The thrift stores were much improved this week, a development I can attribute only to Amy's sternly worded memo. It's good to have friends with authority.
Multiple visits to multiple stores yielded ornaments, cards, a wreath and other whatnots. (And that tree, which I play with far more than I should.)
Already feeling thrifter's remorse over the wreath. I was able to look past the gold and the plastic to all that flocking and its original box. But it's pretty big. And I have no place to put it. And not as much motivation as I thought to redecorate it. Let's move on to more successful purchases.
This little collection of ornaments was approved by the thrift store manager, who as I picked them up said "Aren't those graphics wonderful?" I have had many such discussions with the manager, who is a real sweetheart and, sadly, pretty knowledgable about vintage. As I was checking out, the store clerk took a closer look at the ornaments in back, with their handpainted designs, and said, "These are from Poland, you know." So we had a nice discussion about the origins of various Christmas ornaments. I am probably the only person in America who shops at a thrift store staffed by people with a reasonable degree of knowledge about vintage Christmas decorations. It's nice, but it doesn't necessarily work to my benefit.
There is no shortage of Christmas cards in this house, but I could not resist these.
This decoration is fairly unattractive, but it was a quarter, so I bought it for one of the ornaments (the little red glass ball in the middle, which is already on my tree). Once I got the ornaments off the frame, though, I thought it had some possibilities. I'll let you know how that goes.
I am a real purist when it comes to original packaging and not messing with objects that are perfectly good the way they are. However, I draw the line on the cellophane packaging on latter-day Gurley candles. You're free to disagree, of course.
However, I think Santa agrees with me.
It's Saturday morning, and some other stores are calling my name. Have a lovely weekend, all!
