And what could be better than that after a long, long winter?
Nope. During this time of year, for me, thrift store shopping very rarely takes place indoors. Instead, I go to yard sales, garage sales, tag sales and moving sales...estate sales, rummage sales, tent sales and barn sales. If it's outside, I'm there. As soon as the sun shines and the temperatures start to rise, everyone and his brother seems to be selling their stuff.
And I love that.
Don't get me wrong, thrift stores are awesome. They have reliable hours, shelves full of items and they're open year round, rain or shine. They're always there when I need a quick second hand fix, but let's face it, more often than not their turnover is low and their stock is predictable.
Plates, clothes, picture frames, lamps...the usual...and because many of them are charity run, their prices can be a bit on the high side. Plus, my thrift stores don't bargain. It is what it is. And I don't love that.
People selling their used items on their front lawn expect bargaining. Even better, sometimes they are so eager to unload what they've got, they even throw things in for free. And you can't beat free.
I also love the variety of objects on display at spring and summer sales, from super teeny treasures to extremely large items. People tend to clean out rooms, wardrobes and garages in the spring. Old mingles with new, household trinkets to vintage collectibles, including outdoor garden items, boating equipment and power tools. They never have that kind of merchandise at my thrift stores.
The other reason I love spring and summer thrifting has to do with my cottage. It's very small. Super small. And it has very little storage...so when I go shopping I really have to think about what I'm buying and where it will fit.
I love the thrill of the purchase, but I don't love dust, too much junk scattered about makes me cringe and worrying about where I am going to store items gives me agita.
BUT once the sun starts to shine, my decorating square footage doubles. The yard becomes my focus. There's never any dusting to do out there, my husband takes care of storage in the garage and there's no such thing as too much stuff in a cottage style garden.
I am free to shop, spend, collect and grab to my heart's desire, without any guilt or remorse. And I do...
Here are a few thrifty garden treasures I picked up recently.
I grabbed this rooster plate rack for five bucks. I'm a total sucker for anything covered with chickens or roosters. I don't need another plate rack, but I do have room in the garden for one. Keep your eyes open for this upcoming DIY.
I also found tins. After I planted pansies in a few old tea tins, I began to notice them everywhere. I grabbed these two for a dollar.
I'm super excited to use them in the garden or maybe on my covered porch. I don't think I'll do anything to either of them, because they are both darling as is.
I can load them up with seed packets or keep my spade or gloves inside. I collect seashells and never have a place to put them. Now I do...and every cottage garden needs a few vintage looking tins, right?
Next, I grabbed these old spoons and the corer, also a dollar. I figured I could use them to dig, I do a lot of gardening in tiny containers and never have the proper sized tools. UPDATE: Check out what I did with them!
However, I could also use one of the spoons to make a handle for a little box. I have seen a lot of that lately and this spoon is very pliable. Perfect for that use!
Oh...and best for last? Check out the barrel. Too many ideas to count for this one. I can't wait to dig in and get creative.
So there you have it.
I guess I'm just a summer girl all the way around.
Even when it comes to thrifting.
How about you?
I love thrifting for garden things too. With Spring here and summer right on its tail I cannot wait to find unique things to repurpose in with the flowers. I am so glad we are finally saying good bye to old man winter.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Being on the flowers! I have been looking at bare branches and grey skies for too long. I'm off to another sale this morning. Can't wait! Enjoy that garden. xo
DeleteHow fun my friend. I have been busy with projects. I will have several to post. I finally got to my chair that my parents found for a $1.00!!
ReplyDeleteIt turned out great.
Looking forward to your projects.
Carla
Oh... that sounds like a fun one. Can't wait to see what you did with it!!
DeleteHi Kim, oh I love the summer tag and garage sales too. I love the cute chicken rack, tins, and the barrel are just great. I know that they will look great in your garden.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the week and have a Happy Mothers Day
Julie
Thanks so much, Julie! I am most excited about those two. I hope you have a lovely Mother's Day as well. Enjoy!
