tag sale tales

happy ending

2007-07-01T18:32:00.000-04:00

dear readers,

after a long lull in our wonderful little space to talk about the creative life of thrifting, the thrifters, and fun finds...i've decided that this space must come to an end. we had fun, you and i. i want to thank all the wonderful writers who have contributed over the months that this blog was in effect. it was fun to have a place to jot down our ideas, share what we love about saving money and having tons of style doing it.

i hope we get to hear more about your thrift finds in your own blogs and i'll leave this space open for those who stumble upon tag sale tales now and then.

happy thoughts and visits to the flea market,
jenny

clothings

2007-06-04T08:12:00.000-04:00

Hello, tag sale tales readers. I haven't made a post in quite awhile, but I was finally able to get some thrifting into my busy schedule this weekend. I hope that over the summer I will have more such time to shop, as well.

I purchased a trio of shoes this weekend. Each pair is pretty unique.

I scored some boxed nylons.

I have been collecting these types of (unused) nylons and strange stocking boxes. There is a sort of nostalgic charm to the packaging, and the fact that the nylons are out of mode is kind of interesting to me. They don't allow for much stretch, but they are so silky compared to the tights and stockings of today. Aren't they "lovely"?

I also picked up a few shirts: a mustard yellow and creme knit with retro stripes, a denim blazer with a really cute button closure, a sweatshirt that says Polish Town U.S.A. (my father's family comes from Poland), and finally a really good quality shirt from Banana Republic.

My total bill came to $8.00.

Springtime, and the pickin' is easy...

2007-05-30T21:03:00.000-04:00

It was a long, cold winter here in Rochester. Too cold for thrifting, too cold for antiquing, and---woe is me!---far, far, too cold to cruise for curbside treasure along the snowy streets of my newly chosen hometown. Sure, there were the occasional desperate forays to the (very) local charity shop, and the rare dumpster drive-by, just to stave off the pangs of emptiness, but I was jonesin' for a yard sale (multi-family! huge!) or a big, fascinating pile of 'one man's trash' to comb for treasure.

Spring has sprung here in the Flower City, and in the wake of the tulips, the rejects, the castoffs, and the glorious
garbage have blossomed. And the yard sales! Plentiful and cheap, and everywhere you look! Every trip to the grocery, each commute to work, has become a bonanza. The back of my van is never empty, and the cockles of my thrifty little heart are warm.

For ages now, I've been a hoarder of vintage sewing notions. You see, I have had Great Intentions of learning to sew. (I even have Two! Vintage! Sewing Machines!) Naturally, I have amassed a vast array of vintage thread and notions, so as to be prepared for the day when the Sewing commenced.

The Sewing Day arrived recently, and with it, the shattering of my thrifty bubble: thread has a shelf life. Vintage thread is quite nearly as useful as, say, vintage lettuce. And so, my quandary:
What to do with my carefully acquired bounty of splendid spools?

Yesterday, while driving my brood to the library, we hit the mother lode. A bag of fabric from JoAnn's, complete with the receipt. Two dozen cloth diapers, still in the bag from the service. Beads. An ironing board. A sled. And finally...a long, wooden frame.

Don't you love it when all of the pieces come together?

New York City Flea Market Guide

2007-05-22T19:34:00.001-04:00

I wanted to post a follow up to my post back in October 2006 about my trip to New York City to visit with friends and hit some flea markets (click here to read that post). I have received lots of emails and comments asking for more details about the flea markets I went to, so I thought I would share with everyone!

We started out at the Hells kitchen Flea Market (and the Cupcake Garden is right around the corner - - and serves coffee and breakfast goodies and is tres cute). We had planned to get to this flea market early Saturday morning, but, do to a late night, we did not get there until a little after 9am which was perfect because it seemed like a lot of the vendors were just finishing setting up. This market is where I got the letterpress blocks and a bunch of great pieces of vintage jewelry. Also, there was a man who had gobs and gobs of vintage ribbon including my favorite, vintage velvet ribbon in every color imaginable! I think I walked away with about 10 different colors, and the more you buy the better the deal!

Me at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market

Once we had out fill at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, we hoped on the $1 shuttle to the Antique Garage (which is in Chelsea, I believe - if you go to the Hell's Kitchen link above, click on the 'Antiques Garage' tab to read more about it) and THAT is where I found the wonderful old photo album. The man I purchased it from had tons of albums and photos and wonderful old frames. This flea market, like the name implies, is inside a garage, so if the weather is not great you may want to go straight there.

I hope this helps - I highly recommend heading to these flea markets next time you are in New York City!

mikasa

2007-05-19T11:01:00.001-04:00

head over to apron thrift girl to see more about these adorable mikasa finds!

whale that's swell

2007-05-10T16:34:00.000-04:00

maditi finds the most extraordinary flea market treasures like this sweet danish whale. you can see more of her talent for not only seeing goodies and bringing them home with her, but photographing them as well! get a cup of your favorite drink and sit down a while to see all her flea market finds right here. (i think what you see would make a marvelous coffee table book, don't you?)

flashbacks from france

2007-05-10T09:31:00.000-04:00

i know corey is contributer here, but stopping at her own blog this morning i was so touched by her writing, not to mention this decorating perfection i'm sure to recreate in my own home that i had to share with you. any artwork would be stunning propped up on the wall on a garden planter, but something about a frameless oil painting like this has me dreaming of the french countryside.

p.s. see more of her flea market finds here!

thumbtacks from a garage sale

2007-05-05T14:51:00.001-04:00

thumbtacks from a garage sale, originally uploaded by Hillary Lang.

ohh hillary, your garage sales are like no other. :D

enamel and brassflowers

2007-04-17T19:36:00.001-04:00

enamel and brassflowers, originally uploaded by mood swing.

if we could all be so lucky to score like kristen. my goodness. this stash is just a jewelry designer's dream!!

wonder what other creative endeavors out there are fueled by flea market finds?

vintage affection

2007-04-06T21:42:00.001-04:00

vintage affection, originally uploaded by junomi.

so sweet! vintage fabrics are like no other...

unwrapping treasures

2007-04-05T19:25:00.000-04:00

reader kathy recently wrote in with these beautiful photos, can't you just feel the excitement in unwrapping antiques? the best part? she scored them all for $16! watch the pretty progression and be inspired to find your own...

Pretty Plates

2007-04-04T18:56:00.001-04:00

Pretty Plates, originally uploaded by Only a Paper Moon.

all in my favorite color, oh my. what a collection!

10 reasons to give vintage

2007-04-02T21:42:00.000-04:00

saw this on hobbyprincess and thought it was a great fit for the tales, the original list is from lulu's vintage. enjoy!

10- It is the ultimate eco-gift! No landfill packaging. No new use of resources or labor.

9- Craftsmanship. Vintage items were made out of high quality materials and feature unique design details.

8- History. You are buying an item that has proved to be fashionable throughout history.

7- History (part 2). It is fun to own something vintage and think of how a person from a whole other generation appreciated it as well.

6- Uniqueness. No chance of hitting the streets with a new scarf only to see three other people with the same one!

5- Supporting a small business. Instead of lining the pockets of big box stores, you can support an independent business owner.

4- Authenticity. Why buy rip-offs of old designs, when you can get the original.

3- Authenticity (part 2). Why buy something that has been "distressed" to look old when you can get something that has genuine patina.

2- Save some cash. Vintage items are often times much less expensive than new.

1- Don't participate in the mad rush to the mall. Vintage is easy to find off the beaten path.

great finds

2007-03-22T20:14:00.000-04:00

great pile of butterick catalogs thrifted by little lovelies.

lots of fun to be had over at the thrift shopper.

dress up your chandelier

2007-03-20T09:09:00.000-04:00

photo from fleamarketstudio.

i have a little thing for chandeliers. i even bought my first house because the first thing i saw in it was an antique crystal chandelier from the 1920s. big, small, modern, ornate, old fashioned, bring them on. there is just something special about entering a room with the play of light in an unexpected sculpture hanging from the ceiling. chandeliers can say many things about the room, like this area is GRAND or feminine, nostalgic, demure or playful.

one inexpensive and easy thing to do as the seasons and holidays change is changing your everyday light fixture into a work of art, you can use items that you have found at flea markets, or that you already have, it only takes a few minutes for a fun transformation!

hang pretty ribbons, in bows or loose strings, bright or subtle
paper maché easter eggs, in groups of three or hanging alone from ribbon
clusters of seashells, collected from the beach, pierce a hole and tie up with raffia or rope
change the lampshades with something fancy, or cover/paint existing ones with new fabric
suspend small collections, such as vintage toys, costume jewelry, feathers!
tie gorgeous silk blooms with florist's tape, the bigger and brighter, the more exciting.

Thrifting with little people

2007-03-19T11:38:00.000-04:00

I love thrifting (no surprise there!), but I also have a 2-year-old son. At first I thought I wouldn't be able to thrift with my busy-bodied little guy. Then, I came up with a few things that make going to tag sales and thrift shops a great experience for both of us. I thought I'd share these ideas for those of you who have kids (or grandkids) you want to take with you on your thrifting adventures.

1. Have a plan, and share it with your little companion(s). I tell my son where we are going, what we are going to do, and what I expect of him while we are there. I'm not sure he understands everything I say, but it seems to help.
2. Hit the toy aisle or kids' table first. I let my son pick out a small toy to play with while I make the rounds. I tell him he can keep it if he is a good boy. I can't decide whether to call this a bribe or an incentive, but it usually works great.
3. Consider using a backpack or sling to carry younger children. My Kelty kidpack (shown in use in the picture above) has saved my thrifting sanity. It allows my son to be high enough to see where we are going, and keeps my hands free (to grab all the goodies I can carry!).
4. Play games to engage your child's attention and deter whining. I play I Spy (we're working on colors, letters and shapes), but a treasure hunt could be more fun for older children. Just remember to tell them they should walk, be polite, and not pick up anything breakable.
5. Be prepared to abandon ship. Sometimes my son just isn't up for cruising the aisles or
hopping from sale to sale in the car. I let his mood determine the length of my thrifting trips.
I try to leave before he gets loud or whiny. Otherwise, I end up with a little guy crying in my ear as I hastily pay for my goodies.

