Posted by I so wish I would had gone to thrift stores much earlier in my life because I would have been able to decorate my house with the unique vintage pieces for a lot less money. Now at this stage of life I don’t need anything and I want to keep downsizing, so I try to resist picking up anything for myself and focus just on my business. But the struggle is real!
I really wanted this hand-carved wood African fertility figure. So exotic. And OMG this HUGE glass amber brandy snifter (possibly Empoli) was at least 14″ tall and likely worth a bit of $$ but beyond my scope to ship. Still I was tempted to bring home this gorgeous glass to house my matchbook collection.
But honestly I already have receptacles to display them, including this antique brass cloisonné dish that I bought on eBay for $30 some years ago. So I resisted.
This Italian ceramic turkey platter was also delightful, but 24″ long. I did not want to ship this either, but it could have found a place in my home when I was younger with dozens more Thanksgivings to celebrate. Now at my age, it doesn’t seem like a smart purchase.
So I did resisted these and many other pieces over the years, but yes, once in a while I cave!
Last year I found this little square crystal thingy and it intrigued me. It had weight and was beautifully cut, but I could find no signature. And what was it? A vase? A box missing its lid? I couldn’t leave it behind for $3 and it makes a perfect, elegant small vase for a few cut flowers from our yard.
And another kind of crystal that I HAD to buy–an amethyst chunk for a smidge over $7 that I added to my small collection of rocks! Growing up my family had a keen interest in rocks, crystals and minerals and we took vacations in Canada that sometimes included a bit of prospecting! I loved it. One of my brothers was particularly into geology and had a vast collection of specimens. So I think it’s in my blood to be drawn to bits like this!
But when I do buy something for our house, I try to let something else go. And nowadays it’s gotten much easier to do that. And I find that a strange thing because I am rather sentimental and drawn to “things” especially things with history and patina. I think that’s why I’ve always loved the old English country manor house look with it’s layers of fabulous, quality, old items. But I don’t need all that now. At least not as much of it. Still when I’m out sourcing the temptation is real!!
Would love to hear about your favorite thrift store temptations.
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 