Thrifty Job for me!

I sorta got a thrifty job! Well it's volunteer. And come as you please, no schedule. But ANYHOW I signed up with Friends of the Library today and was looking at their books. (got 7 of them) So I ask about volunteering and the lady was so excited to have me. So Saturday mornings, when I can, I will go down there and sort books. There is a huge warehouse and just gobs and gobs of books. Tens of thousands of books. Can you believe it? So I'll go in and sort them into grouped by author's last name, Like a box of A's and so on.

AND I get first crack at the books I am sorting. AND every 3 hour shift I work I get to take two free books. Not that they are expensive or that I mind paying for them, but still FREE books? SWOOON.

I don't start until after the super huge Friends of the Library book sale that is in a few weeks. Until then it's serious working going on, getting the 5 semi's ready to take books to that. Oh and I get to go to that the day before it opens! That's because I joined, not because I'm a volunteer.

I'm way excited, I've wanted to get involved in something that I could do without cutting into family time. This is perfect, if the family needs me I simply don't go. If we are just haning out I do go, and it's just in the mornings.

I thought you guys would appreciate it. :)

Thrift Store Ambiance

I got caught up this morning on that addictive website The ThriftShopper. Some people were telling awful stories about nasty smells and dirty things found in the local thrift stores. Well, we must be lucky here on the Treasure Coast. I've never run into the awful dirt these folks are talking about.
But I do have one neat story to share. I was in the Goodwill store a few months ago. This shabby, confused looking young man walks in and goes to the back, to where someone had donated a beautiful piano! ($150, bet it didn't last long). This guy sits on the bench --- and started to play the most wonderful music! It wasn't long before people were all gathered around just listening to him. He played for about half an hour, then got up and walked out of the store. It was just amazing! I think about him from time to time and wonder who he is, if he's okay.....what a talent.

One That Got Away (and one that didn't)

First of all, no photos today. I can't tease Erin anymore. Know this, I went back to Holy Family and got lots. She will be happy. But no interfacing. Apparently someone else figured out that $2 a bolt is a good deal.

The one that got away: I am in Goodwill. This lady walks by with a vintage white basketweave Wilson WilHold sewing box, STUFFED with thread, embroidery thread....for $3.59! I followed her around the store, lurking almost. She finally put it down to show someone and I pounced. Actually I very nicely asked if she was really attached to the box or just the stuff inside, planning to buy it and give her all the stuff so I could have the box. No way. But we were really nice about it and she REALLY feels she has a bargain now. And boy, does she ever have one. Boo hoo.

So I am sitting on the patio unloading the latest haul from Holy Family and seeing just what I got when I realize the cat under my feet is freaking out. A pygmy rattlesnake in all it's glory, trying to bite her and shaking it's little tail just like National Geographic. Thankfully Jack came running, the cat and I are safe, and THIS is the one that didn't get away.

Welcome New Writers!

I want to introduce you guys to two new ThriftFinds writers.

First is Kim H. Kim is a good friend of mine from my stamping world. She is a crazy brilliant designer. HERE is a link to her blog where you can read tons about her and what she does. One thing she does is hit thrift stores and garage sales. She gets all these wonderful odds and ends that she turns into great art. So of course I want her to share that stuff with us at Thrift Finds!

Second is Jeffrey Brown. Notice the last name? Yes? This is my step-brother. He's got a super fun eye for finding really, REALLY cool stuff. Seriously, he found a huge wax horse head a few weeks ago on the beach! Who finds that? Mom wouldn't let him keep it, apparently it was sticky from the sun. Anyhow that's the sort of awesomeness Jeffrey will be bringing us.

Welcome to our new blog

Erin loves thrifting as much as I do, I think. It's in our blood. I remember long drives each spring from MA to FLA with a station wagon full of my brothers and sister. Dad's rest stops for relief were Salvation Army outlets and off the highway thrift stores. Seems to me like there were more of them back then. My sister is a devoted yard sale shopper, and Erin caught the bug from all of us as a toddler. I think of thrift store shopping as a treasure hunt. At least once a week I just have to get out there and see if there is any wonderful bargain calling my name - and most of the time there surely is. So here we go friends. We will show you our photos of what called to us most recently. I don't resell anything, only actually take home what I love, or what Erin or our friends will surely love. I can only imagine the goodies coming up on these pages!

Welcome to Thrift Finds

I'll start with a post telling you what this site will be about.

I'm Erin, me and my mom Linda will be putting our greatest thrift and garage sale finds here. We hope to include other writers over time so that lots of cool thrift finds can be seen on one site.


We are definately wanting to see YOUR finds too. So please comment any time with your thirft related blogs and I will start a blogroll so everyone can find them with just a click.

And of course, by all means if me or mom happen to post something you know to be of great value tell us! We tend to buy stuff because we like it, we want to use or display it, but if we stumble across something of value we want to know. Mom will do the same. I don't know anything about what's valuable! hahaha.