Monday, February 27, 2012

Thrift Share Monday - February 27

I'm am so delighted with these items I'm going to be sharing with you today.

As of Saturday when I was out of town I was thinking I was going to be showing off only three items (three great items), forgetting I had done some thrifting the week before, and then at the last minute on Sunday I hit up an estate sale with 20 minutes to spare.

I'm going to dive right in and show you my prized find....well after what led me to it.

Being out of town I didn't really have thrifting in mind since I had to make my return trip home by airplane.  Therefore, I didn't want to find something and not be able to take it home.  However, my mom offered for us to make a stop at a thrift store since she knows that's my thing.  I said yes, in hopes I'd maybe fine a vintage sheet or two, but found something even better.

As soon as I walked into the thrift store from across the store I could see a blue dish on the wall shelf.  I went straight for it.  It was a blue snowflake Pyrex dish, but as soon as I got close enough to it, it looked bad.  The color and snowflakes were in perfect condition, but was heavily covered in baked on grease.  I looked at it sadly, put it down, and walked away.  I know how hard it is to removed years of cooked on, baked on grease, and with this being 50+ years old that's a long time of possible baked on debris. 

Shortly after I came back to the Pyrex when I saw my mom close to it, and showed her.  "Look mom, it's $2.99, but so gross looking."  She said it could be cleaned, I believed her, and grabbed it.  (see dirty photos below)

I walked around some more (no vintage sheet love), then came back to where I picked up the Pyrex dish.  I then looked up, high up in tip toe reach *insert angels singing here*.  What I saw was something I've only seen online, and I knew exactly where I've seen it.  I didn't know what it was called, but I recognized the pattern and grabbed it immediately.

I knew what I had was good.  I showed it to my mom, and went straight to check out.  As soon as we got in the car I started frantically looking for the blog post that showed this patterned bowl.  Not even 5 minutes later I got it.  Catherineholm's lotus flower, and on Ebay a 5" one was currently going for $20 (ended up selling for $41).  My purchase was for $4.99 so I knew I already had a good buy, especially since the bowl I bought was 11".  Yup.  You heard me.  An 11" Catherineholm's lotus flower enamel bowl for $4.99.  It wasn't until yesterday that I found one that sold on Ebay for $105.  Score!!!

My mom thought it was crazy that I was able to locate the maker of the bowl so quickly since the bowl wasn't marked.  "How did you find that bowl pattern online without knowing what it was called?"  My reply was, "Apron Thrift Girl".  I remembered that she had a post not too long ago on a Thrift Share Monday, that talked about these bowls, and how high they were selling for on Ebay.  So I went straight to her blog and scrolled through her postings.  Thank you Apron Thrift Girl!  :-)

Saturday, while still out of town, my aunt (actually my mom's best friend whom I call my aunt) wanted to take me out thrifting. Ugh, I was leaving that day and couldn't bare the thought of thrifting with no room in my carry-on.   I already had the 1 1/4 qt Pyrex dish and 11" Catherineholm's bowl I had to make room for, and make sure I was able to carry-on to the plane with me.    I told my mom I didn't want to go, but for SNG's and to kill time we went anyway.  

In my previous post I talked about where we went thrifting, and how I looked around with no buying in mind.  For the most part that was easy since these little shops were already taking the meat off the bone, to resell.  Until I saw this.  I'll admit like the blue snowflake Pyrex dish, I looked at this and put it down.  Mainly due to it's size, and having to carry it on to the plane.  Until I looked it up online and saw that I could make a good profit on it (that is of course if I decide to sell it).
Kron lamp

These super cute Siamese cats lamp with glowing eyes was $20.  I don't know when or where I've seen these before but they look familiar.  My older sister even said the same thing when she saw them.  She swears my grandma had one just like it, but my mom says no.  Maybe one day it will click and I'll remember who had one, or where I've seen it before.  Either way I love them, and I'm so glad I decided to buy it, regardless if I decide to sell them or not.


Wow, this post is getting long, and that's only three items.  I'll make the other showings quick.

Mushroom napkin holder.
 

Prior to going out of town I had scored these items. 

Three Fire King Blue Heaven custard cups.


Large brown Dansk enamel pot.

At Sunday's Estate sale

Three vintage amber glasses.  Still researching these...if you recognize the pattern please let me know.


