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Thrifting delights
Posted on November 16th, 2009 5 comments
Above is a picture of a pretty antique class bowl that I discovered at a Salvation Army store in Guelph a few weeks ago. The reason it caught my eye is that it is very similar to one that I already have in pale, translucent pink, which was passed down to me from my Nana. I’m guessing this piece is from the 40s or 50s. For now, it’s storing a small collection of jewelry that also belonged to my Nana. I paid $1.99 for this piece, but recently found the identical item on sale at an antiques store in Toronto for $10 (the same store also sold hobnail milk glass vases for $10, which pass for $1 at any thrift store.) The store was absolutely beautiful, and provided me with plenty of inspiration on how to better arrange and display my own antiques and collectibles. However, it also made me realize that thrift store shopping really requires a great deal creativity. Modern and trendy consignment, vintage and antiques stores often display thrift items that shoppers might otherwise easily miss. When items are paired together, set under the proper backdrop and under flattering lighting, it’s much easier to imagine the item in your own home. But you often pay a heftier price at such boutiques. I prefer to use these stores for inspiration, and then dig through the racks and shelves of thrift stores to find my own treasures. Thrift store shopping requires us to think differently, and employ some imagination to figure out what could be done to enhance an object’s hidden beauty or value. I adore this creative element so much that regular shopping has become completely uninteresting to me. Coupled with the consideration for environmental impact, not to mention the difference in price, regular retail shopping has become a chore, whereas thrift store shopping - or should I say, hunting - remains a delight.
5 responses to “Thrifting delights”
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Catherine November 16th, 2009 at 23:09
SQ~Your idea of thrifting is right on.
I have a cupboard with several of the same pieces pictured here. It’s milk glass, and I’m thinking it is from the 50’s. My Mom gave me the pieces I have - she thought the cake plate and 12 serving plates would be ideal for a bridal shower some day. Alas, they weren’t used. I did break them out for a traditional English ‘high tea’ I had with my niece and her 4 year old daughter this summer though.
Look for a clear frog for your dish (I have one in one of mine) as it makes a wonderful way to make flower arrangements.
Enjoy your new find!
P.S. Does it make me sound old to say I remember your Nana’s type of jewellery??? LOL! -
Great find Megs!
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I completely agree! Once you get good at thrift shopping, you’ll never want to go back to retail stores. While I’m not a hardcore digger, using your creativity and being open to whatever you may find at a thrift shop is just so fun, not to mention cheap and awesome for this consumption-driven world of ours. Plus, the profits from trift sales generally go back to the community in some way, such as the thrift stores here run by the local homeless shelters and animal rescues.
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Saver Queen November 18th, 2009 at 02:00
Catherine, using this dish for floral arrangements is a great idea! Did you come up with that? It’s genius! I bet that would look so pretty. I’m going to keep an eye out for a clear frog. I didn’t realize it was milk glass. The cake plate sounds nice, but some of that old stuff just isn’t very usable anymore, that is unless we repurpose them!
TTL - you’re so right. I love that my money goes to support good causes. It’s the most ethical way to shop!
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I think my grandma had a very similar bowl, she had a lot of milkglass. What a find, I love it.
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