Guest Post: Thrift store treasure: buttons!

I am thrilled to share a guest post with you from one of my March Sponsors!  Grab a glass of sweet tea and enjoy:

I’m Laurie Jackson, a March sponsor and happy to be guest blogging today on Design to Shine!  If you’ve ever stopped by to visit my blog, Indulge Your Shelf, you’ll know that I love to shop at stores like Goodwill just as much as Sherri does!  To me, it’s a treasure hunt, and my idea of treasure is antique china, vintage kitsch, old linens, lace, trim…and buttons.

The photo above is part of my button haul the other day.  I was at an ARC charity store and found all those buttons in a plastic bag, hidden amongst the balls of yarn, bags of ribbon, and sewing patterns.  The bag was $1.99.

I use buttons all the time as embellishments in my sewing projects, and in my paper art.  But I also collect them, and these glass buttons in different shapes and colors are a lovely addition to my collection!

To me, buttons are tiny works of art, and the vintage and antique ones evoke history and the romance of a bygone era.

If you feel the same way about buttons, please join us on Button Floozies, another blog of mine that is actually a button community.  There are more than 70 people who write and share photos of their buttons, button projects, and button-related information on the blog.  Right now, we are taking sign ups for a swap to create a button-decorated fabric needlebook.  Also, a British author who wrote a button book is giving away three copies of her book in honor of National Button Week!  There’s always something button-y going on at Button Floozies!

Many of the buttons above are made from shell; mother-of-pearl buttons are among my very favorite to collect and I especially love the carved and/or specially shaped ones, like the stars in the lower left corner.  Shell is among the oldest material for button-making, and do you know that by studying antique buttons, scientists can learn about ancient ocean temperature and depths.

The stars and shapes above are made from an early plastic that is today prized by collectors: Bakelite.  The little red key was another hidden treasure; probably part of an old brooch, it will find its way to being repurposed into a piece of my jewelry!

Of course, in practically every thrift store button tin or bag you will find something other than buttons…

such as these beads and baubles; the red and brown button-like objects above are classified as “trim”: think sequins, but with two holes.

At the same store on the same day, I found the above box of sorted buttons.  It was priced at $4.99.  There were enough buttons in there for all your craft projects – plus plenty to share!

And some of them are quite charming!

This box held a real treasure:

a studio “watch crystal” button, with a sweing theme.  These buttons are collectible and this one is worth every bit (and more) of the $5 I paid for the whole box!

If you share my love of buttons, crafting, and thrift store treasure-hunting, come on by one of my blogs!  Any friend of Sherri’s is a friend of mine!


Awww THANKS Laurie for being such a wonderful blog friend and for being one of my very first sponsors.   YOU are a 'real treasure'!

Thrifty Fashion Finds 3.17.12

Hello, my name is Sherri and I am a thrift-aholic shopper.  Now you know.  Or maybe you have figured that out before my confession.  There is more...are you sitting down?  I haven't been to a retail mall in almost 2 years!  My last purchase in a mall was Victoria's Secret.  Because I do have certain standards.  Which means ladies, that my under garments must be new.

I thought I would start sharing my thrift finds each week.   This will allow me to keep up with my addiction and hopefully will hold me accountable to donate other items from my closet.   Here is this week's thrift haul:

Black Land's End short sleeve top, Goodwill - $0.99 (color of the week, half off)

Fuschia short sleeve blouse, Goodwill - $1.99 (another color of the week)

Striped sleeveless top by Nine and Company, Goodwill - $3.99

Light blue Banana Republic blouse, consignment boutique - $5.59

Navy pleated skirt, Salvation Army - $0.99 (color of the week)

Beaded choker, Salvation Army - $0.99

Earrings, consignment boutique - $2.79

Lee Jeans for Bear, Salvation Army - $1.99

My total, minus Bear's jeans - $17.33

To give you insight into my addiction:  I made two lunch hour runs, one day to Goodwill and the other to Salvation Army.  Today, Bear and I visited with his Granny (my Mom) a her Beauty Shop, afterwards we dropped in two consignment shops.  Then on our way home stopped in our local Goodwill and Salvation Army.  This week is probably a record number of visits even for me!  For the record, I did not find anything in one of the consignment stores, nor in my local Goodwill today.  The first 3 tops were purchased earlier in the week at a lunchtime Goodwill drop in.  The pleated skirt from the Salvation Army lunch visit.  I did find the Banana Republic blouse and earrings today in the 2nd consignment boutique.  Cutest secondhand store ever!  The owner once worked for Abercrombie.  It shows in her store and displays, hence the 'boutique' status.  Today's Salvation Army find's were jeans for Bear and the adorable beaded choker for me.  To see my find's in action, check out my new thrifty fashion post! 

