The Value Vixen

Photo courtesy of Centsational Girl

Thrift stores can be a great place to find furniture. Especially tables, dressers, chairs and desks. I wouldn’t recommend buying couches though, unless you plan on getting it reupholstered. Also mattresses are something to avoid completely at thrift stores.

The beauty about thrifted furniture is how easy it is to change it. By painting an old chair a new color you can give it an entire new look. As a lover of antiques I love vintage styles and design but hate the poor condition of some pieces and the type of wood used.

Many finds at thrift stores need some work done on them but at such cheap prices many items are worth the extra effort to revamp them. You don’t have to be a wiz at furniture restoration either. Many websites detail simple processes to re-do furniture.

As we all know, shoes can be EXPENSIVE. Which is why thrifting for them is a great way to get a reliable pair of already worn in shoes. Many people see it as gross wearing previously owned shoes but with a little disinfectant spray and a good inspection, you could land an awesome pair of shoes for $5 or less.

Important things to know when thrifting for shoes

*Keep an eye out for name brand shoes, thrifting GOLD.

*Always check out the condition of the shoes before you purchase them. Be very thorough.

*Just because a shoe has a little wear and tear doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy it. Sometimes a loose sole can be saved with a little glue.

*Bring a pair of socks and walk around in the shoes before you buy them. (Similar to when you buy a new pair in a store)

*Remember, most items that enter thrift stores are also checked out by the employees, they don’t just throw what they are given up on the shelves.

*Keep an open mind! Which is perhaps the number one rule when thrifting.

It’s easy to think that in these poor economic conditions that thrift stores must have more business than ever, and that’s true. However, as reported in this news clip from CBS, thrift stores still struggle to make a decent profit because their expenses has gone u as well.

Check out the video and listen to some customer testimonials on the values they have gained from thrift store shopping.

For my online media class we had to shoot and edit our own videos. So I went to Blueberry Deluxe, a local store in downtown Phoenix, and interviewed the owner, Jessica Carroll. The store specializes in vintage items, recycled goods as well as handmade products.

Jessica’s store has many upcycled items as well. Upcycling is a form of recycling in which wasted materials are reused/recrafted in to a product which is more valuable than the materials used to create it. Upcycling is a practical way to create something out of “trash” which you can then sell for profit. Jessica’s store, Blueberry Deluxe, is a great example of how upcycling can result in a profit.

Although it’s not about thrift store shopping in particular, it still explores the concepts of cheaper more earth friendly clothing/accessories/products. Enjoy!

Blueberry Deluxe

Just like the title implies, I saw these items at a thrift store and thought “how neat!”. Enjoy.

Please ladies and gents, pick your jaws up off the floor. Yes, this is an actual Pegasus painting on a black velvet canvas. The frame is five kinds of hideous but this definitely belongs on a mantle somewhere.

Can you believe this is an actual calculator? Just imagine the look on your classmates’ faces when you pull  this baby out of your backpack during math class!

Now I don’t sew… but I do love all things antique. This was very cool because it’s one of those actual desks that can hide the sewing machine! You simply spin it over and it hides itself under the desk. I was pretty tempted to spend the $15 for this, but when would I have the time to learns sewing? A sad day.

This was definitely nifty. Once again, my love for antiques drives me to want to buy not-needed things just for the vintage factor. Other than missing a handle this piece wasn’t too bad. An easy fix. But alas, I only have my Zune and CDs and I’m not sure this is compatible…

While some items may just be downright hilarious or amusing, some things you shouldn’t buy at thrift stores because of actual health risks/ hazards. Here are some of the items you should NEVER purchase.

That’s right, underwear. Used underwear is never a good idea. No matter how clean or unstained they may appear, don’t trust it. Unmentionables are always something you should buy new.

“Personal items”. This is, for lack of a better word, is icky. Don’t buy pre-used personal items. I’ve also seen portable toilets for the elderly in thrift stores. Just back slowly away.

Unfortunately this picture isn’t of very good quality. But this stove was in pretty bad condition. No matter what the price I’m not sure burning down your home is worth a $20 stove.

I assume cheap “naughty” magazines may be pretty tempting for young men on a budget, but you really must ask yourself: “Who used this before me?” I shiver to think what a black light might reveal on this. Put it down.

