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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Aug 15, 2017 4:50:01 GMT
- Vintage, Fuzzy Wuzzy Soap. We would occasionally get these when I was a kid. The bear would get fuzzy because of whatever nontoxic stuff was put on it. And, when you got to the center of the soap there was a little prize. I'll take before, during, and after pictures to scrapbook so if I have grandchildren they can see how we got our thrills in the 60s. $3 We had fuzzy wuzzy soap as kids! I had totally forgotten about it until you mentioned it. You should share photos of it once it become fuzzy! edie3 - Hope that the news was good on getting that gorgeous card file! Crossing my fingers that you got it! No idea where I'd put it, but have always wanted to find one.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Aug 15, 2017 5:51:09 GMT
Fellow thrifting peas, here is some inspiration to help keep you motivated to look for those hidden gems! I can't even begin to imagine what I'd do if I found something like this! Thrift shop bargain hunters find rare NASA flight suits. A couple of college students found these Nasa flight suits and paid $1.20 for them. Auction is expected to bring between $12,000 and $20,000!
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Aug 15, 2017 20:04:17 GMT
I bet there is a case of that soap in my parent's house. My father would have never let us use something that could have been a collector's item. I wonder if it would still work. I'm going to try using it. I'll be sure to report back after we try it.
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 15, 2017 20:07:33 GMT
i bought yet another vintage typewriter with beautiful cursive typeface. it was decent price so i couldn't resist. uggg, i really must stop with the typewriters. i've truly run out of room. Color me jealous!
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Aug 15, 2017 20:08:03 GMT
edie3, Any word yet? It's been a dream of mine, since I was a kid, to have a card catalog.
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Post by papersilly on Aug 15, 2017 21:04:34 GMT
i bought yet another vintage typewriter with beautiful cursive typeface. it was decent price so i couldn't resist. uggg, i really must stop with the typewriters. i've truly run out of room. Color me jealous! i do love the cursive typewriters! but i have to seriously pare down on my extra ones with regular typefaces. i have already given away two to fellow Peas. i am going to have to do that again when i have more time.
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,498
Jun 26, 2014 1:03:18 GMT
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Post by edie3 on Aug 15, 2017 23:23:28 GMT
eastcoastpea No! My "dealer" says the cabinet is not going anywhere, and the owner had to go away for a few days. I don't think my dealer understands the urgency of this! I will keep you posted, it is a dream of mine too!
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 16, 2017 0:34:44 GMT
This is insufferably long, but I thought the inveterate thrifters among us would enjoy the adventure.
Background: I just returned from a 2000 mile thrifting mission to Los Angeles where my ditzy son and his ditzy friend have moved to Follow Their Dreams. They are admirably frugal, but were in need of a Thrifting Jedi Knight. And they are a Chicagoan and New Yorker without cars in LA. You can't thrift furniture on (pick one) bicycle, Metro, Uber.
So, after the guys found a "cheap" little apartment (in probably the least-secured building I've ever seen...ah, youth...), we flew to LA with Southwest-Airlines-enabled suitcases bulging with linens (and things...heh), rented a behemoth SUV, and embarked on a Crazy Intense One-Week Thrifting Adventure. We got lost, we got hot, we laughed, we argued, we stopped for OrganicVeganPaleoFusion food. Rinse and repeat daily.
Methodology: We consulted Yelp for central LA thrift and junk stores. We scoured neighborhood Craigslist listings for "Must sell today!" and "Free!" We eschewed retail unless absotively necessary.
Our Scores: Sofa, huge "chair and and a half" with ottoman, table and chairs, bar stools, desks, chest of drawers, occasional tables, "refurbished" mattress sets (dirt cheap and you can actually flip them), an errant kitchen cabinet that fit AND doubled the counter space, bookshelves, lamps, kitchen appliances, cooking-stuff, eating-stuff, storing-stuff, closet-stuff, silly-stuff.
