Treasure Box Wednesday: The Fruits of Thrifting

Funny how a thrift store can be empty one week-- nothing but some mismatched flatware, a few old patterns and a couple of chipped cups-- and then a week or two later, the shelves can be overflowing.

That's pretty much what happened this last weekend-- the overflowing part. I hit the same stores I'd hit just two weeks ago-- the St. Vincent de Paul and Goodwill in Monroeville, and it had gone from famine to feast.

Part of the bounty is this Victorian transferware bowl. It's made by Dresden (of Ohio!), a whiteware pottery manufacturer around the turn of the 1900s.

The bowl has crazing, the little character cracks which are natural for whiteware, and don't detract from the value of the piece. But there aren't any chips, cracks or mars to this one. Hard to believe, really. And for $3.00!

I also found this lovely half-finished needlepoint of fruit...

It probably was supposed to be a chair cushion, but I think it would also look lovely in a vintage frame. I was really fond of the colors they used, and couldn't resist.

The same store had a feast of reading materials for me. I'd been hoping to get to read a few of Agatha Christie's tales feature her detectives Tommy and Tuppence, and the Goodwill certainly had them. In fact, they had a lot of other Christies, as well-- ideal for anyone hoping to acquire and instant collection. These editions were from the 60s.


In there is also Terry Pratchett, who I look forward to reading, as I've been driving around listening to a terrific audiobook of his. (Thanks a bunch for the recommendation, J.D.-- you were so, so right!)

Well, once we solve the mystery of who killed whom in the library with the candlestick... you need the candlestick, right?..

I got two of these-- $0.99 a piece-- from the St. Vincent de Paul. The base is cut glass and the style really looks like some Depression era pieces I've seen, though I can't find these particular ones in my books. But hey, old or new, they're quite stylish for the not-quite-a-dollar I paid for them. Cut glass, and cut-rate prices! Not bad.

Lastly, I found this nice little black purse...

It seems to be in great condition. It's no particular name I know, but I don't really care much about that. Basically, I will be using this for fall.

So here sits the full still-life of these thrifted fruits!


And me? I'm going to go devour those books. Have a wonderful week, my pals in thrift!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't you just love the smell of 2nd hand books!
I used to spend hours in this book swap store only they had lots and lots of old books, and records etc. It was dark and dingy and they used to always have on some turn of the century scratchy old time record playing.. I just loved the atmosphere!!
Ohh after that long story.... I love the bowl!! :)
Have a wonderful week also, and don't loose track of time with your nose in the books :)

Anonymous said...

Evie- I love everything about shopping for books. We have a Half Price Books store here, and I can get lost in there for hours. The way you describe the used book store, it sounds marvelous!

The Queen of Fifty Cents said...

Love the bowl and needlepoint together--what gorgeous colors!

Anonymous said...

Queen- Thanks! I don't know about you, but I tend to choose things in similar colors-- which ends up accidentally working well together simply because I live in a color rut! :)

Anonymous said...

Nice finds. The bowl is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Papercages- Thanks! It's been a while since I've found one of these at a thrift.

vintage girl at heart said...

Oh la la lovin' that bowl!! Great finds!!!

Anonymous said...

Vintage Girl- Hey, thanks! Hope you've been doing well. I need to pop by and say Hi. I've been a horrible slacker about visiting lately, and I apologize for that.

Da Old Man said...

I'm losing my mind. Just checking back to see if you responded to the comment I thought about leaving before. LOL.
Our local St Vinnie's has the weirdest collection of stuff imaginaeable. It really is like a treasure hunt. Once one gets past the mountains of clothing, and all the TVs and radios that probably don't work, I've found such treasures as individually decorated and personalized frat house discipline paddles from the 50's, RR worker hard hats, and more.
Great place.

Anonymous said...

Da Old Man- Heh, I don't usually respond to comments folks haven't left yet-- only because I haven't found a time machine at the thrifts, but it'll happen. Give me time. :)

I bet there's probably someone out there who collects those discipline paddles. It's remarkable the sorts of things you can find, and never even realized existed.

Michele said...

I absolutely love the bowl. I have a few bowls with those crazing marks, but didn't know that those are normal. Thanks for letting me know that! I love books from Goodwill...they always have the best mysteries and romance ones!

Have a great day!

Hugz,
Michele

Anonymous said...

Michele- Yup, the crazing is fine, it's just a part of aging. Real cracks or chips of any kind are a totally different thing to collectors-- they devalue a piece, where crazing typically doesn't, it's considered character.

cherry said...

I love crazing myself..love the patina it adds. I love your blog...I love to thrift and decorate and do a lot of crafts and do it yourself projects. Love your finds. cherry

Anonymous said...

Cherry- I love that you stopped by! Thanks! :)

Lana Gramlich said...

Thrift/second hand stores, flea markets, garage sales & the like are all SOOO awesome! Such unique finds for so little money! One man's trash truly IS another's treasure AND it's recycling, so you can feel good about it!
Beautiful finds here. :)

Anonymous said...

Lana- That's what I find remarkable about it, as well. When I hear folks say they'd never buy anything second-hand, or set foot in a thrift store (and I have heard people say this), I always find myself thinking-- well, it's their loss.

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Wow, you found yourself some wonderful treasures thrifting this week!! I adore the vintage needlepoint piece. Priceless!

Blessings,

Sher

Anonymous said...

Sher- It's priceless to me as I simply am not skilled with things like needlepoint. So to find one so nicely done FEELS like a real treasure. Thanks so much for stopping by!

That Girl Ang said...

Hi Jenn - I love your blog.. and I wrote about you on mine.. LOL (you can thank Sher for starting this) ;) When you get a chance.. please pop on over...

Anonymous said...

NJ- Aww... aren't you nice? (Of course, I KNEW you were well before this... :) I will have to check it out.