Thrifting Archives | ConfettiStyle

Thrift Score Thursday–Fab Finds For Just $1.00

August 2, 2018

Most of the time when I go into an antique store or thrift store, I’m not looking for anything specific. I enjoy looking through clutter shelves, under tables and inside overflowing boxes. The thrill of the hunt is one of the main reasons I love to thrift.

Every now and then I’ll pop into one of my favorite stores and come home with a great deal. That’s what happened when I stopped by one of my favorite consignment stores last week. Not only did I find a couple of great items but the best part was everything I found was $1.00. Yes, fold you read that right…four quarters or 10 dimes or 20 nickels.

Everything was just a buck!

The first piece I found was this beautiful ceramic platter. It was the blue and white that initially attracted me but then I noticed the flowers. The tray is a great size for serving appetizers and would also look pretty hung on a wall. And it also has a beautiful flourish design stamped on the back, on each side of the tray.

design tip: decorative ceramic trays make great wall decor, hung in a group or as part of a gallery wall. These are the plate hangers I use when hanging a ceramic piece on the wall.

The next piece I found was this beautiful green floral cachepot. It’s small but large enough to hold a handful of rose stems, a small plant or I may even use it as a serving piece.

Here’s the stamp that is on the bottom of the green pot. I did a little research online and found a cachepot with the same design except it didn’t have the side handles. It’s selling on Ebay for $50! #score

gift giving tip: when paired with a bottle of wine, a small porcelain vase or urn makes a great hostess or housewarming gift.

I love blue and white pottery and will buy a piece even if it’s missing the lid. This small square container will make a great vessel to straws when entertaining or a chic vanity accessory.

design tip: use small ceramic containers without the lid as stylish desk accessory to hold pens/pencils, scissors or eye glasses.

My final $1.00 find was the set of 5 blue and white ceramic napkins rings. These will work with all of my blue and white dinnerware patterns so I’ll be getting lots of use out of them.

I love my new finds and love the fact that all of this only set me by a $4.00.

Do you love thrifting as much as I do and have you come across any great deals lately?

My Recent Thrifting Finds–Thrill of the hunt!

April 19, 2018

Happy Thursday friends. This week has flown by but as promised, I’m back to share my latest thrifting finds with you. Last week the hubs and I shopped Scott Antique Market and I popped into one of my favorite flea markets.

At Scott, I stopped by to see ‘my guy’ as I affectionately call one of the dealers. His treasures aren’t displayed in a fancy way but are simply strewn across tables for you to rummage through. It’s definitely the thrill of the hunt in his space.

As I walked from table to table I didn’t see much at first but then I came across this blue and white jar. It already own another one just like this and since they are both missing their lids I’m planning to use them as flower vases.

Another great find were these gorgeous English Ironstone transferware plates. I paid $15 for the set of 8 which were all in perfect condition. These will be perfect for a fall or Thanksgiving tablescape.

These art deco Black Tiara Glass Candleholders were just $5.00. They will be fun to use with my black and white dinnerware when setting the table for entertaining.

.This last piece I scored at a flea market/thrift store I shop at often. It was sitting outside with a couple of small tables stacked on top of it but it immediately caught my attention. Hello gorgeous bamboo table for only $30!!! The table was in great shape and just needed a quick cleaning. Right now I have it on my side of the bed as a night stand but I have a couple of other places it might work too.

Shopping antique and flea markets are one of my favorite things to do especially when I come across great pieces.

If you want to brush up on your thrifting skills, read my post on 10 Tips for Shopping Flea Markets Like A Pro.

Happy shopping!

Jackpot–My Latest Thrifting Finds

January 26, 2018

One of the things I love about our new house is the location. I have easy access to the freeway, there’s a great outdoor mall nearby and most importantly there are antique stores, a flea market and great consignment stores within a few minutes drive.

As I was headed home from an appointment the other day I made a pit stop at one of my favorite thrifting stores. I never know what I’m going to find in this store but I know if I dig a little, there are treasures to be had.

Usually when I enter the store I turn to the right and start shopping. But on this day I decided to change-up my routine and I turned down the left aisle. I was only a few minutes into my shopping trip that I spotted what looked to be a great find.

