Why don't I thrift more often!?!! This past weekend I rediscovered there's little reason to ever buy anything new. I found much needed sun hats for the boys for .50 cents and .25 cents each. Had I really been planning to spend $5-10 dollars each for hats at a big box store? Just for convenience sake? Yes, I was! Crazy.
Why don't I go often? It's because I always have the kids with me and rifling through a large store of merchandise is not fun with two little boys. I already take them grocery shopping and that is, so, all I can handle! Luckily, my dear husband has finally quit his weekend job! Yay, for family time! Yay, for me time! So this weekend I went to a few thrift stores all by my lonesome!
Somewhere I watched a Waldorf video or listened to an audio that suggested having a basket of baskets in a playroom. I loved this idea so much I decided it was my thrifting mission. Thrift stores are chuck full of baskets so it wasn't difficult at all. This large basket was just $3. And most of them inside were .50 cents or less.
There's no limit in the way they can be played with! We used them with our play food of course.
And they're fabulous boats. These tiny ones were .25 cents each.
This handmade hot air balloon was .25 cents at a yard sale. Michael's beloved dog fits just right. (Michael is annoyed to halt playing and take a pic.)
This wooden leaf bowl and platter were just .99 cents each at different stores.
I found this little incomplete tea set a couple of months ago. I love the nursery rhyme and that it's fairly gender neutral. This was an antique store find so it was a little more money, I think $10. Online I've seen them selling for much more than that.
And our big find today! This wooden block set with a slightly damaged wooden crate. This was $6.99! I'm repairing the wooden crate and we're going to use it to create walls with. I'm also working on cleaning up the blocks- sanding where needed and bees-waxing them.
I'm always amazed at how beautiful a beeswax finish is. The bottom block still needs to be sanded and finished. Look at the difference! And the smell of beeswax is so heavenly!
Fun, fun! Next time I need to manifest a small piece of furniture to make a DIY play kitchen out of. All you thrifters, send me some thrifty mojo please!
Until next time...
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What great finds. I love the basket of baskets idea.
ReplyDeleteWell done, mama! My kids LOVE playing with baskets, and I love collecting baskets, so it's a happy woven mix. I was out thrifting this weekend as well, and managed to get some beautiful clothing for my Middling all for under a dollar each. Yay!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great demonstration of the marvel of a beeswax finish!
Nice finds!!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job! I have a hard time finding much I think will be useful to me when I'm thrifting. I have gotten lots of baskets like those though for use on our Montessori shelves. Love the homemade hot air balloon!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful finds! This weekend I scored some wonderful treats too! They were having 50% off everything the day after I went so of course I had to go back. I will post soon my findings, that made me so giddy! :)
ReplyDeleteWith the beeswax, how do you keep it clean? I find it seems to build up dirt, but I love using it, any ideas?
Thanks all!
ReplyDeleteLynnette- I haven't noticed dirt build up. I wonder if it's the buffing? After you put a layer of wax on- leave it for an hour or so and then wipe it off. Then take a clean rag and rub to buff it. There shouldn't be any residue left to collect dirt after that. After a beeswax finish there's now a protective barrier so dirt can't penetrate the wood. These blocks came with a lot of dirt and residue on them, paint, even candy residue that just sinks in the wood without that barrier. I've had to sand it off. My husband think I'm crazy to take such time on each block. lol, I enjoy it though.
is your beeswax polish just beeswax? or is it mixed with something. that block comparison got me thinking our blocks could be so much more lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the beeswax polish information. It makes sense when I think about it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Desert Canyon Farm is located in Canon City, CO.
woowoomama- Here's a link to a recipe and instructions on how to apply at Wee Folk Art. http://weefolkart.com/content/building-blocks-part-3-finishing-wood
ReplyDeleteIt's olive oil and beeswax mix. Happy bees-waxing!
Becca
oh becca i adore second hand! and you snagged some amazing deals! love the baskets in a basket idea. xo
ReplyDeletewhat great finds- I have some great finds I need to photograph and post.
ReplyDeletewhooooooooaaaa mama!
ReplyDeletenow, those are some awesome finds! I am a self proclaimed hard core thrifer...mostly because we dont have the money to spend at regular stores, but also because I so enjoy the thrill. i so know what tyou mean about dragging the kids along (even though I have just one and it's probably a bit easier for me) it kind of kills the buzz, and I mean that with the most love and respect to my son! haha! Luckily, when my father visits, which is about 1x month, he watches my son in the store while I shop. it is such a gift!! My "alone time" during the week is grocery shopping (saturday nights), and I feel very lucky.
that tea set is beautiful!!! I recently found a vintage red picnic tablecloth style dress that i *need* to photograph and post!
much love to you:) xoxo
yay, what great finds, especially the blocks! Isnt it fun to put the first coat of beeswax on things and see how nice they look:)
ReplyDeleteIt sure is Karen. So beautiful! Can't wait to see your finds Ren- Lady and Rebecca. Rebecca you have been such an inspiration to me. I loved your articles about being thrifty in Waldorf. There's no reason to feel like you have to break the bank!
ReplyDeleteWe just went to the thrift store yesterday, I'll be posting my awesome finds soon. I do love a good thrifty find. I totally agree about taking the kiddos. Noah always goes into the stroller and I find the first most interesting non breakable thing that he can examine. Cami normally walks beside me curious about all the stuff.
ReplyDeletewonderful finds! I get all my bolga baskets at the thrift store. Amazing what people get rid of!
ReplyDeleteoooh, Mandi, bolga! I'll have to be on the look out for those! So beautiful!
ReplyDelete