The Year In Thrift: Part One

As I mentioned at the end of my last post, 2010 proved to be a stellar year for thrifting in New Jersey. Here, in part one of two, is a look at ten of the things that made my thrifty hearty flutter this past year:

1. Statue of Liberty vase/cup/thingie. Cost 50 cents

Provenance: Ocean Grove yard sale

This past year, I made a promise to myself I'd limit tchotchke purchases and only buy things that served a purpose.

So I put my toothpaste in Lady Libby and gave her a purpose. Plus, she’s right at home with her family in the second floor bathroom.



2. Vintage aluminum sign. Cost: Free

Provenance: Next door neighbor’s trash

The sign said, “Take Home Kern’s Bread”…so I did. Right from my shorehouse neighbor’s trash.



3. Vintage linens. Cost: $10 (total)

Provenance: Ocean Grove Flea Market (by way of vendor’s Nana’s cupboard)

The tablecloths were $5 each which, even though that’s big bucks for me, I knew was a bargain. One still had tags on it!

Judging by the wild-eyed look on the face of the shabby chicified woman next to me when I asked “how much are these?” I have a feeling she knew I got a deal, too. The vendor threw in the towel (literally) for free. And they all laundered like a dream.

4. Funky necklace. Cost: 50 cents

Provenance: Allaire State Park Flea Market

A couple of snip-snips later and I shed the Travolta chain and added my own white gold one. Eventually I’ll also change out the gigantic loopy thing the chain goes through, but I can’t tell you how many compliments I’ve gotten on this thing. “Is that coral?” “Is that sculpted?” I’m fairly sure it’s plastique, circa 1970.

5. A whole slew of Shiny Brites and old timey ornaments. Cost: Free?

Provenance: St. Paul’s Rummage Sale, Ocean Grove

It was “stuff-everything-in-a-bag-for-$3” day at the rummage sale. They had a whole slew of glass vases, and since my friend runs a home-based florist biz I asked if he wanted them for his shows and such. While I was carefully filling the shopping bag, something shiny (and “brite,” if you will) caught my eye from a box under the table. I stuffed every single loose ornament in the vases, and the ones in cardboard sleeves slipped right in vases as-is. Since they fit in the bag that I already was buying for Bloom Boxx technically they were free right? Right.

To be continued…with ironstone, Roussell chairs, Mrs. Johnson and more!