My recent finds

I've been a very slack poster - I think this is my second, even though almost all my clothes are from op-shops. Finding the time to sit down and post is a bit tricky. Anyway, here are my recent purchases. All practical stuff. I needed new tops, since I've changed shape a bit since my baby was born 11 months ago. The skirt is pure silk and it's really soft and cool to wear. The T'shirts are all comfy and super cheap. This lot was from one shop, and I spent somewhere between 5 and 6 dollars for each item.

And the shop? Bargain Browser, 9 Anderson St, Yarraville +61 3 9687 6307. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat 9am-4pm

Merry Christmas for yesterday and happy op-shopping for 2012!

Happy Christmas!

To all my fellow op shoppers, my best wishes for a Happy Christmas, and a safe and healthy New Year, with lots of bargains at your favourite opshops!
I was astounded at the amount of stuff being brought into the Brotherhood shop in Eltham in the weeks leading up until Christmas, and equally amazed at the people who swarmed into the shop every day looking to buy Christmas gifts.  But the older staff members have warned me "you ain't seen nothin' yet".  They said that when we come back mid January to reopen the shop, there will be huge piles of bags waiting for us to sort - all those unwanted gifts....

op shop 'til you drop

This was mentioned in the comments to a previous post but is worth a spotlight all of its own -op shop guide to Frankston (thanks Erica Louise!)

Three Great Op Shops Worth the Drive

This turned up on The Age's website today:

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/about-town/three-great--opshops-worth-the-drive-20111214-1ots3.html

Think I'll start casting my net further afield especially as the Savers stores are so picked over.

BSL Eltham.

I SWEAR I am not buying any more stuff than I would if I was just dropping in and not working there! It is only because I am there for two half days a week, and not just 10 minutes now and then, that I see more stuff arriving and can pounce on it before the customers see it.
Like this Nativity set, sitting on the front counter as I walked in the door at 9 am this morning.   The price was $12.  All the little figurines are perfect, no scratches or chips.  I've been wanting something like this for years, but wasn't prepared to pay $60+.   But $12?  No worries!

Just when my old opshop watch had carked it, I found this in the shop for $5.



Nice summer dress for $4.50.

2007 Collection of Stamps of Taiwan.  It had just come in with some donations, and my manager didn't have any idea what price to put on it.  It is probably worth about $60, but before I could tell her that, she said if you want it you can have it for $5.   I do actually collect stamps, and would have paid a lot more for this, but I wasn't going to argue!!

4 Words.....How Could I Not????

Makes me smile just looking at it!

Tempted to use it as my Christmas Tree this year!

Had to share!  Got to love the 80s!

Chelsea Family Life Op Shop celebrates it's 1st birthday this week, spend $20 and get a $5 voucher back.

Happy Holidays All xxx

media alert!

This is the January/February issue of INSIDE OUT magazine. As well as the best of the London Design Festival and small space secrets from industry experts, there is a NEWS books & blogs section which is where you'll find mention of I op therefore I am. Must be a good magazine!

BSL Eltham Monday.

The donations are pouring in thick and fast as it gets closer to Christmas. People must be feeling a need to empty their homes of old stuff in anticipation of new stuff they are buying, or hope to receive as gifts! I bought a few oddments while I was working this afternoon.
Kitchen paper towel holder, $2. I've been meaning to buy one of these for years! After I'd left the opshop, I was in a shopping mall and saw these exact same holders for $11.95.

Pretty fan, 50 cents.

Beaded necklace, $3. I love the colours in this, it will go with a lot of my clothes.

Plain black skirt, $4. Hooray - I will be able to throw out the last black skirt I bought about 15 years ago!

A Beswick Coronation mug, $15. I have no idea what this might be worth, but I got it for a friend who collects Royalty memorabilia.

Student Sundays at Savers

Found these lovely Novo cream flats at Savers Dandenong this morning.

$10.40 with the 20% student discount that is available EVERY Sunday! :)

Recent oppy bargains.

At our BSL shop I couldn't pass up this cup, saucer and plate set for $5.

This giant cup and saucer (I placed the egg next to it to give you an idea of the size) is actually a pot plant holder! I bought a pot of basil to put in it and gave it to a friend for her birthday. She was delighted!

I grabbed this book for $1 to give to a friend who loves all things British, but found it so interesting, I decided to keep it for a while.

Today I was passing the Salvos store in Ashwood and naturally had to go in to see what they had on offer. An un-used pack of 24 watercolour pencils for $2 is a huge bargain! OK they aren't Derwents, but Mont Marte art stuff is still okay.

Two Homespun magazines for $5.

Packet of old fashioned iron-on transfers, $1.

New socks $2.85. Salvos have a line of new stuff as well as the second hand stuff, and these socks are made of bamboo. I use bamboo wadding in my quilting; it is incredible what people make from this plant!

Length of cotton fabric for $1, ideal for backing a future patchwork project.

Huge roll of lace $3. They had bags of laces there, and I had to stop myself from buying the lot!

Tape measure for $1. I have several tape measures already, but every time my husband borrows one, it ends up down in the garage and I never see it again. So this one will go into hiding in my sewing basket.

Sale at BSL... stuff for $1!!!

Enough said.