Below is a piece I recently wrote for www.thethriftshopper.com
Once in a while I encounter a retail snob who just CAN'T believe that I am such a recycling junky and they wonder out loud and ask, "What could be so great about decorating with flea market and thrift store junk? How can you actually bring other people's used stuff into your house? Yuck!"
Now, I try and temper my responses just right. I try and remember that not everyone was raised to appreciate delicate antiques. Not everyone experienced the fantastic adventure of hunting for treasures from garage and estate sales they may have frequented with their grandparents. Some people have no attachment to history or time. Some people, quite frankly, have very little imagination!
I try to be forgiving of their sublime ignorance and I reply:
"Listen, I am fortunate enough not to HAVE to buy things like used underwear or blankets and such...but if I had to, I am pretty sure a healthy amount of bleach would kill off anything harmful!
The type of stuff I seek out is rich in history, or art, or beauty which can't be authentically found and bought at a TARGET store. (Not that there is anything wrong with shopping at a TARGET for generic stuff!) Some people also go to thrift stores to seek plain, useful objects that function well and cost a fraction of their original price. Most thrifted things are usually fairly easy to clean-up or dust off. That's why Clorox wipes were invented!
The idea is to be original in the selection of your possessions and gather things to paint a picture within your home that is like none other! Life is the fairytale you make of it. This includes the objects you surround yourself and your family with.There is an absolute rush in the thrill of discovering something long forgotten by someone else or re-inventing something to fit into your personal "picture-book" which can't be copied out of a catalog or off a showroom floor.
The added benefit is that you are recycling, often contributing to a good cause or charity, and occasionally scoring something of such great value for mere pennies!"
If you are new to the world of thrift, do not be afraid, my pup. If you are a germ-a-phobe, wear gloves or bring your hand sanitizer "to-go" bottle with you...but gosh, it really isn't that bad! I guarantee you that what is on the bottom of your shoes after walking around all day in the world is far worse than anything you'd bring into your house from most thrift stores. Almost anything can be properly scrubbed and sanitized, and the stuff that you aren't sure of...you won't be buying (like stuffed animals, shoes, undergarments, etc.)
When venturing into a Thrift Store, follow this advice:
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Once inside, plant your feet and slowly scan the entire place with your eyes. Get a deliberate overview of the layout. Read the signs. Often thrift stores run weekly or monthly promotions on certain types of items (i.e. Furniture,) or on certain colored tags (i.e. all green tags are an additional 50% off during the month of March.)
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Do a first pass "drive-by". Don't stop at one section, just scan all the isles quickly making a mental note of anything cool or unusual that you want to come back to check out more closely. NOTE* If you see something particularly rare or something you collect or are looking for: grab it and place it in your cart! You can look at the details and prices later and put it back if it isn't right.
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Take a second pass based on areas of the store that looked promising during the drive-by.
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Carefully examine the condition, underside or interior of an object and its price. Look for any makers marks or relevant manufacturing symbols which will tell you more about its origin and value.
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Be sure to reference any price promotions in relation to the item as it might receive an additional discount at checkout. This will further help you to make a purchasing decision. (See #1.)
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Look high and low. This is a trick I learned from my grandfather. When you are looking at a bunch of stuff piled up on a shelf, it is easy to miss things placed away from your direct eye level. Crouch down and look again. Raise up on tippy-toes and check that top shelf again.
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Examine nooks and crannies of the jewelry case or other specialized display areas. Often times items that are for sale are used in thrift stores as a window display or functional display item. This little brass ring tree was holding crappy, plastic rings on display, but upon examination I realized it was also for sale for $1.99. I took off the plastic rings and added it to my cart. It now holds the cool, old dinner rings given to me by my grandmother.
When it comes to thrift shopping, go into it with an open mind and view yourself as a retail anthropologist. Uncovering and honing in on your own unique style aesthetics will allow you to shop with confidence and discover the fantastic glow of finding useful, beautiful objects to breathe new life into while saving the bulk of your bank account for more important stuff.
Happy Thrifting!
Audrey writes a blog about thrifting, vintage objects, artful discoveries and social awareness at www.greentag.typepad.com. Her ETSY stores www.audreyrich.etsy.com and www.littlegreentag.etsy.com feature her unique vintage finds for sale. When she isn't writing or photographing something, she works as a Marketing Communications Consultant and lives with her husband and son in the suburbs of Detroit, MI.