There sat a stack of beautiful red salad plates. Not just 4 or 5 plates but 21, all in perfect condition. I squealed with excitement and grabbed those babies with lightening speed even before looking at the price tag.

I was willing to pay up to $25 for 21 plates but couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted the price–$9 for all the plates. #jackpot

The plates are bone china and have a delicate gold edge. But what really grabbed my attention was the brilliant red color which happens to be my favorite color in the entire world.

I made a beeline to the counter to put my name on the plates and was approached by one of the ladies working in the store. She commented that there were more plates throughout the store and directed to me where they were. She happened to be the dealer of the booth where I found the plates.

Hold you horses because this is where the story get even better.

I snagged this set of 12 bread plates for $4. These are perfect for a spring place setting and work great with my white wedding china.

I also bought this set of 6 floral salad plates for $3.50. A pretty plate for summer styling and I also think they could work for an early fall tablescape.

entertaining tip: invest in inexpensive patterened bread and salad plates to create lots of mix and match options with the dinner plates you own.

And I also purchased this set of 10 salad plates for $6. Another great compliment to my white china and I also love the way they look with my Blue Willow dinnerware.

I couldn’t resist these small bowls. The delicate floral design is so pretty and they will be fun to mix and match with other pieces. The set of 6 was just $3!

Aren’t they pretty with blue and white plates?

And one more thing I bought was this small blue and white flower frog vase for $2!

To say I’m happy about my new china pieces is an understatement. I definitely hit this jackpot on this thrifting trip.

What thrifting treasures have you found lately?

Becoming An Expert Flea Market Shopper (5 books to own)

September 20, 2016

One of the things I love most in life is shopping flea markets. There is something exciting about looking for a hidden treasures amongst piles of dirty, dusty and cast-off relics.

Shopping flea markets isn’t something I’ve done all my life, I’ve only been treasure hunting for about the last 6 or 7 years. In that time I think I have become pretty savvy at vintage shopping, partly because I’ve taken the time read about, study and research the craft.

If you love flea market shopping and want to learn how to find the best collectibles and vintage pieces, I have 5 books I recommend you read. All of these books are filled with valuable tips on what to look , how to tell if an item has value and they highlight the best flea markets around the country.

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Because I’m a big fan of Better Homes and Gardens books, Flea Market Decorating was the first ‘thrifting’ book I purchased. Included in this book is a state-by-state listing of flea markets and antique fairs and well as tips on refurbishing your vintage finds. There is also loads of decorating ideas using real room settings with actual vintage items. The cover alone should entice you!

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I stumbled upon Flea Market Secrets in a thrift store and gave it my usual flip through to get a feel for the images. One of the best things about this book are the 10 Golden Rules of shopping flea markets that the author outlines. The rules are tried-and-true and things you’ll want to employ no matter where you shop. I also like that there are chapters dedicated to different types of items like glass, furniture, textiles and jewelry. Each chapter give you in-depth information on what types of items to buy, what to pass up and how to care for your treasures. You’ll also find the authors favorite flea markets around the world from Paris to Round Top, Texas.

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I remember when Lara Spencer first announced that she was writing a book of thrifting–I was so excited. I’m a big fan of Lara’s, have watched all her HGTV shows and love her design (and fashion) style. Her book, I Break For Yard Sales is one of the best out there and I love the fact that it combines flea market and thrifting tips with great design advice and inspiration. Page after page Lara shares her passion form shopping yard sales, thrift stores, estate sales and flea markets. You’ll learn her bargain hunting secrets and get insight from appraisers on what to look for when shopping.

You gotta love that Lara isn’t above dumpster diving for a treasure!

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Lara’s second book, Flea Market Fabulous expands upon her flea market shopping tips by showcasing nine rooms that have been decorated with thrifted pieces. The book walks you through the entire process of decorating with vintage finds, from creating a design plan to building a mood board. I also love the room illustrations and before and after photos of the DIY transformations Lara and her team pull off.

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And finally, my list of inspirational flea market shopping books would not be complete without Eddie Ross’ amazing book Modern Mix. When you want to take you flea market and antique shopping to the next level, this is the book that will guide you. Throughout the 8 chapters of the book you’ll find beautiful images of chic interiors, table settings, bars and parties created using vintage pieces. And along with sharing his secrets to shopping, Eddie will teach you how to expertly combine colors and pattern, mix old and new & curate a high and low mix within your decor.

