Goodwill Hunting

So being that today is a rainy day in Seattle, I decided to run over to the Goodwill.

When I was growing up we spent a lot of time at thrift stores. I was always surprised that my mom never named one of her kids "Good" "Will" or "Salvation Army" since she spent the majority of her life in a thrift stores. Most of our clothes were either thrifted or home made, and it was hard to tell which was worse. The home made ones were bad because the pattern sizes were all of the kids sizes in one pattern. So take 4 girls, one pattern and we looked like the flippin' Von Trapp family in their drape outfits. This went on for years and I have the school photos to prove it, there I am in my little jumper dress in some horrible brown color with giant flowers on it. Year after year, same jumper, different fabric but all equally horrible in color.

And barrettes. Stupid crooked barrettes and jumpers. I shudder in remembrance.

The thrift stores at least offered one great thing, it was not handmade. Sure it was used but at least you had a fighting chance of not looking like your siblings. You could have some personal style and the ability to not wear a jumper. When I got older, I got a job and that ended the clothing fiasco. Though I do have to say my mom made my Senior Prom dress and it was (and still is) one of the most beautiful dresses ever.

Now I wish for handmade things and I shop at thrift stores, everything comes full circle I guess. For crafting purposes you cannot beat the thrift stores. Today I spent $75.00 dollars and carried out 4 full bags and some loose items. All items that will be re purposed and used in new ways.

Books, picture frames, sheet music, candlesticks, various paper pieces, the list goes on. With some imagination, paint, and time, new items will be made. The thrift stores have a wide variety of stuff, some weird, some good. They get big lots of plastic stuff, dog bowls, utensils, colanders, that sort of stuff. But if you hunt around you can find the good items. And everyone loves a good hunt.