Monday, June 15, 2009

Today’s Thrifty Treasures

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     Everyday, when I read Rhoda’s blog from Southern Hospitality, I am inspired.  Not only is she an expert at thrifty treasures, she is generous about sharing blog ideas and computer tricks.  Example? Her information about Windows Live Writer caused me to switch for good, and I am so glad I did.

     However, that is not the point of today’s post; thrifty treasures are! 

     The flea markets in my area are a fun source for finding odds and ends, books, produce ( and even livestock), but rarely will one find anything remotely similar to what you might find at an estate sale.

     So when I do, and I have the right amount of money in my pocket, and I discover something like this, I go for it.

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     This is not a plastic box of stainless.  This is one of three boxes of random hotel silver, silver plate, and even a few pieces of sterling silver.  I bought all 3 boxes for $80.

     Now please know that $80 is not the norm for what I spend at the flea market, but I could not resist. I tried picking out things I liked, but I realized it would take hours, and there were three boxes. I just gave up and bought all three. They were so heavy, the gentleman’s son had to use a dolly.

     These are just a few samples of what was hidden in those boxes.

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     The spoons in the above photo are actually monogrammed –with my last name initial.

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     Everything of course needed to be polished, and not everything was something I wanted to keep, but I have certainly had fun digging.

PS:  These photos do not do these treasures justice. Surely it isn’t the photographer…I think it is the camera! I think I need a new one. Any recommendations?

32 comments:

Karen said...

That is so cool, Laura. You so know how to make the jump and make it pay off. Wonderful.
Karen

CRICKET said...

Thanks for stopping by! I can only imagine how fun it was digging through the 3 boxes when you got home!!! I used to love going to Flea Markets when I lived in Southern California. They actually sold antiques but where I live now it seems that they are more Swap Meets with new stuff like socks!!

Kammy said...

Hi Laura !
Love that flatware. Good job at getting it all, LOL ! You could probably sell the leftovers....or make some kind of crafty thing.
Cameras....hmmm I love my new Canon Rebel T1i -
it was about a grand before lenses..but, if you want a really good point and shoot I bought my hubby a Fujifilm Finepix S1500 for around $200- and it is really great. You can do close ups and telephoto - yet is really user friendly. See my site about a month ago - I usually refer to it as my hubbys camera - its his Fathers Day gift and I had to make sure it was o.k.....LOL !
Hugs ~ Kammy

Dixie said...

good morning Laura... what a great find... I love the monogrammed ones... for those pieces that you find were not treasures... you can always make windchimes!

cameras... for blogging I use a Sony Cybershot 7.2 mega pixels... it's a pocket size point and shoot... and takes great photos... most of the photos on my blog were taken with it...

thats my story and I's stickin to it... have fun with the flatware...

Suzanne in TX said...

Wow--I think that was an awesome find for only $80! I just joined the party and hope to have so much fun seeing everyone's treasures!

Joy Tilton said...

Wow, I'm missing out not going to flea markets and auctions. I love old silver, the weight makes such a difference when you are having a good meal. We just bought a Canon PowerShot SX10 IS and it's amazing! Loved Canon's Rebel but at $800+ it was just too pricey. The one we bought (There are several PowerShot models) has a lot of the features of the expensive Rebel but was half the price. My lake pictures that I posted the other day were the first ones we took. Moving boat and the pictures were amazing!

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

Oh my what a find! I recently went looking for some silverplate forks and spoons to frame. Did not have any such luck! What do you plan on doing with it all? Thats a whole lot of polishing to do every week. LOL

Tootsie said...

great find! there are millions of things you can do with the ones you don't want for your collection!!!

Steph said...

I bet you had a blast going through all those and finding treasure after treasure!

Domestic Designer said...

Great find! I couldn't have resisted either. Have a great week!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Laura, that's quite a haul for all that silverware! Love old stuff like that. You could even resell the pieces you might not want to keep.

Thanks so much for the compliments! :)

frippery said...

Wow, what fun to sift through 3 boxes of treasure. I have the Canon Powershot SX100IS and I love it. Lots of options and great close ups. I haven't begun to use all the settings. Take care, Pam

trash talk said...

Killer silverware! Being from the south, I love anything with a monogram...mine or anyone else's. Hotel silver is one of my secret vices!
Debbie

Sue said...

yup, I woulda bought the lot too. I'm too lazy to go through everything! tee hee You can do a LOT w/all your finds besides using them in the way they were intended. Have fun!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Wow, what great treasures. The ones that you've shown are all gorgeous. I bet you really found some great pieces. Love them. Hugs, Marty

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Love the silverware! You could frame some of it with some cool paper behind it! Love the scalloped spoon! You did great!

Lou Cinda :)

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Wow - what a find. They are making all kinds of things out of old silverware these days, such as jewelry, chimes, etc.
Glenda

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh, I love old silver! You are going to have such fun sifting through these, and deciding how to use them. The polishing? Not as much fun, but very rewarding!
Cass

trish said...

What pretty pieces of silverware!

Joy said...

You find the neatest stuff. Those pieces are beautiful. Worth every penny.


Joy

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I can only imagine you had the most fun EVER going through those three boxes discovering one great piece after another!!!WHA HOOOOOOO...Doesn't it just kick in the adrenalin when you find the "Mother Load" Congratulations girl...xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Embellished Bayou said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I too am now a Windows Live Convert. Beautiful silver, I hope you find a home for every piece!

Crystal said...

First time visitor to your blog, it is just wonderful. What a find on the silver. Have you been able to go through all of it yet? I bet you had some more great pieces, then what you showed.
Thanks for sharing!
Crystal

Helen Joy said...

How wonderful to find your monogram in all that! I think it's probably funner to go through them at home.

Bamawhitney said...

Wow, aweseome finds! Finding monogrammed pieces that match are always extra special! Good luck with all that polishing!! Thanks for stopping by my blog too!

Joan@anythinggoeshere said...

They are beautiful and so CURRENT. I'm glad you did it. Great find.

Susie Homemaker said...

I would have felt like I found buried treasure for sure...
I have a Canon Powershot G10...just got it recently and I love it!

Blessings,
Susie

Melissa Miller said...

Fantastic finds Laura! :)

The Texas Woman said...

A fine find!

The Texas Woman

Leave a Legacy said...

Lucky you! I love flea markets. That discovery would have been so much fun.
I sent you an award. See my charming creations site.

cotedetexas said...

I am the one who got Rhoda to switch to Live Writer!!! It was moi!
thanks for your great comment - I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!

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