I’m back with another edition of Thrift Shop Junkie! It’s obviously been awhile since my last Thrift Shop Junkie post, because I seem to have gathered quite the collection!! You’re getting two months worth of goodies in one!! I’m excited to bring to you all of my finds, ideas, and shopping tips.
For those of you that don’t already know… I am a thrift shop junkie! Thrift stores, garage sales, salvage shops, flea markets, antique stores… they are all my playground!! I live for scoring that awesome find!! The purpose of this post is to share all of my thrifting finds from each month, and provide a little bit about what made me buy each piece. My hope is that you will learn to open your mind to the possibilities of the pieces you see when thrifting. Each month, as I post my projects or parties or home decorating, you’ll have the chance to see how I bring each of these finds to life! If you haven’t already… check out Thrift Shop Junkie Vol 1 for the full story on how I started my thrifting obsession!
Was it the 80’s when these Wooden Domed Cheeseboards were so popular?? I know when I was younger, we always had a cheese ball or two displayed on one of these round cheeseboards! I’m not sure why they suddenly went out of style…. but I see these at thrift stores ALL OF THE TIME! Everyone seems to have ditched them! Not me – I love them! I still have the ones I inherited from my mom, and dont mind using them as is…. But the bones of these domed boards are just too good to not do a little something fun with. Just a coat of paint can make these boards look special and not so dated. I decided to take this particular cheeseboard one step further, and create a pedestal using a candlestick. Check out the before and afters of the DIY Domed Cheeseboard Pedestal that I made using this cheeseboard, and get all of the instructions on how to do it yourself!
Napkin rings are an essential part of any tablescape that I put together, so I love having an eclectic collection of them. Thrift stores tend to have some pretty ordinary napkin rings…. those round wooden rings always seem to be available. If you were simply looking to have a basic napkin ring with a pop of color, those wooden rings would probably be a great find… just add some paint, and you’re all set. While I’m not typically successful, the napkin ring bin is always a stop on my shopping tour around the thrift store. I know that every once in a while, I get lucky, and come across a special find… like these iron Dragonfly Napkin Rings. That’s right – they’re iron! They have such a beautiful rust color… giving them a weathered look. I can see these on a woodland themed table… or even a rustic garden party. I think people probably tend to think of dragonflies mixed with light springtime colors, but when I look at these….. with their rich color and heavy weight… I’m thinking plums and olive greens…. Stay tuned… my wheels are turning! 🙂
Candlesticks, candlesticks, and more candlesticks! I think that may be becoming my thrift shopping motto! There are just so many uses for them! I’m sorry to be a broken record, because I know I went into a lot of detail about all of my candlestick ideas in the last Thrift Shop Junkie post. Pair these with virtually anything with a flat surface, and you can create a pedestal… whether for food or for display. Add a little paint, and you’ll be amazed at the transformation!! I pick these up whenever I find them, and keep a box full in my work room, so anytime I am looking to do a project, I can find exactly the right one that fits! I used a few candlesticks to make several Colorful Cake Stands for my daughter’s 1st birthday party. I also paired candlesticks with some Holiday plates to make theses Holiday Dessert Stands. Keep on reading…. there are a few more projects I’ve worked on with candlesticks below!
I have a lot of black iron in my house, so when I saw this 3 Prong Candle Holder, it seemed like a natural fit. It had an unusual shape…. I like unusual! And you really can’t have enough candles around, right? 🙂 But there’s a part of me that is holding out to see if I want to be a bit more creative with this…. I could remove the candle spikes, leaving 3 flat cupped areas. I could then find small bowls to fit in each, thus creating a tiered serving piece. It has a great height for a buffet table. I can even imagine this as part of an ice cream party. If it was painted a pastel color, it would almost look childlike and whimsical…. you could put different ice cream toppings in each bowl. Fun! Or – go the opposite direction… paint it black and use it as a Tim Burton-esque display stand for something spooky! Choices, Choices!!
