As we celebrate National Thrift Shop Day 2021, I’m thinking about some of the cool finds I discovered in thrift stores and in most cases it was a casual let’s-go-in-here-to-see-their-stuff expedition with friends that resulted in many great finds. A Victorian pickle tong was an epic discovery because not only did I need this item, it was also an antique and it was for the price of lunch!
At another second hand store I found the sad, forgotten quilt rack area. I loved their simplicity and carved bits. I realized I could repurpose one into a handy rack to hold my bath bombs and Epsom lavender sea salts and I could stack towels on it too. For just $3 it was a steal. I did end up getting the other quilt rack as I realized I needed a place to hold blankets for use in them middle of the night when I needed a bit more warmth. Imagine using an antique item as it was originally intended! Amazing. This one was a bit more at $10 as it was bigger – but with hefty blankets you need that solid construction. I still remember the beaming smile on the proprietor during my purchases as she clearly is a quilt rack user and was happy to see not one but two used quilt racks leave her shop that day. Saved from the landfill! Hey – if I ever open a shop some day I will call it “Saved from the Landfill.” Here are some pictures of the one rack I use to hold stuff now.
I also tend to gravitate towards rickety 3-legged plant tables that are commonly used to hold plants up to your window sill for better light. At one time I had 5 all nicely painted, still a tad wobbly. But then friends would say – “oh I like that!” and I would give it to them. I seemed to find them about for about $3 – $5 and most of the time I would just try out a new paint technique on them. Today I have one and it’s an old, tired white that I want to know add gold foil too after seeing those quilt rack pictures again today on this post celebrating National Thrift Shop Day 2021!
Fabric at the Thrift Shop
I had no idea there were so many fabulous fabric choices at the consignment stores until I went with a friend who was looking for something specific. I wandered over and found great “new old” fabrics on hangers. I ended up buying 5 yards of creamy yellow slightly shear fabric with a mid century modern design and I made two panels to hang in my dining room. The fabric on the hanger was so heavy and stiff – I did not know it at the time but it was just dirt. I washed the fabric and it came out so light and airy. I hand sewed (yes, my Mom was surprised, too) two panels that looked marvelous in that space until I moved. Not bad for a $6 investment. I think I could say that my Girl Scout badge for sewing was finally realized in truth as I did all of this sewing myself with no help! #consciouscleared
Update on the Antique Quilt Rack
I must admit that my new organizer rack now no longer holds bath bombs, lavender salts, shampoos and washcloths! It’s new duty is to act as my workout station. See below:
Enjoy finding treasures with your thrift shop visits! Repurpose and redesign these items to keep them out of the landfill. Use your paint, gold leaf, sanding and other talents to make it just perfect for you. I will share more projects here from time to time.
Happy National Thrift Shop Day 2021!
[psst! I made a special journal to track all your thrift store finds. It’s on sale on Amazon and the Title is “Antique Thrift Store Treasures – Flea Market Finds to Flip or Keep” – you can jot down where you got items, how much they cost and what your initial ideas were to transform them when you first saw the item in the store. You can purchase this thrift shop journal here.]