Shopping Antique Malls And Thrift Stores
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Lately I’ve been drawn to shopping at antique malls and thrift stores. So I went to Jenks to visit River City Trading Center.
And look what a handsome fella I brought home.
My big blue rooster was $15. For some reason I fell in love with him. He was large and the price was right. I knew he would look right at home on my patio among all the plants.
Now did I need that blue rooster? No. Would I ever come across one that big for that price in the near future? Unlikely. Unless you haunt these places every single day and maybe not even then.
I actually rarely bring many items home. Because by now, I know a good buy as soon as I lay my eyes on it.ย
There’s a method to my antique mall madness.
How To Spot Deals:
It’s always fun to go with a friend. But I get busy talking and forget about stooping down to look in every nook and cranny. And it’s in those nooks and crannies where I tend to find the most precious of deals.
So for me it takes concentration.
Shopping Antique Malls & Thrift Stores:
I’ve had this desire for purchasing small vintage bottles lately. And I found a few yesterday to add to my little collection. But I refuse to pay more than $2-$3 per bottle, no matter what size it is.
Did I need those bottles? No. But they were cheap and I just loved the look of them. I knew they would look great lined up in a vintage box.
I’d seen some similar bottles before and passed them up. And yep, next time I went back they was gone. Someone else had snapped them up.
Try not to be intimidated by a full booth that looks overwhelming. Just take it a section and a row at a time.
Let your eyes move up and down slowly. I like to start at the top and work my way down. Decide on a method that works for you.
Know When To Grab It Now Or Come Back Later:
Well, folks, there isn’t much chance you can go back later and still find that treasure waiting for you. Not if it was a decent price.
It has most likely already gone home with someone else.ย So if it’s something you’re really attached to, you’d better buy it when you spot it.ย
I find that I put things in my basket, then at the end go through everything and put a lot back.
I’ve learned that it’s really hard to go back down the aisles and look in every booth till I find something I just know I saw. And now can’t find.
So it’s better to grab it when you see it. And mull over your decision to buy it while you already have it in your shopping cart.
(I found these brown shutters and the white wooden cow at River City Trading Center).
When To Go Shopping:
I typically go early in the morning when they’re just opening the doors. And I go early in the week most of the time.ย
First of all, it’s too hot in there in the summer. Their air conditioning is real spotty. So going as early as possible means it will be less uncomfortable.
I’ve learned that going early in the week usually means there’s less shoppers to have to navigate around.
Rusty The Rooster:
I found this rooster at the open area garden center that sits in front of River City Trading. It was some years ago and cost me about $60.
I named him Rusty The Rooster and quickly decided that he was a sheriff or deputy who would look over my garden space.
Love Your Home:
Your home, no matter its size or construction, is your castle. So buy things you truly love to decorate it.
There’s no need to collect dozens of things.ย Otherwise you end up not having enough room to display them. And what good are they to you sitting in a box in the basement?
But, if you have more than a few collections and have the room to store them, you can always resort to rotating them.ย
If you have too many things in the collection, nothing stands out as being special.ย So if you’re going to fork over the money, make sure it’s very special to you.
great to hear that you are walking better!! Makes life so much easier, says one who knows that struggle!
Love your rooster and bottles… hey we only live once right? I love picking up inexpensive treasures on my journeys. Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air
That is so cute, Brenda! I find great places in Indiana and Michigan…well rural places. Then its fun!
Jane
I'm giving myself the next year to "edit" my belongings. I truly do enjoy things, and have accumulated way too much. I've always been an all or nothing sort of person, but now I see that that approach to decorating isn't the best for me. So, editing it is! So far, I'm struggling, but I know I need to do it.
Hi Brenda, love your rooster. Glad you're able to junk! I've been itching to go to a local antique/craft store lately and your post has headed me in that direction! Also love your bottles in the vignette! Thanks for the inspiration! Lynn
Great advice Brenda. Love your new blue rooster. So sweet.
Kris
Your shopping and decorating advice is on target. Our own style with what we love always looks most pleasing. The two roosters are so different but each so interesting.
One more hint …. remember that the price of everything is negotiable. ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ
I am thrilled that you are out of the boot and able to go…..shoppin'…..woo hoo
So, do you use your rooster outside, in among your flowers.? I have a really big one that's metal and I hadn't thought to put it outside…how cute…I will stick him out there tomorrow and see how he likes it…:)
I really like your advice about putting things in your cart to "protect" them as you continue shopping ~
Happy thrifting!
Love that Rooster! AND glad to hear you are able to be out and about more. I was just on the weather channel online and saw headlines that Tulsa got clobbered / hope all is well with you. ( They are a bit dramatic sometimes…every time they make it sound as if St. Louis was wiped off the map in a storm I worriedly text my oldest son and it seems that it all passed him by ๐
I'm overdue for an antique mall visit. Not that I need anything, but it's fun to look and you never know when you might see something you can't resist.
I agree. It's best to stick with just a few collections to keep your home from looking too cluttered. Love your new rooster! Sounds like shopping was good therapy.
I would have had to buy the blue rooster too as hes so lovely. I also have collected a few old glass bottles, one was dug up by my OH and the others given to me and they look nice grouped together on my mantle.
I love the rooster! That's my favorite color too. Quite a deal…good for you!
Your Rooster is adorable. I wish I could find more yard art for my tiny backyard. The roosters I find are out of my price range. I will just have to keep looking. Hopefully I will lucky like you and find one I can afford that is as adorable as yours. Karie
Once again we are on the same wavelength. My post earlier this morning was about rotating my vintage found items in seasonal vignettes. That rooster is awesome. I am looking for the scrap metal goats that are very popular here now but run about $60. Won't pay that so looking for a steal. Great tips for shopping. I am bad about trying to go back and find something which is almost impossible. I like your method of putting it in the basket while making a final decision.
I love your new rooster! Looks perfect outside in your lovely garden area.
Love your rooster, great find. Also, so glad you are doing better and can get out and about more.
I love the blue rooster and that is a very good price. I too hunt the bargains at my Antique Malls. You do have to take your time and really look. It's a fun way to get out of the house at times and I usually don't spend much money at all, but I get excited about those bargains.