Do you have any other ideas for hitting the tag sale trail with little ones in tow? I'd love to hear them!

hochzeit

2007-03-17T23:01:00.000-04:00

"Hochzeit" is the word for wedding in German. Pronounced "hoh' kh' site", it literally translates to "high time" or " high celebration". What an expression! A charming, and reflective way to describe such a joyful and significant event.

Traditionally, as in many western cultures , the bridal couple receive china for there wedding. Found at a flohmarkt (flea market) in Überlingen, this Hochzeit Geschirr or wedding china was made in Bavaria between the 1940s and 50s.

Take a look at the bottom or leg of the cup. It is gorgeous.

~post sent over from elsa. thank you!

sheet top

2007-03-16T21:02:00.000-04:00

i spotted this adorable top made by nikki and asked her to tell us all about it! she says:

First of all I'd like to thank Jenny for the invitation to be guest blogger on Tag Sale Tales. My thrifting is somewhat limited in the items I look for, when I go thrifting I usually have my girls with me, they head straight for the toys and I head for the fabric and sewing patterns/notions. My girls always find something they want to take home and Mia now brings things to me and says "It's 50c Mamma, I think I'll take it!" She's so funny.

Sometimes I come out of the thrift store empty handed but other times I score and find some fantastic fabric or an old bed sheet or a set of curtains with great patterns and colours. On a visit to the hospital for an antenatal check up while pregnant with Esme in 2005 I picked up a piece of green floral fabric, I think maybe it had been a sheet as it was nicely worn and wonderfully soft. It sat in my stash until recently when I turned it into a top for myself.

small treasures

2007-03-15T06:28:00.000-04:00

Amanda here from SouleMama. Thanks so much to Jenny for the invitation to join the inspiring Tag Sale Tales blog. I hope to pop in from time to time to share some of my thrifting tales.

The days when I return from thrifting with bags upon bags of wonderful fabrics, dishes, or vintage clothing are quite thrilling indeed. There's a certain excitement that we all know - the thrill of that mega find. But often, just as delightful for me are the days when I return home with one special little treasure. And the thrill of the 'big find' is replaced with the quiet satisfaction in knowing that this little treat is coming home with me. And the pleasure in knowing that these old, discarded items will find a new life in my home.

Such was the case on this particular day, when I came home with this sweet old tin, and lovely vintage fabric pictured above. Just perfect.

daily wear

2007-03-14T19:06:00.000-04:00

i just adore roxanne's style. her poses are just as graceful and demure as her outfits, which she has all in a set here for the wardrobe remix group. (this one features her vintage plaid 1940's suit, which she bought on ebay)

market

2007-03-14T16:51:00.000-04:00

a face dated back to yesterday that delights me. ~ lilie, on her polaroids from a french market.

green tins

2007-03-14T08:30:00.000-04:00

jessica has a great idea for recycling metal tin cans (you could use those boxes you find at the flea market for some unusual shapes too) she blogs, "i took these old tin soup cans, drilled some drainage holes in the bottom, and made planters for some little succulent plants i had. they look really really cool when they start to age and rust."

i recently read somewhere that recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run your tv for 3 hours.

want more ideas? read "use your garden to recycle just about anything."

metal tins

2007-03-13T12:50:00.000-04:00

ali took these great polaroids of vintage metal tins at the flea market.

these remind me of the kitchen in the apartment i stayed at in buenos aires, where all the silverware was stored in a bright yellow vintage tin box on a shelf. so pretty, easy and pleasing to the eye. so, what are you storing in tins?

antiques speak

2007-03-12T19:05:00.000-04:00

do boots come to mind when you hear the word hobnail? never fear! simply turn to the antiques roadshow glossary of terms to fill you in on the world of hidden treasure lingo, explained by the roadshow experts.

p.s. the unique ruffled footed bowl above is a fenton and it's going for a steal right here on ebay.

window dressing

2007-03-12T16:05:00.000-04:00

viewing cindy wood's detailed drawings of window displays convince me that if i were still living in virginia, i would drop everything i was doing today and go shopping for dresses at bygones in richmond. she even tells me that there is excellent chocolate shop in carytown, the shopping district where she goes to draw these displays from life. sweets and vintage clothing, what could be better?

vintage wallpaper coasters

2007-03-11T09:26:00.000-04:00

i love this idea from martha stewart to take scraps of vintage wallpaper to decorate glass coasters. how many of us already have the materials lying around? simply affix the paper scrap with mod podge to the bottom of a plain glass square and add felt dots to protect surfaces.

i wish i had held onto a few sections from the insane myriad of layers in our first home. i peeled back the decades in that house, just the breakfast nook alone had eight layers all pasted on top of each other! the best was that first original paper, a pretty green pattern that i would have left up if it were still in good condition. (it is almost identical to the example above!) to add to this idea, you could also use images from children's storybooks or vintage cookbooks that are usually in abundance at thrift stores. tie it up in pretty ribbon and you also have a wonderful gift! more detailed instructions.

i miss the 80s

2007-03-11T08:43:00.000-04:00

the adorable rhiannon shows us how to rock an acid wash skirt among other thrifted pieces in this ensemble. adorable!

charm & poise

2007-03-10T17:35:00.001-05:00

Yay! Mom Coated Everything in Crisco!
Originally uploaded by Charm and Poise.

viewing sharon's photostream (charm and poise) on flickr is always a pleasure and a hoot. she has sets called: jell-o wonderful, dieting the knox way and my favorite, thrilled housewives and cooks.

in her own words, sharon says, "I am totally addicted to the pursuit of gracious living. To that end, I collect cookbooks, etiquette guides, marriage manuals, health and beauty advice books, decorating and craft guides, modeling manuals, cocktail recipe books, entertaining guides, and any and all housewife ephemera from the 1950s through the early 1970s. Oh. Also: teen ephemera (anything from dating books to yearbooks), aprons, serving trays, tv trays, ugly paintings, and cat figurines. I think that about covers it."

if you are a flickr addict and have a weakness for vintage magazine adverts like me, go take a peek at her wonderful collection. you may even find a wonderful cake idea for your next LOST themed party, be inspired to get a mini-cut and you just may run into gregory peck.

swatch portraits

2007-03-09T18:45:00.000-05:00

purl bee has a wonderful tutorial on how to create a swatch portrait. these look so beautiful displayed together on a wall and are a great use for all of that vintage fabric that you know you have folded, stashed, or left over from projects. you could even take the idea a step further and use pieces from well loved (but too worn) items of clothing, outgrown but cherished baby blankets, or just thrifted clothes that fit like a fad, but still have a great pattern.

there is a swatch portrait group over at flickr if you would like to join, amanda soule has already displayed some gorgeous swatches up on the walls of her home!

thrift score: read this

2007-03-09T07:52:00.000-05:00

i know what you're thinking. as IF we all needed more encouragement and reasons to be mad about thrifting! but you know, sometimes people look at us funny after they ask us where we found that fabulous beaded cardigan and we tell them it was snatched up for $2.50 at the shoddy looking warehouse on main street. and they just can't believe we sorted through the icky old stuff there, but we know they are really envious that we can look so fabulous for so little. (am i right? i'm right.) this book has witty ways of justifying the thrift lifestyle and the endless treasure hunt and for finding the haute on the cheap. it even includes a listing of hundreds of consignment stores nationwide, as well as in australia, ireland, france, canada, and england.

from the book's description:

Shopping is America's No. 1 pastime, but nothing beats the thrill of thrift shopping, The lowest prices! One-of-a-kind items! Oddities from the past!

Let All Hoff, a 20-year veteran of the thrift-store wars, tell you why you must always check the toy section (thrifts stick the best weird stuff there) or how to try on clothes in the aisle without showing your underwear!

Thrift Score is packed with fun information: Learn the origins of thrift-store perennials like plastic dinnerware, polyester shirts and paint-by-number masterpieces. Get smart about buying used clothes. Discover new uses for previously overlooked items like bowling balls and Herb Alpert records. See how easy it is to gather up common thrift items and throw fabulous theme parties -- Tiki Party tonight! New Wave Party tomorrow! Marvel at the folly of dead fads like designer jeans, CB radio and fondue.

Thrift Score is a funny, useful book no serious thrifter or thrifter wannabe should be without.

something else great about this? even though the book is out of print, that just means that you can buy it just a couple dollars at amazon.com right here.

be sure to check out this interview with the author of the book at soapboxgirls.

table dreams

2007-03-07T15:56:00.000-05:00

A table is important. Not only does it allow you to place things on it at a
comfortable eating, playing or crafting height, I'm going suggest that it is
the heart of the home. It's a place to nourish one another with food and
love and all the good things that friends and families share.

My husband and I found ourselves without a table after a long distance move. We ate in front of the tv, plates in laps, uncomplicated food required. And it was fine for a while but the time came when we felt a longing for that simple ritual of sharing a meal at a table.

Luckily, there was a table of my dreams. I'd seen it everywhere--it kept
popping up in my favorite magazines and on the television and my heart would race a little. One lovely, undulating leg. White. Round. But we were building a house and it seemed the wrong time. So I waited. Grudgingly served meals that only required one plate. Sighed as I reached across the room for my water glass. Waited. And then one day, while schlepping through the piles and stacks and racks at my favorite vintage store, there it was--a vision in undulating white. So simple, so retro, so perfect. So only $25!

