what are you willing to wait for?

[genuineimitation]

I've been waiting for a couple of things for a long time.. I'm willing to continue to wait, even though i can find them on evil-bay. i just found my beautiful designer modern sofa at salvation army. it cost $120, which is actually a major bargain. I spent months waiting for a food dehydrator and finally got mine for $12. my daughter had to wear a formal gown for a recital.. found it: silk, designer, perfect fit, right color. it was gorgeous.

right now i'm looking for a GOOD coffee maker (no cheapo kind) and vintage springbok puzzles. i really want this circular one i saw that is san francisco (home sweet home) from the 60's. and the owl puzzle from the same era. I'm always looking for springbok puzzles.

this is about faith in the system! thrift stores will eventually have everything, if you're willing to wait for it.

[foutchie]

My "wait" item is a mug (or cup) from the late 30s depression glass "blue philbe" - they are hard to find, and usually over $20 - I'm looking for a bargain! 

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I hear ya-- I am hoping to someday thrift a vintage, carved woodframe sofa in RED. This will replace my Ikea Couch which is currently hiding for shame under a red couchcover and some William Morris type tapestries because it feels like an outsider in the rest of the livingroom.

I don't know the probabilities on this, but it's what I hope for. I've seen sofas I like in other colors, I just would prefer not to have to reupholster the whole darned thing.

Wishing you much luck in finding your Most Wanted items!

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Interesting question!

What am I willing to wait for--what I did wait for. True story:

It took me Eleven Years to get my dining table and chair.  I waited 11 years for a dining table and chairs.

I had my mom's buffet and china cabinet in "blonde" wood, which she had stored in the basement for years, but she had given the table and chairs away. They were part of the original set she and my dad had purchased in early 50s, for their first house.

I searched thrifts and tag sales for 11 years, until I found the perfect table (complete with leaf) and four chairs (including a captain's chair) in "blonde" circa the late 50s-60s at a secondhand furniture store in 2000.  They are marked as to where they were originally purchased--in a now-defunct furniture store in the Northeast.

Was it worth the wait?  Yes.  And when I found them, I wasn't even really looking for
them.

[Other People s Junk]

There are certain books/authors that I could get off of ebay, but I am hoping to find cheaper in the thrift stores. ---> A few obscure Mary Roberts Rinehart, Josephine Tey... I guess that's it for now.  The thrift stores around here are pretty lousy for books, but we're going to be moving the end of the year, so I can hold out for new shops to peruse! 

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

OPJ, I really enjoyed Josephine Tey's "Daughter of Time"-- any others you'd recommend?

[foutchie]

Speaking of books - twice a year our library has a book sale (it started today) - mostly donated books, lots of old ones!   I found a number of old ones I wanted (at $1 a hardback, .50 paperback who could resist?!)   Anyway, I was later flipping thru one of the old ones from the 40s - inside was a War Ration Coupon book, dated 1942 - It is SO interesting, having never seen one before!   A keeper for sure!

[genuineimitation]

ooh! i'd so love to see a photo of the ration book! i've never seen one. what an incredible find.

i just was at our library sale last week. i got a book that is the complete works of shakespeare - it's huge. it must weigh a couple of pounds! it's got photos from the late 40's - early 50's of all these actors in the parts. it's great. i'm saving it for my daughter for xmas. last year she got all kinds of thrifted opera books, which she loved.

[foutchie]

Okay - I posted pics of both front and back of the ration book in the gallery under "books" - since it is a "book" and was found in a book!   I have a couple (or did, probably still do) of Mary R R that belonged to my great aunt - loved those, and nero wolfe, when young.

[genuineimitation]

that is so cool!

[Other People s Junk]

OPJ, I really enjoyed Josephine Tey's "Daughter of Time"-- any others you'd recommend?

I have only read a few of her stories- I had found one book titled "4,5 and 6" which has 3 of her stories in it.  (I still don't get the title- I have no idea what it has to do with anything!   )  It has Daughter of Time in it, which was good, and The Singing Sands.  That one was the one I enjoyed the most.  It's the same main character as in Daughter of Time.  I would recommend it- it was interesting to read all the way through.  

Anyhow, because of that book, I am on the lookout for more!  That is generally how I like to read- I run into an author I like, then I try to accumulate all of their work to read... then I am lost for while until I find another author to look for!  

Have you read any Mary Stewart- she is one of my favorites- but not the Merlin trilogy, I like her mysteries better!

And foutchie:  I love love love Mary RR!  I think she's the greatest.  Nero Wolfe is pretty good at times, too!

[thriftymama]

I can't think of anything at the moment, but just wanted to add that I LOVE Springbok puzzles. They are the greatest. I find them at garage sales here and there. I really should start putting them together. Mostly I just collect them. But once I put it together, I sell it on my garage sale. I enjoy the really tough ones!

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Yes, indeed, I DO like Mary Stewart-- and have thrifted many a Mary Stewart book, too! I've read most of the Merlin books and a good bunch of the gothic mysteries. Just the sort of read for a cold fall evening.

For a while she was really hard to find at the thrifts, and within the last year or so it's become easier. I think because publishers have redone some of her work into collections.

Thanks for the recommendation on the Josephine Tey. I'll have to start doing more scanning for newer names when I thrift.

[Big Daddy Audio]

What I look for, but can wait for:

Striped Pyrex
audio gear
tapes
albums
certain books

I know this is very broad, but being a collector/accumulator, you always check everything and then take what is presented.

That is all.

[ChrisMiss]

Good topic!  It's fun to read what others are waiting for. 

My item that I wait to find in a thrift store is Otagiri mugs/cups.  I can get them on ebay but prefer to wait for them at the thrift store.  Otagiri went out of business so items are getting harder to find.  I'm always on the lookout for the mugs that have the design cut into them and then painted and glazed.  I love running my fingers over the design.  They usually have a large design on one side and then a smaller version on the other side.  I have 3 or 4 of the larger 5" ones and several of the smaller 3" ones.  I snap them up if I ever find them.  Currently I have several ones with geese or ducks on them in flight, 1 of panda bears, 1 of parrots, 1 of whales, and 1 of seagulls.

P.S. I tried to add a picture here but it wouldn't let me (said it was full???) so I added a picture of an Otagiri mug in the gallery.