And, on a less serious note, keep fashion in mind. No velvet belly shirts please.

Although thrift store shopping can have many advantages it will also bring you in contact with some pretty frightening items. Here are some such items I came across in my most recent thrift shopping adventure.

It’s common knowledge that porcelain clown figurines are evil/possessed. This is obviously here for a reason.

This figurine is an odd combination of a garden gnome dressed as a fireman that seems to be tied up while holding an axe. Why?

Oh Richard Simmons… with such an appealing title as “Toning Downtown” who wouldn’t want to buy your workout video?

It really is heartbreaking when people leave family photos of loved ones in the frames they donate. Do grandpa and grandma really deserve this?

For the lovely lady golfer in your life why not buy her a sweater vest showcasing her “kind” actively participating in the sport? Classy.

But you know, often sifting through piles of these amusingly horrific finds helps make the true treasures you discover so much more rewarding. So, sift on!

My Whale Phone!

So last week I stopped by the Value Village by my house. I came across this phone and was in total awe of how unique and humorous it is. So I left without buying it and went to school.

I couldn’t get it out of my mind for some reason and decided to look it up online just to do some research. And I actually found it! Turns out this little baby sells for $130!!!

So the next day I stopped by after school and bought it for $12.99. I got home and plugged it in and it works… to a degree. It receives calls and you can make calls on it, but it won’t ring! And the ring of this phone is supposed to be the best part about it! It’s supposed to make whale/splashing noises to alert you of a call.

I’m seriously contemplating getting it fixed. Where I would get this done I’m not sure but I’m going to look in to it. A phone this awesome deserves to be fixed. Am I right?

Me chatting it up in style.

So until I get it fixed I will just be making calls on it seeing as I will never actually know whether or not I am receiving a call. With the recent whale trainer killing in the news this is kind of ironic huh? Oh well. Whales may be dangerous but they sure make “killer” phones!

An Effort of Love

I’ve noticed on other thrift blogs that many of them have at least one post on how to clean thrifted items. It’s common knowledge that buying second hand items has its setbacks. Items can be cracked/broken/scratched/dirty. However, when you are purchasing the item for a fraction of its original price it doesn’t hurt to throw in some elbow grease and make the effort to salvage the  good.

BFFs Forever

The best friend you will ever acquire is the Mr. Clean magic eraser. It is literally magic. From crayon marks to mysterious stains and any discoloration issues imaginable, the magic eraser will fix it. Just get it wet and watch it magically erase the mistakes of owners past.

Sticky Foes

However, Mr. Clean can be too tough for his own good.  Sometimes the Mr. Clean magic erasers can erase too much and ebb away at paint or varnish you wish to keep. So when you have a delicate item that has something adhesive stuck to it that you wish to remove try Goo Gone. Goo Gone dissolves left over adhesive material which makes it easier for you to slough off the unwanted sticky mess without damaging pressure.

Mask the Problems

If you are still unable to get rid of discolorations or markings on your thrifted treasures why not mask the imperfections by a fresh coat of paint? You won’t feel any guilt painting over items because you didn’t spend that much on them in the first place. A new color or fresh coat of paint can even give new life to otherwise irreparable items.

Sanitizing things that will come in contact with your body is also very important when buying pre-used items. Here are a few tips on how to sanitize clothes and jewelry.

Things College Students Should Thrift For

* Shoes. New shoes can be very expensive. Thrifted shoes can be purchased for a fraction of the price of new shoes, and by paying less you can buy more pairs for a wider variety.

* Desks/Lamps. Every student needs a decent desk and lamp for homework. Find a cheap desk at a thrift store and give it a new coat of paint. Add in a funky, cheap lamp.

* Cups. From mugs to wine glasses it is always smart to have some on hand. You can use cups when entertaining friends. You can also use a mug for tea or coffee.

* Vases. Vases are cheap. Add fresh flowers and bring some cheer to your room.

* Baskets/Tins. Success in school requires good organization. Baskets and tins can be used to organize and collect clutter.

* Sentimental Decor. Being away from home can be tough. Buying some cheap items that remind you of home or family can help take away homesickness.