You can find a lot of cheesy Holiday decorations in thrift stores, but every once in a while.. something sophisticated and beautiful stands out. That’s how I felt about this Paper Mache Reindeer. It was so clean and simple… BUT damaged. My guess is that’s why so many people passed it up. I get it… not everyone wants to take the time to repair something, and some people just don’t know how. When I picked this deer up, I wasn’t sure how I was going to fix it’s antler, but I was determined to figure it out. I must’ve looked like I was contemplating that very thing while I was in Goodwill, because a sweet little lady came over to chat with me about my plans for this reindeer. The obvious issue with fixing his antler is getting it to match the rest of his body. We collaborated a bit, and I walked away with a few good options…. I had the best of intentions of fixing this special piece up for this Christmas, but time got the best of me, and I bit off more than I could chew. Why do I do that EVERY holiday!?!? Anyway, I had already included the reindeer when I took this month’s Thrift Shop Junkie photo, so unfortunately, you will have to wait until next Chistmas to see the result. Supplies are purchased.. and I’m determined to work on him long before next Christmas, so he’ll be ready for display! Until then, I’ll leave you in suspense of what I chose to do with him! 🙂
I am a fan of wooden pieces…. they are so easy to work with. I picked up these 2 Wooden Bowls with the intention of painting them, and turning them into pedestal bowls. I’m still waiting on the right opportunity to use them, but these are a no-brainer… just find that perfect candlestick, and you’re in business!
I picked up this Wicker Basket because of it’s shape. It was so deep, and I liked that it was squared off. This basket will be great storage for plates and napkins at a summertime cookout. Or load up with towels for a day by the pool… Or fill with bright red apples in the Fall…. Or pine cones in the winter. I’m not sure what my plan is yet, but anything that offers great storage like this will always come in handy!!
I bought all of these Frames and Artwork with the same goal in mind…. I was on the hunt to find a frame I could use for a chalkboard. I was looking for something oversize, but could not find what I was looking for, so I kept picking up one after another as a back up plan… until I finally changed my course all together and decided to use the one in the back with the floral print. Let that be a lesson to you when thrifting… don’t go with something specific in mind… you’ll never find it! This is why I buy special finds when I see them.. knowing they’ll come in handy later!! Anyway.. back to these frames…. The one I chose ultimately became a Framed Chicken Wire Interchangeable Chalkboard Sign. I love the way it turned out. Read the post for the full story on my shopping experience and for the DIY instructions. As for the remaining frames… I will likely turn them all into some sort of sign or chalkboard. The one I made turned out so cute, I want to replicate it in other colors!! That carved wood frame has so much potential!! And it just so happens that my Alma Mater is the Tigers… so I may just have to put that canvas away for a game day party! Here’s a hint, or two, when shopping for large frames… Goodwill usually has a lot to choose from, but take advantage of their color coded discounts. Every Sunday, a different colored ticket goes on sale for 50% off. It’s a great day to snag frames! Also.. if your project doesn’t require glass, like a chalkboard, look for framed canvas. Thrift stores charge MUCH less for frames without glass!!
Obviously, I’m a fan of making my own pedestal bases, but when I find one this cool already made for me.. how can I say no! I found this Swirl Base Pedestal at a garage sale… and the owner sold it to me for $2!! This heavy carved wood pedestal for $2!?! Awesome! It just needed to be cleaned up a bit. I actually like the dark chocolate color, so I may just touch it up with some paint, but keep it chocolate. I’m putting together a Hot Cocoa bar next week, and I am definitely using this! Not sure for what just yet… it might hold the cups, or the sauces… but something will be stacked on this for sure. As with any other pedestals… these are great whether you’re displaying something or serving food… The original owner must’ve had a plant on this one, because it was covered in topsoil. I like that idea, too. Maybe after my Hot Cocoa Bar is packed away, this base will make it’s way into my kitchen as a plant stand!
OK, so I also collect Cake Stands. C’mon… of course I do! I love them… in all shapes, sizes, colors, and materials! I loved the fact that this Small White Cake Stand had a glass dome. That’s much harder to come by. I also have a thing about white serving pieces…. you can use white serving pieces for ANY occasion. They can look casual or sophisticated. The other nice thing about white serving pieces is that you can collect one piece at a time, and they all come together to look beautiful… unlike some other colored dishes which can be harder to match… especially when you’re collecting pieces from the thrift store!!
