Tuesday's Treat

As soon as I saw this little wreath at the thrift store, I knew it would look perfect on the side of our mailbox.  Our mail/newspaper/flyer collection area is actually kind of a little house, and it is surrounded on 3 sides by ivy.  This adds the perfect touch of rustic charm for the holidays, and for 50 cents it was mine.

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All I had noticed on the tag was the price when I was at the store.  When I took the tag off at home, I had a chance to read the description.  I know it probably isn't nice to do, but I can't help but cackle a little bit when I look at this.  C'mon.  It's funny, right?

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Hope to see you tomorrow!  I'll be sharing photos of the final ornament wreath for this season, and a few other goodies as well :)

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

It's a citrussy day in the neighborhood!  Enjoy these orange, lemon and lime finds:

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If I have to choose a fave, it's probably the last one.  Mod dandelions and butterflies on the flowery gingham background... so busy and groovy!  Right on!

Thursday's Treasure

Go figure that just a few days after I write that I don't thrift electronics, here I am showing a thrifted small appliance!  Seriously, though- that blue metal?  The clean lines?  The heft and the wooden handle?  This early 50s blow dryer was not getting left behind!  Can you believe it still works?

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Even more of a treasure - I got to meet the previous owner!  I was shopping at a small hospital thrift shop staffed by volunteers.  After one of the workers and I determined that it still works, I stood in line to pay.  As I was checking out, another worker behind the counter said, "I just put that out!"  I said, "I guess I got lucky, then!"  She said, "That was my mother's."  I thought maybe she meant her mother had had one like it.  No, it was her actual mother's hair dryer.  She went on to tell me that she was finally able to start letting some things go, and that she was glad it was going to a new owner who appreciated it.  I told her it looked like it was hardly ever used, and she said they only used it for special occasions.  She went to sleep with wet pigtails most nights. 

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It was so special to feel the emotional history behind this item- a glimpse that I always just imagine as a thrift store shopper.  Now I feel a little stressed about reselling it, though.  Like I have an obligation to be sure it goes somewhere special.  Is that weird?  Perhaps I should just assume that anyone who purchases this item will naturally have a unique appreciation for its history.  Thoughts?

Hello Dolly

We all have our thrifting "comfort zones".  Items that we know and love, that we gravitate toward each and every shopping trip.  For me, it's usually kitchenalia, linens, and craft/sewing supplies.  And decks of cards.  Sometimes baby clothes.

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I almost never thrift vintage adult clothing, lamps/electronics, or furniture.  Or dolls.  Yet, there was something about this one.  I just couldn't leave her behind the other day.  All I know at this point is that she's an 11" Effanbee from 1966.  And that she has the cutest freckles ever!
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I also happened upon some old, unused doll parts recently.  I have two heads with blinking eyes, two bodies, a pair of arms and a pair of hands.  I need to decide how to get these listed and just do it!

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I acquired this pair the same day as the Effanbee.  Despite the boy's crazy hair and tattered shirt, I had to have them.  There is something so quirky and folksy about them.  I mean c'mon, how often do you run across jointed wooden dolls with handpainted faces? 

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Have you thrifted out of your comfort zone lately?  I'd love to hear what you found!

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If I Could Sew

 I was drawn to the vintage fabric of this item as it hung on an endcap at the thrift store.  So, I picked it up... and...

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.. oh my gosh, the CUTENESS!!!!  No, it's not a puppet.  It's a potholder!  My new favorite one, I might add.  It is handmade~ and very well. 

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The interior is lined with a lovely off white nubby barkcloth, and the mouth (where you would grab a hot dish) is lined inside with a pink quilt remnant.  If I could sew, I'd make a whole zoo of these.  It brings me so much joy, it's ridiculous.

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If you sew and decide to start making animal puppet potholders, PLEASE let me know.  I would so love to see what you come up with :)

Makeover Monday: 1/9

I had expected the first week of January to be kind of slow around Etsy.  Especially in sosorosey.  Boy, was I pleasantly surprised!  People are already shopping for Valentine's Day, and I guess quite a few are spending some holiday gift $$, too.  As exciting as this is, it's really set me back in the "making over" department.  So, my apologies.  I haven't forgotten the purple thing or my Mom's big rug.. they are just on the side burner for now.

