What I found at the thrifts: Tuesday Edition

You would think that on a holiday weekend I would have hit up some of the thrift stores that hosted 50% off sales for Labor Day. Well, I didn't. I went to the circus instead! While I may not have gotten the best deal, I did make a few stops on Saturday and Sunday. Here's the loot!

I love this vintage pink business card and pen holder. Someone's desk needs this immediately!

 

 "Ah-cHOOT!" Cover that boring tissue box with something a bit more charming. Cuuhooot!

 

Pretty colors! On the left is a children's mug by Arcoroc France and on the right is stamped on the bottom "Sunny" made in Korea. It is rather sunny, isn't it?

I got 3 packs of wrapping paper from 1985. Totally awesome.

Well that's what I got at the thrift. Most of this will end up on Etsy :-) So, what did YOU get at the thrifts this weekend?

 

 

 

 

 

Found Artefacts- The Literary Edition

I'm a sucker for a interesting, or pretty print. And I've been lucky to find some great vintage books with the type of graphics that I love.

Peter Pauper Press has been around since 1928 and is still  in the biz today. But they made a series of small hardbacks with the coolest graphics in the 50s and 60s. I found these two together with their dust jackets still intact.

The first is Baudelaire's Flowers of Evil (1958) illustrated by Jeff Hill in a vibrant magenta and green with black.

Scary flowers!

Then Whitman's Leaves of Grass (1968) in teal and orange.

Now moving on to something a bit less cheerful. I practically got this books of plates for free. John Vassos Contempo, Phobia and Other Graphic Interpretations (1975) John Vassos was a graphic and industrial designer with his heyday in the late 1920s and 1930s.
These illustrations in shades of grey are from that time period.

Cover

I think these would look great framed and grouped together on a focal wall.

Thanks for stopping by and happy book hunting! ~Nik

Found Artefacts- Ben Seibel Informal Dinnerware

I love mid-century modern dinnerware. I will never eat from half of these plates, but look upon them for their sheer artistic value. Ben Seibel isn't quite as sought after as his contemporary Russel Wright, but his design aesthetic is still great IMO. I stopped by a local resale shop on a whim and was rewarded with 40 pieces, plus pitcher, of Ben's Informal Accent designed for Iroquois probably meant to coordinate with the Harvest Time pattern. Whole lot for less than $50. A STEAL. Independent shops are great because you can negotiate with the owner. I've got several more pieces to collect, but I'm halfway there already.

For two great posts about Ben Seibel dinnerware/designs visit two great blogs: Mid2Mod and Just a Modern Guy
~Nik

Found Artefacts-Monet & Melmac

Hello, fellow pickers, junkers and urban archeaologists. I've been away awhile from my blog (busy in the "real" world) but I've been out hitting the thrifts. Got some pretty cool stuff the past 2 weeks. Starting with this pretty vintage Monet necklace.

I regularly troll Ebay for large necklaces from 1960s-70s Monet, Napier & Trifari. So finding this was like an early birthday. I wore it this week.

Also got a nice collection of 1960s aqua and yellow Melmac dinnerware from Stetson China Co.

Stetson Melmac

Might as well stay in the 1960s, or 1970s, with this kitchy mug & caddy set. Bottoms are stamped Japan. I love the bright blue and mint floral pattern. They'd look sweet on a kitchen counter.

Hello, pretty: a still-on-the-card 1961 chatelaine/sweater guard from Sarah Coventry. The chain is removable, so it's versatile.

I think this floral cosmetic case is really groovy.

 

The inside was so clean. Couldn't believe it.







And lastly I came across a set of 4 amber Fostoria sherbert glasses.

Tuesday Musings

Did quite a bit of thrifting this 3 day weekend (I will be posting pix later this week). Two of my regular spots hosted 50%-off sales for the entire store! Dangerous, dangerous! Real snatch-n-grab territory. I'll be better prepared next year.



So proud of myself for cleaning and prepping everything for my Etsy shop. [sigh] As an Ebayer I've been dragging my feet on Etsy. I know it will be a good fit for me, but I'm having a bit of trouble creating a "mood" and "image" for my shop. I wish I only liked vintage dresses, or something. It would be much easier to "brand" myself. But I like a LOT of stuff.

I'm just going to take the plunge. I can tweek as I go along. Procrastination is an evil witch that has taken me hostage. As of now I'm kicking her arse out the door. I desperately need some motivational theme music! Suggestions? 

Toodles! ~Nik

Found Artefacts - Birds, Books & Bragg

Taking a much needed mid-week vacation day, I used it for some "urban artefact excavation" aka #thriftbreak! I managed to get in four stops. Not to shabby for a mid-week.

 Score!

I had a blast at the Goodwill Outlet. Tip: Wear plastic gloves. You have to and dig through bins of stuff. This can be nasty, gross business. Anyhoo, my digging paid off.

Transformers! Robots in disguise! Yes, miniature Transformers action figures. I could care less about the really big elaborate pieces. I like the smalls. Anything before 2007 is good. I need a Hot Rod now!

More digging ensued where I got some gross gray colored liquid on my fingers (ewwwww!!) But these little birdies were waiting for me.
Shabby chic silver-plated bird salt and pepper shakers that perch on a flowering tree limb. It has a mark, but I'm not sure what company it represents. Will do some researching later.

More digging...and the Gods of Rock send me a little gift. A 1977 pressing of Queen's We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You on 45. Looks to be scratch-free, even.

We will, we will, rock you!! [clap clap]

Vintage 1938 Pilot #404 Stapler, Ace Fastener Co Chrome

But there's more! It's cool and it still works. The stapler I bought last year already died after it choked on a few staples. They just don't make things to last anymore. So, this baby is on my desk now.

I also picked up a first edition of Mary Church Terrell: Respectable Person 1959. As she helped organize my sorority in 1913 (Delta Sigma Theta, Inc) and was a fighter for civil rights, I had to get it. (see first pic)

The thrill now being gone from the Goodwill Outlet I move on to the 2 regular Goodwill Stores. I must admit they do a very good job merchandising. I rarely leave either location without finding something. The shelves are well-stocked and they put new stuff out constantly.

I saw these funky orange plastic dishes the last time I was there, but I wasn't sure if they were really vintage, or just reproductions. After a handy google search, I had my answer.

. VINTAGE! Plus they had found additional pieces and were now selling the lot for one low, low price. Good job! Downside, I'm missing 1 serving dish. I found a couple of complete sets on Etsy.. so that piece is out there somewhere. (I FOUND the missing piece!!! added 10-4-11)

And last but not least my FIND OF THE DAY.

The Researcher

A signed etching by Charles Bragg! Value on these are pretty high, so I was so happy to find it.

What's your find-of-the-day?

~Nik

Found Artefact - Camark Art Pottery

One of the things I most enjoying hunting for is art pottery. I'm most attracted to pieces with simple, modern lines and rich or unique coloring. Not being a froo-froo kinda chick I shy away from frillies and florals unless, of course, it is a big time score on some Roseville or Rookwood. So, I was really happy to come across this Camark vase while on a thrift break this week. The color is gorgeous, a deep green and the shape is lovely. It's a nice addition to my small collection.

So pretty!

Here's a link to a great overview of the history of Camark Pottery from the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture.Camark Pottery