5 Tips For Shopping Thrift Stores

Here are my top tips for thrifting.

1. Have a master list. Things that you are
on the lookout for. Mine is getting longer all

 the time. Each time you go you'll find
different merchandise and something
from your list is bound to be there. 

 

I keep mine on my iphone. I give the list 

a quick glance before I head in. I can often 

find my missing pieces like Corningware lids

or items from sets.

On this trip I found the vintage ice tong
that went with my vintage ice bucket I

found last year. The tongs were 12¢. 

 I found a bag of cookie cutters for $1.00. 

I'll use them for tree or gift decorations. 

 I'll add them to the cookie cutters I've
collected in the glass jar.

2. Serendipity is a wonderful thing.
Of course there are always things to find
that are not on your list at all, but you just
can't pass up. Think about gifts for
friends or seasonal merchandise, 

I found this set of 4 cups with saucers 

that are for espresso or Cuban coffee. 

All for less than the price of an espresso!

I love to use platters. This 14" one from 

Bavaria was $1.50

A set of silver plated coasters for $1.50 will

 be pretty in a table setting using my

  silver plate chargers found last year.

A big cup and saucer for cappuccino, coffee, 

tea, or cocoa. $1.00

3. Dress comfortably. Wear a t-shirt under

 your blouse in case you want to try
something on and don't want to wait for
 a dressing room. Use a cross body purse
 to keep your hands free and your
 money safe. Grab a shopping cart.

4. Have measurements for the spaces in
your house that need  a picture,
mirror, or furniture piece. 

Carry a measuring tape.

5. Watch other shoppers that seem to know 

what they are doing for inspiration. I would
never have thought to look through the bowls
to find these great pottery pieces if not for
 the lady carefully looking on the bottom
shelf for handmade pieces. 

 I love this blue pottery bowl. I see them at
craft fairs all the time. This was a steal
 for $1.00 and it's a size I can use daily.
 Ideas: scrambled eggs, pancake batter,
and grapes. Pretty enough to leave out.

I've now added pottery bowls to master list.

 This larger bowl is a beautiful terracotta
 color. Ideas: Potato salad, fruit, pinecones in the fall.

 It was $1.50!

Handmade pottery,
my favorite find of the day!

Most important, thrifting is fun! 

It's an adventure! It's a hunt! It's a mystery!

Cheers!

Links: Between Naps On The Porch,
Coastal Charm, Dwellings,
Savvy Southern Style, Facebook,
Oh My Creative, A Stroll Thru Life