Monday Thrifting Blues

I needed to drop off three orders at the post office this morning so since I was out and about I swung by the thrift store afterwards, as one does. I thought I had found a couple of winners and was rather pleased driving home. Maybe you know that feeling.

Then reality hit.

I adored this large gorgeous cloisonne vase that had a dragonfly on the back. It was only when I got home that I noticed a large bash on the side and the damage to the enameling. And I was honestly dumbfounded. How had I not noticed that in the store??

But there it was clear as day. And here’s the thing I paid $10.80 for it which would have been fine without the damage and I would have priced it at $65 to $70. But I just don’t think it’s worth trying to sell online–not in this condition. So I’ve added it to my charity pile. Which just frosts me.

Personally I am fond of the older cloisonne pieces and folks (like me) will buy pieces with pitting and small bits of damage. Years ago I bought this large antique bronze tripod censor because I liked the fresh appeal of the simple cloisonne flowers. It’s not in perfect condition, but I got it for a snip of a price. The bronze seal on the bottom translates to “Xuan De Emperor of the Ming Dynasty,” but this is a later reproduction. Still antique, but not 600 years old!

Next I thought this Korean lacquer jewelry box (of no great age, Phillips head screws) with mother of pearl shell design was a nice thing. More of a bread-and-butter thing but still good. And I have sold similar pieces. Turns out there is a music box element to it that doesn’t work. Nuts! I will still sell this, but was disappointed I hadn’t noticed that.

Then I fell in love with these two Rice Krispies mugs in perfect condition and came so close to buying them for myself. So close! These brought a smile to my face. Why didn’t I buy them? (Me and my bro enjoyed Rice Krispies back in the day!)

So I just feel like, for whatever reason, I was distracted and not on my A-game at the thrift store and today that proved costly.

My one happy buy today was on Ebay, though I did pay up for it. I have bought and sold a few vintage shell cameos over the years and chose this one because of the particularly fine carving and atypical beads rather than flowers on the shoulder. It’s set in 800 silver.

I’ll enjoy wearing this for a few years and eventually add it to my store.

Here are a couple of that cameos around the same price as mine but with inferior carving. You can really tell the difference. If you are shopping for shell cameos in person do hold them up to a light source. Real shell cameos will have some translucency, plastic and other materials won’t. (Though cameos made of stone like agate, onyx, or carnelian tend to be more valuable.)

Anyway today is ending with me piling up more stuff for the charity truck that is coming tomorrow. It includes a number of Etsy inventory purchases that have lingered too long, along with books I don’t have room for and clothes I don’t wear anymore (mainly because they don’t fit!).

I’ll close for now wishing you better hunting than I had!!

Karen