DeleteI love yard sales and cannot wait to go to them. I use to collect tins for years, but than gave them all to my Daughter. I was decluttering at the time. Wished I kept some.
ReplyDeleteI’m sure your daughter is super excited to have them, Betty…and no you get to go out and collect some more!
DeleteI do love digging around and finding treasure at thrift stores, but I haven't been lately...maybe tomorrow on my way to work. There's a cute one I always love to visit because of the vintage stuff galore. I've been pretty choosey lately as I am trying to decrapify the house every chance I get...
ReplyDeleteRight there with you! That's why being able to put it outside is a fabulous solution for me...not in the house at all and a little closer to the garbage pail when I'm done with it!! 😉
DeleteGood for you! I like your bargains. My daughter finds things like this all the time. I don't ever seem to find good stuff when I go! :)
ReplyDeleteI feel that way, too, Mari. Especially when I see what other people find…crazy vintage linens and collectibles for pennies. My treasures are much less exciting, trust me! I do enjoy the browsing though...
DeleteI've gotten away from garage sales? But now after reading your post with summer I should be out "yard" thrifting. I need some garden statures since a few of mine broke over the winter. After I read you tin post I've been seraching them out too. Make great flower containers. I love to dig to find the treasures much more than everything neat on the shelves. I love everthing you found and the plaid tin reminds me of Christmas...great idea to use as storage too!
ReplyDeleteThe tins are so cute, Cathy. I've passed up so many before. I don't know why it never dawned on me before. Happy hunting!!
DeleteI don't know if I should tell you my thrift shop story. Recently, I picked up these small cloudy glass bowls, a set of three and one was chipped. All I could think of was your plate that would not come clean. That is until I read the label on the bottom. They were Baccarat from Italy. Mine now. Too many good fines lately like a pristine set of 12 Royal Dalton 'Alice' cups. Now I must learn how to sell online.
ReplyDeleteMyrna
Oh! Wow are you a lucky girl! I am going to have to look at the bottom of things more carefully from now on. 😉I too wish I knew more about selling online, but I wouldn't know where to start. Florence at Vintage Southern Picks has been at it a long time and always has some great tips on selling. You should check her blog out...
DeleteGarage sale signs make me drool! Even my kids are into it now. Its the best time to buy the toys they swear they will play with (for five minutes) that I refused to buy at Christmas or birthdays (because that five minutes wasn't worth full price).
ReplyDeleteThose tins are super cute! I can relate, I buy them even though I have a box full (literally full, I just packed it up and took it to the storage unit pre-move). There is just something timeless about a metal box. I'd collect the cute cardboard one's too but they just don't last. One day I'll put plants in mine tins and tea boxes.
I look forward to your rooster plate rack reveal! Happy Spring!
Oh boy, I remember those toy days. Sales are a great way for them to get their fix at a price you’re willing to pay! Good luck with the move. I bet you will have fun feathering that nest with all of your unique and crafty treasures!
DeleteOh yeah! This is my time of year. I try not to worry about storage because I hope to sell all that I find, except for a few things I have to keep for myself. You are right, you can't beat the variety!
ReplyDeleteI often think about how fun it would be to shop without worry, AnnMarie! I envy your ability to shop and sell. How fun! I wouldn’t know where to begin.
DeleteI love your vintage tins! My mom has some that she uses to store Christmas cookies every year and they've got to be from the 80's. Lol! Great finds!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicious way to use them, Lisa! And the 80’s...yikes! Those were my high school years. Those tins are old!! 😉
DeleteI friggin love garage sales and yard sales!!!!!!!!!!!! Tis the season, bring it on! Like you I don't like a lot of clutter in my house but I do love to find some good stuff for the garden!
ReplyDeleteGarden decor is the best and you could have a ball in yours...with all your beds, your deck and your garden cottage. Dreamy!
DeleteI haven't been thrifting of any kind...indoors or out...in what feels like a very long time. You've found some great finds and inspired me to get out there again!