What are your recent thrift store scores?

Farm Valentine's Mantel

Read with a Southern accent

Hi Ladies!  (and maybe even a few Gents)  Lemme pour you up a tall glass of sweet iced tea.  We can rest a bit in the 'Sitting' room.  Why YES I did re-do my mantel!  It's kinda like that show on the TV; Extreme Makeover.  I just pulled everything down, dusted it off like my Momma taught me, gathered up all the old country farm items I could put my hands on and stuck 'em up there.  Honey, all that loveliness didn't cost me a dime!  I kid you not!

I'm just pea green with envy over all those ladies crisp white mantels that you see all over blogland.  So I decided I had to do something about it.  Now painting that rock just isn't an option.  I'd find myself sleeping in the hen house.  Then I remembered I'd stolen some white shutters a few years ago from this junk store at a little over two bucks each.  That would give me the white brightness I desired.

Since Valentine's is coming up, there had to be a few touches of red.  

To hide the fact that the roses are fake as them nails those gals get put on down at the 'Toe-n-Go', I stuffed that mason jar with paper shreds.  If you promise not to tell my secret I'll share where I got them.  Lean in real close now.  I bought them last year at the Dollar Tree; 2 bunches of 'em.  I did!  I swear.  And those books, well I snagged them at the Goodwill for nearly nothing.  Uh huh, I shop religiously at the Goodwill.  Don't you dare tell the Jr. Women's League.  Cause they think I paid megga bucks for those fancy name brand duds I wear to the meetings.  The heart shaped rug beater is a bone-afide antique that I found in a small store several years ago.  My little chubby bird was on clearance after Christmas a couple of seasons ago.

On the other side, I did that fancy technique of layering with that saying board.  It used to hang on the wall.  Might have to put it back up there one day.  The butter mold?  It's another for real antique.  My grandmother actually made butter in it.  Sure enough!  I bet that takes a long time.  

Don't tell the Farmer, but I pulled that lantern off the back porch.  Sure did!  Had to spit shine her though.  It was mighty dirty.  For some reason, my mantel isn't complete without my old bottles.  They seem to sneak in every time I redo the thing.

You need that sweet tea topped off?  Sure thing Sugah!  It really is the simple things in life, ain't it? I've found I don't have to spend a fortune to fancy things up a bit here and there around this old Farm place.  Besides it sure makes me smile.   

I've enjoyed our little visit.  Hunny, I sure do hope you will drop back by the farm.  We might even bake up something deLish next time.  Cause I know you've got to run along down the road to those fun parties:

Link to Valentine's Day Mantel Party

 

Goodwill Glamorous Fashions (WIWW)

Welcome to another addition of Goodwill Glamorous Fashions!  

About 2 years ago, I discovered that I could purchase name brand work clothes for mere pennies (compared to the big stores) at my local Goodwill and Salvation Army.  Since I've always had to be mindful of my budget, buying clothes at Goodwill stores allows me to add more to my wardrobe for a lot less money.  I post my outfits to prove you can look 'glamorous' (decent, professional) in cheap thrifted clothes.  I also join in some blog linky fun with What I Wore Wednesday at the Pleated Poppy, along with hundreds of other 'just like me' ladies sharing their weekly fashions.

Friday - Work, presentation to a crowd of 700 students and parents at Spring Semester Orientation

At the end of a very long day in bad lighting. (This outfit was inspired by Pinterest).  

Long sleeve striped top - Express Tricot, via Goodwill

Print scarf - Goodwill

Red skirt - Hasper & Company via Goodwill

Red slim belt - Salvation Army 99 cents
Wool Liz Claiborne black jacket (not shown due to either old lady hot flashes or just the fact it is unseasonably warm in Georgia right now!) - Goodwill

Black Boots - gifted from Belk's Christmas 2010

On stage in front of a huge crowd. 