Small milk glass Fire King mixing bowl.



Two cute tea cups.

Very vintage-y looking Napcoware compote/bow/vase.

And this super fab avocado green Lustroware ice bucket, that looks to be in perfect condition.


Was this a great thrifting week (and a half) or what?

Oh so I managed to fit all three of my vintage finds from out of town in my newly made Weekender Travel bag, that I will share with you tomorrow.  I wonder what the TSA workers think at the airport when they see items like these packed run through their x-ray machine?  What would you think if you saw an enamel bowl, a Pyrex dish, and a cat lamp all in one bag?

Oh (again).  The Pyrex dish I mentioned (above) was gross with baked on grease.  Well, when I got home, and after I tried a standard sponge and soap wash, with no result, I decided to try Easy Off oven cleaner, and holy cow.  Look how gross it was before, and how the baked on grease just literally melted away (In no way am I'm being paid by Easy Off for this post).  There were a few spots that were really bad, but I just had to spray those areas a few more times to get the bake-on black crud removed.   How great is that?










 Yay! Pretty Pyrex.  :-)



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Saturday, February 25, 2012

Left behind

This weekend (or end of week)  I went out of town, to my home town.  I didn't expect to do any thrifting but my mom (who was with me)  knows that's what like to do so we did some thrift shop stops, and found a couple great items, but my thrifted finds will be saved for Thrift Share Monday.

What I want to talk about now, as a sit on the floor at the airport next to an outlet to charge my phone, is an item I'm not too sure about if i should be sad about leaving behind.

Today we made a stop at a row of thrift stores, if that's what you call them (kinda like garage/warehouse /storage units turned into stores).  They had tons of stuff, and unfortunately it didn't seem like I was in the thrifting mood.  I had already bought two good sized items the day before that I had to squeeze in my carry-on bag.  So the thought of having to check in my new finds didn't sit well with me.



So I looked around with just browsing in mind.  Then I saw this way high up on shelves above the doors.  Oh the whole owl craze just made me wonder how well this would sell.

We asked to look at it and it was big, and really heavy.  It's a large hanging lamp.  The inside of the lamp was painted a red-orange so when it was turned on it made a big statement.

They had it priced $95, haha yeah right, but they knocked it down to $30 without us even asking.

My mom tried to convince me to get it, but I eventually decided not to.  Like I said it was big, and really heavy.  Not something I'd want to mess with at the airport.


So did I make the right decision by leaving it behind?  Sigh. ..oh well.


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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Play Date

You know I'm finding that I'm enjoying online blog interacting more and more.  I can say what I want to say, or "silently" present an item and walk away. 

With that being said I occasionally link up to other blogs, like Apron Thrift Girl's Thrift Share Monday, or enter craft projects for giveaways.  It's like presenting something without everyone starring, and when they are staring they are starring at what was presented and not necessarily at you.  Does this make any sense?

However, if or when you're acknowledged it's nice.  For example last week I linked up with The Vintage Sheet blog showing off my vintage sheet lavender heart sachets, and those sachets were featured on their next post.  What a pleasant surprise!  My analogy for this is like making a drawing in elementary school and your drawing ends up being picked to be displayed in the hallway for everyone else to see, you know it's yours, but not everyone knows you by name.  It's a nice happy feeling.

My next link up is with a new found blog, I was directed to them by The Twinery, The Play Date Cafe.  Since I'm new to them I'll describe them how I've interpret their site by what I've seen so far.  Each week they have a color theme, and you are to submit crafts in those colors.  Easy enough right?  So since this week the colors are a combination I really like, black white with a bit of pink, I'm gonna link-up with this weeks Play Date Cafe Challenge.

If you check out their link-ups most of their entries are cards, which are lovely and soo fun, but I'm not a scrapbook/card making person.  I don't have those supplies.  What do I have?  Yeah, hello, fabric.  So I decided to make some fun pinwheels.  No sewing involved.  I bumped into this pinwheel tutorial early last year. 

These pinwheels are on a smaller 5" scale, and at first I wasn't sure how I was going to present them.  Do I put them on sticks? Do I pin them on my wall?  Then it clicked.  Magnets.  Yup, good old fashion magnet decor.  Each pinwheel is centered with a swirl of bakers twine that I purchased from the Twinery last year. 