It's a great table. There are some scratches on the surface and chips in
the paint that make it comfortable. It's small enough to fit in our little
dining area but large enough to hold lots of people if you don't mind
sitting close. It hosts Monopoly championships and the occasional dinner
party. And every evening, two people eat their supper there. Sometimes
with more than one plate each.

guest post by betsy carr. check out her blog, and be sure to visit her (new!) site that features her handmade home and accessories that she often creates out of vintage items. thanks betsy!

everyone has a story

2007-03-07T15:27:00.000-05:00

just a little heads up info for the tales: i have been getting emails from readers right and left who are wanting to contribute and decided to publish some guests posts regularly! if you have any ideas, feel free to send them my way. i'll also be looking around the web for things that i find interesting to you creatives who know that you don't have to have a lot of cash to live beautifully! lookout for some new fun things to participate in soon as well.

all my best,
jenny

Austrian Schnapps Decanter with Matching Glasses

2007-03-07T15:07:00.000-05:00

elsa araya passed along this beautiful story to me, just look at that gorgeous set! thanks elsa!

I caught them out of the corner of my eye and immediately felt my breathing pause as I tried to focus in on them. They were sitting there in the center of the dining table surrounded by, although I did not know it at the time, other treasures that also needed new homes. We were visiting a house for sale. We walked through the entire house for what felt like hours because I could not stop thinking about them. I could not wait for the right moment to ask my questions: what are they? where are they from? who's are they? Imagine my delight when I found out everything in the house was also for sale.

The daughter of the man that owned the house, Frau Nachdigal (Nightingale in English), said he died the winter before last without moving a single thing in the house after his wife died 7 years earlier. She said everything in the house had to go and much to the real estate agent's dismay, the visit quickly turned into a private estate sale. I brought home treasures including these Austrian crystal schnapps glasses with a matching decanter set that made my heart skip a beat for a fraction of what they actually cost!

They belonged to Frau Nachdigal's mother who was a professional seamstress and from what I gathered walking around her home, a very glamorous lady. All of her belongings were stored and preserved very well. One can only see the years in the changing styles as she was a woman of her time, a dedicated follower of fashion. Her daughter told me that she loved everything Italian: art, lace, furniture, shoes, bags. She spent most of her vacations in Italy. She was also the kind of woman that bought two, three, or four of everything she fancied in all the colors that she loved: scarves, belts, gloves, handkerchiefs, purses, even umbrellas. Before she fell in love with Italy, she frequented and was in love with Austria. That is when she acquired this charming Austrian schnapps glasses set.

Although tradition in Germany, and German-speaking Switzerland, schnapps originates from Austria. True schnapps has no sugar or flavoring added and is distilled from primarily mirabelle plums,

"In Austria, sekt or champagne is drunk on formal occasions, while schnapps is reserved for more intimate, convivial gatherings - the type of drink served defining both the nature of the event and the social relationship between the drinkers. The choice of drink also dictates behavior, to the extent that the appearance of a bottle of schnapps can prompt a switch from the ‘polite’ form of address, Sie (You), to the highly intimate (and casual) du " quoted from Sekt Versus Schnapps in an Austrian Village by M.A. Thornton (1987).

the beauty of the journey

2007-03-02T12:47:00.000-05:00

I recently had the curious opportunity to go through my Grandmother’s belongings after her death a few weeks ago. It was something my mother had been dreading, so I wanted to be there for her. I grew up far away from my Grandparents (they were in Los Angeles, we were in Iowa) so their home lived mainly in my memory. To walk through it the first time after her passing was so strange, to know that those memories and parts of their home could now live on in mine...

My mother showed me some things she thought I would find of interest: my Grandma’s amazing collection of jewelry, a drawer of vintage gloves, a closet full of fragile silk scarves, a cedar chest with journals, dolls and linens that belonged to my Great-Grandmother. The more excited we got, the more wrong it seemed. My Grandma was dead, shouldn’t we be mourning?

But mourning almost seemed selfish as well. My Grandma was 86, she’d had a long life full of family and love. Her husband of over half a decade had been dead for 14 years and she missed him. She’d had a stroke and was getting frail. She was ready to go, so when she quit eating and started to fade away we all knew it was okay. We were lucky to have so much time with her, and so blessed to have the opportunity to let her know how much we loved her.

My Grandparents loved beautiful things, just as I do, and collected them with a vengeance. Going through their belongings, I considered how happy it made me to know that my loved ones would someday be doing the same thing with all of the things that brought me joy. I am so privileged to be a part of the long line of those who appreciate beauty. I feel like the broken, tarnished lattice-work bracelet was saved just for me. The dried-out watercolor tin, the dusty dishcloths, the half-filled ledger were all waiting for me to love them. My Grandparents would be so happy to know that their beloved treasures are still cherished, and I’m so lucky to have such wonderful memories in my home and in my heart.

The start of something good: Or how I convinced my husband that another collection was really okay

2007-02-19T15:30:00.000-05:00

Remember when I posted in November about finding two beautiful Japanese mugs for free?

I found another set in a vivid green with blue detailing at the same thrift store just a few weeks ago. Then, this past Saturday, I stumbled on an unmatched green pair at another store.

This means I've started another collection (yeah, me!). It also means my husband rolled his eyes when I told him about it.

To convince him this Japanese mug collection could be a good thing, I suggested we ditch all the regular coffee cups we use (You know those freebies you get from everywhere with so-and-so's logo on them? Those ones.) He said, "You know, that's a great idea. Then we will actually use something you've collected for a change."

Yeah for acceptance, and yeah, again, for useful collections!

What have you started collecting, lately?

French Communion Rings

2007-02-05T11:57:00.000-05:00

French First Communion rings.

Of course they are so small they barely fit on my little finger.

But that didn't matter!

I bought them anyway!

Don't we usually buy what we love regardless if we need it or not?

photo by Corey Amaro from Tongue in Cheek

French Vintage Postcards

2007-01-25T14:34:00.000-05:00

Old postcards, have alot to say. The images, with their stamps, postmarks, and handwriting, are a package deal! At the flea markets in France you can find stacks of postcards in organized piles. With labels such as: PARIS, COLLECTOR STAMPS, CHILDREN, ROMANCE, CHATEAUX...there is always a line of people shuffling through them.

The postcard bug finally bite me, and of course I do not stand in line! No, you can find me digging through old suitcases and boxes of junk, hoping to find someone's collection of forgotten souvenirs!

I love collecting French vintage postcards ones with Paris scenes, or children, or those postcards that are empty on the backside waiting for me to tag them with my memoires!

Tongue in Cheek Postcards (I told you I was going to sale my papers!!)

French Vintage Papers

2007-01-18T12:34:00.000-05:00

I have a thing for French vintage papers, when I see them at the flea markets I have to stop and look at them. After looking at them I want them. Then the long drawn out bartering with myself begins....

You don't need anymore old papers!
I know, I know but I want them.
You don't NEED them!
I'll use them, I promise!
You won't, you never use them, because you cannot allow yourself to cut them and create with them!
I will this time!!
You won't!
I'll sell them, I 'll make paper bundles and sell them!!
Now, there is an idea!
Okay!?
Okay!

So I have bought them over and over again...and now I must sell them! If you are interested let me know, you can find me at TONGUE IN CHEEK ANTIQUES

the tales banner *

2007-01-15T11:53:00.000-05:00

please feel free to copy & paste our banner into your own blogs and webpages, we would love a link back to us.

also, if you know any thrift directories from your area or links in general that aren't already on our site, let us know in the comments section and i would be happy to add them

.
xo, jenny

thrifty links

2007-01-15T11:05:00.000-05:00

the thrift shop project
if you aren't into searching through thrift stores, then you might want to keep an eye on kristin's blog. most of her posts have an up for grabs item or two that she finds but doesn't have any use for.

fit to be tied
i've always enjoyed looking through men's ties at second hand stores, and now there is even more reason to take some home. this seattle based company recycles men's ties into something cute for your child's wardrobe. my favorite are these adorable skirts for little girls. and seeing this simple ideas makes me wonder, what could you do with some silk ties?

thrifty fun
well, if you are still wondering...here are some ideas for silk ties! the site offers free newsletters too, might be worth checking into.

last minute fabric gifts
the projects in this book are perfect for that fabric or old suit that you thrifted, but just can't find a purpose for yet. most of the crafts take a couple hours and look so beautiful that you might want to make a few of each project, one for a gift and one for you to keep!

getting back in the thrifty groove

2007-01-10T16:31:00.000-05:00

I always find thrifting after the holidays hard. I usually thrift every week. Then, bam, the birthday-holiday combo that is December takes me out of the tag sale and thrift store circuit for the next month.

When I do venture out again, I feel a little lost. My routine has vanished, and I'm amazed to see how quickly things change in this little town. Today I discovered my regular haunts had been all organized and spiffed up for the new year, with some stores completely rearranged.

I also found these embroidered linen napkins. Do I need napkins? No. Am I a sucker for anything embroidered? You betcha!

Here's to good thrifting in the new year!

Antique French Baby Rattles

2007-01-02T11:23:00.000-05:00

French baby rattles, worn from too much fun, silver chains replaced by a ribbon.
Ringing in the New Year!

Photo: Rattles attached to the key to my kitchen cupboard.

2007-01-01T14:06:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful day to introduce myself! The sun is shining, there's fresh snow on the ground, and it's a brand new year.

My name is Cori, and I've been a shopper of second hand stores since I was young. Of course my tastes have changed, in high school it was all about clothes and trinkets, now it's mainly the old and falling apart that I can use in crafts or collages (books, photos, postcards, fabric, ephemera, tins, jewelry, etc), as well as one-of-a-kind home goods (furniture, dishes, linens).

My favorites are the little consignment or antique shops that no one knows about (they're hidden in small towns if you look hard), such treasures they're practically giving away! And the people who work at them love to see our excitement, it's contagious!

Is there anything more rewarding than the process of thrifting? The search, the discovery, paying a usually ridiculously reasonable amount for it, taking it home and finding the perfect use for it. And don't forget showing it off!