Saturday - Errands all over town and an evening with friends

Gray striped top - Target

Infinity scarf - Rue 21, recently $7.99

Lime green puffy vest - SJB Active via Goodwill

Jeans by a.n.a. via Goodwill

Gray flower pin - I made it! Thanks to Creative Cain Cabin's tutorial.
You can't see my tennis shoes.  Yep, I wore 'em!  My feet were tired.

Sunday - t-shirt and lounging pants (Be glad I spared you!)
Monday - 1st day of classes at the U (work)

So I was informed last week by a co-worker that it's not purple, the proper color term is 'Eggplant'.
So here's my new to me, oh so comfy Eggplant skirt - Coldwater Creek via Goodwill
Funky shirt - Apt 9 via Goodwill
Black Boots - gifted
While I may be styling the correct color; I'm not really thrilled with the way this looks on me.  Maybe it was just a bad choice of walls to stand in front of for a photo op.  I'm not THAT washed out (please see above photo...Ack!)  However, the skirt is soft and was a great choice of comfort for a busy Monday!
Tuesday - work

Rainy day in Georgia Glam.  My favorite outfit from the work photos.
New Direction slinky feeling top - Goodwill
Black dress pants - Goodwill
Black boots again (my winter go to shoes, can ya tell?)
Necklace - gifted from my daughter
Black drop earrings - Cato's

That's it for this week folks!  3 work outfits and one weekend wear compliments of my local thrift stores. 

Did you know that January is one of the BEST month's for thrifting?

Stuck with an Awful Holiday Gift?

You are NOT alone!  49 million people admit to receiving some crummy unwanted gift during the holidays.  So what the heck do you do with that pitiful present from old Aunt Em?  Well, I can tell you what most people do with it (per Consumer Reports).  Most of ya,do like your Momma taught ya by smiling real big, hugging Aunt Em and make the best of it.  Or you just stuff that ugly sweater, goofy gadget or hideous nick-nack  in some out of sight, out of mind spot.  Why not do something different this year, other than re-gifting it to your least favorite co-worker next Christmas?

Ya'll already know I LOVE my thifting.  Plus there's that saying we all know - "One woman's trash is another woman's treasure."  So grab that forgotten trinket in the back corner of your closet and drop it off at your nearest Goodwill or Salvation Army donation center!  Then you can drive away with that warm and fuzzy feeling knowing Aunt Em blessed someone else with a perfect-for-them treasure.  Besides, I know you all went and made a New Year's resolution to 'de-clutter'.  ;-)

What's the WORST gift you've ever received?

Winter Mantel - A bit flakey

After taking down the Christmas decorations, our mantel looked so bleak...depressing actually.

So I started gathering items I already had, the books, chubby bird, old bottles, white pitcher and candles.

I added a few of the leftover items from my New Year's Table centerpiece;

blue and silver snowflakes along with the star garland which I simply laid on top of the pitcher.

Oh how I love snow!  Our living room has rich brown leather, cream walls and what I call country blue curtains.  So adding blue to the mantel is too easy of a choice.  Who said decor has to be difficult?

The huge snowflake came from Dollar Tree after Christmas sales (50 cents), as did the blue and white snowflake picks in the pitcher and bottle.

I guess it might be a bit strange to use a charger on the mantel, but I liked the added splash of silver; so it stays. Also left was the wooden frame that adds another layer and pulls all the surrounding wood together. 

My Goodwill books and chubby clearance find birdie are more cream than white, but I kinda think it helps balance out the look and feel.  With all the wood and dark rock I like the little bit of shine with the added touch of natural.  But hey, I just go with what I like and makes me smile.

I'm all ready IF it snows in Georgia this winter...

with a snowman blankie on my recliner near the fireplace.
I probably spent $2 out of the clearance items to put a dash of winter shine on our mantel.
Who said pretties have to be expensive?
Do you have snow? (the real stuff) Or are you waiting on that 1st flake to fall?
I stood in a chair for about half the photos, but no; this flake didn't fall. ;-)
Made ya smile.
Linked to:

Add a Pinch - Mingle Monday