Tales From The Thrift

 Have you ever found an amazing treasure at the thrift store?  Get it home only to discover the piece was damaged under the price sticker.  That happens to me quit a bit, especially at one of the largest thrift store chains in the country.

Last year I stumbled upon a beautiful Victorian art glass double handled vase, cased glassed white and pink, with a herringbone pattern in the glass, hand blown glass, with a few imperfections in the glass and a small chip in the glass.  I found thrift store gold, that didn't last long.  When I removed the price sticker at home there was a very large chip in the outer glass.  I was so bummed out, now in my area we cannot return items to our large chain thrift stores so I am the proud owner of this vase.  If you are lucky enough to return your thrifted item, would you return it?

The vase is absolutely beautiful, I am still unsure of the maker.  Google lens returns comeback as Fenton, Thomas, Webb, Mount Washington, and Stueben.  I am still researching the possible maker.  I highly doubt it is Stueben.  

As you can see the large chip

I have added this vase into my collection of glass and art pottery vases.  I don't thing the damage is forgivable.  I think it would be difficult to resell this beauty with this damage.  A  small chip is easier to over look than a very large and noticeable one.   

When your out thrifting for resale, give each item a once over when you pick it up, feel the price sticker press into it, does it feel smooth, is it uneven, is it sharp?  Look at the item from different angles, hold it up to the light.  Look over each item again before you check out.  Check each item again when placing on the checkout.  I find flaws this way and I tell the cashier I am not going to take it due to the damage.

Would you still pick up a piece, like this vase, if you saw damage to it?  Would you keep it for yourself?   Let me know, leave a comment.

Market Trends

Happy Monday to you all.  I looking at what is trending in the resale market of vintage and collectible items I noticed a few new items,  I am still seeing PYREX, and brass.  Here are a few categories I spotted.

1. Porcelain/ceramic figurines; mostly girl figures.  Napco and Enesco to begin with.  I noticed several figurines of animals most identified as made in Japan.  

2. Vintage boardgames; spanning from the 1960's to the 1990's.  The search results do not show detailed descriptions of the listings only the titles, most do not disclose if the games are complete or not.

3. Vintage beaded purses, most looked like their from the  1960's-1990's.  .  

4. Collectible glass, colored glass and clear glass.  I spotted Fenton, L.E. Smith, Empoli, Anchor Hocking, and Westmoreland to name a few.  The glass pieces are most likely mid century to the 1990's with older pieces scattered in.  I spotted several sold comps of Swedish art glass too.

5.  Vintage swimwear mostly 1980's-1990's, it is that time of year.

6.  Vintage clothing; 1960's-1970's dresses, Men's button down pearl snap shirts with and with out a western flare.  Men's leather jackets and jeans.

7.  Vintage Kids clothing; baby girl smocked, embroidered, floral, and frilly.

Hope this is enough of a snippet at what is currently selling.  I only researched Poshmark for this list since it is the only platform I uses that shows sold comps.  Etsy does not show sold items in the searches.

Friday Finds

This week I did not find much, I am getting over a cold.  I only made it to one thrift store.  I just have to say, what is up with the pricing at Goodwill.  The prices on some pieces were much higher than sold comps on eBay and higher than an antique mall.  For example a small double handled PYREX mixing bowl, with remnants of it green color for $6.99.  The damage far exceeded the price, maybe $.99 price tag would be more appropriate.  You won't even find one that damaged in an antique mall.  

I did find two Christmas items.  A pair of mice salt and pepper shakers, in their original box, $2.99 and half off.  I pick up a faux greenery in a basket accent piece with a flocked Santa pick, plastic candycanes, ornaments, and packages for $1.49.  I may take it apart to create some assemblages.  Plus, Christmas in July is coming!

Wednesday Work

 Summertime equals Garage Sale, Yard Sales, Rummage Sales, and Flea Markets.  All excellent event to source items for resale.  My favorite is garage sales, generally items are priced low in order to move them.  You really want to buy low sell high.  Keep in mind you may many garage sales that are a bust, items priced way to high, all kids toys (which can be profitable if that's your niche), everything is damaged, or there nothing of interest.  

In my area most garage sales are not advertised in the newspaper, either due to the cost of running an ad or the newspaper has gone all digital.  I know that there are certain weekends in May two nearby towns hold a community wide garage sale weekends.  I missed one last month due to my oldest graduating college.  I did however manage to hit a few garage sale another weekend, where I picked up what remained of  a vintage Fenton Hobnail milk glass collection.  Facebook has been a good place to find garage sales by searching for sales near me.

Rummage sales are a good source as well, if you do not like crowds do not go on the first day when it opens.  In my area it is usually churches that host rummage sales.  All items are donated and sorted by volunteers.  Depending upon what your looking for, prices will vary from a $1 up to $50 or more.  These tend to be hard to locate, I usually  search on Facebook for church sales or rummage sales near me.  