Thanks for welcoming me into the Thrifty Sisterhood, Jenny, I've been enjoying everyone else's posts for so long and am looking forward to contributing!

welcome to 2007

2007-01-01T04:11:00.000-05:00

i'm really excited about this upcoming year, about finding a house we'll love and the fun of visiting thrift shops, garage sales and auctions to fill room after room with treasures. not that living in an apartment has held me back too much and so i thought i'd take this chance to farewll 2006 by showing my 5 favourite finds from last year (that i haven't already shown here).

silver (plated?) lotus bowl, one of two i snatched up at $3.50 each. i love the patina on these.

the mug that has started my obsession with vintage mikasa dishware, giving me yet one more thing to hunt for.

a beautiful little vintage coin purse in great condition, inside and out. and only a mere $3.

i've been trying to find uses for all the things i bring home and this large bread tin fit the bill perfectly as a dog food container.

two amazing 50's tin containers with faux wood grain pattern plus beautiful scalloped tin lids with plastic pulls.

Tiny French Postcard Stickers

2007-01-01T03:22:00.000-05:00

Tiny. French. 19th century.
French. Stickers. To add to Postcards.
Bonne Fete, Happy Holiday!

ps I do not understand why my photos are shown sideways on blogger? Sorry, for the topsey turvey views!

Time on my Hands

2006-12-26T18:31:00.000-05:00

Time at the flea market tells a story.
Bits and pieces of this and that,
gathered-
treasured-
and smiling for this photo.

happy holidays!

2006-12-24T05:24:00.000-05:00

for the first time, i added christmas ornaments to my hunting list of thrift shop goodies this year and woo boy, did i find some beauties.

merry christmas everybody!!

The winter is long...

2006-12-21T12:05:00.000-05:00

During the winter there are not any yard sales in my city. The cold, windy, snowy conditions just aren't yard sale friendly. Yard sales are usually the best places to find good quality items and great deals. It seems that people don't donate what they think they can sell, so our thrift shops tend to be lacking in interesting items. There certainly hasn't been anything fun at the shops the past few months.

I wanted to post something though, because I am alive and reading all the fun posts that the rest of you are making. In the spring I will have fun adventures to post about, until then I will have to live vicariously through your finds. Happy thrifting, and happy holidays, to all!

Vintage Scrapbook

2006-12-16T19:01:00.000-05:00

Have you ever found something at the flea market,
knowing that what you have found is very good?
Holding your breath in excitement you dare ask the price...
Knowing it should cost more than what you would want to pay.
Hoping with your fingers crossed,
you ask the dealer anyway and find out,
it is under price!

A red leather scrapbook,
Each page prettier than the next,
Giddy with excitment!

Photo: A page in a French Scrapbook marked 1902!

the luck of the thrift

2006-12-04T05:36:00.000-05:00

turned wood bowl, found for 60 cents.

i've been thinking lately how miraculous it is to find beautiful things at the thrift shops, the hands and processes that items must go through to get there. a friend of mine recently revealed treasure after treasure that she acquired from an elderly family friend's house who was going into a senior's home. the lovely old lady had told my friend's family that they could take whatever they liked from the (very packed full of junk/treasures, she was an obsessive hoarded for many years) house and was paying someone to come in and clean up the remainder. we both agreed that the man who was cleaning out the house would take anything of value to auction and then dump whatever leftovers at the Salvation Army. it made me realize the line of people that these things go through, the line of people who don't recognize their beauty and worth, before they appear before MY eyes. in this case, my friend's family had first pick and they all came away with amazing things - furniture, old washbasins, a 60s chrome toaster still in the box, many old tins, etc - then the clean-up man would have had his pick of the still many vintage goodies, then the bits that made it to the thrift shop would no doubtedly be given the once over by the staff there. it's amazing that anything good makes it through to the shelves, really, and makes every find that much sweeter.

Advent Calendar

2006-12-02T16:25:00.000-05:00

Antique prayer cards surround a mirror, giving reflection to the days ahead.

Good Garbage!

2006-11-27T23:15:00.000-05:00

You know the feeling: You're late for work, the car's running on fumes, and suddenly you find yourself performing all manner of traffic violations so you can take one quick look at the very promising trashpile you just inadvertently whizzed by...

Well, if you don't know the feeling, at least you know how my morning started. And if you're anything like me, then you also know that I arrived at work a little late, a little grimy, and in proud possession of an incredible pair of wooden library chairs.

My name is Wendy, and I'm a treasure hunter. While I love to thrift as much as the next guy (ok, probably more than the next guy...), and I'm a yard sale junkie, to boot, I get my real (cheap) thrills on the curb. I am amazed and delighted by the variety, the quantity, and the sheer serendipity of what's to be found nestling alongside the garbage can. Take today's haul, for example. In addition to the aforementioned pair of chairs, I scored three hockey sticks (which my boys need for camp this summer), a grapevine wreath, and a very cool wine rack, which is on the verge of becoming a hat/glove/scarf storage center in my mudroom.

I drive my husband crazy. My neighbors think I'm certifiable. My four year old, however, rides shotgun in his booster seat, and is often the first to spy a cast-off treasure. "Good garbage, Mommy!" he'll call out, and most of the time, he's right.

Bingo!

2006-11-27T16:46:00.000-05:00

Domino, deck of cards, board games, tokens and dice...when I find any of these things at a flea market I feel like yelling, "Bingo!!"

Of course in all fairness I feel like yelling, "Bingo!" at anything I find at the flea markets. I am crazy for flea markets, aren't you?

(links to vintage board games, take a look at the artful design.)

photo: Green turn of the century French bingo card.

The free table

2006-11-23T00:55:00.000-05:00

Every so often, tag sales and thrift stores here have a free table. I enjoy sifting through these odds and ends, on a treasure hunt with no expectation of actually coming away with anything.

Over the years, I have collected all kinds of miscellaneous goodies from these free tables: A string of broken pearls, a lead printing block with the image of a wedding ring set, mother-of-pearl buttons and other small, random objects. Most of these trinkets are special enough to me that I remember where I found them, and consider them treasures.

The aqua-colored Japanese mugs above came from a local thrift shop making room for holiday decorations and glassware by dumping a bunch of bits and bobs on a table near the front of the store. I picked the mugs up, put them back down, walked around the store, watched another woman pick them up and put them back down, then I smiled and scooped them up on my way out the door.

If your area doesn't have free tables, I would suggest recommending it to thrift store staff or trying it out if you host a tag sale. It saves a lot of good stuff from just being chucked into the trash because it doesn't sell.

Old Signs Tell Stories

2006-11-18T06:45:00.000-05:00

Old signs carve a place and time, like a message, they lead us.
Old signs, numbers, clock faces, menus, anything with writing on it...
It doesn't matter if they are in paper, wood or metal.
It is the texture of the faded message that speaks to me.
Even a number, that has nothing to do with my address
can take up residence in my home!

2006-11-17T13:06:00.000-05:00

my friends,
it has been so long! finally, i am back to share my tag sale tales with you. i've been so pleased with the new writers that have joined us, and i know that you are too. we have quite a comeback!

i'm writing to you from montevideo, uruguay (in case you didn't know about my move, here's more) and though i am so far away from the world of north american thrifting, i am still on the hunt for incredible finds.

a little over a month ago, i had visited this city, to scout it out and see for myself if this was the place to satisfy my wanderlust. i clearly remember walking across the rambla, that long stretch of road that winds around the rio de la plata and snapping a polaroid of this building because its exterior was so beautiful. it looked like a french chateau on the beach! i stood smiling at its presence in front of me as the wind whipped my skirt around my legs and my hair across my face. after all, montevideo was once known as the switzerland of south america and this surely must be evidence of the european influence here. little did i know how much i would love it. a couple weeks ago, i was in the backseat of a realtor's car (we were out house hunting) zipping around the same curve of rambla. i had to know what the place was about. he pointed out it was called "la casa de remates" which roughly translates to the house of knockdown prices. music to my ears! as soon as i found the time, i ventured back to check it out.

furniture was scattered all over the grassy lawn. old tables, chairs and once beautiful things that would be so easy to transform if i wasn't just a visitor here. coming inside to a small hallway opened up to a few spacious rooms with magnificent ceiling heights. i wished i could have seen what this old structure once looked like! collections of dishes were neatly arranged along the base of the stairway in different colors. the walls were unpainted and cold, dark and uncared for. one of the rooms had a stunning wall mirror that would be perfect over a master bed. i couldn't resist mentally decorating with everything i saw.

old paintings and vases a giant old typewriter that would be oh so fun to write with! and then the most beautiful couch straight out of the 18th century. in olive green velvet, i felt luxurious running my hand across the back at its embossed patterns. looks like something for a fancy parlor, surrounded in ivy and women in pretty frocks sippinbg their tea. until i sat on it and felt a large spring bounce under me! some things are just nice to look at. another living room set was covered in soft white cotton, all curved in a feminine shape filled with goose feathers. it was divine to sit on.

the last of just three rooms available to us (the rest were blocked off for some other purpose) held desks, wardrobes out of narnia, heavy tables and multicolored chairs. dangling above them unusual chandeliers and light fixtures hung in a mass like a crystal rainforest. it reminded me of my chandelier that i had just packed up from my dollhouse in virginia. i lingered just long enough to take a few pictures, then we had to be on our way.

sometimes i find myself thinking that i could stay here longer.

Shower Hooks!

2006-11-13T14:16:00.000-05:00

I have an obsession with collecting shower hooks from the thrift store. I think this is my strangest thrift score compulsion. I have never lived in an apartment that had any more than 1 (one) shower at a time, and I have more than enough shower hooks for the 1 (one) shower curtain that is needed.

This is my favorite group of hooks, because they look like edamame or pea pods!

I am wondering if anyone has any ideas for alternative uses for shower hooks. This is meant to be a little puzzle to get the creative side of your brain going, perhaps a bit ambitious for a Monday? I'll let you decide. Your ideas are welcome, no matter how outlandish!

Paper Chase

2006-11-11T14:59:00.000-05:00

Old papers, handwritten, calling cards, or bills.
Prayer cards, wine labels, paperdolls, or announcements,
Stickers, tags, notes, post cards or stamps.
Newspaper print, music, ledgers or photographs,
Maps, tickets, envelopes, any form of mail,
Menus, engravings, journals or patterns...
If it is old paper I am going stop and look!

If the dress fits.

