Today I was able to indulge my inner scavenger and spend the morning at my favorite thrift venues. Before I even leave the house, I find a Depression Glass guide in the mail from Paperbackswap.com. This is an auspicious omen for the upcoming hunt. By the way, if you haven't joined yet, I highly recommend it. I've been able to trade lots of old books I no longer care about for ones that I actually want - like crochet books. You can't have enough crochet books.
First stop is the neighborhood Half-Price books because they are having a 20% off sale during the Memorial Day weekend. I find this book on filet crochet for $3 (because you can't have enough books about crochet, right?) and two cooking magazines for 25 cents each (because I am a little bit cooking-impaired and can always use more recipes and instruction.) With 20% off, the total comes to $3.02.
Next stop is Thread-Bare (aka The Stitching Studio), a DIY thrift store whose proceeds go to a good cause. This shop is mainly for quilters and people who sew but they often have yarn and vintage items. I find a great 70s craft magazine and a vintage crocheted potholder booklet. (Did I mention you can't have enough crochet books/booklets/pamphlets/printed material?) Drive out is $1.08.
Onward to my two-fer: two thrifts stores side-by-side in a strip mall. I strike out at Goodwill but I find these four vintage hand painted Christmas mugs at the Salvation Army, regularly 4 for $4.99 but on sale today for half-price. I now own 4 mugs that I don't have an immediate use for and will have to store until I can figure out a crafty use for them. This sort of item is my Thrifting Achilles Heel. If it wasn't for my iPhone Ebay app, which encourages me to catch and release, I would be bringing home MUCH more booty than I already do. In fact, I think the savings from this app may more than pay for my monthly data charge. Hmmm....
My last stop is the mother of all junk stores - the Goodwill Outlet Store. I am slowing down now but I do manage to find four squeaky dog toys for a total of 81 cents. A few will go to the dog, but I plan to cannibalize the others in order to get the squeakers out. My son, who hates crafting with a passion, has actually agreed to make 'dog toys' with me. My plan is to use my stash of felted wool sweaters to cut and stitch together a dog toy or two using my thrifted squeakers. Sounds like a fun holiday weekend activity, doesn't it?