Flea markets/antique markets are a good option for sourcing.  If you're lucky to have a large flea market that sets up at a local county fair grounds one weekend a month with a minimal entrance fee, you would be in luck.  Flea markets will have both old and new items, pristine to junk items covering all price points.  Wear good walking shoes, have cash on hand, bring a wagon/cart or a large bag to carry your finds.  

While your looking check over the items you find.  Run your finger around the edges, sides, bottom feeling for chips, rough spots, cracks.  Hold glass up to the light see if there are scratches or cracks.  Make sure all its components or parts are there.  Make sure you have items protected for the car ride home, keep extra bags or a few boxes in your vehicle to provide some extra protection.  I have had several items get damaged on the car ride home.  If need be ask seller or store if they have any paper or bubble wrap to wrap up delicate items in.  

What Is The Difference Between Antique Vs. Vintage?

Not everyone will agree on what makes an item "antique" or "vintage".  Based off my experience "vintage" is usually applied to items that are at least 25 "I researched the term "vintage" most resources used the benchmark of at least 25 years old up to 100 years old.  To me an item that is 90 years old is antique, but I get why they use these years to determine which term to use.  Typically vintage items evoke a sense of nostalgia, maybe from childhood, high school, or even college.  The term "vintage" can be attributed to a style or a cultural resonance than age.  Also in general "vintage" items tend to be more accessible and affordable than "antique" items, there are exceptions.

The term "antique" is generally applied to items of 100 years old or older, valued for its rarity, craftmanship, or historical significance.  Antique items often carry stories of bygone era and prized for the condition and authenticity.  

Whether you’re drawn to the historical weight of antiques or the nostalgic charm of vintage, understanding their definitions helps you shop smarter and appreciate the stories behind each piece.  

What Sold In The Month of May.

Sales have been slow on Poshmark and on Etsy so far this year.  I just hit my one year anniversary on Poshmark.  

Poshmark Sales

1. Lot of 5 Vintage skeins of Bernat Venetian yarn, sweet lavender.  I paid $2.50 for all 5 skeins and sold them for $22, after selling fees my profit was $15.10.

2. Set of 4 Emile Henry France, Cobalt Blue Ceramic Ramekins.  I paid $4 for the set and sold them for $31, after selling fees my profit was $20.80.

3.  Longaberger Pottery American Craft Ivy mixing bowl, 8".  I paid $4 for it at a local goodwill, it sold for $23, after fees, profit was $18.40.

Etsy Sales 

1. N.I.P Winnie The Pooh Cross Stitch Kit Daydreaming Pooh and Piglet.  I don't know what it originally cost, it sold for $10, after fees, profit was $8.16

2. 1930's Brush McCoy pottery bulb/planter tray, shell motif, a rare piece.  I paid just $.50 for this piece at a local church charity shop.  I sold it for $52, after fees, profit is $47.48.

 

10 Market Trends

It is always a good idea to see what is selling in the resell world.  

First trend I am seeing, is brass, figures, candlesticks, wall hangings, vessels.  Brass is picking up in sold comps, especially on Poshmark.   You can generally pick up brass pieces at the thrift store priced anywhere from a $1 to $4 or more and at garage sales.  Research what similar pieces are selling for on eBay or Poshmark.   Google lens will be your friend, it is a good way to identify possible maker and give you a general idea of  asking prices.    Always go to the platforms website to search the item, filtering the results to show sold or completed sales.  The trick is to buy low and sell high.  

Second trend is vintage PYREX, it is still selling.  I see pieces continually selling on Poshmark.  Now you can find pieces at the thrift store still, though the prices may seem high.  Check the sold comps, make sure the pattern is a highly sought after one.  You can sometimes find the vintage pieces at garage sales too.  Make sure the color is bright and not dull, make sure there is minimal wear to the exterior and interior, you can tell which pieces have been through the dishwasher.  PSA do not put vintage glass kitchen vessels whether PYREX, Fire King, or Glass Bake in the dishwasher, it will destroy its exterior finish.  I only hand wash my vintage glass.  I have two examples of vintage PYREX, it had it's lid which had minor wear.  I bought it for a $1 and listed the lid for $14 and it sold.  I knew the lid would sell as a replacement piece I made a profit $10 which is bad.  Always check to see what the lids are reselling for on pieces with paint loss.  Sometimes you can get lucky and find just the lids in the thrift store for a $1 or $2.  Dealers and collectors are always looking for lids to complete a piece/set.  Second example, I purchased a 5 quart double handled Amish butter print blue mixing bowl for a $1 had some minor wear to the paint, I sold it for $25, my earnings was $20, not to bad profit of $19.  

Third: is vintage Y2K, 1990's clothing, check your closets you may still have some pieces hanging around.

Fourth: Iconic band T-shirts, single stitch vintage always seem to sell.  

Fifth: Folk Art items

Sixth: Art Deco and Art Nouveau decorative items

Seventh: Vinyl Records

Eighth: Vintage Toys

Nineth: Classic Denim Jackets

Tenth: Vintage Jewelry with Brand recognition