2006-11-09T21:43:00.000-05:00

My friend Sabrina is gifted in a lot of ways. Not only is she generous, photogenic, funny, musical, and kind... she is also a small person. She can wear whatever she wants! Whenever I have friends come over for a clothing photo shoot, I inevitably end up with a huge pile of clothing to reserve in case Sabrina comes by. Sometimes it seems like she is the only person on the planet who can wear half the vintage pieces that I pick up, because she is the only one who will fit in them!

I collect clothing almost compulsively, and it is quite clear that clothing is not manufactured for real body shapes on either end of the spectrum. Sabrina herself has told me that she can't find things in retail stores that fit her, sometimes. And at 5'10" with a generous waist-line, I am also a far cry from a normal size on the clothing rack. Please note that I am not putting myself down for this fact, because I love being tall and I'm working (successfully) on the waist-line, but I often find that I do not fit in to 99% of the really great clothes I find at thrift stores-- and no amount of tailoring or alteration would change that fact.

So, what's a girl to do? I thought I would list a few of my own sizing solutions, and ask for input on what other people do to alter thrifted clothing so that it works with their own wardrobes.

First I look for clothing that can be let out. Look for inside seams with extra or doubled-up fabric.

Next I look for clothing that is too big, but will be easy to take in to fit my measurements. Sometimes this means shopping in Menswear, sometimes it means shopping in Plus Size or Maternity even if I feel like I am smaller than that. Don't even look at the numbers on clothing tags at a secondhand shop. Try everything on.

Next I look for fabric that makes me happy. When I was in high school I would ask my mom to sew me clothes from the fabric that I would buy. Now I have the ability to do this for myself, and it makes me feel like I have options.

Sometimes I have to admit my weaknesses. I don't think that I will ever find jeans that fit me at a secondhand shop, and I am resigned to avoiding the rows and rows of trouser hangers. This saves me a little bit of my self worth every time, and I instead invest my time wisely and target the sections where I know I'm bound for a good hit!

Bulk up! Given the gamble of the resale market, sometimes I like buying in bulk and for cheap and then sorting through it later with a friend. In other words, if I *really* love a fabric or the shape of a garment, I just buy it anyway and figure out what to do with it later.

Like we do with birthday cake: we can just take a small slice. Sometimes there is a detail on a dress, or a print on a skirt that I feel drawn toward. There is no one who can stop me from detaching said row of buttons, or patch of 60s flowers, and reattaching them onto something else--a handbag, a t-shirt, even the cuff of a sock! Once you start looking at a piece of clothing as a composite of details, you start to think outside the limitations of that garment.

Think bags and shoes: last resorts can be just desserts! Great accessories can do a lot to satisfy the soul.

Remember, great clothing is meant to be shared. Seeing that little yellow polka dot dress on my sister might be a lot better than leaving it behind or selling it to a stranger at a garage sale!

Like I said, I'm working on the waistline and I'll have a better go at the thrift stores again in no time. Meanwhile, your comments are welcome. Happy Hunting (sewing, ripping, throwing out, hiding in the back of your closet for "someday", and generally drooling wistfully over it all)!

oooh-la-la!

2006-11-09T10:57:00.000-05:00

So the other day I was visiting a woman who I am working on a project with for Paper Relics at her shop. The shop is great, it is in this old mill that has been turned into a little shopping center and filled with cute boutiques and art shops, and much to my surprise, an antique mall in the
basement. I forgot how it came up but as soon as she mentioned it my mind was already heading for the door. I went down, not sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. One section was dedicated to sewing, it was wonderful and I only wish I had the space and extra cash for some of the unique items for sale. I was about to move on when my eye spotted a pile of early
1900's French fashion catalogs. *Swoon* I had to get someone to come open the case for me to look at them, and I always hate that. I am afraid that while I am going to find a person with a key, that another shopper will see what I spotted and figure a way in to get it before me. Silly, I know, but when I find something I have to have, I get that wonderful feeling inside - pure joy.

They were amazing French catalogs from 1902, 1904, 1905 and 1915. I purchased 2, went back upstairs to show the woman I was visiting my lucky finds and ended up running back down to get the other 2. they are WONDERFUL (click on photos to see larger version). Lots and lots of girls in dresses, cute items, everything and each has a fabric sample sheet in the front! I have so many ideas floating around with what to use these images for... one thing I am going to do eventually is scan a bunch and offer a French Catalog clip art CD. But I had to share this find with you! And stay tuned for a post of what I made with some of my flea market finds!

Collecting Silverware

2006-11-08T11:24:00.000-05:00

Forks, knives, and spoons. Tablespoons, teaspoons, and butterknives. They do not have to be a set, or of the same pattern for me to scoop them up, and take them home. Mix-match luxury is a class act I can afford.

The only thing I know about French silvermarks is this:
If it is silver, on the backside of each piece, there is a stamp pressed at the base of the neck.

I know very little about silver. But it is of little importance to me. I buy antique silver that is inexpensive so I can use it everyday.

In France, the forks are set upside down when set on the table. That is why the pattern is often on the back side.

Usually, when I buy silver at the flea markets, they do not look silver. They are black with tarnish. Nothing, that elbow grease cannot take out.

Photo taken by Corey Amaro. 19th century French silverware would you like some?

Tea for Women who wear Pink Lipstick

2006-11-06T09:27:00.000-05:00

I have a bad habit, I like to collect things I do not need. Take these teeny tiny napkins, tea napkins and hankies, for a dainty tea party with ladies who wipe their lips perfectly at the edge...or the cream ladle with its delicately painted porcelain handle!

Collecting is like that, it seldom has to do with reality...it is about imagination and dipping into passion. A touch of lace, an old ribbon, turn of the century floral paintings, small pleasures are taken from their romantic flare.

Have Cart will Shop

2006-11-03T21:37:00.000-05:00

The other day while at the fruit and vegetable market in Rennes (in France,) I saw these hyper cute portable shopping carts! I quickly snapped one up! Far more practical than a back pack!
Aren't they snazzy these eye candy color treats! Just too hip not to like them!

Seeing these made me think how I could take a simple metal frame cart and doll it up with vintage fabric, creating my own little snazzy antiquing go cart! My wheels are turning! Isn't it just like that, we see something or buy something for the idea of it, and the creative juices start flowing taking us to new ideas to explore?

My flea market purchases are going to look mighty chic riding inside!

A common thread

2006-11-03T14:13:00.000-05:00

I always wonder about the person who owned the item I'm buying when I go out thrifting.

Just last week I found a bag full of old thread, and immediately snatched it up. I wasn't looking for thread (not that I could really use this old stuff - it's fragile), but I picked the plastic baggie up and brought it home anyway. The spools fit perfectly in this Pyrex bowl I found this past summer.

Anyway, as I was saying, I get to thinking about who owned this stuff. I wonder what project the woman who purchased this thread might have been working on. Why did she pick up the fuschia, the tangerine, the teal? Such vibrant colors. I wonder if they matched her personality.

The area I live in has an over-65 population of about 65%. When these folks pass away, their family or friends gather up the person's belongings and drop them off at the local second-hand stores. I think of this everytime I see another large cache of goods come into the shops.

I have found half-completed quilts, partially embroidered pillows and a large bag full of men's neckties that had been washed and cut up for a project. As I put them into my cart, I think of the person who had owned these items, whose hands had hoped to create something, and I long to finish what they have started.

hello, I love junk

2006-11-03T06:43:00.000-05:00

my name is andrea and I have a confession to make: I have been struggling with what to write here at tag sale tales for months and months now. I was thrilled when jenny first invited me to contribute this past spring-- my head immediately began to spin with ideas of what I might write about. but the words, they just wouldn't come. I got it in my head that I needed to take a specific angle with it and that's when I got stuck. yes, I was overthinking it (as I am so prone to doing). at the end of the day, this is what I have to offer: twenty years of junk-hunting experience. and stories. oh, the stories! better even than the goodies that I've found along the way (and the crazy things I've done with them), the collections I've worked to build year after year-- are the stories. if you're anything like me, you love to see what other people dig up, you're curious about what they do with their finds, you love to hear the stories.

about the junk-loving part of who I am: I grew up in a family of collectors, I come from a long line of lovers of old stuff. my mom had a thing for primitives (still does) and my grandma was an antiques dealer who crammed house after house full of ancient lovely things. I remember her occasionally holding auctions in her backyard. I was mesmerized by the man with the microphone and the strange staccato voice selling off boxes of china and armoires faster than what seemed right. once, she let me pick out something from the tables to keep for myself. after much consideration, I chose an autographed picture of ginger rogers in a vanilla-colored art deco frame. it's something I'll never forget. these days, I keep ginger in a special place.

the preteen me didn't really like old things. I just couldn't understand the attraction. everything seeming so brown and so... dusty. my preteen mind worked overtime dreaming up plans for a house that would be filled with 80s style coolness-- sleek couches the color of salmon and mirrored tables with sharp angles, everything sparkly and new. and then my mom took me to the fleamarket when I was 14 and gave me ten dollars to spend however I wanted. that ten dollar bill had 'new clothes from the mall' written all over it. I was on my way to buy a funnel cake when I stumbled onto it-- a table piled impossibly high with vintage clothing. old beaded dresses, slinky satin slips, glamorous pajama bottoms-- three pieces for ten dollars! I had so much fun digging through that wrinkly, jumbly mess. something terribly intoxicating about the whole affair and in that moment, I got it. I totally got it. and really, that was it for me. I started to see old things with new eyes. I couldn't get enough of vintage clothing-- old hats and dresses, costume jewelry. then when I was 16, we moved from a small southern illinois town to cincinnati. all of the sudden, I found myself with direct access to an army of thrift stores. my mom had been taking me to yard sales and antique stores for years, but the lovely underworld of thrifting proved to be exceptionally seductive. another world of possibility cracked wide open.

twenty years later and I'm still not tired of it. I'm up and down with it but never, ever done with it. I'm not really into traditional antiques and don't collect vintage clothing pieces anymore. naturally, my tastes have shifted. these days, I am on the prowl for vintage vernacular photography (particularly photobooth snapshots), vintage travel memorabilia (souvenir pennants and pillow covers, postcards), old world globes in deliciously aged shades of turquoise, vintage purses, pull-down school maps, midcentury modern pieces (especially lamps), odd old signs, wood/metal printers blocks, letters and numbers from signs, various ephemera (always with the ephemera), paint-by-numbers, all kinds of old cameras and vintage wallpaper. oh, and whatever else I'm unable to pass up.

so finally, here I am. nice to meet you, fellow junk-lovers. I promise to do right by you, I do.

