What is a monkeybox?

When I was a little girl, we had a pet monkey named Amanda. My Dad worked in the produce business, so each night he brought home that days culls in a big box - spotty cucumbers, pithy apples, limp celery, moldy oranges and the like. We called it a monkeybox. It was really just trash, but my Mom would take each piece of fruit and trim it, pare it and cut it up to make a beautiful fruit platter for Amanda. Even though it was deemed trash by one, it still had life left in it and was good for the purpose we needed it. That's how I live my life - thrifting, yard saling, looking for another's trash to be my treasure.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Thrifty Finds - It's About Time!

Today I managed to go to two thrift stores and I actually found a few things at both of them.  I hadn't been to one of these thrifts in about two years since they primarily only handle clothing.  They do have a few knick knacky things here and there and generally at really cheap prices, so I decided to have a look since I was driving by.  The first thing I saw when I walked in was a glass showcase full of dishes with a sign that said "Antiques".  I figured they had hit the big time and the prices would be sky high, but then I saw that most of the dishes in the case were $1.00 or so.  I love thrifts that just get it in and move it out - no worry about high prices and what things are "worth".

Because the pickings are think at the thrifts right now, I find myself looking in every area for anything.  Anything at all!  Case in point - the purse and the hockey jersey.  I never look at the men's clothes or the purses. 
The hockey jersey is from the 2004 All Star Game.  One just like it sold for $34.00 a few days ago.  I paid $3.00 for this one - so that's a good enough profit.

The purse - well, it caught my eye because it was pink.  And, I do love my pink.  I could tell it was a good quality handbag, but I was actually surprised to discover the COACH tag with a serial number inside.  I was pleased to see it was only $2.50 too.  However, the thrift chose to price it with a Sharpie ON the actual bag on the inside.  Why, oh why did they do that???????  I am hesitant to sell purses because there are so many counterfeits out there.  I just may have myself a fancy dancy new purse!


I also found a nice piece of white pottery, a very sweet piece of Washington State Pottery, a handful of vintage hankies, a first edition Harry Potter, a copy of New Moon and that big blue picnic basket in the top photo.  I don't really consider that a picnic basket because it doesn't fit into my collection.  But, it will still make handy dandy storage for my felt.  The lady that runs the thrift told me $3.00 for the handful of hankies.  But, when I checked out, my sweet little ancient lady friend scoffed at $3.00, said, "That's too much!"  and charged me $1.00.  She always gives me a deal.  I love her! (And not just because she gives me deals).

And this - a vintage 1970's Executive Solid State Calculator.  I got excited when I saw the box because old calculators can bring in big bucks. 
But, probably not this one.  Still, it was funny and it was only 50¢, so I brought it home.

I have sworn off white pottery and culled out a good portion of my collection, but now I keep finding it.  So far, it has all been going to the booth.   But, me likes this one.  :D
 I love this sweet little green piece.  The second I saw it, I loved it.  When I got home, I remembered why:
That little one was one of the very first pieces of pottery that I ever found.  It started my collection and my love of pottery.  (Which is good or bad, depending on who you are...Breadman)  The small one is signed Virginia Walker and the large one is marked Washington State with a VW under it.  Could they both be from the same maker?  Now, that would be cool!  I suppose it would be only be fitting to end my collection with this piece since the other one started it.

HAHAHAHAHAHA.  Had you going there, didn't I?  Stop collecting.  *Snort*  Now, that is a good one! 

It was fun to get out and find a few treasures - some to keep, some to sell.  I am itching for a good rummage sale, but I think I have awhile to wait still. 

Have you found any good junk this week?

6 comments:

  1. Looks like you cashed in! Love those kind of days!

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  2. I know what you mean about getting stuff and and moving it out. the shop I work at has that attitude about clothing (everything has a set affordable price, despite what make it is)and furniture. Knick knacks are a bit different, but I don't think the prices are at all out of line.

    Love that white pottery and as far as that purse, what a fantastic find! It is hard these days to sell designer anything on Ebay, especially bags, shoes and perfume. That automatically make you feel like crook.

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  3. You did find some awesome stuff and great prices! I love that white pottery. I have a large collection of green pottery but lately have been finding white...Love it all but where to display it all? Oh well.

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  4. annabel522:52 PM

    Good score...I have never had any luck with purses on ebay. With all of the changes in their "policy" it's tough to make any money unless the bid goes really high. Good luck
    I have used the Goo Gone to get the sharpie out of fabric with limited success, think it depends on the fabric. You could try it on the purse

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  5. Great finds! I know what you mean about needing to find a great rummage sale--SOON! LOL!

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  6. ooo fun finds! I was hoping to thrift a bit this weekend but my truck is under 2 plus feet of snow again and I'm so over digging it out. Oy.

    I buy Coach bags and this is what I know about fakes - the signature fabric on fakes (like yours) should match up at the seams. Also, the fakes will have serial numbers but usually the leather parts are not real leather. Also, Coach bags, even fabric ones, tend to be fairly heavy. Regardless, it's pretty cute! :)

    Oh and I keep my felt in a picnic basket like that, too!

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