Old and Quirky Thrift Store Finds on a Monday

If you go to thrift stores on any regular basis you know it can be feast or famine. For me lately it’s been more famine. Frankly I wouldn’t bother stopping into this store as often as I do except I literally pass it on my way to so many other places. All this to say that after too many visits where I left empty-handed my persistence finally paid off on Monday. I found two items that ticked boxes of what I want to be selling in my Etsy store–old and quirky.

This large, heavy, wood cookie mold (4 lbs. 2 oz.) was on the bottom shelf face down so all I saw was what looked like an old cutting board. Flipped it over, saw this and had a “bingo” moment.

Now I know there are wood cookie molds a plenty for sale online but this was something special. This was old with the molds surrounded in metal, a bit of wormwood damage and really interesting nails. At some point the wood has been conditioned and a wire hanger attached to the back taking it from functional to decorative.

The closest example I’ve found so far in my searches is this very old mold from Germany (late 1600s!) which has similar figures also edged in metal.

While I can’t confirm that mine is over 300 years old, I am confident in saying that it is antique and possibly from the 1800s or earlier. More research is needed. But I am pleased with this.

My next find was this delightful, quirky, colorful vintage painting. Turns out it’s from Indonesia and likely reverse painted on glass.

The woman’s expression was perfect. While the men are smiling and having a good time, she is rolling her eyes and frowning as she serves them! Don’t you wonder what she’s thinking?

Would anyone buy this? Well, I discovered a similar one sold on Etsy for $198 so that’s good news and others have shown up on Worthpoint. So I have no doubt it will find a home.

The bottom line–I walked out the thrift store today with two old and quirky items and it felt like such a win. It’s been a year without many wins, but finding two amazing, unusual, old items in a thrift store reminded me why I love doing this and why I hope to be able to continue in the years to come.

Wishing you happy hunting,

Karen