Jewelry Topiaries Made With Thrift Store Finds
I love my mom. If she was not my mom, she would be still my best friend . She is everything that a best friend should be. My mother always tells me the truth, even when I don’t want her too. She is a lot of fun to hang out with and never comes between my husband and myself because she always sides with him! Some reason this all seems to work. My mom taught me everything I know about junk. To this day she uses every opportunity to be a teaching assignment. And, yes, there are pop quizzes all the time.(I fail all the time too!)
My mother gave birth to me when she was 17 years old. My mom was an extremely bright student, (She is still the smartest person I know!) and had a great future ahead. When she got pregnant with me her family wanted her to put me up for adoption. At that time, the late 1950’s, she was told that her grandmother in Minnesota was going to take care of her and arrange for the adoption of the baby. The story that was to be told was my mom had “Mono” and had to have a long rest. Anyways, she balked at this and said she wanted me. So, in a lot of ways we grew up together. I did everything with her. She was not allowed to finish school because she was a bad influencebut for me, the best influence. I started junking with her as a little kid. These are some of my most cherished memories. I still have my first collection. I started with Victorian cosmetic jars with sterling silver lids. I now keep my collection in my guest bathroom. She started my decorating career with my own room. When I was 13 and the height of the groovy era she let me decorate my room in mellow yellow, shocking pink, and lime green. It was so cool. Mom let me paint my curly maple furniture yellow with white pin striping. We always decorate from garage sales and thrift stores. Her only prerequisite was whatever I do, I do it well. My mother gave me the values that I have today. Most importantly, I still love her company.
Today, we went junking at the local AmVet Thrift Store. We go once a month. Mostly, trying to prove to ourselves that we are not addicted to this store. This is of course, a big fat joke. We both love it here! We are both looking for treasures. Even though we would never admit it, we are in a contest to find the treasures first. My first mistake was Mom was in the door first. She is taking the lead. Always a bad situation for me because I will be picking up her crumbs. Mom has an eagle eye and a appetite of a shark. I thought I would try a new approach and look at things I normally don’t look at. I thought it would put her off the track, confuse her but no such luck.
My first possible treasure was a pressed back oak chair with a cane seat (punched in). I thought it has possibilities, maybe a new seat. I was not paying attention but she came up on me from behind and whispered in my ear “Don’t fall in love”. I asked “Why not?” Mom responded with the legs had been cut off. She was right, of course.
My second possible treasure was a beautiful bowl. It did not have any chips and had a lovely hand painted grape motiff. I held it up for Mom to see. She looked at me sympathetically and said “Cracked’ I never saw her pick it up. She was right, of course.
While I was playing with the bowl, Mom snagged a L’il Orphan Annie electric stove with original paint. Where the heck was that? I can do better, I know I can. I scanned the store for her location because when there is a shark in the area I knew I had to paying close attention. Fortunately, Mom was at the front of the store where they keep the “antiques” behind the counter. I rarely buy anything behind the counter. I am too cheap. Also, my feeling is if it is behind the counter it has already been discovered treasure and priced accordingly. I jumped at my chance alone out in the store and I struck.
My third possible treasure was a Betty Boop leather bomber jacket. It was in great shape and vintage. It was marked 80 bucks but it was half price on blue tags which it had stapled on it (Why do they have to use staples?). 40 bucks!! I am thrilled. It is a keeper. Mom came over for a look and gave a “good job”. I am never too old for a compliment from Mom.
In the end, Mom found some great stuff but so did I. I ended up with the jacket, a depression glass cake plate, 2 Fitz and Floyd Kitten Mugs, and leather bound copy of Great Expectations. So, watch out for my mom, she will be the grey-haired lady trolling the store with best stuff in her cart and a twinkle in her eyes but remember she is The Antique Shark!!
Note: Possible future collectible is Fitz and Floyd ceramics. They closed their showroom in Atlanta, which is never a good sign. Their holiday lines from the 1970’s thru 1990’s is fabulous and no one else’s comes close. Especially, their Halloween collectibles including their cookie jars, tureens and candlesticks. Happy Hunting.