(and if you just can't get enough: my flickr fleamarket set)

once

2006-11-02T10:04:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time there was an old wooden chair.
The chair had an old worn checked seat and looked quite sad and misreable....

ok .

that was once in the past ....

since then :

It changed its owner. yeepy...it is mine now :)
it has a new violet cover made from a pillowcase bought for $3 .
It has a new company of a wooden creamy wall and they are very close friends ... they look good together .

~ the end ~

ps ~the HAPPY end~

what thrifting dreams are made of

2006-10-30T04:58:00.000-05:00

i always keep an eye out for vintage sewing supplies, particularly for old wooden spools of thread but before this afternoon, had only found little treat bags of trims, lace, etc. today i was in a salvation army and noticed, tucked away on the bottom shelf of one of the front display cabinets (the "good" ones), an old wooden box full of thread, buttons and various old sewing bits. i saw that it was priced at $20 and i debated for awhile about whether or not it was worth that. then i had a better look and saw that it was really an old kraft cheese box converted into a sewing organizer, complete with nails for the spools to sit on and two little dividers to keep things orderly. by the time i realized that half the spools were, in fact, wooden and that there was an adorably dainty, slightly rusty pair of scissors tucked away in one of the compartments, i was already walking out the door with it, receipt in hand.

New York City Flea Markets

2006-10-29T11:35:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I went to New York City to visit Dawn and meet up with Jes, her mom and her friend Judy (I plan to post about the entire trip on my blog in the next couple of days). We had been planning to hit some flea markets for months and we were NOT disappointed. We went to an outdoor flea market first where I spent probably an hour going though these letterpress letters (I have an antique letterpress that I have yet to use, I am a bit intimidated but it, I admit!) and ended up walking away with some great letters and hopefully will get some time to play with them on my press.

We spent the good part of the morning picking though all sorts of treasures, but not until later in the day when we were at a different flea market in Chelsea that I stumbled upon my favorite find of the day. An old photograph book FILLED with well over a hundred photographs, mostly of children standing and posing for the camera, from the early 1900's. I normally never buy photos in a book since a lot of them in a book are usually not always what I want. I would rather buy them individually and get photos that I know I can use in a collage or piece of work. But the majority of this album is not only usable but wonderful! I plan on using some soon and then coming back and sharing with you what I created.

I also found a lot of other great paper items (some Victorian trade cards, other old photographs, etc) and also a lot of other treasures (see below) that I can not wait to play with!! If you ever head to New York City, let me know so I can give you the information on some of the flea markets to hit!

The Craft of Thrift

2006-10-26T23:16:00.000-04:00

One of the best things about thrift stores can be the forgotten corners full of too much stuff that no one on staff feels like straightening out, or hasn't had time to look into. You know these parts of the store, and they probably give you a little electric jump when you approach them!

I often find that the craft and sewing sections tend to be full of treasures that aren't marked with prices, or are displayed in huge lots. This can be a golden ticket for the crafty thrifter who is looking to strike a deal. Oftentimes you can scoop up a bargain by buying in bulk. For instance, if they are selling something by yardage, but you'd like to take the entire reel, you can often get a break in price.

Whenever my local thrift shop has their seasonal "bag sale" event (everything you can fit in a plain brown shopping bag for $6), I head straight to the craft section, and take advantage of all the unwanted knitting needles, lace trim, and fabric I can get my hands on. I don't think that I would be able to continue crafting if I were paying full prices for all of my materials and equipment, and I encourage you to seek out a thrift shop for the same reasons if you want to try something new, but can't afford new materials. The best part is that if and when you abandon a project for good, you've only lost a dollar or two in the process.

Here are some of my favorite finds in the craft section of the thrift store:

Knitting needles in all shapes and sizes.

Jewelry and Findings.

Craft Encyclopedias and How-To Magazines.

Vintage Fabric.

Vintage housewares to try and emulate.

Other things I can think of to look for include:

Sewing Notions.

Handbags that have clasps or zippers you can repurpose.

Clothing that you can rip apart and use for other projects.

Organization bins, or shelving.

Old cameras, frames, and photo equipment like tripods or camera bags.

Board games with interesting pieces.

Fabric jewelry boxes that you can customize.

Zippers, snaps, and buttons either on display or taken from clothing out on the racks.

My ultimate find would be to get a working, adjustable dress form very cheaply someday. I am always on the lookout for one! What are some of your favorite crafty things to look for when you thrift?

To thrift or not to thrift? There is no question!

2006-10-26T14:12:00.000-04:00

Hi! My name is Meagan, and I, like you, love tag sales, garage sales, thrift shops, antique stores and any other place I can find interesting, pre-enjoyed goodies.

I live in an old, converted schoolhouse in northern Wisconsin, where I put my thrifty finds to good use. Mostly pottery and textiles of all kinds find their way into my shopping bag (like this lovely green footed bowl and silky bee scarf, above), but sometimes I come away with something completely unexpected.

Like these boots that I found on Friday. For only $1. These hand-crafted Italian leather lovelies will surely keep me well shod through our upcoming winter. Upon stumbling on these beauties I did the furtive "glance over the shoulder" that so many of us do to make sure we are the only ones who noticed the fabulous find we now hold in our hands.

I can't wait to share my tag sale tales with you. Thanks, Jenny, for inviting me to write here.

Until next time ...

19th Century French Cafe au Lait Bowl

2006-10-26T09:45:00.000-04:00

Rare French flow blue
cafe au lait bowl
with a silver trim.

Though cafe au lait bowls are common,
used in French homes
every morning, amongst family
and friends, to drink their coffee with milk.

They come in a wide variety of
colors and sizes. Antique ones
are becomming harder and harder
to find, especially for a good price.

How do you drink your coffee?

Photo by Corey Amaro

Thrifted window seat cushions

2006-10-24T17:25:00.000-04:00

In lieu of a rusted radiator, there's now a window seat in the bay window area of our living room. Built by my husband with storage underneath. The cushion covers are thrifted - the base fabric is a linen curtain from the 1940s - its wonderful brown trim was also salvaged and used on the pillows. Those are covered in upholstery fabric. First seen on a small armchair at a church flea market, being ripped by an overzealous dealer who wanted to know what was beneath. I dashed over and grabbed the torn slipcover, knowing that someday I could use it. It makes me happy to see it reborn and matched with green ticking on the window seat. Now my favorite place for morning newspapers and tea.

French Laundry

2006-10-24T01:21:00.000-04:00

How to fold a Fitted Sheet

-First fold it in half,

-Run your hands over it make it smooth,

-Then tuck the corners inside each other and straightening them out.

-The folded sheet should look like it has rounded corners.

-Fold the half sheet in half again,

-Tuck the corners inside each other, all corners are tucked into one big rounded corner.

-Then fold again and again. Flatten smooth.

-In one of the fold of the sheet, add a perfumed sachet, place the sheet in the armoire until needed.

More about French antiques here.

Finding wheat among chaff

2006-10-23T09:51:00.000-04:00

I'm Jennifer, a transplanted Midwesterner, living in Pennsylvania for the past 25 years, and I'm so happy to be a contributer to this great blog. It's written for people after my own heart, who love to find the glinting piece of gold amongst all the junk. Although I love old things, I have no interest in walking into an antique shop. There's no sport in that - it's like shooting fish in a barrel (assuming you have the money, which I don't, but more to the point, there's just no thrill.) The joy is in finding something great in a box under the tables at the church rummage sale, in the recycling bin amongst all the tattered TV Guides, or tossed out on the curbside. It takes a good eye to spot a gem in an ugly context, like a vintage planter hidden by Avon bottles and home-made ceramics at Goodwill, and be able to recognize its beauty or potential. Unlike many of you, I'm not a visual artist. I'm a writer and PR person living in a big constantly-in-need-of-repair Arts & Crafts house in suburban Philadelphia with my husband Chris and our three boys. I've always adored old people, old houses, old things. I'm drawn to vintage linens, baby clothing and accessories, books and paper ephemera. Tales of finding such things will be my primary storyline here, I imagine. I've always wanted to be a correspondent! Thanks for having me, Jenny.

beginnings.

2006-10-23T09:31:00.000-04:00

Hello! I am Aga and i delighted to be part of this blog. I am Polish , yet I have been living in Britain since 2003. 6 months ago my husband, Steve and I bought our first home together and as the house is fair size ( and has blue front door , ha ha), it can accomodate all my treasures and still have space for more...I i have plenty of excuses to browse, hunt,search , buy , transform, create...
I love things that are meaningful to me and make me smile everytime i look at them , or the photos I take of them ... there is nothing better than finding "everyday "treasures...old cups , tablecloths, tables, chairs, bowls... and adopting them :)

on this photo there is a tablecloth found in a second hand shop in Poland , that cost the equivalent of 2$, a bowl from a friend, and some raspberries from a local market. and together they complement each other and look like a prefect trio of friends :) well. sort of more of a team as there is more than one raspberry...

there are a few shops / charity shops etc here in UK where I love walking among the shelves , boxes and just being among those vintage objects , materials, and in the company of fabulous colours, textures, etc.....
I also love sales and the idea that you get more for less , and that something might have waited for you so looooong , and can be yours.

have a great day everyone ***

Hello, hello!

2006-10-22T14:25:00.000-04:00

My name is Aimee and when Jenny invited me to join this lovely blog I couldn't resist! This is an old photobooth photo of me (1988)! I wanted something silly and fun, but also kind of old, to represent why I love to shop at thrift stores and yard sales... it's because I love old, fun things!