The Glass Jar with Crown Lid was just too cool to pass up. I have a small collection of these metal crowns. There’s just something about them. So, when I found one topping this jar, I had to have it. The crown is open so you couldn’t store anything in the jar perishable… but it would be perfect for a buffet or even some candy. It’s also perfect as a storage for small knick knacks… you crafters know what I’m talking about. I love keeping all of my little knick knacks in clever but cute storage!! How cute would this look up on a shelf filled with buttons!! This find was really a two for one… a pretty glass jar, and a cool metal crown. If I decide not to use the jar.. I can always decorate with the crown!
I am a sucker for velvet!! And deep red velvet?!?! Oh my! This Velvet Table Runner was in perfect condition – jackpot! I just happened upon this find two weeks before Christmas. It was perfect timing, because I was a little late in setting up my Holiday Tablescape, and was in the process of putting it together.. I added a few other touches of red, mixed with silver, and voila – the tablescape came to life. Check out my Holiday Tablescape post to see more pictures of this beautiful runner and how it all came together. Velvet works perfectly all Fall or Winter, so I look forward to seeing how I can incorporate this runner into other tablescapes.
I picked up this Silver Woven Metal Basket to use on a buffet when a little shine was called for. For instance… I host an Italian Feast for Christmas dinner every year. When I serve Italian, I like a traditional table… but at Christmas I like to combine the Holiday glitz with the Italian charm… while a bread basket is a must on an Italian table… at Christmas, I used this silver basket and lined it with a red check napkin… thus the glitz and the charm! I also plan to use this basket for my Winter White Brunch. I plan to line it with a white napkin and fill it with biscuits!
More Candlesticks! You may recognize the white crackle one from the DIY Domed Cheeseboard Pedestal. I was lucky enough to pick up 3 of these candlesticks. The reason I like them is because of how short & fat they are. In the case of something like a cheeseboard, where you or your guests will be putting a bit of pressure on the top, it was important to find a candlestick that was lower to the ground. I didn’t want anything that could topple over!! The only downside to these sticks was the crackle finish. They were a nightmare to paint. I had a lot of sanding to do!! But sometimes the elbow grease is worth it… I love their shape.. and the candlestick turned out beautiful as the base of the cheeseboard! I also found a pair of the yellow and green ones. The shape of those is amazing! I can’t wait to find the right project for them!
I loved the carvings of this Ornate Gold Dish. This is a perfect candidate for a stand!! It’s not too big… has a nice flat bottom surface… the only question is whether or not to paint it. It’s such a pretty dish.. that it would be pretty painted any color… Right now, I’m leaning toward keeping the top gold, and adding a gloss black base…. It would look cool for Christmas, New Years.. even Mardi Gras! Hmm… decisions, decisions!
I bought this Square Silver Mirror to use as a tray. I liked the vintage look of the silver finish… and while it is a perfectly cute mirror… I thought some appetizers will look even better on it… especially on my Winter White buffet!!
I obviously bought this White Rocking Chair for my daughter. She likes having her “own” chairs these days. This one is sort of a weird seat height, but it just so happens that I found a chalkboard/white board easel at a garage sale (shoot – I forgot to photograph that one… maybe next time) for her… and the height of this chair is perfect for her to reach the board. I liked that it was a smooth wood finish. I’m always partial to wood pieces, because they are easily sanded and painted. Stay tuned to see how it turns out!!
I know… another Candlestick… no words needed.
I bought these Chunky Art Signs to paint and repurpose… “Hippie Love” and “Maui Surfing” are not exactly my aesthetic! 🙂 Finding signs like these that are already finished are great because they are easy to paint, and usually already have a picture hanger. Check out this DIY Chalkboard Sign I made using the Maui print for my Hot Cocoa Bar!
Ignore the Peace, Love, and Flower Power graphics… and this is an awesome Chalkboard Stand! All it needs is a little bit of sanding and some paint! Put it on your desk for some reminders… put it in the living room with an inspirational quote… put it in the kitchen with tonight’s menu…. put it on a party buffet with a message for your guests! I’m a sucker for chalkboards… so to find one already on a stand like this is a score!!