“Modern Mix cracks the code to navigating thrift shops, yard sales and flea markets with confidence.”

And of course I had to share a few of my flea market shopping tips with you:

Have a list of items you’re looking for but be flexible. Shopping flea markets can be overwhelming and you can easily get side-tracked so it’s a good idea to have a list of ‘must have’ items to keep you focused.
Let your creativity flow. Whenever I’m out treasure hunting, I always stop and think about an item I’m interested in. I think about the different ways I could use it in my decor or how I could transform it into something else. Many of the items you’ll find shopping won’t be a perfect fit but with a little creativity and work they can be become real gems.
If you love it, buy it. We’ve all been there–spotting an item but then giving it too much thought and passing it by. Then we have buyers regret and go back hoping the piece is still there but sadly it’s not. I learned early in the game that if you love it and it fits your budget and needs then get it.
Negotiate. Flea market and vintage shop dealers are used to bargaining so don’t be afraid to negotiate the price. And remember the more items you buy from one dealer, the better your bargaining strength.

For even more flea market shopping tips, read my 10 Tips for Shopping Flea Markets Like a Pro post.

Happy hunting friends.

**this post contains affiliate links

Thrifting Finds–All About The Brass

February 17, 2016

On Valentine’s Day the hubs took me out for a day of thrifting. Lately when we’ve gone thrifting we’ve shopped at my favorite antique stores and flea markets so this time around we decided to stop by several of our local Goodwill stores.

Shopping Goodwill is definitely hit or miss experience. Sometimes you can score some great pieces but more often than not, the shelves are filled with undesirable pieces. I’ve also noticed that over the last year or two, Goodwill seems to be increasing their prices so the deals you once could find are harder to come across now.

The stars and planets must have aligned for Valentine’s Day because I found several awesome brass pieces and a few blue and white gems.

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This tulip shaped brass planter was in perfect condition and I’m thinking I’ll put a maiden hair fern or orchid in it.

I also found these brass containers and will most likely sell these in my Etsy shop.

Here’s some vintage brass inspiration for you…

via

These blue and white tea cups were too cute to pass up especially for less than $3.00.

I love this Chinoiserie blue and white flower frog/brick and can image it filled with tulips. After doing some research I discovered this piece was made in Portugal and was designed for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

And I scored these petite brass pots for .50 cents and think they’d be great for succulents.

a little something like this…

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While I was thrifting, I also picked up a few pieces that I’m sending off to a fellow blogger as part of the Ciburbanity #SwapItLikeItsHot blog swap. I super excited to be participating along with a slew of other bloggers and can’t wait to share it all with you in April.

If you haven’t honed your thrifting skills yet, you can read my thrifting tips here and my flea market shopping tips here.

Happy hunting!

Brass Scales of Justice–A Unique Decorative Accent

December 15, 2015

I’m popping in late today to share a fun little accent I added to our holiday decor.

I found this brass scales of justice at a thrift store a few weeks ago for an amazing price of $10 and have plans to sell it in my Etsy shop. I’ll make it available after the first of the year but until then I decided to use it in my Christmas decor.

I placed the scale on the buffet table in the dining room and added small packages and ornaments to the bowls.

We have several pieces of original artwork in our home and this one in the dining room is one of our prized possessions. It’s a piece by contemporary African American artist John Holyfield.

See my dying poinsettia in the background? Anyone else having a tough time keeping them alive with all this warm weather we’re having?

Come back tomorrow for the finale of the Merry & Bright Holiday Home Tour. There’s still lots of decor to see from me and the other bloggers on the tour.

Shop Flea Markets Like A Pro–10 tips!

September 14, 2015

I’ve been shopping flea markets and antique stores for years now and have learned quiet a bit over that time. When I first started shopping for vintage I really didn’t know what I was doing or what to look for in items. I simply shopped and bought pieces that I was attracted to. Since then, I shop both for personal decor and also for items that I can resell in my Etsy shop and new Instagram shop, The Vintage Box.

Here are 10 tips that I’ve learned over the years that will help you go from a novice flea market shopper to a pro.

