cats and crickets

So this is a Jim Shore piece. The kitty has a halo and angel wings... I think I'm sending it to a friend for Christmas.

The cricket, I should probably keep for myself. They are lucky after all. I don't have a hearth, but he can sit on the radiator.

And who doesn't need a cheese spreader?

Pewter mug for a pirate party

My best friend is turning 50. She is a very young fifty and has decided to have a party. A themed party.

A pirate-themed party.

And we have to dress up.

So I got myself a new (to me) pewter mug with a glass bottom. And I actually have all the rest already. It's going to be a blast.

I did break down and buy one really new thing. Tentacle fingers. No foolin. I'll put up pictures soon.

Oh yeah, and the brass plate needs cleaning, but it's got really cool patterns on it. And the cake plate has a lift out bottom. So, super cool.

Things to read and make me happy

It's been a rough work week.

So busy. I have been kept hopping at both jobs. I stopped by the thrift last night after work. It was about 10 minutes to closing and I ran in to do a quick search for anything neat.

In books, I have been coming up mostly empty. But I found this. It is pretty interesting. I look forward to reading it in my non-existent down time.

And these are just because I love pretty glass bottles. And I always like to have some stirrers on hand. I make all kinds of drinks in the summer that I can use these with. Sangria and mojitos and hibiscus tea oh my!

And Things

I've been using the Rings and Things holder for my hair clips. Works well. And look! Another candle holder.

The napkin rings are just cute. Since there are only two of us, the fact that there are only two of them doesn't bug me. I think I'll use them for our anniversary dinner, which will probably be pot roast. And they'll probably go around paper napkins.

We're not fancy people.

Little teeny cuteness

So I have always loved miniatures. These would have thrilled me when I was a child!

Now I'm not sure what to do with itty-bitty wineglasses.

And candlesticks, decanters and an ice bucket.

My neighbor has a little girl who loves her dolls. Maybe I'll give them to her.

Is it an Ink Well?

Funny brass thing, little flip top... I think it's an ink well!


What do you think?

For pictures?

I assume this cork and ceramic dohickey is for holding photos. The brass circles and glass come off and you can put pictures behind them. It is neat, but I don't know if I'll keep them.

The cute little box is going to hold stuff. I'm not really sure what yet, but it will hold stuff. Linking up here today!

Alice and Bananas

I found this lovely brass Ankh on the shelf and knew that it had a place in my home. The bananas are a little leather change purse. They reminded me of Andy Warhol, of course. They need a zipper pull, but other than that, it's in perfect condition.

And when I saw the Alice in Wonderland copy, I knew that my thrift shopping day was complete.

When you find things with that much randomness, it's so much less than random.

What do you think the thrift universe is trying to tell me?

Saber!

Would you believe that I paid $.27 for this cocktail pick?

It's sitting in my clay bin. It's great for making holes in my beads.

And for making me smile. I look at it and revert to middle school. I imagine a little mouse holding it and shouting, 'REDWALLL!'

Frogs

I love frogs. I love brass thingies.

This guy is both. And kind of a whats-it besides! Three of the best things rolled in to one. He's a clip. The holes on the leaf are screw holes, but it's not a very strong clip, so I don't know what he's meant to hold. Maybe it was more powerful once.

The pin frog just called to me. I have seen it all over the internet and Pinterest mostly as a picture holder. I'll see what I can come up with.

The ceramic garden frog....is probably a toad. He's all bumpy and chubby.

Love is a toad.

Bitters

Bitters bottles. They are glorious.  I admit, the teal square shaped one is an ink bottle I believe. But I don't really care. Lovely little colorful glass bottles. YAY!

And what is a house without a gong? I have a smaller one but it is missing it's paddle. The nut jar is destined to hold all my soy nuts. I love them on salads and ground up in sauces. I put them in breading mixes and in bowls and just eat them.

The die belong in an apothecary jar on my bookshelf. I have several other sets in there as well. All colors.

Duh-Duh....

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the thrift store!

My favorite find of the past month. He's only a couple inches long and needs some cleaning. But I think he's just perfect.

Awhile ago, I posted a pic of a little brass whale that I found and put in my bathroom window sill. I'm going to replace him with this guy and wait to see how long before my husband notices. He's not fond of sharks, so I think he'll notice pretty quick.

The Mongol Horde

My friend had a birthday in early december. But he's been out of the country for school. So when he recently came home for a visit, I was so excited to give him the present I've been saving for him.

It's a children's book from the 1950s. And it falls perfectly into his area of study. I thought of him immediately when I saw it and would've bought it for him even if there was no birthday or holiday coming up. Sometimes things just speak to me that way.

These just said take me home.

But I thought they looked awesome with the book, so I gave him one and kept the other. Turkish scimitar letter openers. How does life get better?

Other uses for my dutch oven

The last thing I posted about was this beautiful dutch oven I bought. I haven't posted any new things for a few days, because I've been Christmas shopping instead of Thrifting. And baking instead of dealing.

