Thursday, March 3, 2011

Hand-Painted Vase and Mini-Elephants Are Newest Thriftie "Finds"

Today Writing Straight from the Heart is joining Linda's Junkin Finds Friday. This is a fun weekly party where everyone shows something special from their houses. Check it out at http://ljm-alacarte.blogspot.com/ 





Artistic creations from other countries always seem to catch my attention. This colorful blue vase stood out at a thrift store. It had a sticker price of 79 cents!  Immediately, I scooped it up.  Turning it over, I read that it was hand-painted in Portugal.  A lot of Portuguese art is very colorful and nicely done.





Now elephants are cool animals but there is no burning desire in my heart to collect them (thank heavens). However, I know someone who "unofficially" does  collect elephants.



When coming across these little fellows, in the same thrift store as the Portuguese vase, they were a positive "go." Plus, all four of the one-inch elephants fit nicely in the palm of my hand!

DO YOU LOOK FOR THINGS THAT YOU OR OTHER PEOPLE COLLECT, TO GIVE AS GIFTS? LIKE WHAT?
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16 comments:

  1. Susan J. ReinhardtMarch 3, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Oh, I love the vase! The blue and yellow always catch my eye. My guest room is done in those colors.

    Yes, I'm always on the lookout for great finds. If I see something a friend would like and the price is right, I'll pick it up.

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  2. Olga PoltavaMarch 3, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Great finds! That vase is very pretty and unique! And the elephants would make a lovely gift!

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  3. AnonymousMarch 3, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    I let the things I find call out to me. I seem to have a lot of friends who "unofficially" collect frogs. Another used to get unicorns as gifts.

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  4. Linda @ A La CarteMarch 3, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    That is a really pretty vase! Love the colors. Cute elephants! Oh and yes I do pick up things for friends all the time. If I know they collect something or think they would just 'like' it. Part of what makes thrifting so much fun for me is sharing what I find. hugs, Linda

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  5. Ocean Breezes and Country SneezesMarch 3, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Nice finds! I can already imagine flowers in that lovely vase! I enjoy finding collectibles for friends and families! I find it makes the gift a little more special! Have a wonderful day!

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  6. moMarch 4, 2011 at 4:55 AM

    Hi Susan, It seems these days, I REALLY need to think about it before I purchase something that is not consumable. (Too much stuff...)

    I have much work ahead to taper down and enjoy a "simpler" life.

    Love the vase. So colorful. And I adore watercolors.

    *hugs*

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  7. ClausMarch 4, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    My mom and I have always a wide eye for Nutcrackers. Even if we are not in December, there is chance one can get by one!, to add to our Nutcracker collection. Also, we have a rooster collection (from figurines, to napkin dispensers, to clocks...), a tea pot collection, and a doll collection, so whenever we come across something nice and at the right price ;o), we get it. Don't know of anyone collection specific things, so everything is always for us.
    Did you know that elephants bring homes luck? Or so my mother says. But always be sure to have them face towards the inside of your house, not facing, say, doors or windows. Apparently the luck can go away.
    have a lovely day!

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  8. Terri TiffanyMarch 4, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    I am always afraid to buy for someone else who collects cause I never know if they have too many or would like it:) Coward, I know.

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  9. Blue Ridge Altered ArtMarch 4, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Beautiful vase. I love things made in Portugal. They are usually so colorful. ~~Sherry~~

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  10. DonnaMarch 4, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    You find the cutest things, Susan! Those elephants are adorable! I don't collect them either (although I'd be tempted to after seeing those), but for your friend who "unofficially" does, what a great find!! Yeah to the warm weather!.. Donna

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  11. Chatty CroneMarch 4, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    I like to look for others - for what they like- and give it too them as gifts. Trouble is I don't know what all they have.

    Love,sandie

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  12. GratefulPrayerThankfulHeartMarch 4, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Great finds! I love the Portuguese vase! The colors are gorgeous! I just don't find the fantastic things that others go at our Thrift shop. I do better at garage sales.

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  13. SusanMarch 4, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    Hello Everyone! Thank you all so much for your visits and comments.

    I would like to welcome Gebreidesjaals, from the Netherlands, this blog's 193rd Follower. Welcome!

    Hope you all have a super weekend, filled with all good things. Hugs to all! Susan

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  14. Tammy@T's Daily TreasuresMarch 5, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    Hey Susan! I'm sure you can tell by my travels that we have lots of elephants going on over here. And being in the Middle East, lots of camels too. I love blue and white with a shot of yellow. And the fact that it is hanpainted in Portugal makes it even more special. Happy day to you. :) Tammy

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  15. BettyMarch 7, 2011 at 5:06 AM

    Those elephants are super cute. I buy for me friends all the time. Many of them are just starting out and need lots of stuff. Lately it's been mixmasters and typewriters.

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  16. Ms. Bake-itMarch 7, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    I like the colors of the vase. The elephants are interesting. What are they made from? My mother used to collect elephants and had some from all over the world. When I am thrifting, I do keep an eye open for things I know a friend or family member may like.

    ~ Tracy

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