happy easter

A little while ago I found this lovely tin in my very favourite Op Shop, Tempcare in Oakleigh.

I find that the independent stand alone Op Shops are the best and if they are a little untidy and disorganised, even better. You just never know what is lurking under that pile of net curtains in the corner.

I love the tin. I don't know if you can see from the photos, but it is embossed as well as coloured, so that each little coloured section stands proud of the tin, to give it a mosaic like effect.

It has sat empty for these last few weeks as I wasn't sure what I wanted it to house. But then, inspiration hit. Of course....

Happy Easter everyone.

Golden Hands

Anyone who likes a bit of the old crafting, has dabbled in a bit of sewing or likes the clickety clack of the knitting needles will be familiar with the Golden Hands books of the late 1960s / early 1970s. In the last few years they seem to have become like hens' teeth, although I was lucky enough to pick up the complete set in their original binders at the Salvos in Oakleigh a few months back.

I've spotted some of the magazines (about 10) in that very same shop in the last week. They are in amongst all the knitting patterns and haberdashery, rather than in the book section.

The Vinnies store on Nepean Highway in Edithvale also has about 15 of the hardcover books for $1.00 each. Yesterday was the first time I had been into this particular store and I think its one of the best around.

Vinnies seems to be having a resurgence at the moment with a new store having recently opened on Nepean Highway in Mentone and their Mornington store currently closed for renovations. First time I've ever seen an op shop undergo renovations!

south east sweep

I have done a bit of a sweep across the south east these last few days, visiting a few shops along the way. Some I have never been to before, a few others are old favourites.

My first stop was the Amaroo Neighbourhood House Op Shop at Amaroo Drive, Mount Waverley. This shop is hidden down a quiet neighbourhood street and did not look promising from the outside. I was so glad I did as its a fantastic shop, staffed by really friendly volunteers.

Its quite a big shop, with heaps of stock. Like all good op shops, its not too tidy, so there's always the opportunity for a good rummage around. They have lots of interesting linen and another highlight was the shelves of old fashioned champagne bowls filled with buttons, pre sorted by colour.
Next stop was the Oakleigh Centre Op Shop in Huntingdale Road, Huntingdale. This is one I visit fairly regularly and from which I never seem to come away empty handed . Again, this is a good shop for buttons and at 5c each, they are dirt cheap. Here's some of my favourites from my last visit. I also bought the pre printed softie panel shown at the top for 50c.




From there I ventured to Hughesdale outlet of the Oakleigh Centre Op Shop. This is another of my favourites in that its a shop over many rooms. I do like a multi roomed op shop! No purchases from there this time, but its often a good shop to pick up a book or wrapping paper.

Further down Poath Road is another shop, the name of which I don't know. Its on the corner of Kangaroo Road. Only a tiny little shop, its also good for a bit of a rummage (you've probably figured out that this is a euphemism for messy).

On another day I headed in the opposite direction with my first stop being St Augustines Op Shop at 46 Bay Road Sandringham. This shop always seems to have a good supply of doilies and on this occasion I picked up a few more, including one large one embroidered with ballerinas. I also collected a pair of knitting needles as to replace the one I sat on whilst watching the SATC marathon over the weekend. At $1.50 they were less than a third of the price of a new pair.

From there I headed to the Family Life shop at 355 Bluff Road in Hampton. This shop has a great haberdashery selection behind the counter, including tiny little drawers that stock a good selection of buttons, zips, etc. It has a good range of clothes, including some expensive labels, which I imagine is a result of its Hampton location.

Last stop was the Keysborough Animal Shelter Op Shop on Station Street, Moorabbin. The Golden Hands book shown at the top was bought from here, much to the amusement of the elderly lady behind the counter. "What do you want that daggy old book for ?" she asked me.

I was lucky enough to find the entire set of Golden Hands at the Salvos in Oakleigh a few months back, so have no need for this single hardcover one. I'd be happy to send it to anyone who would like it. Please either leave a comment here or over at my Sheeps Clothing blog.

pretty pink flanellette

The Lions Opportunity Shop in Main Street Mordialloc currently has a few bundles of pretty pink printed flanellette fabric, all brand new and ready to go. There looks like there is enough in each bundle for a pair of kid's PJs or perhaps some winter wraps for a baby.

This store also has a good selection of buttons. Some of them on cards, others sealed up in jars ($4.00 per jar).

I bought two jars yesterday and was thrilled to find some really good bakelite buttons inside. Hopefully some of the remaining jars will have such hidden treasures inside too.

shoe sale at hawthorn road

Sam mentioned a while back that the Op Shop on Hawthorn Road, North Caulfield as a good selection of Nine West shoes.

I visited last week and picked up a lovely pair of black peep toe sling backs for $10.00.

I noticed a sign saying that new shoes had just arrived. As this was the first time I have visited this shop (but not the last!) I am not sure if this sign is a permanent fixture. Either way, there were heaps of shoes in stock.

I fell in love with this bag at Southern Op Shop Mentone earlier today. My photography skills don't do justice to the intricate beading pattern. Much of the silver has worn off the clasp and chain and the silk lining is a bit stained, but I think its just gorgeous.

A Good Week

Its been a very successful op shopping week for me. I found these fantastic Witchery shoes on Tuesday. I'm so excited about them that I've blogged about them here as well. Apparently they had only come into the shop (Salvos in Florence Street, Mentone) about an hour before.

Wednesday's big find was a stash of embroidered and lace doilies from Temcare in Portman Street Oakleigh. Again, they had only just come in (seems lots of people cleaned out their cupboards over the weekend). I bought about eight of them and as of Wednesday there were still about 15 in the shop.

Last find, and I think my favourite of the week, is a silk scarf by Liberty of London. I adore scarves (must be square and silk). This was $1.50 at Southern Op Shop, Mentone. Here's more thrifted scarves:

Salvos, Oakleigh

I'm a regular visitor to the Oakleigh Op shops and in particular, The Salvos at 50 Atherton Road. Like all Salvos stores, I find them to be a bit pricey at times, but it is a large store with a wide variety of goodies.

My most recent finds include this pristine set of Golden Hands craft magazines, which despite what I said about The Salvos often being pricey, cost a measly $5.75.

They were published as hardcover books in the late 1960s with a particularly lurid mustard yellow cover and I remember my Mum had a well thumbed set. Golden Hands was also published in a magazine "collect one each week and get your free binder with edition 1" format, which is what excitedly uncovered a month or so back. They are in amazing condition, with all 70 magazines in place, with all pull out patterns and leaflets unused.


Although some of the creations are a bit questionable (ie. the Beefeater pjama bag above), the patterns, tips and instructions are fantastic. I find the great thing with this series is the wide variety of crafts covered - knitting, sewing, crocheting, embroidery, etc.

Another one of my favourite buys from this store is this pretty pressed glass bowl which I think was about $5.00.


Last week this store had an Alannah Hill lurex knit top for $14.75. I think from memory it was a size 14.