Monday 7 March 2011

junk shop treasure

Junk warehouse


I am not a big shopper, I never have been I probably will never be. With the exception of book shops and a bit of thrifting. I never bring back very much but I have a small hoard of vintage buttons (in black, red, and white) and doilies that I use for crafting dolls.. and books for reading and tattered ones for more crafting. The last few weeks I have had some good luck with finding buttons and bits to craft with.

Junk drawer

On a recent trip to York we went to the Banana Junk Warehouse. We dug through towering shelves filled with all manner of things. Books, suitcases, furniture, knitting needles, a fabulous old typewriter, a very old sewing machine that I coveted madly but weighed as much as two elephants. I bought a wooden box, buttons, red plastic knitting needles, and a very rusty gate key.

Cath Kidston York

After that while everyone went to watch and sample fudge I scuttled to the Oxfam Books shop and scored a Neil Gaiman book I hadn't read, and five Star Wars cine-manga books 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 for Harrison (who had the 4th book at Christmas. In amongst tea at Betty's Tearooms, buying bread from the tiny bakery down the Shambles, and walking along the city walls I also went into Cath Kidston with my lovely Mother-in-Law. I don't buy much from there, most of it is a little too flowery for me and a lot expensive. In the end I walked away with two little samples of fabric which may turn into dolls like this one.

Vintage buttons and dress patterns

The last two weekends we happened to go into Matlock twice to visit the Antiques Centre, and a little thrift shop down the road from it. You wouldn't think an antique shop would have anything remotely thrifty but there are always doilies and buttons to be found that are quite cheaply priced. I'm look forward to visiting Tansley car boot ('car boot' roughly translates into 'flea market with lots of plastic toys and knock off DVDs') some Sunday soon when the weather is nice.

Thrifty finds

I'm linking this blog post to Selena's lovely Apron Thrift Girl : Thrift Share Monday blog post. Please go check out what inspiring treasures she has found, and the links to other great thrifting blogs.

6 comments:

JuanitaTortilla said...

We have something in common then -- not a shopper, 'cept for craft-able supplies. Bargain and thrifty ones preferable.

And Cath Kidston? Not really.

Those green doilies look incredible!

JuanitaTortilla said...

Will we get to see you and your dressmaking skills? :))

x vInTaGe VioLeT x said...

looks like you had a great thrifty day :)

jillytacy said...

I love thrifted goodies! The green dollies are very cute and the gate key is very cool. I can't wait to see what you create with your new goodies!

ClaireP said...

Oh! Some great finds. Love the doilies :)
We got our dining chairs from the banana warehouse - I love that place :P

Kelley said...

Oh! Some great finds. Love the doilies :) We got our dining chairs from the banana warehouse - I love that place :P