Is that even possible?
I find myself wandering into garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets with an alarming a delightful frequency of late. I think I may be feeling a little nesty about transforming my space. We dream of moving to our perfect homestead in the country, but for now we are here – in town. I suspect all this thrifting is about making this house to feel as perfect as possible until we move to our farm.
Old treasures come charged with history, energy, and a story of their own. 99% of the time I would prefer something used over something new (underwear and toothbrushes may be my only exceptions).
I guess for me thrifting is as much about the hunt and the treasure as it is about the story. The history. The secrets. Whose table have these graced? What scenes have they watched unfold?
Below are the finds from the past week or two.
My rooster obsession continues with these three cups (two for eggs and the third for salt, I suspect).
I paid under $4 for this vintage Frankoma
tea set. My grandparents ate off of Frankoma dishes (which I now have
in a box in the basement to use again when the kids are older).
Frankoma has been a top thrifting weakness since I was in high school.
And the yellow is so sweet. I've been having my tea out of this little
pot each morning.
I'm not sure I can even express how much I love this tiny woodland pitcher. A stump and a gnome? Straight to my Waldorf/Nature nerd heart.
And perhaps my favorite find of all are these two paper cuts. There is a water spot on one of the mattes so I think I'll paint them to match the wall I hang them from.
I'm over the moon about these. I've passed them up at our local flea market since Mother's Day because of the water spot. I finally negotiated on the price and took them home for $2.50 a piece. I think I was giggling.
I am a sucker for rosmaling. Gets me every time.
Libby,
I just started finding myself drawn to it in the past few months. You should make a trek this way. TONS of it around here!
~Rachel
Oh – those rooster treasures are making me drool. I’ve found myself needing to take a nice, long thrifting (and Craigslist) timeout. Was bringing in more things than I could assimilate into the house and they were piling up. But if I drive past a promising garage sale…all bets are off.
Great finds! I particularly like your ‘new’ tea set. At this rate your town home will look like a farm house in no time.
Mary Jo,
Perhaps we need to work out a thrifted-treasures exchange. One-in-one-out between houses. The curse really is all the unexpected jewels you stumble upon once in a while. Were pavlovs dogs, drooling at the bell when we see the big orange SALE signs…
~Rachel
Emmy, Do you think my neighbors will notice the cow I have tied out back? 🙂
~Rachel
Your treasures are wonderful!!! I am partial to those paper cuts…so cute!
i’ve been taking a bag to the goodwill when i go a-thrifting. it does offset the acquisitions, i think. ; )
Rachel-
We plan to be there for Kickapoo Country Fair again. But I’m trying to convince the husband to go sooner. If not, I’ll see you at the MREA fair (I’m volunteering this year)!
that little tea set is too delicious for words. wish i would have found something like that on my trek to the thrift this afternoon. but then again- you win some, you lose some. that’s the thrill of the hunt afterall.
Kendra,
Thats a great solution. Mine is more like have a rummage sale in the spring and then feel like its reasonable to drag home treasures until fall. (Repeat.)
~ Rachel
Well see you there, Libby!
~Rachel
So true, Lisset. It is all about the hunt. Im trying to teach the beauty of that to my kids, but for Sage in particular if he doesnt score a treasure its not much fun.
~ Rachel
That woodland pitcher is precious!! Thanks for sharing your treasures!
Sweet! I have not thrifted in over 6 years. Crazy sounding, I know, but it became too much with 2 boys, so I stopped going. We had to skip garage sales for a few years there too, but have gone to a few this summer, although I haven’t had a single moment to look for anything but kid stuff – I follow the whirling dervishes as they go in two completely opposite directions. 🙂 It is all good though – I don’t like buying things much unless I need need need it.
I like the yellow tea set! Such a warm color.
Denise,
I cant imagine! 🙂 It is one of my guilty-yet-not-so-guilty pleasures.
~ Rachel
Your treasure finds are all lovely! I particularly like the little egg cups – gorgeous!
all of your finds are beautiful but I love the little yellow tea pot and the beautiful cut out art the best- so delicate and beautiful, perfect little silhouettes! I know how you feel about trying to hold back on thrifting. I’m irresistibly drawn to it all, but I’m trying to hold back and save even more money. Thrifting always wins, d’oh.
Oh. I am jealous. Rooster cups & Yellow Frankoma!?!?! Lucky!
Van,
It always wins, doesnt it?
🙂
Oh, and your mushroom set – I have the enamel pot for that. I love that whole line!
Rachel
Janice,
It was a sweet little haul. 🙂
Rachel