Bottom Line: The furniture was mostly in the $10-$30 range. A couple things were over $50. And the three-piece refurbished twin bed sets were $165 each. Floor lamps, microwave and kitchen appliances were $5-$20ish. Most kitchen and storage stuff was 25cents-to-a-few-dollars. A few things were free.
Lessons Learned for the Ditzy Duo: How to bargain. Respectfully. The power of cash and volume-buying in family-owned stores. That older almost always means sturdier. That neighborhood vendors can be a wealth of information for newcomers. That it never hurts to ask (result: $10 furniture delivery from a neighborhood junkstore). How to research Craigslist listings to learn that some people list their IKEA cr@p for way too much money. That their Craigslist purchases had stories behind them (the affection the graduating med students had for their "study chair," the nostalgia the young couple moving up to a bigger apartment felt for their tiny dining set). Most Important: That yes, thrifting is a fun and money-saving treasure hunt, but it's also a way to recycle in a world that is drowning in stuff.
Lessons *I* Learned: Jaded me ("Guys, STOP acting so excited about that sofa!") learned that two very exuberant, polite, earnest, bumbling young men can bring out the best in people. Oh, and I learned it's absolutely impossible to thrift a fan in LA in August
Always Close with a Cute Anecdote: At a store where we bought several pieces of furniture, the owner noticed me eying an old dainty too-cute table lamp. I told her it was just my style. We were communicating in Spanglish. After the guys paid (cash!), she handed me the lamp and told me my son reminded her of her son and she wished him success and happiness. There was no way I could take it on the plane, so now the guys have a $0 little twee lamp sitting on their midCentury $10 table next to their huge $30 West Elm med student chair.
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 16, 2017 0:43:25 GMT
For those of you who made it through the above post: The newly furnished-thrifted apartment literally lies in the shadow of this: I probably drove or walked past it 50 times. Great navigational tool when I got turned around, but it gave me the willies every time…
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Aug 16, 2017 1:27:02 GMT
AmeliaBloomer - That is hands down the absolute best thrifting adventure I've ever read! It sounds as though the week was successful, you all had a great time and the boys learned lessons that will stay with them in life. Hopefully you warned them away from the creepy Scientology building as well! This should be your new title/location notation, as well as in your signature. Be proud of your powers!
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 16, 2017 2:01:16 GMT
This should be your new title/location notation, as well as in your signature. <-------- Your wish is my command.
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 16, 2017 2:09:23 GMT
;Hopefully you warned them away from the creepy Scientology building as well! Too late. The Ditzy Duo were doing an internet scavenger hunt thing. One of the tasks was to hand a flower to someone not of your religion and document it with a photo. Of course, they strolled right over to the big blue blob Scientology building. They got a few NOs from adherents AND were questioned by more than one security guard... So what did they do? THEY WENT BACK. And they were successful. They handed a flower to a Scientologist who agreed to take a picture with them (but not his face). What does it say that I'm less nervous about bedbugs that I am about them attracting the attention of Scientology security?
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,368
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Aug 16, 2017 2:39:56 GMT
My best score lately was a glass bead making kit, priced at $100 on the box which I got for $1 as the woman was closing the sale. It has the torch, steel rods to for the beads around, glass rods for making the beds, the insulated pads to cool them gradually and a couple of other things. It had never been opened.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Aug 16, 2017 4:57:18 GMT
This should be your new title/location notation, as well as in your signature. <-------- Your wish is my command.
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 16, 2017 12:11:24 GMT
This should be your new title/location notation, as well as in your signature. <-------- Your wish is my command. Ha ha, I love it! Your ditzy son is a lucky guy. What fun you three had .
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Aug 16, 2017 15:58:12 GMT
I went out to half price day at Salvation army this morning, on the hunt for sweatshirts for the kids and myself.
I made out well. A couple for me, and lots for the kids. I spent $40, and bought 23 pieces total.
Including a brand new super heavy winter coat for my older son. Original tag said $179. I paid $4. Woot!
