Mary is the founder of the creative reuse organization Spare Parts, and the amazing friend who gave me these thrifty suitcases I shared with you last month. She’s doing some amazing work bringing art into the community and raising awareness about waste, so be sure to stop by and show her some love!
Next up we stopped by the Community Thrift Store and Salvation Army. The Salvation Army didn’t prove to be as fruitful this trip (we were only looking through the household section which was a bit small), but I found another little haul at Community Thrift.
For $3.54 (with tax) I found some wool crewel embroidery thread, vintage embroidery transfers, and this sweet picture of a little girl. I’ve actually seen this picture at other thrift stores before, and there’s another one of a little boy to match. They had both at this store, but the little boy was a little mildewed. So I just bought this one in hope of finding the boy again on another trip.
So I spent a grand total of $5.64 on all the items I purchased! I’ll have to go back and see if they still have that enamel teapot!
Some lessons to remember? When you see something that tugs at your heart (like the pair of children’s pictures) buy it the first time you see it–it may not turn up again! And if something feels too pricey, it probably is. Go back on a sale day or keep an eye out for something similar on your next trip.
For more tips on thrifty shopping, check out my post on 4 Reasons to Choose Resale Over Retail.
Mary and I hope to make our thrifting excursions a regular thing, so stay tuned for more thrifty finds. Until next time!
amy, finding your blog has been so timely. inspiring. i have not shopped for anything except groceries for years. literally years. but, as i have blossoming teenage girls now … saturday afternoons have become 'shopping day' (ok, and hunger games movie house day). we're exhausted of hobby lobby and old navy … i may just share the idea of 'thrifting' with them. thank you.
~ kathi
Yay! You're giving me thrifting lessons from afar! I can't wait to see more posts in this series.
Kathi–you should definitely start thrifting with your girls! In fact, I started thrifting as a teen with my mom! I still have a favorite purse I found with her at a garage sale! It's so much more fun than shopping at retail stores!
Wendy–glad to be of help! Let me know which tips work for you!
Oooh. So many awesome things here! I have a giant collection of embroidery transfers and usually buy my wool crewel yarn on Etsy or Ebay, because it's incredibly expensive new. My local thrift stores are so picked-over, so I'd be pretty amazed if I ever pulled in a haul this cool, but they are a great sources of XXXL knits shirts for repurposing …
love! good tip about making sure you'll use it and have room for it. i adore bags, boxes, trunks, old sewing machines and funky glasses and constantly have to blow them kisses and walk away!
Inder-ific–Fortunately I live on a 'less-affluent' side of town where the thrift stores don't seem as picked. I would love to visit all the thrift stores in town some day!
@Honeybee Mama I love that phrase, blow them kisses and walk away–I also like to take photos of them!
Amy, I had a blast! It's my turn to show you some of my favorite places around town but we might have to wait until towards the end of the month. One of the thrift stores had a major clearance sale. We need to wait for them to refill their shelves. cheers,m
Mary–that's too bad we missed the sale! Can't wait until our next trip!
I love going to thrift stores and garage sales. 🙂 I grew up spending my Saturday mornings with my grandmother, doing just that.
Next to crafting, thrifting is one of my all-time favorite activities! That's awesome your grandmother used to take you!