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But, I couldn't do NO makeover today, so this is sort of an odd one.  I found this little heart dish at the Salvation Army last week.  For 99 cents I couldn't leave it behind.  I love the patina, and figured I could use something Valentine-ish in sosovintage. 

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When I got home and peeled off the price tag, I realized that this was not an unmarked piece as I had previously thought.  (Bad, bad thrift store lighting with 40+ year old eyesight).  Huh.  Fisher Sterling. 

Must Google.

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Here is the same dish all shined up!  I found it for sale on eBay: $125.00!!!!  There's another shiny one for sale HERE at the same price: $125.00!!! 

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So, now I'm in a quandary.  Shine it, don't shine it.  Sell it, don't sell it.  Thoughts?

Face Value

I found a bag full of vintage doll faces the other day.  There's the bunny...

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... the dog...

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... the girl ...

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... the clown ...

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and the...????  What the ?????  Is it a seal?  A bear?  A chipmunk?

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So yeah.  Lots of vintage doll faces.  I'm so curious to see if this is a supply that is in demand.  What will my creative Etsy brothers and sisters make with these?  It's worth 90 cents to me to find out ;)

Price is Right: Game 8

Come join the fun! The more, the merrier!

The Game: I show you my thrift haul from one recent outing. You leave a comment with your best guess as to how much I paid. This does include VA sales tax. The person who comes closest WITHOUT going over wins.

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The Rules: One clear and definitive guess per person- no amending your answer. Please do not choose the same answer as a person who came before you- read the comments prior to leaving your guess. Game runs through Tuesday 5pm, EST and is open to US and international players.

The receipt and winner will be posted here: please be sure I know how to get in touch with you either through blog, website or email. Play nice and have fun!!

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The Prize: The satisfaction of winning, AND $5 in "soso bucks" that can be applied toward any purchase in either of my shops. Can be saved and spent at a later time, up to one year. Can be combined with other wins or offers. Not redeemable for cash. Non-transferable.

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The Stuff: This week the loot comes from a charity shop for a local hospital. A very small thrift shop, run completely by volunteers. The prices here are on the higher end for vintage items of probable value, and on the ridiculously low end for small or "unknown" items.

Precious old sugared Easter egg- a good example of something I will keep because no one could ever love this more than me.

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AMAZING vintage aqua blue dutch oven by Club

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5 more vintage unused greeting cards to add to the growing collection!

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Squeal!!! A perfect unmarked mixing bowl from the mysterious Pyrex "eyes" line

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And lastly, a phenomenal 3 piece Pyrex set in "poinsettia". Wait til you see the lid on this one, too!

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{An aside... does anyone know a trick for removing old candles from a metal stand such as this? I've tried the old freeze it trick to no avail.}
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So, whether you have played every other Price is Right game, or you are a first time blog visitor, I welcome you to the fun! I can't wait to see who wins. See ya tomorrow for Makeover Monday!

Thursday's Treasure

Yes, that IS what you think it is! A fantastically beautiful Vera Neumann bath towel! I ducked into my favorite thrift store the other day completely on a whim. Perhaps this towel was calling me. It looks like it has never been used- super thick and fluffy and white. Look for it in sosovintage today!

Stymied

This GORGEOUS quilt is my Thursday's treasure for this week. It is quite possibly the most amazing bundle of beauty that I have ever owned. Stunning vintage fabrics in all of my favorite colors; varied textures and florals combine to exude an authentic and true shabby chic vibe. No stains, bright colors, very little wear. All mine! Salvation Army: $4.99. Seriously.

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Why am I sharing Thursday's treasure with you on Saturday, you ask? Would you believe I have spent the last four days trying to get a photo or two that I felt would come close to showcasing this item's specialness? These two shots are the closest I could get, and they still don't do it any justice at all. Grrrr.

