Back in the Doily Factory

 Home at last.

The past two weeks on the road flew by for me. In addition to thrifting, antiquing & junking, I spent a lot of time visiting much-missed family, friends and their adorable offspring. I stayed in two hotels and five different homes. I slept in a guest room, an office and a cabana.

Ashland Springs Hotel in Ashland, OR

I ate a lot of ice cream. (Vacation = Validation)

The weather went from sunny and warm to rainy and cold. I wish I had a vintage tablecloth for every Californian who learned I was from Oregon and then asked me if I brought the weather with me.  

Would you like some tires with your dirt bike?

I shopped in over thirty antique and thrift stores. I went to one terrific estate sale, one disappointing barn sale and one ‘indoor yard sale.’ Actually, I never made it inside the indoor yard sale – my internal personal safety barometer started sounding the alarm and I decided to skip it.

And along the way I met many others who are also into vintage.

{ click to enlarge }

I managed to return with a modest amount of treasures mixed with an abundance of experiences.  

It’s good to be home.

The Road Trip Has Begun.

 

Here today.

 

Here tomorrow.

 

With lots of thrifting, antiquing and vintage shopping along the way. At least that’s the plan. I hope I find something!

Here’s my shopping list:

1. Vintage fabric (shocking)

2. Vintage Christmas (alert the media)

3. Things to sell in my etsy shop (vague)

4. Things to set aside in case I ever decide to sell at a show (vague and dangerous)

Here’s what I hope I don’t bring home:

1. Any items with the potential to be labeled ‘What-was-I-thinking?’ (currently have more than enough of those)

Seems simple enough. 

Happy trails from your roving reporter.  Next update: The Sacramento Antique Faire.

An open letter to the folks in charge of the price gun, black grease pencil and other pricing devices at the thrift store

Dear Pricing Person,

Thank you for stocking your shelves with such interesting vintage items especially since I know you put them out there just for me.  As you know, I am always a little too excited when I come across them and I appreciate that you allow me to have my moment, right there in the store aisle.

 And as long as it’s all about me, I’d like to ask a small favor.

 

Would you please consider locating the price stickers somewhere other than on the hand-painted parts?

Or the fronts?

Or directly over the manufacturer’s mark on the china?

Or maybe not written in black grease pencil which never, ever comes off completely?

Ever.

In return, I promise you if the price tag is not front and center, I will be more than happy to look for it.  

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Yours truly,

This faithful shopper