Most of my finds are things for the home or garden. I am attracted to things with a retro feel, things that are one of a kind, and kitchy. Most of my favorites have found their way to me, instead of me finding them. They come to me as cast aways from friends and family, and best of all, they come free of charge. I'm like a kitch magnet, attracting fun and fabulous things into my into my home!

I look forward to sharing my finds with you and seeing yours too!

well, hi there!

2006-10-22T06:05:00.000-04:00

this is me, leslie keating, a canadian married to an aussie and living in melbourne, australia. i've followed this blog for a long while now so when jenny put the call out for writers i was quick to put in my application and am so thankful that she's invited me to be join up. i am a certified thrift shopping addict. there is somthing about the search, the hunt, the high that comes with finding something beautiful, unique, something that has so obviously been loved before or maybe hasn't yet found the love it deserves... i just can't get enough. starting at the age of 15 i was a frequent visitor of the value villages and goodwills in my canadian hometown of edmonton, alberta (used to tag along with my sister and then plotted huge, citywide, daylong thrifting escapades on my own once i could drive) and kept the traditional alive when i moved to the great city of vancouver in 2002. now in melbourne i try to explore as many different "op shops", as they are called here, as possible, searching far and wide, driving up to 35km out of the city regularly for a few REALLY good ones. i also try to hit garage sales when i can and love a classic auction, although i haven't had as much time lately to explore these last two. i'm currently collecting ceramics, fabric, patterns, glassware but am always on the look out for anything that speaks to me. i have some of my thrift goods in a flickr set here but still have many that i haven't photographed yet (but will!). i'm looking forward to sharing my finds and experiences with vintage and thrift on the other side of the world and can't wait to see what the other contributors have to share!

ps. in the photo above i'm wearing a shirt i made from a huge, beautiful, vintage, embroidered linen tablecloth, found for only $3.99 and still keeps a smile on my face to this day.

Think Outside the Box

2006-10-21T15:53:00.000-04:00

and right into the strainer! Nothing is for naught, and most things can be re-invented! Who would have thought an old strainer could make a perfect planter?
Think outside the box when it comes to old things, you'll be amazed at the ideas that can bloom!

Emily August

2006-10-21T13:22:00.000-04:00

Hello, fellow thrift store junkies, yard sailors, flea market fanatics, and dumpster divers. I want to quickly introduce myself and thank Jenny for inviting me to contribute to this wonderful little blog. I've had it bookmarked forever, and always hope to see new snippets of thrifting adventures posted here.

Thrifting is something that completely relaxes me, and gives me a reason to get up in the morning. I would say that right now my wardrobe is only about 25% thrift store finds, but it would be higher if I were a more average-sized person. Thrifting is a way of life. It involves various off-shoots like getting up at the crack of dawn to go to flea markets, yard-sailing, and spotting rejected furniture on the curb. It is dirty and humbling, and takes a lot of time and effort. Many times you go home empty-handed and angry, but it is worth all of the frustration for the good things you can find if you just keep looking.

I take yard sales and flea markets very seriously. They have taught me various histories of things like clothing styles, art movements, and the make of fine furniture. They have kindled the strangest of fires in me to collect things I had never heard of before. I have sold as a vendor at the Punk Rock Flea Market in Philadelphia, held my own yard sales, and participated in big church flea markets or multi-family garage sales. Man, I am addicted to it.

Thank you for reading my introduction, and I hope you enjoy what I have to say about vintage clothing, housewares, and all the goodies I will be sharing with you here. For a preview of what I'll be sharing with you, feel free to check out my flickr account, and drop me a line to say hello. I am new to blogger.com, but not new to blogging, and can't wait to dig in with you all here at tagsaletales! Ciao ciao.

Hi, My Name is Hope...

2006-10-18T09:57:00.000-04:00

Hello. My name is Hope and I am a flea market junkie. Actually, I also love antique shops, tag sales and thrift stores, so, I guess it is fate that I am one of the new members of Tag Sale Tales (thank you Jenny, for letting me a part of this great site - I hope I live up to your expectations!) That is me up there taking a photo of a vintage Christmas ornament. I am the girl behind Paper Relics and known as thesoulofhope on Flickr. But for those of you who do not know me, my weakness is antique paper. Anything pre-1920 really, but I swoon over things from the 1800s. I love old hand written letters, tin type photos, postcards and advertising (in magazines or trade cards). I also adore old worn buttons and vintage velvet ribbon, old pieces of jewelry (especially shiny ones) and of course I am thrilled when I stumble upon a unique piece to put in my studio for storage or display.

I was born and raised in Connecticut. Tag sales were tag sales and I always have loved them. I now reside in Maryland, and no one here knows what I am talking about when I say TAG SALE. How can you not know what I am talking about? They call them 'garage sales' and 'yard sales' but never TAG SALES. It drives me crazy! I say I went to a tag sale over the weekend and all my co-workers are looking at me blankly having no idea what I am talking about! Oh well, tag, garage, yard, whatever you call it - I still love them!

I thought it would be fun to share my finds with you, and then take it a step further and show you what I do with them. So you will see things I purchase as well as things I make. I have started a flickr set for all the photos I post on this blog that can be viewed here.

My most recent find, and my first to share with you, was an old wooden crate with writing still on one side. It was actually quite a surprise to stumble upon. I went to an art and craft show this past weekend in a small town in Maryland. The entire town comes out for this event and people had tag sales lining the streets. I came across this one sale run by this sweet old man (who told me I had "a beautiful mop of hair" - how could I NOT purchase something from him?). I found a few goodies, an old journal with sales recorded in it and some buttons. I was happy and started to walk away. But, my eye caught something tucked under the corner of the table. An old wooden crate. It was in excellent condition, the wood is high quality (the photo does not do it justice since it is bottom up - my cute pup, Tuala, is in the photo to give you an idea of the size - she is a 28 pound Beagle). I picked it up to check it out and the price tag was $9.50. NINE FIFTY! I ran over the man to pay for it, and in all my excitement, I tripped (of course, you will all soon see what a klutz I am), and he told me he thought I was falling for him and next time to let him know so he could have his hands out to catch me (what a charmer!).
He gave it to me for $9 even.

It is so nice to be here - I look forward to sharing with you all! And stay tune for more tales soon... I am off to New York City this weekend to meet up with some blog friends (Dawn and Jes) and we plan to hit some flea markets while we are there!

2006-10-16T07:37:00.000-04:00

...With those big blue eyes,
she seem to say,
"Buy it, buy it, buy it!"
Listening with my heart,
I took her advice,
bought it,
gave her a wink that said,
"Merci!"

call for writers!

2006-10-10T14:40:00.000-04:00

hello dear readers! i'm just popping in to say thank you to those who have written us and asked for more tales!

which brings me to the reason for this post. if any of you are interested in becoming a contributor for tag sale tales, there is currently an open call!

our blog isn't limited to just thrift stores, but also open air markets, antique malls, yard sales, open air markets, anywhere you can get a deal or steal that has a story! we want those interested in finding good fashion, home decor, trinkets and baubles, gifts and ideas that show you can make life interesting and beautiful while being on a budget.

so drop me a line (email me at jenny @ queenthings dot com) if you would like to help us out, i would really like to get voices from all parts of the world, please don't be shy.

just so you know what's going on with me...my husband and our little toddler and i all in the transition for moving to another country in south america (you can read more here) and soon i will have some interesting stories to share, i'm sure of it! shopping will be a complete turn around from the amazing thrifting in virginia. so stay tuned! in the meanwhile, i'll hope to hear from you!

besos xx, jenny vorwaller

Collecting Little Things by Corey Amaro

2006-10-10T09:52:00.000-04:00

I love going around a fleamarket listening to what calls my name...
most the time I do not go with something in mind,
rather I go with a tickle in my heart and a wide eye wonder-
trusting that something is waiting to find me.
...And when something this cute jumps out with a surprise, bubbly sting,
all I can do is laugh out loud, and count my lucky stars!
Somethings don't have to be valuable to be treasured.

Photo: Paper doll dresses up like a bee, giving me sweet honey!

history

2006-09-15T23:35:00.000-04:00

As I look around my house now, I realize that all the accessories, the little tidbits that add a little flavor to bare expanses of furniture - they all have a previous history. A long life already, enjoying someone else's company. Nothing is new and store-bought, fresh and emptyheaded. It's kind of a nice feeling, and kind of strange. I feel as though I need to take extra care with these things, as a mark of respect for the original owners.

For instance, today I bought some lovely pieces of coral at a yard sale from a couple who obviously once travelled the world and its oceans. They most likely retrieved these treasures themselves, kept them in a special place, then perhaps forgot over the years what made them special enough to capture in the first place.
To me, though, they're brand new companions... and so, the journey of objects continues.

utilitarian!

2006-09-01T22:06:00.000-04:00

Some of my favorite thrifting finds have been the mundane treasures; the everyday items that usually go unnoticed. A fork is a fork, it serves an ordinary purpose, but finding an especially right fork can be a bit of a thrill.
Today I found this 45+ piece Danish Modern flatware set for five dollars. With their smooth, sleek handles and pleasant shapes, these otherwise-boring kitchen denizens will make more of a positive impact on my everyday than any delicate antique or priceless collectible. Five dollars just made every meal a little more special.

nostalgia

2006-08-26T22:37:00.000-04:00

Very rarely do I get as enthusiastic response about my thrifted finds as when I score a vintage Fisher Price playset.

It seems to be something that has the ability to instantly transport us back to childhood. We remember favorite toys, yes, but there is another level to childhood memory brought back by the smooth, smiling wooden faces of the Little People. We recall details, like the color of the collar on our dog figurine. The 'moo' of the barn door as it opened. The fat, ribbed bodies of the sheep as they milled about behind white plastic fencing. The detail of our Fisher Price memory is amazing.

It seems as though a great many of us spent a good part of our youth playing with the same beloved toys - which is probably why it is so difficult to find them today in anything other than 'well-loved' condition.
And it makes me smile to find them that way.