For a pollyanna exchange I was involved in this past weekend, I made my friend a gnome. Okay. I took a bendi doll and made him some clothes and a hat and a beard. But when I went to dress him, his 'skin' was the same snowy white as his beard. So he needed to get a bath.

Here he is hot tubbin in some nice black tea. It's not like it's the most appealing thing to bathe in, but if I could get a tan in that way, I'd take a bath in tea in an instant.

He's finished, but more pictures later!

Cast Iron Dutch Oven

I bought a dutch oven. It is a beautiful burgundy color with great brass handles.

And yes, I washed it right away and that's a beautiful pot roast. My husband was very grateful for this purchase. My last pot roast pan was so over large that I can cook an 18 pound turkey in it. This is much more manageable. It can stay downstairs, where I can use it more often, instead of in the attic.

Holiday Cards

I am always in need of more places to put my holiday cards. I thought that this picture holder would be a nice change from the front of the fridge.

And the glasses! It's a eyeglass holder. You are meant to hook your glasses through the chain so they are always at hand. I think I'll put it in my bedroom and hang my spares pair of glasses on it.

And aren't the blue plates dreamy? I don't know what to do with them, but I'll probably find some kind of hors d'oeuvres to serve on them at one party or another this year. I'll probably do a cheese ball of some kind. And serve it with that AWESOME pampered chef serving knife.

The brass cups are going to hold small bits on my craft table. I can never have too many compartments when it comes to that table. I use stuff, sort it into smaller categories, pour them into separate bowls and POOF! I'm out of bowls again.

And that serving fork. Very cool. I have some spoons and forks of the same pattern already cut apart for key chains, and jewelry. I am in need of a butane torch. But when I get it, that fork will become a bracelet in short order.

Tea!

I love tea. I love the texture, the smells, the different flavors created from little leaves. I love the complex flavors, the subtle-ness that can be achieved. It's my beverage of choice.

I have a problem with teapots. I think they are beautiful! I can't get enough of how interesting they are. They can be all different shapes and textures and materials.... But it's not something I can put in a cup and drink. And I don't actually like to put tea in them. I prefer to make each cup of tea separately. So my husband told me I wasn't allowed to buy any more teapots. I have about 4 of them already, which isn't a lot, but they are bulky.

So I think I'll hide it for awhile.

And OMG! Piggy! He is so tiny, I love him so. His nostrils are actually holes and he has a little plug in his tummy, so I think he is a salt and pepper shaker. Unfortunately I only found one. But he is just so cute I don't think I care too much.

A place to park things

A few weeks ago, I started making some soaps. I use an olive oil base and it makes you real nice and clean, but I have been looking for additives that aren't so expensive. I have been using culinary grade herbs to give them a bit of a kick, but their looks still leave a bit to be desired. These soap dyes are going to come in very handy.

I am hoping to use the incense burner often. I love incense, but hate the mess. This should contain it nicely.

And I have never been inclined to chew gum and then leave it somewhere...but if I ever get the urge to do so, I know where to leave it.

Mary Todd

Abraham Lincoln was one heck of a president. From illiterate backwoodsman to lawyer to president. And of course the assassination makes him even more compelling. What else could he have accomplished in his lifetime? What makes him even more interesting is his apparent sense of humor and his relationship with his wife. Mary Todd Lincoln. I found a biography on their marriage. It looks wonderful. Filled with all the personal details history class seems compelled to leave out.

My husband has started working with stained glass. I thought the bird would be a good inspiration for him. And I love the pattern on that scarf! I might use it as a table runner or something just so I get to see it all the time.

As you know I love glassware, so the sandwich glass teacup has an appointment with it's fate as a tea light holder. Until I get full sets of things they get to be candle holders. I don't care if they are all different colors, I would prefer it if they were. But one sandwich glass teacup, some corelle and ceramic mugs just do not stack well in a cabinet. I drink from the ceramics, use the corelle as prep bowls and baking cups and the rest of the miscellany get to hold candles.

The brass mug on the other hand....not sure what to do with that yet. But I've never seen a mug like it before. And that's my gold standard for thrifting.

Jaguar!

My mom was thrilled to get the grapes plate, it fits perfectly into an empty spot she has in her store. I just have to get her a plate stand for it.

Do you see that awesome jaguar picture? It is so awesome that I can't even tell you. And some reflecting balls, 2 candle holders, very cute brass cats....oooo, and that brass vessel! I've seen many that shape, but they have all been obviously trinkety souvenirs, complete with town or country carved onto the sides. I think that it is going to be perfectly sized for some essential oil I need to keep in my kitchen.

The towel bar is for bracelets. It works great and saves space. Great for apartment living.

I also picked up some more little salt and pepper shakers. More photo holders on the way.

Happiness is always finding what you need. And finding it cheaper and cooler than you expected.....now that is a Thriftscore.