Sunday, March 11, 2012

Welcome to Thrift Utopia


Unexpected thrifting leading to lucrative thrift finds and an awesome job prospect all in 35min- impossible?

 Apparently Audrey Hepburn was right when she said,
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!”    source  (what an awesome quote!)


source
Ok, so how did this all happen in 35min flat?...here's the story.

No car. Hubby at job fair, so I prepared myself for a day off NO thrifting. But true to form, like any other junky, I found a way to get my fix.... "Mom can you pick me up?"   (one of my many enablers)

Awesome, got to my mom's house and squeezed my thrift addicted butt out the front door and walked to the neighborhood thrift store. I've been trying to get to this store, but every time I've tried to go, it's wasn't open (don't ya hate that).

I entered and holy smokes it was packed from floor to ceiling. It was like the place never had customers- Yes, I had entered my thrift utopia and I was the only customer who existed-all alone, just the way I like it.

I'm the shopper who works on the notion that if its gonna be a good shopping trip, it's gonna happen in the first 30min. I did my usual eye scanning and- voila- first find-    HORNSEA   no freakin way...

I just read about these pieces because I just happened to buy an awesome Hornsea mug with pigs on it from ETSY.

Hornsea was a company located in the seaside town of Hornsea in England. They were in business from 1949-2000. I think this one is from the 70's.  I read somewhere these are very difficult to find in America, but I guess anything is possible in my thrift utopia.

Does anyone know if this Marilyn Monroe mug is collectible/vintage, I just liked it. Can I tell you though, I need another mug like I need a hole in my head.


Can't go wrong with anything Owl  right?
as Paris Hilton once said, way too many times... "thats hot, thats hot"



Fun invitations. I love the guy- perfect image of beer gut enthusiasm- hahaha.


Then way in the back, behind the register I spy flocked animals. Didn't know much about them but they are labeled with "Handwork Kunstlerschutz West Germany". Go here to read more about it. Based on my reading I think these were made between 1966-1983. The nice guy behind the register handed me only the lion and I said "Oh no, I'll take the entire jungle"  (wow, what a dorky thing to say).  By the way, in this thrift utopia, items behind the register are still cheap.



I of course picked a few things for my mini me's Easter basket. When you push the little wagon, the little bunnies, that remind me of Peeps, bob up and down.



And lastly for my final impulse purchase (isn't thrifting all about impulse purchases)... a most darling miniature metal cradle crib. Check out the detail.


But here's the real icing on the cake.
I spoke to the nice girl stocking the store... we got into a conversation about how much inventory she had to do...and how they were gonna have a big sale that was coming soon. Apparently the entire store is volunteer run and she said they were short on help with sorting and pricing.... she said they were expecting a large drop off in the near future...well then I started salivating...  why? because I'm clearly sick in the head. And BOOOM......my eager mouth said "Sign me up!".  Hence I now have an application and am crossing my fingers that I will most likely be doing inventory and pricing (yes pricing) on Sundays mwahahhhaha.  FIRST DIBS. Did I mention I get 50% off too?!

Holy schmoly I hit a possible future ongoing thrifting jackpot!!! And I  may have a new job heeehee... I'll be keepin you posted.

I'll be linking this post up to Flea Market Finds and Thrift Share Monday.

thanks,
messyMerci

- -
U

11 comments:

  1. Helping with inventory to scout the best stuff for yourself is genius, but expensive,lol.

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  2. I LOVE your flocked menagerie of animals, especially the fox and the giraffe! Also good idea on the thrift store volunteering though you might encounter some interesting/scary items when you're processing.

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    1. I'm ready for the challenge, gloves, mask, and crucifix are ready to go. The fox with his bushy tail are my favorite too :)

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  3. The Easter toys = love. :)

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  4. Love, love, love the animals!! Great score (o, how I miss thrift utopia!)

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  5. Those animals are great. They remind me of something I would bring home and display - and that my husband would hate :)

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    1. Too funny. My husband is just as intrigued with my thrifted finds :) that is, as long as most of them stay within the confines of my home office.

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  6. Love the flocked animals, the little fox is adorable!

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  7. WOW!! I would love to get paid to get first dibbs! I think that crib is so cool; it reminds me of tramp art that was made from splitting tin cans, but yours is much nicer. Gosh, I wish I could find some Hornsea mugs!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by :) Well I won't get paid- all volunteer but getting first pickings is more than I could ask. Thanks for refreshing my memory..."tramp art and splitting tin cans" I couldn't remember where I had heard that before. Come read again I'll be posting more finds on Sunday - have a great Friday.

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