This Week’s Vintage Finds #164
Hi everyone! My sweet husband and I shopped a Salvation Army and a Goodwill this past Saturday and made some fantastic vintage finds. Every now and again I hit the thrift stores at just the right time. You know what I mean, right? Of course you do because you are all thrifting, garage saling, flea marketing queens, right?!! Some days are phenomenal, others, well, not so much. In any event, we had some vintage shopping fun and here are the results…
I fall more in love with this romantic landscape every time I look at it. Is it just me? The muted greens and blues are riveting (cost: $5.99, value: $75-100.00) Signed by the artist: Marguerite Rigalosi.
Henry William Putnam, of nearby Bennington, VT, invented the “Lightning” canning jar, with a glass lid and wire bale, in 1882. It solved the problem of canned foods tasting like metal due to its contact with the metal lids found on Mason jars. On the bottom of this example you find “Putnam 38” embossed, a reference, of course to the maker. Some have speculated that “white lightening” (bootlegged whiskey) derived its name from these jars, in which perhaps the bootleggers stored their precious drink (cost: $1.00, value: $15-20.00).
I found another butter pat, after just a couple of weeks ago finding a pretty set of three (available here). This one, made by Royal Copenhagen of Denmark has a lovely basket weave edge (cost: $1.00, value: $4-6.00).
Here you see the mark with all the numbers, presumably referencing dates and artists.
On the shelf next to it, I found this matching cup (cost: $1.00, value: $3-5.00).
I snatched up this white mugs for a craft I have in mind (cost: 99¢ each).
Ditto this plate with the convenient hole for hanging (99¢).
I made several Christmas dioramas last year and sold them at the Shaker Christmas craft fair. I’ve seen a number of bloggers create darling dioramas “under glass.” I especially liked this one because it’s small and the glass is rounder than others I’ve seen (cost: $1.99).
Another piece of art, from Salvation Army, like the previous landscape. This one a well-executed water color by a former art teacher, Doris Wilbur, who lives near the Finger Lakes (NY). It’s quite large and would be a great farmhouse accent piece (cost: $5.99, value: $45-55.00). I’m planning to paint the frame–black? red?
I have one small boxwood wreath that I picked up on sale at Target a little over a year ago–$20.00 for a 10″ size. On Saturday, up on the top shelf at Goodwill, I discovered this 24″ boxwood, priced at $22.99. I asked my husband if I could buy it for my birthday (It’s right around the corner!). He said yes, of course. When I reached the checkout, I noticed a bald spot and asked the cashier could he do anything for me. Sure, he said, how about $11.99? Damn straight. Yes sir, I replied–ring it up! It’s SO large, I’m struggling to find the right spot for it. Don’t you think it’s too big for this mirror? Or is it just me because the wreath I had hanging here before was so small?
Another Goodwill find, these plump little birds remind me of English robins, which unlike American robins, are small and chubby, rather more like chickadees than ours which are much larger (cost: $2.99 for both, value: $10-12.00 for the pair). I’ll be decorating with these for at least a little while.
Interesting metal discs (cost: 50¢), possibly for a future project.
Three pieces I recently gave my rust treatment that came from a $7.00 box 0’crud I picked up last summer: (1) wrought iron soldering something-or-other (value: $12-15.00?), (2) embossed cast iron hook (value: $8-10.00), (3) cast iron stove plate lifter (value: $5-8.00).
A toy hammer (cost: 50¢, value: $5-6.00) and an adult hammer (cost: 50¢, value: $5-6.00). I’ll give the handles a dry wood treatment.
Final Find: An paper-y, metal-y bin with a great industrial vibe (cost: $1.00, value: $10.00). I’m thinking about stenciling some numbers or maybe our surname on the other side. What do you think?
Thanks so much for stopping by today to see my vintage finds–
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The metal bin is my favorite!
I would generally walk right past paintings. How do you determine they are worth something? Especially that first one – nice find!
Great finds! I love the final metal box as is!
Wonderful goodies this week, Diana! The little robins are so sweet and the metal bin is great! I think the boxwood wood wreath is perfect on the mirror!
I think the wreath looks perfect on the mirror. They both show off very well. It is a beautiful arrangement that rings in spring.
I always enjoy seeing your vintage finds. My favorite thing this week are the metal disks. I think they are flower frogs?
Love, love the two paintings, but the oil I am having serious envy with! The frame on the barn would look great in black. The wreath looks fine on the mirror, not too big at all. And I have been picking up birds of all kinds to use as decor, they are so sweet nestled in a nest under glass cloches. And last, that bin is really cool, I’d use it as is.
Since you asked, I think the boxwood wreath is perfect with its mirror background. The metal paper bin is especially interesting to me, can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Thanks for sharing your finds. Makes me realize that I have been passing up some good stuff because I wasn’t thinking creatively. Love the dome idea.
The metal disks remind me of honeycombs! The metal pieces (from the box of crud) may look good in a frame backed with burlap for a rustic look.
On my opinion, the wreath looks good on that mirror
Oh my gosh you really do get the great hauls! I never find art worth buying at my thrift stores. That wreath is PERFECT on that mirror! I got my second large one from Target as well (on Black Friday!) Definitely stencil that galvanized box. xo Kathleen
Great stuff, of course you did wonderful on the Royal Copenhagen. The painting is magnificent, and I wouldn’t let it go–for sure, especially if it speaks to you. Fun stuff, Sandi
Lots of amazing finds! I love the paintings and I think black frame for the farmhouse. The little birds just make me smile. You had good luck this week! Hugs!
Great finds Diana. I like the size of the boxwood wreath on your mirror. Love all the good well worn metal too and always a treat to find good paintings.
Joy
I think the wreath size is fine. Looks good there. Seems like a high price though for a thrift store! Are the birds S&P’s? Just wondering, as I have some similar that are. Love the metal box & barn picture. Pinned.
Wow-dee-dow! You found some real treasures. I love those little birds. The barn painting, I think, needs a subtle color on the frame so as not to distract from the painting. Maybe pick up one of the darker greys from the barn. It’s a great painting. I am partial to barn images. As for the wreath, I think it is the perfect size for the mirror. It is the focal point and beautiful as the mirror is, it has become the showcase for the wreath. I would love to find one of those Lightening glass canning jars, too.
I’m feeling really anxious to get out and shop, shop, shop my favorite thrift stores, now! Like yesterday!
Hi Diana! LOVE those little robins. So cute. And the barn painting…I’d do a black frame and distress it just a bit. Don’t you just love thrift stores? Stay warm, Pat
i think that frame would look good in a deep barn red… those t hings iwth the holes i “THINK” are frogs… to put flowers in ..in a vase.. of course that is on ly a guess….. sure could be wrong
That first painting of the river looks exactly like a view between Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and Niagara Falls, Ontario along the road.
I have scored a 24″ high quality, full boxwood wreath at the second hand store for $5!! Who could imagine someone would donate one of those!
Oh my, what finds. The two paintings are my favorites especially the watercolor barn. Hope you share again when you paint the frame.
I was cracking up at your great finds, because they would have been in my cart at the thrift store if I found them first! I think I have found a kindred shopping spirit in you and your blog just makes me smile! Thanks for sharing.