post is to say that there are unexpected dangers when you start in the biz. You’ll find things you want to rescue. You’ll find things you want to keep. You’ll find stunning cut crystal bowls that you’ll want to take home and fill with flowers or candies and gorgeous bits of studio pottery that would look perfect on your mantel.
You’ll find things you didn’t know you needed and you’ll play mind games with yourself: “It’s only five dollars” or “I could really use this.” I suppose most of us do this from time to time.
I try to be firm with myself, but sometimes I give in. Some months ago I found this cut crystal “thingy” for $2.39. It was square, surprisingly heavy, beautifully cut, but unsigned. I wondered what it was. Perhaps it was a vanity jar missing its lid, though most are round. Hmmm.
Even though it had little salability I couldn’t leave it behind. I just couldn’t. But little heart purchases like this chip away at my profit. And at this stage in my life, I don’t need more stuff. What I need is to be more disciplined.
I succeeded the other day while sourcing, but I need to keep that up. It’s not easy though. The struggle is real!
Wishing you happy hunting,
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 