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Aug 16, 2017 16:00:41 GMT
My best score lately was a glass bead making kit, priced at $100 on the box which I got for $1 as the woman was closing the sale. It has the torch, steel rods to for the beads around, glass rods for making the beds, the insulated pads to cool them gradually and a couple of other things. It had never been opened. That is a super exciting find. I'm fascinated by glass bead making. Please be sure to keep us updated on your creative process. If you can, we'll want to see pictures too!
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Aug 16, 2017 16:04:32 GMT
AmeliaBloomer, It sounds like you had a great adventure and you taught the boys quite a bit as well. I hope they continue to follow your thrifting model. There are so many great things just waiting to be found and put to good use.
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 16, 2017 16:09:35 GMT
AmeliaBloomer, It sounds like you had a great adventure and you taught the boys quite a bit as well. I hope they continue to follow your thrifting model. There are so many great things just waiting to be found and put to good use. And you are so right about thrifting as a way to extend the lifecycle of products! Thanks for sharing your adventure!
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Post by Frazzled Mom on Aug 16, 2017 16:51:46 GMT
My best score lately was a glass bead making kit, priced at $100 on the box which I got for $1 as the woman was closing the sale. It has the torch, steel rods to for the beads around, glass rods for making the beds, the insulated pads to cool them gradually and a couple of other things. It had never been opened. That's an awesome deal - bead making is addictive! Be sure to get safety glasses if none are included.
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 16, 2017 20:14:12 GMT
I just got a deal- a classic Blenko pitcher. The one that's square in profile with the little spouts on the raised neck. $3 at thrift store. ETA I didn't realize it was called a water bottle: shop.blenko.com/384-Water-Bottle-384.htmIt makes me nostalgic. Was a must have, always used item for neighborhood moms when I was a kid.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Aug 17, 2017 19:02:26 GMT
tincin - Great find! I hope you enjoy creating with it. LavenderLayoutLady - That's a fantastic score, especially that jacket. That a 98% discount, something you never find in regular stores! anonrefugee - How have I made it this long and never heard of Blenko glass? That water bottle is beautiful! After looking at your link, I realize that I have some research to do. Makes me a little sad to think I've probably been walking past this stuff for years and not known it. Anyone else ever feel that way once they discover something new to thrift? Or am I just weird like that? Yesterday I needed to return a rug to Home Goods so I hit a couple of nearby thrift stores as well. It was a good decision! My favorite thrift had put out more stock in the fabrics/craft area, so I stocked up there. Got 13 crewel & needlepoint kits of various sizes, 5 needlepoint canvases, a 4 yd. piece of an older Schumacher decorator fabric, and an open sugar bowl to go with my Churchill "Blue Willow" that DD has. All of this (except for the sugar bowl) will be listed on eBay at some point. I also found a cute Vera silk scarf. I don't normally buy Vera because most of what I see is from the last 20 years (after she died). This little square spoke to me though so home she came. Turns out this one is from the 1950's! The silk is much finer and lighter than the silks used on later scarves. If anyone else is interested in dating Vera scarves, this link is very helpful. Thrift store #2 was also a success, with 4 more crewel kits, some 1980's doll patterns (uncut) and 2 more vintage scarves. One is cotton and from the 1980's. The other is a fine silk and has a French design name woven in the border. No label on it and my research has turned up little. While it is cute, I mainly bought it just to have for research. My biggest find of the day (at thrift store #1) though was a Delft flower vase with 9 holes, designed by Marja van Weeren. It's from 1998, made in The Netherlands and still has the original tags. It is a modern take on the traditional Delft vases. The blue is gorgeous and a perfect match for my decor. At only $8, it was quite the bargain IMO! Now I need to go get some fresh flowers! Will add a photo from my phone after I post this.
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 17, 2017 20:37:37 GMT
**GypsyGirl** that surprises me too, you are another Thrift Jedi. I saw packages of vintage sewing patterns and thought of you today, $2/ dozen! It looks like you had a successful outing though.