A sip of Tea

2006-05-26T12:11:00.000-04:00

by Corey Amaro

Add fresh water to the kettle,

Bring it to a rapid boil, or until it whistles.

Add some of this water to heat your teapot,

swirl it, then throw the water out.

Add a teabag for each person,

and another one for the teapot.

Let it steep for several minutes.

French Vintage 1930-40s teacups.

Mix and match, adds a touch of peppermint!

$1 each

2006-04-28T15:26:00.000-04:00

sometimes things just go your way. :)

Papers like a Piper Call

2006-04-27T09:29:00.000-04:00

by Corey Amaro

Stacks of letters, stamps, menus, images, tags and ledgers.

What is it with papers, that beckon us to read, to feel to hold...

Menus with delicious descriptions of dishes to be served,

Letters sent to sweethearts and secrets that unfold,

Stamps with postage marks from exotic places,

Journals of yesteryear that tell us where we have come from,

Ledgers that outline the daily doings and struggles of balancing a budget in perfect script!

The stories between the lines, the creases of past lives, the idea of holding someone's history tenderly in ones hand.

What is your paper trail, where does it lead?

local scenes

2006-04-25T23:30:00.000-04:00

from the often visited thrift store.

never know what you're gonna find.

unless you look.

springtime

2006-04-20T15:40:00.000-04:00

this morning i left the house clutching a folded piece of paper - a treasure map! - a full list of garage and estate sale addresses. it's finally spring, and my favorite lazy weekday activity is back, signaling the end to snow tires and tightly-buttoned coats.

thrifting here is mostly a seasonal treat; we have a handful of goodwills and salvation army shops, but the real treasure is found among the church rummage sales and spread across sprawling suburban lawns. it's open season, and it's going to be a good one. how do i know? on today's first real outing i came across a copy of fannie farmer's baking book - i've been hoping to find one; the peanut butter cookies are divine - complete with tucked-in notes in shaky handwriting from the previous owner. things like, 'very good - use 1 1/2 bananas instead'.
what's better than baking advice from the great beyond? having also found a retro snack set upon which to serve it all.

do you thrift in seasons? where do you have the best luck?

Easter Hopping

2006-04-16T20:47:00.000-04:00

by Corey Amaro

Easter bonnets...

Chocolates...

Easter eggs...

Baskets...

No, these are not the things I found at the antique market last week.

Instead look what hopped in front of my heart--

One little bunny!

Vintage toys are wonderful, a swell of memories interchange...

A baby bunny with no eyes, a worn ribbon wrapped around his belly and bald.

Gee golly it couldn't be better!

How much does it cost?

2006-04-06T18:37:00.000-04:00

by Corey Amaro

Since many of you have asked me the famous question; How much did you pay for that? I thought I 'd answer that here on TAG SALES where I will post every Thursday.

First, the goods you see listed below for example, were bought when these things were consider not valuable, those days are gone sadly. Also I bought them when the dollar was very strong....now the dollar is weak against the Euro.

You can always search and search and most likely find anything for less. That is one of the pleasures of antiquing, and the reward of a good hunt!

Here is a rough idea of what you might be expected to pay if you found any of these goods at a typical brocante fair; not at a fleamarket where the search is harder, and the finding of such an item rare, and the effort more enduring, yet yielding a far cheaper price for the true tag sale hunter!

Here is what you could expect to pay for each item if you went to a Brocante in France:

Wine bottles (1880 circa or older), uneven, deep green, heavy, each slightly different: $15

Bottle carriers (1930s), sometimes 6 compartments, usually 4, a small one like this is the hardest to find with a wooden handle verses metal one. $25

Provencal water pitcher. (mid 19th century or older) Yellow is the most common, then green, next white and last blue. Already a yellow one is not very easy to find these days. Often they are missing their lid. This one has a lid. $200

Hand painted oil painting of Roses on canvas. (1900s) $60

Iron door knockers (alot of copies beware!) $45

Garden cache pottery glazed pots (19th century) $35.

The image on top is a sample of a 19th century bedsheet. Fine linen, thread count over 500, with elegant designs such as the one above run around $100 a piece.

I don't know if these prices have you jumping on a plane or scratching your head...but there you have an honest account of what these things cost today. Sure you might find these things for less, (BUY IT QUICK if you do!!) and you could expect to pay a great deal more if you buy them from an antique dealer.

Antiques in France

2006-03-30T08:23:00.000-05:00

by corey amaro

Spring is in the air, and the fleamarkets are filling up the scenery faster than the leaves on the trees. If you are coming to France forget the Eiffel Tower, let the Louvre hang out by itself, forego the cafés, runways and the Champs Elysees! Instead grab your bag and head for the flea markets! (Remember this: wear comfortable shoes, go there around 7am for the best deals, and start by saying, "Bonjour!")

Here is a sampling of the things you can find in the South of France.
Little bit of French country anyone?
A souvenir to cherish!

garden-gate headboard

2006-03-28T10:31:00.000-05:00

if you live in an area that has an architectural salvage spot, or where old buldings reside, then you may be lucky enough to come across discarded pieces that can be recycled into beautiful furniture. flea markets, yard sales, even roadside pick-up are places to begin. an idea recovered from my martha stewart stash has been on my mind lately, since i adore wrought iron beds. their romance could fit in any type of setting, and if you're like me and like to mix modern and vintage, this is for you too.

here, a garden gate tipped to one side becomes a one-of-a-kind headboard. a trellis, a section of a victorian fence, or even a door would also be good ideas. make sure you clean up the peice by sanding off any rust, applying metal primer from your local hardware store (work outdoors!) and paint your desired color. use wall stud or anchors, home improvement stores are a big help if you describe the find your are looking to hang. the idea is to mount it behind your bed in a way that is pleasing to your eye and your taste. there's something rewarding in taking something that was once loved but cast aside and breathing new life into it. especially when that tranformation takes place in an intimate surrounding like where you lay your head at night.

garden salvage

2006-03-24T16:40:00.000-05:00

The best thing about gardening for me is finding creative ways to re-use worn out objects. I visit a lot of different gardens in the spring, with my camera in hand...

Here are a few clever recycling ideas I've found in my neighborhood (click images to view larger).

This garden utilized old broken window panes, with the most wonderful shapes as backdrop for a small koi pond and fountain.

A miniature fairy garden was built using old wooden crates at different angles.

This old metal bedframe creates a whimsical garden room at my favorite local nursery. In the springtime they plant it up with friendly violas and white bacopa that cascades over the sides. The drawers are planted up with bright pansies, and a floormat was constructed at the base with Irish moss (groundcover), that spells out "Mary's room".

Last spring I created these skeleton key windchimes, with fishing string, beads, and crystals.

mirror mirror on the wall

2006-03-22T10:12:00.000-05:00

by corey amaro

Sometimes that which we are looking for finds us instead.

Sometimes we see what we are missing caught in a reflection.

Often an object tells more than one story.

Never is there one way of looking at it.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Seek and you shall find!

Often what we need is within ourselves.

When going to the fleamarket keep an open heart, for you never know what will

come your way!

Vintage Venetian mirror with a reflection of vintage

handpainted wall paper in the background

laughable loot

2006-03-19T20:25:00.000-05:00

sometimes you can't help but snicker at all of the ridiculous things you find in thrifts, most of which i can't leave behind. here are a few of my most recent knee-slapping novelties!

this nautical salt-n-pepper set features the lovely companionship of one pipe-mouthed slicker-wearing old salty and his naval pal cap 'n pepper, who are both sporting fantastic goatees, by the way. what is so amazing is that these seasoned mates look exactly like the graphic on the box - it is uncanny!

these charming little needlepoint kits were each given their own names like holly horse the horse and rooster the rooster. they came equipped with all of the essentials for a completing a piece including a 6X6 printed canvas, wool yarn, a tapestry needle, instructions, and when the craft was complete, a printed paper frame! that's right, the brown and yellow decoration around the colorful critters is not a part of the canvas. it is in fact a piece of paper that you are supposed to use when framing your holly horse or rooster. they also came in their very own plastic snapped carrying case for needlepoint on-the-go.

how is it possible that the fabulous rotating knittng bracelet is no longer an everyday knitting necessity? look at the facts:

* always near you
* cannot tangle
* ideal while travelling

it's also made in the usa, it's gold plated, and the instructions are very simple:

1.-fold the "shuttle" flat.
2.-insert ball of yarn thru shuttle.
3.-open shuttle.
4.-you are now ready. ball will rotate and yarn cannot tangle.

what is so genius about the fabulous rotating knittng bracelet is its ability to break the norm of existing as a boring crafting device - not only is it fashionable, but it's the most practical knitting aid ever made. fashion and crafting can be friends after all!

Specialiste Du Meuble Provencal

2006-03-19T09:14:00.000-05:00

Specialist is Provencal Furniture
by Corey Amaro

When one window is closed surely another opens!

Today the antique fairs in the South of France

were cancelled due to rain!

Rain! Such a rare event! We need rain! I should be

dancing with joy with Gene Kelly!

Instead, I feel like the rain on the parade!

Unwelcoming and splashing the puddles that

are in my way!

Did it have to pick Sunday to come visit?

Six other days in a row it could have had!

Why on Sunday!

One window closed, but another always opens...

I'll go check out the shops instead!

10 rules for salvage sisters

2006-03-17T11:13:00.002-05:00

1. when in doubt, don't throw it out.

2. rust is a variation of red; red is always an acceptable color.

3. never be the early bird at a yard sale. the real possibilites are in the rubble.

4. never sell among yourselves; trade only. (it keeps that sisterly love alive.)

5. broken? all the better. imperfect is perfect.

6. don't look at it for what it is, but for what it could be.

7. it's about the eureka! moment, not he thing itself.

8. make the recycling bin your first stop for art supplies.

9. hunt, find, and tell. no secret sources.

10. never worry about how to get it home; just get it.

~excerpt from the salvage sisters by kathleen hackett & mary ann young