Monday Thrift Report

Only a couple of things to post from this weekend, but they were pretty good. Also, according to one of my many New Year's Resolutions, since they were big items, they were taken straight to the booth - thus the low quality photography. Oh well, something's gotta give. 

This is such a cute wooden rocking horse.  Looks sort of vintage, but not sure.  I really like the color combo.  Homemade perhaps?

 

 

Couldn't resist this turtle picture.  Not exactly Mad Men, but a fun office piece nonetheless.

 

 

 

I have lots of embroidered linens that I have picked up here and there, but have had no good way to display them in my booth.  This weekend I found this iron bedspread stand, and for now it works as a sturdy display stand.  I had washed and ironed all my linen, but from this picture it looks like I need to improve my ironing skills.   I also have lots more linens to display but lack hangers.  Anyone know where to get hold of hangers for a good price?

  

 

More mugs.  80s kitsch. Flamingos. Florida.  Enough said. Wait, there is a bit of my brown paneling.  Should definitely have placed these against my aqua walls. 

 

So, what were your favorite finds this weekend?  Also, do you sell linens in your booth?  Any tips?

 

Linking up with A Living Space and Young Heart and Sue's Rednesday - check out other fun weekend finds there.

FisherPrice Nostalgia

 

I just put this in my booth, and it is so cute. Now, this is not a 70s FisherPrice farm set (which I sold last year, sans the animals), but it has maintained its vintage look and charm, red silo and barn doors included.

The original FisherPrice toys have done well for me in my booth, and it will be interesting to see if the modern, vintage-looking editions will have any takers buyers.  My kids enjoyed playing with it for a week, and then it magically disappeared (to my booth).  Worst-case scenario, it ends back up in my kids room.  Best-case scenario, it sells, and per agreement, the kids get 25% of the profit. 

 

Win-Win!

 

Linking up with Sue over at Rednesday.



Child Labour

So, I finally took my kids to task and told them they had to start earning their keep around here.   They have a few chores already, but the pay is low and the hours long.  What else could they do?  Just kidding (but not about the chores and rather low pay). 



My little toy corner

I finally cleaned out their closets (usually happens twice a year, but this time with their help), and I told them that they could put stuff aside in two piles - one for charity and one for the antique booth, and they would get the profits for Christmas.  Wow!  Talk about incentive!  After taking several boxes of clothes, toys, books and shoes to GW, we had quite the little cute pile leftover to take to the booth.  It was almost like shopping, but from our own closet. 

We wrapped vintage-looking wood puzzle boxes in cling wrap, put Playmobile and Legos in Ziploc bags and put little price stickers on them.  We also made several bundles of classic hardcover books (Sandra Boynton, anyone?) with red string and left following note on the basket "All profit from this basket will go to a local charity".  When I put the kids' stash in the booth, I decided to display them in a couple of the vintage suitcases I have there that have not sold yet.  And the kids and I think it looks pretty good!

Would you shop here?


Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl.

Dumpster dive - no can do. Curb swipe - yes, apparently.

Town rescue

I admit I am repulsed and fascinated with people and bloggers who brag about their dumpster diving.  On one hand, I am amazed at the stuff they find/rescue and often shocked at how how much nice stuff gets thrown away by our aggressive consumer society.  But on the other hand, I could never pick around in a dumpster that had both decaying food and smelly diapers - I just couldn't.  Unless I was forced to for survival, that is.  But as a hobby?  No way - unless I was writing some documentary about society and our throw-away culture.  Because then it would give some sort of cool or noble cred, right? (God, I sound like a hipster on speed).

But, I have occasionally been tempted to pick up stuff people leave out on the curb for the garbage truck - and indeed, I have put out furniture myself in the hopes that it would be picked up by somebody other than the garbage man (are these professionals called something else these days, by the way?).  However, I always feel sort of guilty, as if I am doing something bad. Still, the other day, in brilliant sunshine among fall-colored leaves, I overcame my curb reluctance, and I swiped this vintage Fisher Price Village away from its looming fate at the dump.  It is so darling, and I don't know why somebody would just dump it instead of donating it to a charity thrift store.  This particular village was made for a few years in the 70s (in America!), and it came with several additional separate parts and little people, but for the last few days my kids have enjoyed playing with it using their playmobile figures and toy cars.  They especially love the gas pump handle.

Anyway, I am putting this in my booth later this week since it looks as if vintage toys are popular there.  Gotta love a 100% profit!

Have you picked up something from the curb to keep or resell? Does it make you feel guilty?   

Vintage Toys

I love vintage toys for several reasons - they are sturdy to play with, don't break easily, and are actually made in America (or Europe).  Also, usually no batteries required - an extra big bonus in this house.  I have started to add some vintage toys to my booth, and most have done well.  On my very first day while I was setting up, a Humpty Dumpty Fisher Price toy sold.  An old doll has also since sold as well as some Duplo legos I have in bags in a basket (eye level for kids - sneaky, I know).

Last Friday I found this great metal excavator toy for $1.99.  I put it in my booth for $10, and it sold in a day (makes me think I priced it too low).  I wonder if a kid will get to play with it in his sandbox, or if a dad picked it up out of nostalgia (look at that great patina).

I also love how these vintage Playskool blocks feature a regular girl building with blocks - no special marketing in pink (such as the new girly Lego kits).  Also made in America!

By the way, the mint green trays in front are ceramic and super sturdy - I was tempted to keep those, but I am getting so much better at letting things go now that I have a booth to put them in.  My husband appreciates that part too...

Which type of vintage toys catch your attention? 

Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl - who now has her own vintage booth as well (it is drop-dead gorgeous throughout of course)