Monday, July 7, 2014

Thrifty Finds - Brown & Speckled


When we visited my parents on Canada Day, we drove into town for lunch and a little stroll. The Salvation Army store was closed for the holiday, but we noticed that people had left a lot of donations by the back door. I admired a large brown vase and a glass serving platter.

The next day, my mom and I headed back into town to do some errands and decided to stop by the Salvation Army to see if the vase had hit the shelves yet. We didn't see it around, so my mom asked one of the employees about it. He said he had come in early that morning and there was no vase outside. He added that people often rifle through the donations at night, taking what they want from the piles. And here I was being all ethical. Anyway, I spotted a few legitimate finds in the store, like this happy flower mug for 50 cents.




I also bought this little speckled brown jar with lid for $1.


This sweet pottery cream and sugar set was $4.


I couldn't resist this vintage cheese board, a bargain at just $1. Even though I don't eat cheese. And I have two cheese boards from when I was a kid. (My sister and I had each given one to our mom.) I'm sure it will work nicely for serving other foods as well. Ideas?

Brown and speckled seems to be the theme this week. What can I say - I was born in the seventies. It's ingrained in me now on a cellular level.

What's your opinion on the donation pile? Is it up for grabs or does it belong to the store where it has been left?


Linking up with:

a living space
Sir Thrift A Lot
Thrifter/Maker/Fixer/Farm

16 comments:

  1. I think the donation pile definitely belongs to the shop it's been left at, but... we have posted money through the door before for things left outside and probably more than would have been asked, which we think of as early finders charge! Love the brown and speckled finds, especially the wee jar! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mom said I should have taken it and left some money, but somebody probably would have taken the money too... ;)

      Delete
  2. Ha! I was looking at the pottery piece and thought "wow, that reminds me of my childhood," then got to your cellular comment-- woot! There is something so warm and homey about speckled pottery. Great find as always!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, warm and homey is a great description! Very comforting. :)

      Delete
  3. I remember getting a cheese plate for a wedding gift - it was never used, not big cheese eaters here - it's long gone - it looked very similar to the one you found - but, then, like you said, mostly everything was that color scheme back then!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder if people even get wedding gifts much anymore...or just money?

      Delete
  4. I've driven past donations left outside a thrift store (which is considered dumping here, some organisations have to pay a lot to have it removed as they won't accept donations unless they're in-store), I think it may be illegal to go through them here. I love the speckled pottery! And that cheese board is something I'd get even though I don't eat cheese, it's too cool to pass by I think :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting it's considered dumping! I'm glad we are agreed on the cheese board. Not sure what to do with it though... ;) Jo

      Delete
  5. I really like your lidded jar!

    ReplyDelete
  6. our local thrift store has video cameras and a big shed with a flap door to drop rations into

    ReplyDelete
  7. Some shops have a sign warning against such a thing - I think once it's dropped off, it belongs to the shop. I saw some stools one day that I really would have liked, I couldn't imagine taking them from the pile!

    Great little things you picked up, Joann!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you. People clearly intended the goods to be donated to the shop.

      Thanks Jill!

      Delete
  8. last summer i thrifted a beautiful cheese platter similar to your find. we love it for a nice way of serving crackers, hummus, cut veggies, olives... all the good stuff on those "i'm not cooking tonite" nights. break the rules! =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a fabulous idea! I can picture it - an easy and attractive meal! Thanks Chrissy. :)

      Delete