A Few Fun Days…and Finds!

I am a home body these days, and happily so. The older I’ve gotten the more I appreciate days when I don’t have to deal with traffic and people. (And of course by “people” I don’t mean family or dear friends!) Still it’s good to get out and about and have some fun now and then!

On Thursday, my husband suggested an evening out to a nearby street that was hosting three bands and I’m glad we went. All the groups, so different in their musical offerings, were skilled and delightful.

On Friday my youngest daughter had off from work, so we went for a walk at a park near their condo and afterwards had an early lunch at a Turkish restaurant. The park had a softball field for kids and I had to chuckle over their sign. I’m guessing they’ve experienced a few overexcited parents in their day!

On the vintage front I am keeping to my “reduced inventory acquisition plan.” I wish I had the need to source more, but honestly even now, I am still acquiring more than I sell. Still things are selling. My husband often quips “What are you doing with all that money?” like I’m Daddy Warbucks! It’s hilarious. Well this week I spent some on groceries, gas, lunch with my youngest, new pants for an upcoming trip, as well as inventory. Yup, I’m living the “high life!” 😂

Speaking of inventory, I spotted this 1960s/70s embossed, hammered copper footed shallow bowl from Chile at my neighborhood thrift store. Gosh, this was a bit of loveliness and so usable. I can see it piled with apples or oranges.

I didn’t have apples or oranges so I filled it with vintage snapshots for this photo shoot.

Which then inspired me to list a group of photos! This lot of 60 snaps is circa 1910 to 1960 and features some darn cute ones!

I adore old photos, particularly family snaps because they give a peek into real life. They are just ordinary people and yet I find myself wondering about their lives. It’s always hard for me to part with photos but I do because I can’t enjoy them all.

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Now it’s Tuesday and I had an early medical appointment and decided afterwards to hit up my fav boutique thrift store in the next town over since I was already half way there. It’s was a lovely day and I treated myself to coffee and a croissant since the store hadn’t opened yet.

It is not a big store, but they pack a lot in and acquire some quality donations. Seriously good stuff. My first find was a bag of crystal knife rests, most still with their sticker. I couldn’t read the sticker through the bag, but I was thrilled to discover later they are Tyrone Irish crystal! Tyrone opened in 1971 by Father Austin Eustace to create employment in the area. They achieved early recognition for their work but in 2010 the factory in Ireland closed. In 2018 a new company formed, Tyrone Crafted Glass, mostly by ex-employees, and they continue their craft today. These knife rests are older pieces.

Granted knife rests may not be the most avant-garde items, but I think these would be elegant for a special dinner.

I just adore this studio pottery vase in perfect fall colors with a modern Swedish vibe. Yes, please! It’s a piece by potter Clara Lanyi from Oregon but it must be one of her earlier ones, because her current work looks very different–very whimsical and full of fantasy. This one is right up my alley!

This weed/seed pot intrigued me too and I flipped it over and saw a date of ’59. A mid-century modern piece!! Fabulous. The top has a slightly ribbed texture and the bottom is smooth, but there are some scuff marks that I’ll need to buff off.

All three items were 50%, plus I could use the senior discount of 10%. And bless her heart when I asked for the discount the sales clerk looked at me and asked “Are you over 55?” Indeed. (Given all the medical tests my GP is having me to take you’d think I have one foot in the grave!)

So it’s been a fun few days, with a few good finds. Can’t complain!

Wishing you happy hunting,

Karen