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On a more positive note, I get to give the boot the boot in one more week! I hope you are having a super duper weekend... what are your plans? Do tell!

Friday Fun!

TGIF!!! Let's have some fun, shall we? I love to see what other people bring home from their thrifting expeditions, so I thought you might like to see what I bought today. All of this loot came from the Salvation Army this morning. Prices there seem to be going up and up, so these are the things I couldn't leave behind.

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After checking it all out- leave your best guess as to the total cost in the comments. I'll come back late tonight and let you know the actual amount spent. Winner gets the satisfaction of winning- and 50% off any one item in sosovintage should you find something you love :)

Here we go!
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Aqua Hull pottery plate, enamelware roses mug, painted milkglass heart, shapely glass stoppered cruet

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6 aqua and yellow linen napkins, 4 linen floral napkins, 3 sturdy cotton pillowcases, one ET pillowcase

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Perfect retired rose fiestaware- large disk pitcher, salt and pepper shakers, gravy boat, and large covered bowl

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Small yellow fiesta disk pitcher, red-lidded nutgrinder, scottie dog cannister

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What a haul! Can't wait to see who comes closest without going over! Let the guessing begin!

Thursday's Treasure

Not that I need another TV show to watch. Between American Idol being on 2 nights a week and my Thursday night Office/Grey's/Private Practice marathon, I am overbooked as it is. Nevermind that I am slowly being sucked into The Bachelor. And that I have discovered Hoarders and Mystery Diagnosis.

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However, when I stumbled across American Pickers the other night, I could NOT tear my eyes away. Two guys traveling in a truck to homes where people have collected *stuff* for years. They go through the stuff, make offers on things, and walk away with a truckful of goodies. Then, the best part- they show the item, what they paid, and then the value. Cha-ching. Pass the popcorn.

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So, my new idea for Thursday posts will be modelled after the "pickers". I'll show you an item I found, the price I paid, and the determined value!
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I'll start off the series with this covered butter/cheese dish purchased this week at The Salvation Army. It is by Raymor / Roseville Pottery and was conceived by Ben Seibel. Seibel was a prolific mid-century designer hired by Roseville to revamp their company when sales began to falter in the early 50's. The dish is in near mint condition.

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Did I know any of this history when I made my purchase? Of course not! Did I know just how rare it is to find both parts of the dish in such fabulous shape? Heck no! I just knew that I'd heard of Roseville Pottery, and that the piece was a beautiful color with an appealing design.

Price paid: $2.99

Value: up to $300.00

Oh, happy day!

Buried Treasure

The antique Farrington jewelry box that I found the other day turned out to be even more of a find than I initially realized!

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Not only is it worth far more than I expected, it held some buried treasure as well. Three notes, dated 1949 and 1950 were hidden underneath the upper portion of the case. All are basically a statement of will, written to a bank in Northern Virginia, designating the author's daughter as the rightful owner of the contents of her bank box upon her death.

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I've done a little bit of research to see if I could locate the person or her daughter. No luck so far. The treasure doesn't amount to anything monetary, but what a cool find. Moral of the story- check every nook and cranny of those old jewelry boxes- you never know what could be hidden!

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Do you have any tales of hidden treasure?

Friday's Find: 11/6

Last week, the Salvation Army had just put out their Christmas goodies when I arrived. I found some nice things, but nothing that made me jump around. I wasn't expecting much in the way of Christmas today, figuring it had been picked over by now.

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But, I guess they had more to put out- lucky me! I snatched this snowman up right straight away! He was made by the Empire Plastic Corp. in 1968... the year I was born. Doesn't he have the sweetest face?

Can You Believe It?

I KNOW! Another one! I couldn't believe it either. I found this one a month after the yellow one, at a completely different store. I am so happy to be able to have two of my crafting stations decked out now :)

I'm Not Gloating...

...but just LOOK at what I found today!! This one is going to be hard to part with, but I'm going to do it. Look for it in the shop soon!