ReplyDeleteI say get out there, Gina!! Let me know what you find.
DeleteWe never have any good garage or yard sales around here - it's always mostly baby stuff and/or junk. So I stopped going years ago. One of my favorite vintage shops does have an outdoor area though and starting around now, they have a lot of cool stuff in that outdoor area. Last year I got a beautiful vintage plant stand for my patio. There is absolutely nothing I need right now though, so I haven't been there yet this season. That barrel you found would make a beautiful planter!
ReplyDeleteI’m excited to dig into that barrel, Melanie!! And I believe I remember when you shared your plant stand. Enjoy it!
DeleteI also love the thrill of the hunt and stopping at yard sales! I am curious to see how you make handles out of the spoons. Heading back to read about your pansies in tins, curious!!!
ReplyDeletePatti, I keep seeing posts about the spoon handles and I have always wanted to try it. These are pretty pliable...so we'll see. And my pansies are still alive! That is unusual for me.
DeleteYard Sale finds are the best . . .
ReplyDeleteAnd yes . . . bargains happens . . .
I take my garden cart to the road edge each week . . .
Sometimes the dollar sign goes up . . . most often the Free sign . . .
And the people flock . . .
And I get things cleaned out . . .
Of course, when I am yard sale shopping on my own,
I bring more back in . . .
It is what it is . . .
We put free stuff out all the time, Lynne and it is great to watch people come by and take it away. It makes me smile...but yup, then the new stuff comes back inside. It's just so fun to shop!
DeleteI cannot wait to see what you do with the rooster plate rack....super cute! I'm not much into garage sales, and definitely not this time of year. We have already hit triple digit temps, so inside venues are the way to go. My hubby and I have a favorite vintage market that we like to roam around sometimes. It's huge, well lit, and air-conditioned...so there's that!
ReplyDeleteHappy thrifting!
Carol
I can't imagine bargain hunting in those temperatures, Carol. Yikes. It's stills so cold here, I can't take it. I am waiting to get outside and work on my rooster rack. Soon I hope!!
DeleteWell..I can't pretend I don't go year round, but I do agree it's especially fun to hit the outdoor sales when the weather is nice ;) That little rooster plate rack is the cutest!
ReplyDeleteI miss it in the winter months for sure. I'm excited for the sale season here. It's just starting up!
DeleteKim, you will put all those treasures to good use. Unfortunately, I love thrift store shopping and yard and garage sales any time of the year. That is why I have so much junk (sorry, good stuff). I am trying to be more conservative in this area!..Happy Weekend..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteIt's a deceptive little hobby, isn't it? Things are inexpensive and adorable, but they add up quickly don't they? Sometimes, I bring a bag to goodwill when I go to shop. It makes me feel better...
DeleteLove that barrel Kim & can't wait to see how you're going to repurpose the rooster plate rack! I know you've got something up your sleeve now!
ReplyDeleteThanks Florence! I just wish the weather would warm up so I could get outside and work on those two. Fingers crossed.
DeleteYard sales... I try to avoid them. I don't need anything. Until, of course, I stop at one and find something on "my list." The other day I was at a church fundraiser sale. The short story is that I couldn't afford to spend the money, but I wanted to donate something to the cause, so I bought a 43 piece set of Franciscan Autumn Weave dinnerware - for $35!! It coordinates very well with my Franciscan October set (of about 70 pieces that I picked up at Goodwill for $30 last year.) Later that day I received a completely unexpected check in the mail for $329!! Thanks,Lord!
ReplyDeleteNow, someone please explain to me why I have a service for - oh, about 15, and I'm the only one in my house, and don't entertain!! But yard sales are dangerous. I collect too much junque.
Your tins are fun storage!
Thanks so much, Nancy...and wow, miracles really do happen and karma was quick for you that day! Enjoy your pieces and you know what they say, if you build it (or set the table!) they will come. The way your story worked out so well, so fast, I would start planning the menu, now! 😉
Delete