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Research flea markets and antique stores before you travel to a new city. Online reviews and Facebook photos will tell you a lot about a shop and help you pick the places with the most items and best selection. And don’t pass up those small cities you pass along the way because they often have antique stores filled with items that haven’t been picked over.

If you love it, buy it or at least put it in your bag! I’ve walked away from items before telling myself that I’ll come back to look at it when I finish walking the entire market or store. Of course when I return the item has been snagged by someone else. If you see something you like, put it in your cart or bag and consider it as you continue to shop. If you decide not to purchase it, let the vendor or the store cashier know when you’re paying and they can put the item back on the shelf.

Trust your gut. This goes along with pt. #2 above. Just like most things in life, you gut will tell you if an item is meant to be or not. If you have an immediate reaction to an item than most likely the piece is something that you’d love having in your home or would be able to sell.

Engage in a conversation with the vendor BEFORE asking for a deal. Taking the time to engage in idle conversation and show interest in the sellers booth and wares will set the tone for price negotiations. If I’m alone shopping I always make eye contact with the seller, compliment them on their items and ask a question or two to break the ice. If my husband is with me, that’s his job so I can spend time looking.

Group items from one vendor or booth together and request the seller’s best price. The more you buy the better the deal you’ll get from the seller. And when asking for prices always ask ‘Is this the best price you can offer?” instead of “what kind of discount can you give me?”. You want the vendor to feel they have control when negotiating so how you ask for a better price matters.

Don’t discount an item if some of the parts and pieces are missing. Jars without lids can be used for vases, you can mix and match linens and related items like milk glass or brass can be sold in groupings so look at the value instead of the flaw.

If you’re looking for a particular type of item, ask vendors who carry similar pieces because you never know what they may have in storage or can bring to the next market.

Check the quality of each prices before you buy it. There are usually no returns or exchanges at antique stores and flea markets so know what you’re buying before you lay down your money. Look for hair-line cracks, sturdiness of furniture and makers marks which will help you assess the quality of a piece.

Shop early for the best selection. This is especially true at flea markets which tend to attract a large number of people early in the day. If you’re looking for highly collectible pieces, you want to shop early before items are picked over and sold.

Shop late for the best prices. Shopping late in the day and on the last day of the sale will often yield you the best prices. Vendors don’t want to pack things up and take them back home so they are much more likely to offer discounted prices at the end of the day or end of a show.

You can find lots of amazing items at flea markets and antique stores so use these tips to help you snag some great bargain the next time you head out to shop.

Want to know what essentials you need to carry when thrifting? Check out my post Thrift Shopping 101.

New To The Shop & The Vintage Box

September 8, 2015

Good Morning! I hope everyone had a great weekend.

I was a busy beaver but did manage a little time outdoors enjoying the weather. One of the big task on my to-do list was adding new items to the ConfettiStyle Etsy Shop. I added over 50 new vintage decor and jewelry items and still have more to add, including some vintage holiday pieces.

If you’ve never been to my Etsy shop and are wondering what types of items I sell, let me tell you about the shop. I opened my Etsy shop a few years ago and really focused on selling pieces that I loved and would decorate my own home with. I am an avid flea market shopper and the shop was a great way for me to make some of what I find available to you. There are several different categories of items in the shop but you’ll find milk glass and ironstone pieces, brass decor and lots of unique vintage items. Back in 2012 I started making vintage jewelry and add my handcrafted jewelry to the shop. 2012 was also the year when my jewelry was selected as an editors’ pick by Country Living Magazine and was featured in the Dec/Jan 2012 issue.

Over the years I’ve added additional handcrafted pieces including designer clipboards which have been very popular. I have a new collection of clipboards that will be available in the shop soon.

So all in all, my Etsy shop is an extension of my passion for vintage decor, jewelry and my love of handcrafting! Here’s a sneak peek at some of the items you’ll find in the shop…

And in case you missed it, I’ve decided to expand my shop presence and begin selling vintage finds on Instagram in a new shop called The Vintage Box. This has been something I’ve thought about for almost a year and I’m excited to launch the shop later this month.

The Instagram shop will have a more focused product offering and I’ll also be selling vintage jewelry as well. I’m still nailing down the details of the sales so follow along here to be the first to know when the shop opens.

You never know what treasures are in the box!