Pinwheels on metal stair railing.
How fun are these?
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Monday, February 20, 2012

One down...two to go. Dress a Girl Around the World.

I've committed myself to something (mentally), and I plan to stick to it.

Do you know about Dress a Girl Around the World?  I've followed a blog called Sew Delightful for awhile now.  This blog is about making and sending dresses to little girls in need, all over the world.  When I read these post I always think how amazing it is that there are people so dedicated to make and send dresses to those who are less fortunate.

Last week on another blog (one of my favorites), The Vintage Sheet Blog, Dress a Girl Around the World was being talked about, and it got me thinking.  As I read through these stories about those less fortunate, not jobless (like me), but children without parents, no food, abused, and abandoned, it makes me sad, but at the same time thankful for what I have.

I was let go from my job, of 6 years, about three weeks ago, and although yes that was very upsetting, and not a situation anyone wants to be in, I know I am still very lucky.  I'm lucky because I'm healthy, as well as my children, and family, and I have a wonderful support group whom is also my family.

Pillow cases I've picked out.
So since I'm home with a bit of spare time, between job searches, I've figured I could make lemonade (dresses) with the lemons (no job) I've been given, for  Dress a Girl Around the World.

making single fold bias tape
You know I buy vintage sheet pillowcases occasionally, but tend not to use them (weird).  So I've pulled out three of the thickest, nicest ones I have (I'm not saying the other ones I have are not nice they are just thinner, and a bit transparent if a lining isn't used for the dress.).  I had hopes that I would bang them out quickly, but you know what?  I don't like buying bias tape, therefore I'm having to make my own for each dress.  I do have a bias tape maker, but I fight with it.  :-(  I can get it to do the single fold somewhat ok, but the double fold I'm on my own for that second step. 

Anyways, I am a happy, AND proud maker of my first pillowcase dress.  One that will be shipped out to a little girl in need.  My two others dresses are planned to be done this week, and I'll ship out all three together.


Yay!
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Monday, February 13, 2012

Vintage Beats Crafts

Rock, paper, scissors. 

Rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, and vintage beats crafts.
Unsold

So, I mentioned I was attempting my third market this past Saturday.  A tell tale market for my attempts to sell items, since the two previous markets I've done were unsuccessful.  This market was going to determine if I should continue, or get it out of my system.  Hmmm?  I don't know if this will get certain things out of my system, like vintage sheet sewing, but I will say it will keep my desire to thrift garage, and estate sales and of course thrift stores. 

Sold
Sold
This market was at a super cool restaurant/bar/bowling alley, The Highball, definitely a place I'll go to again to eat and drink.  Some vendors here were vendors I've seen at the big craft shows, so to me it was like I was playing with the big dogs.  They were with their nice displays, store sign/banners, spinning racks, and tiered shelves.  I'm not all fancy like that yet.  I had a letter card stock page with my logo printed on it; viola the extent of my fanciness.  :-)

So, regarding vintage "beats" crafts, my setup lack(ed)(s) the showing of my crafted items, purses & aprons.  Meaning my purses were off to the side in a non-trafficked section, but pretty much the only place I could display them.  However, my vintage items were a BIG hit.  Yay! At one time I had people waiting to see if items were going to be bought when they were in the hands of others.  I even had someone ask me if I price what I sell, since my prices were SO inexpensive.  Silly question. 
Purses are in the top left corner, not visible from people walking this direction.  My bad.

Yes, I do compare my prices to Etsy and Ebay.  However, going off of prices on these venues, or any venue, is not always a guarantee.  With Etsy, yes, something may be priced lets say for $45, but that doesn't mean it will sell at that price, and the same goes for Ebay.  I check Ebay's completed listings, and identical items sell at a variety of different prices.  One listing will sell for $20 and the other for $50.  It all depends on who saw these listings at the duration of the listing.  Right?

.10 cent pack of post cards sold $2
Ultimately, I know what I buy my items at, and depending on the item cost I either doubled or even get 20x my money back.  For example I buy something at a garage sale for 10 cents, and sold it for $2, or I bought something for $15, and got $32 for it.  These are used items, that are 20+ years old.  I'm happy that I've gotten my investment back, the extra is a bonus.  That's not something you can do with big box store purchases...even if the item is new and unused.  So sure I could max out a price on what something "could" be worth, but that means I'm taking the chance on it not selling, right?  Granted I did do that on one set of snack plates I have, but it was because I really didn't want to sell them, but figured if they did sell it would be money in my pocket (they didn't sell so I'm happy). 
The snack set I really didn't want to sell, and didn't.