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
Jun 25, 2014 19:18:36 GMT
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Post by ginacivey on Aug 17, 2017 21:19:13 GMT
i found a gorgeous apricot colored sheet...that i refashioned into a crib sheet for my granddaughter
yesterday i went to the goodwill here in missouri
and found 4 OU (Univ of Oklahoma - boomer sooners!) onsies for her as well
weird - she lives in norman where the college is - wonder how those onsies found themselves up here
(they were some of the new stuff that comes in)
gina
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Aug 17, 2017 21:55:46 GMT
I saw packages of vintage sewing patterns and thought of you today, $2/ dozen! That's a good price! I typically pay 25¢/each. Depending on the pattern some of them can fetch a nice price on eBay and Etsy. The older Vogue Designer patterns typically do well. I'm still on the look out for my next 'holy grail'...a Diane von Furstenbuerg wrap dress pattern for my own use. Either this one or this one would do, but no way I'm paying those prices! (Bonus points if you recognize the actress who is modeling in the first link!) The other pattern to be on the lookout for is this Daisy Kingdom Apron pattern. I've found 3 in the wild and sold them for between $45 and $70/each. You might also find it with a different cover and pattern number. Same exact pattern, and both sell very well. This is a pattern I've owned since it first came out and keep it because I figure it's part of my retirement plan! found 4 OU (Univ of Oklahoma - boomer sooners!) onsies for her as well weird - she lives in norman where the college is - wonder how those onsies found themselves up here (they were some of the new stuff that comes in) There really is no way to figure why things end up in strange places. This past Christmas I ran across a bunch of UK (Kentucky) plates and ornaments at my local Kroger. I live in the middle of Houston, TX. Go figure!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 13:59:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2017 22:26:02 GMT
I would have said Jacqueline smith as the model. But she always had long hair.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Aug 17, 2017 22:41:51 GMT
This should be your new title/location notation, as well as in your signature. Be proud of your powers! ^^^ I totally agree! I loved your story!! It reminds me of a HGTV (?) show I used to LOVE called Design on a Dime, with Joan Steffend. Your young men probably have the best eclectic / thrift decorated apartment ever, with your help!! I've wanted to take a California thrifting / flea-marketing road trip ever since we moved to AZ; I just haven't done it yet. I certainly wouldn't have stories as good as yours when I'm done, though! (and yeah- the Scientology building would creep me out, too.)
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,498
Jun 26, 2014 1:03:18 GMT
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Post by edie3 on Aug 17, 2017 23:18:45 GMT
Got my card catalog tonight! It is in great shape, dove tailed drawers, lots and lots of drawers. The guy who sold it to me said he sold one just like it at a auction house 50/50 split. He made $700, the auction place sold it for $1400!!!!!
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chendra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861
Location: The 33rd State
Jun 27, 2014 16:58:50 GMT
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Post by chendra on Aug 17, 2017 23:55:45 GMT
I just got a deal- a classic Blenko pitcher. The one that's square in profile with the little spouts on the raised neck. $3 at thrift store. ETA I didn't realize it was called a water bottle: shop.blenko.com/384-Water-Bottle-384.htmIt makes me nostalgic. Was a must have, always used item for neighborhood moms when I was a kid. Ooh, what color? I am always on the lookout for those. I've only found a clear one so far, but it was about the same price as yours at Goodwill. It's one of my favorite finds.
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chendra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861
Location: The 33rd State
Jun 27, 2014 16:58:50 GMT
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Post by chendra on Aug 17, 2017 23:57:48 GMT
Today at Goodwill, I found an Arabia of Finland milk pitcher with the yellow bull design for $3.99. I practically ran toward it when I saw it. Hilariously, for those of you who still scrap, I also saw a half-used package of A Beautiful Mess puffy stickers for $2.99. Such crazy pricing.
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