I love finding things from different time periods--my background is in design, and I enjoy seeing how much a time period is defined by the styling of its everyday items, from fashion to household objects to magazine ads. I also really appreciate shopping vintage as a way of lessening the amount of waste in the world. If an object still has life in it, it should be enjoyed, not thrown away! And I adore the "character" than comes with items that have obviously had long lives.
What is the best item you have ever come across when you have been vintage/thrift shopping?
Oh, that is a tough one. I have a gorgeous old solid wood office chair on big metal casters that I scored at a local thrift shop for just $6. I think that is my favorite thing that actually made it home with me. I've come across some pretty neat things that were just too impractical to keep or attempt to sell--one of my favorites was a huge, heavy metal scale that (I think) was designed for weighing laundry. It had incredible industrial style, and it took a lot of self-control to leave it at the store!
Do you have a style or method you use when vintage/thrift shopping?
I have a little route of 4 to 5 stores that I try to hit once a week. Mondays and Thursdays are discount days, so sometimes I will take advantage of that, but often times the picking is better on other days. The weekend is too crowded, hands down. I try not to linger when I shop--I just run through the furniture and housewares sections, and don't glance at clothes (unless I'm shopping for myself!). I figure if something doesn't catch my eye quickly in the shop then it probably won't catch someone else's eye online.
Is there one tip you could share that might help someone who is new to thrifting and vintage shopping?
If you are shopping to sell, familiarize yourself with what is selling well online, but don't be afraid to branch out and develop your own style. I figure that there must be other people out there who share my tastes, and I don't buy anything for resale that I wouldn't purchase for myself. If you try to stick with just the things that are very visible on sites like Etsy than you will be competing with lots of other sellers who have the same products. If you are shopping for yourself -- enjoy yourself! Don't worry too much about what something is supposedly "worth" -- if you like it and the price seems fair to you, then snap it up!
Thank you Liz for participating in this week's Vintage Love.
Photos courtesy of Liz, Pica Pica Found.
can be found at:
Etsy shop
Website
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