I'm not sad that my purses or aprons didn't sell.  It would be disappointing if I saw people look at them and not buy them, but honestly I saw maybe one person look at them.  So if/when I do another market I just gotta figure out a way that they are seen, but now I have new inventory for Etsy.  The more listings I have will just increase the odds to get more traffic to my shop.  So, it's all good.  :-)

Here are a couple of aprons available on Etsy.  More will be added soon.  


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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Ugh! I know...more hearts

 Yeah, I'm not much of a Valentine's Day person.  Yesterday I even went online to look up anti-Valentine's Day craft's, but got infected by all the hearts, and hearts, and hearts EV-ERY-WHERE.  It was then that I decided that I needed to add something Valentine-ish to my booth for this Saturday's, February 11,  Austin Flea.  What I came up with.... of course...hearts.

I've made some lavender sachets before for another market (that didn't sell, since it was dead), but they ended up being great teacher gifts.  So I decided to make some more lavender sachets for this weekend, but instead of squares... hearts.  Oh yeah, you know, they are also made out of vintage sheets.  A dozen of them were made while watching my evening T.V. shows.  If they sell cool.  If not... then oh well.   

Dang, I have been a busy bee this week, with online job searches, YUK (that will soon drive me crazier), and sewing new, additional, items for the Flea it's like I have two full-time jobs (ok..that might be stretching it a little bit).  However, we all know how looking for a job online sucks a lot of time out of your day.

So for the Austin Flea, along with my vintage finds, and vintage sheet purses I've also made 12 heart sachets, 8 tissue holders, 7 half aprons, and 1 coin purse.  I have intentions of making more coin purses, but zippers s...l...o...w me down.  Today is pretty much the last day I have to sew new items, leaving Friday open to price and pack everything.  Yikes!  This week has gone by fast.

Keep your fingers crossed for me, and everyone at the Austin Flea, that this weekend will be a success.  This will be my third attempt to sell at a market so it'll be third-times-a-charm, or three strikes and I'm out.  Which one will it be?


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Monday, February 6, 2012

Thrift Share Monday - February 6

Dang! It's been a long time since I've posted a Thrift Share.

I have had camera issues (what's new), and I've almost splurged on buying a new one, but good thing I didn't since I was laid off last week.  :-(  So I've dug out my old, old Sony Cyber-Shot and will make do with it. (I think it actually takes better pictures too).

I've done very little thrifting lately, mainly due to the holidays...AND the build up of items since I've procrastinated on listing on Etsy, but my hoarding may dwindle this weekend, Feb 11, at the Austin Flea.  I'm in hopes I'll sell quite a bit of stuff for some extra cash, including vintage sheet items.  I still have plenty purses from my first attempt at a market (that was dead), so I'm making other items for variety.


Oh, but first I want to share that  I got my third vintage, tear drop, milk glass vase to complete a set I envisioned in my head.  I first bumped into one of these vases at an estate sale May of last year.  I loved it so much I debated about parting with it, then months later I found another one at my favorite thrift store in September, then I really debated about parting with them.  At that time I thought, as you usually see in home decorating shows, a set of three would be nice; groups of items should be odd numbers (how odd).

In November at that same thrift store I saw my potential third vase, but didn't purchase it because it was chipped, and I have, somewhat, kicked myself for not buying it.  So a few weeks ago I was at that same thrift store, and initially thought it might have been the chipped vase from a few months back, BUT it wasn't. Yay!!!  My set of three is now complete.


The rest of my share this week is my recent vintage sheet finds, and very colorful ones they are.  I'll be cutting into these this week to make aprons, tissue holders, and zipper pouches.  They are also available as fat quarters in my Esty shop where you can pick your own vintage sheet fat quarter bundle.  You can also view my stash of sheets on my Flickr page.

Here you go.

Let's start off with the fan-tab-ulous one.  This one is huge!  A king vintage lovely saturated in beautiful color. 

Gorgeous greens

Petite blues with large pinks.

So springy.


Lovely oranges


How has your thrifting been lately?  Any vintage sheet scores or other vintages goodness?
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