Musings of a Mad Thrifter

I can't help myself.

I can't stop picking. I tried. I am so convicted.

I put a self-imposed stop on all manner of picking and thrifting, garage sale-ing and antiquing until:
a) I sell more stuff in my Etsy shop
b) I list all the stuff I already have (I could double my shop inventory just by doing this!)
c) I can't stand it any longer
d) I stop keeping most of what I find!

Because those that know me well know that picking is second nature for me, they feel the need to give me permission to break my vow.

Their reasons are good ones:
a) you love doing it and you are having a great time (my husband)
b) you will need inventory for over the winter since your all-time favorite thrift store closed (my daughter)
c) more items in your Etsy shop means more visibility in SEO (Etsy admin)

Of course they are all right, especially Etsy admin since it will get busier as Fall and the holidays approach.

Conclusion:

It's all their fault.

Having said that, I hope you will agree that the great stuff I found at the Pultneyville Homecoming Antique Show this past Saturday is worth all the guilt and the fun-filled fabulous feelings I am experiencing. Besides, I think I missed this show maybe once over the past 30 years! I didn't promise myself I would be missing great antique shows.

These are my fabulous wood finds....

 

If anyone knows what the carving on the tray to the left with the handles is called, I'd love to know!

The cubby shelf may be a small printers drawer. I have been finding so many wooden bread boards that I now have a nice collection of them. I may have to keep them for awhile. I had to have the rusty shovel on the blue chippy board.....as simple as that.

 My funky and unique finds.....

 

The wreath is made from vintage fabric with various vintage items sewed on. The pink vase is from the 50's marked Japan. The truck is handmade and the beveled mirror hangs by a gold cord with gold tassels hanging off each end.

 

 

My fragile finds.....

 

 

I love the two tier dish marked Japan. The green glass juicer and clear glass dish are unique. The vanity tray is missing some of it's filigree and the duck is just cute!

 

 

My typical but still nice finds....

 

 

I say typical because you can find an enamel tin, a vintage Christmas tree stand, an old toolbox and thermometer and a vintage globe in most vintage shops. They are still great items and highly collectible.

My pretty finds....

The runner on the top of the suitcase is linen with the prettiest floral design. Suitcases are very popular items in my shop. I loved the shape of the basket and the granny square throw....well, I just love granny square anything!

My vintage Christmas finds....

 

A collection of three white and two red winged flocked angels with gold or silver wings. I think they are from the 40's or 50's, my favorite era for Christmas items.

 

My garden find.....

 

 

I bought this chippy wood and metal table/stool just for me for my garden. I haven't found the exact place for it yet, but it is a very special find.

 

 

My favorites, up close....

 



 

I have been wanting a vintage chippy metal pick-up truck to put a bottle brush tree in to decorate for Christmas. This handmade, worn, primitive looking truck is the next best thing. I think I will leave it as is and just tie a nice tree to it's flatbed.

 

 

 

The more I look at this wreath, the more I love it. Simple in design but with such a vintage nostalgic look to it. It is a keeper for now.

 

 

 

I fell for the rust on the shovel and the chippiness of the blue paint of this wall hanging as soon as I saw it.

 

 

 

There are some keepers here but most will be listed in my Etsy shop before the holiday rush. If you see something you have to have before they appear in my shop, we may be able to strike a deal! Contact me via email.

AnnMarie xoxo


It's the final week of my CHRISTMAS IN JULY sale in my Etsy shop, NaNa's Things. I am offering 20% off my Vintage Holiday section HERE:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/NanNasThings?section_id=11378668&ref=shopsection_leftnav_7

I will be partying with these fun blog hop parties this week:

Roses of Inspiration Linkup
Let's Talk Vintage
Vintage Bliss Tuesday Linky Party
Thrifty and Vintage Finds Link Party
Vintage Inspiration Party
Share Your Cup Thursday
Home and Garden Thursday
Anything Blue Friday
Best of the Weekend
Pink Saturday

Thrifty Treasures and a Purple Cow

 

I never saw a Purple Cow,
I never hope to see one;
But I can tell you, anyhow,
I'd rather see than be one.

                                            Gelet Burgess, 1895

 

The purple cow was my final buy at a street long yard sale in a neighboring town. The woman I bought it from said her mother collected them and that there was a poem about purple cow's that she liked. I found it and some history about it and the author on Wikipedia here.

 

It was a gorgeous morning and I was at the first house at the sale when it opened at 9 a.m. I reluctantly had to leave at 2 p.m. If I didn't have to pick up my granddaughter Cassidy at school, I would have stayed longer! I had some shopping time alone before meeting up with my new thrifting buddy Kim.

 



 



I zeroed in on the pink 1950's trunk from the other side of the street. The woman selling it said it was her doll trunk when she was a girl. She revealed to me that she is now 66. Needless to say, I had to have it!

 

 

 

 

The round fruit basket tops (behind the trunk) have great, wide slats for stenciling, a renewed passion for me. Not sure what I will stencil but I picked up three of them for under $2. The cute sunflower mirror is a cheapy metal piece. I had to have it for my side porch for $1!

 

 

 

 

Lately I find that I am so drawn to the old clothespins of the 1950's. I picked a huge basketful at the last estate sale I attended. When I saw these two clothespin bags filled, I just wanted them. I don't even have a clothesline! The canvas bag is pretty ripped up and I am going to try and repair it or replace it all together. The old frame on it is great. The blue print bag is in great shape and may be listed in my Etsy shop, including the clothespins!

 

 

 

 

The two straw purses were a great find. The one on the right is trimmed in British Tan leather, including being lined inside with a pocket, all in the same leather. It has four painted wood ladybug beads on the front. The smaller one has yarn embroidery and raffia flowers. Both are listed in my Etsy shop, here and here.

 

 

 

I am also so drawn to stoneware pitchers lately. The jadeite colored green one had to go home with me to add as an accent in my kitchen. I also found a large roll of burlap ribbon and a vintage glass jar to make a miniature scene in.

The tomato covered pot is not old but is a keeper for  me! I found three shelves....an ivory metal one, a wrought iron one, and a retro wood knick knack shelf....all different and unique. A tin tart pan, an enamelware tray in yellow and a 1950's musical tree stand that rotates. My favorite find of the day and the one I am most excited about was actually spotted by Kim. I probably would have passed it by!

 



A whole box of National Geographic maps of the world, all in great shape, all dated in the 1960's. I know these are great for crafting. I have seen them used to line vintage trunks.....fabulous! Half price for the whole box of 18 wasn't bad either!

This little pitcher never made the group picture. It was inside the straw handbag for safe keeping. It is adorable and I haven't decided yet to sell it or keep it.

 

Out of all the items I picked that day I am keeping about eight of them, for now. Finding all these great treasures has recharged my desire to decorate my own home.

 

 



Sometime after Mr. Burgess wrote his purple cow poem he wrote a follow-up to it....

 

Ah, yes, I wrote the "Purple Cow"—
I'm Sorry, now, I wrote it;
But I can tell you Anyhow
I'll Kill you if you Quote it!

 

 

Oops! I think I'm safe....that was 120 years ago!

 

AnnMarie xoxo

 

 I am linking up with these fun blog parties:

Roses of Inspiration
Thrifty & Vintage Finds
Let's Talk Vintage
Thrifter Share
What's It Wednesday
Vintage Inspiration Party
Share Your Style
Home and Garden Thursday
Anything Blue Friday
Best of the Weekend
Pink Saturday
Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party