Thrift Shops

I am amazed at what I find in thrift shops / charity shops. Brand new things (and some of them expensive) never worn or used. I'm not complaining, because recently I found a few things I had been considering buying new - but these things have a habit of 'turning up' in charity shops around here, so I waited, and sure enough they appeared!


The most recent example of this was an automatic pet feeder. I had been thinking of getting one for the chickens for a while (they are both overweight and so if I put all their food in their run for the day at once, they stuff it all down too quickly). These things are £25+ new. In the local charity shop - new - £4. It is even better than the one I was considering as it is clockwork instead of requiring batteries..... so better for leaving out in the winter.


Now I just have to 'chicken' test it while I am watching - so see if they destroy it!

I'm a thrift shop addict

OK. I have to confess I am getting addicted to thrift shops. I just don't get the same buzz when I go into a chain store and see rows and rows of the same thing. The thrill is finding that one item before someone else does, in your size. That happened to me today, but as I was with my OH I felt I couldn't try it on (as we were in a bit of a rush). So, I put it back and decided to come back later when he had gone home. It was probably less than an hour, but when I went back it had gone! I was gutted.

I have now learnt (albeit the hard way) that you have to buy it when you see it - or risk it not being there when you get back!

June 7th 2011

It's amazing the things that you can find to do when you have the pressure of a thesis to write. I have done more craft projects in the last six months than the entire year previously.


So, I have decided to start blogging. Yet another distraction. Lovely.


A bit about myself. 


I love all things recycled, up-cycled, hand made, second hand, pre-loved.. you name it. Things that have had 'other lives' seem to have so much more character than the things you can buy new. It's almost as if having been pre-owned gives them a history. Just because you no longer need / want / love something doesn't mean that someone else won't. I like the idea that things I no longer want can still be useful to someone, and that they will continue to exist and serve a purpose for someone else.


I also like making things, or up-cycling things. If I can buy that old chair or table and repaint it, or find a new purpose for something then I am happy.


So, this aim of this blog will be to document my thrifty / crafty existence, and hopefully pass on some tips and ideas to others.


Live simply.