Found another Faux Book (it’s hiding under the chalkboard stand in the photo). I don’t see these too often, so I grab them when I can! If you read my last Thrift Shop Junkie post, you’d know that I am currently collecting these books to use as Halloween props. I plan to stack them up, and and top them with some spooky decor. Stay tuned for October!! I think these could also look cool if rubbed with a white wash, and stacked somewhere under a plant… it’s instant storage!
This Tiered Triple Metal Basket Stand is the perfect solution for someone who does a lot of crafts and DIY projects. I have so may little pieces that need a home. I’m always keeping an eye out for clever baskets. The reason that this one is so great is that it doesn’t take up a lot of space because the stand is tall and thin. It would work great on a desk! Now.. hold that thought…. I actually plan to use this on my Hot Cocoa Bar to hold marshmallows. There’s something striking about the contrast of the black baskets and the white marshmallows. To get a sneak peak of what it looks like, check out the photos from my DIY Hot Cocoa Bar Chalkboard Sign post. I also think these baskets would be perfect to hold different fruits… whether on your kitchen counter or on a brunch buffet. Serving cheese & crackers? Layer different crackers in these baskets! Hmm… I think I need to find more of these! There are too many great uses!
How cool are these Hat Boxes!! I love that harlequin print!! I did a double take when I walked passed them!! A girl like me always needs storage…. but there’s no reason storage has to be ugly!! Besides just a storage solution…. a Cirque themed party is somewhere in my future…. these will definitely be making an appearance when that day comes!! But until then… did you know that charger plates fit perfectly into large hat boxes? 🙂
I found a handful of these Basket Weave Trays. I think that trays always come in handy… whether you’re putting together a centerpiece for a table.. or a tray of food… or even a place to put your coffee and a book while you relax in bed! This one just needs a bit of paint.. Or I may leave it as is… and use it to serve Pina Coladas! Doesn’t the basket weave look like it will go perfect with an Island Party!!
Yes, another candlestick! I simply wanted to call this one out, because it’s already found its way into one of my tablescapes. Take a close look at my Holiday tablescape. I used this Silver candlestick as a pedestal for one of the red feather trees. As I’ve said before, I love alternating the heights of the pieces I use on tables and buffets, and wide candlesticks are a great tool for that. This is a great example of how a candlestick came in handy!
You may also recognize this Crystal Garland from the Holiday Tablescape images. I found a bag full of this garland in a Christmas vignette that one of my local Goodwills had set up before the holiday. What a find! It went perfectly with my silver and red holiday table. My fireplace mantel was decked out in silver and white with greenery… so again, these were perfect! I wove these crystals in with the greenery and some little white lights that gave a bit of sparkle (oops – I forgot to post any photos of my mantel – you’ll have to take my word that it was beautiful!). For my Winter White Brunch coming up this month… I’m excited to put these to use again! Here’s the interesting thing about Christmas decorations… much like the Red Velvet Runner…. put yourself past Christmas! Just because something is red or sparkly, doesn’t mean it can only be used once a year. You may have silver sparkling decor for New Years Eve! These would also be beautiful for a wedding or a bridal shower. I could even see myself throwing some sort of Princess Party for my daughter and working these in…. always think outside of the box. If you’re going to collect this stuff… find ways to put it to use!!
I’ll admit that I dont have a plan for this Large Urn just yet. It’s one of those pieces that I just knew had good bones. It’s in good shape. It’s light weight which makes it a bit more versatile for projects. It’s possible it will end up with a floral arrangement, but I’m hopeful I can be more creative! 🙂 I’m just waiting for it to strike me!! Maybe a champagne bucket? Or stack some books on it, and place it next to a rocking chair? Any thoughts anyone?
Yes, another Candle Holder…. but this small silver one is special because of it’s glass holder. I like to think past it’s obvious use… and consider what else it could hold. As I mentioned, I’m having a Winter White brunch this month. I’m planning to serve biscuits, and this little holder is going to be serving the jam! Wouldn’t this also be pretty in a bathroom holding bath salts?
Wow! That was a lot of great finds these past couple of months! Thanks for reading all the way through! I hope I’ve provided a little inspiration for your next trip to the thrift store!
If you have any great ideas of how I could re-purpose some of these pieces, please let me know! I’d love to hear other ideas!
As I bring each piece to life, I’ll be sure to update this post with more links! Stay tuned!
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