"Auction Sale"
Edna Jacques
A pair of steelyards with a broken hook
An old can fashioned like a shepherd's crook,
A rocking-chair with a patchwork cushions on,
A quaint old picture of a startled fawn.
A rawhide whip, a box of knives and forks,
Some fishing rods, a can of hooks and corks.
A wide old slatted bed, a feather tick,
A little squatty lamp without a wick,
A kitchen range with a real deep firebox,
A half a dozen chipped old earthen crocks,
Some bread pans and a greasy iron pot,
An old stuffed owl that someone must have shot.
The treasures of a lifetime stripped and bare
Where every stranger could go by and stare.
A flowered cookie jar, a broken comb -
The small belongings that once spelled a home.
brass candle sticks, vintage painting
Spring is here on the calendar, but not in temperature. Spring means warmth, green grass, new flowers in the ground, sunshine...and garage sales.
Since I was young, I loved stopping at garage sales and going into thrift stores. I loved walking around and imagining the people and homes that these items used to fill.
little hanging copper pot
Now that I have my own home, it is filled with items that I have collected and gathered from here and there. We have a few really good thrift stores in our area, that I love to visit whenever I am out by myself.
Instead of filling our home with only brand new items, I like to have a mix of old and new. There is something about the little pieces of history that you are bringing into your home, that is special; even if you don't know the history behind the piece.
You bring stories into your home when you purchase an item at a thrift store and garage sale.
small copper pan, little copper hanging pot, wooden accordion shelf
dresser, lamp, brass candle holder, wicker basket, oil painting
Some of the items that I look for when I go thrifting or stop at a garage sale are:
• Copper or brass pots
• Small oil paintings of scenery - mainly mountain landscapes with little lakes (this is a nod to my Swiss heritage!)
• Old jars and enamel jugs
• Blankets (they can always be washed - make sure there are no holes or stains)
• Mirrors
• Pieces of pottery (little bowls to hold jewelry and essential oils, plus unique mugs)
• Books (many of my vintage books are found at the thrift store, including beautiful poetry books that the poem at the beginning of this post came from)
• Baskets
• Brass candlesticks
• Vintage flower paintings
brass candle stick and vintage brass candle holder
I am not about filling my home with junk, so I am very careful to choose wisely in what I bring home with me. I am constantly going through my home and purging what I have decided I don't love as much as I thought in the store.
Brambly Hedge "Spring" book
(the whole series is beautiful!)
Our area has so many beautiful thrifting spots. When the weather gets warmer, you can do a quick google search and set out on a morning and afternoon full of thrifting. Take cash, as many places do not take debit - plus you want to be open to stopping at garage sales along the way!
MacCool's Re-Use
Here are some of my thrifting tips:
• Go with an open mind
• Don't expect that you will find exactly what you are looking for/wanting in just one visit. More often then not, you'll have to go again and again to find what you want! That's part of the fun!
• Think outside of the box when you see an item on the shelf. Try and think how else you could use the item in your home.
• Be aware of prices. Some stores price things very low, while other stores may have the same thing, but for a higher price. Most stores will not let you haggle the price, but if you know you can get the item for less if you can wait for it to come to another store, then wait!
• Most important, have fun! See what you can find. Discover your style and enjoy making your collected (not cluttered) home.
Happy thrifting season!
