Introductions.

Hello, my name is Alexandra and I decided to join 'I Op therefore I Am' to simply pass the time until I get the motivation to do something myself. I dabble in op shopping most weeks, always on the hunt for the cheap, and the unusual, but only if it's cheap enough.

I went out on a bit of a spree, as so I had something interesting to share in my first entry.

For $1 each I picked up 'Write; a 30 Day Guide to Creative Writing' by Sarah Quigley and 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller, from the DonCare store in Templestowe. Also nabbed a couple of pairs of stockings. Stockings can be quiet expensive, so it's always good to check the op shops stocking-wise, because they're usually still all in their packaging, brand new.

From a couple of Church-run stores in Heathmont, I found an Estee Lauder beauty case, for $5. What sold it to me was the great mirror in it. I also found, for $4.50 a beautiful woolen cardigan, in a great mustard colour. Perfect for the current weather conditions.

Last of all, from the Mustard Tree op shop in Lilydale, I found this Gold Crest mesh purse, only $5. As a collector of metal-mesh, it's a good one for the collection, in amazing condition.

At the Mustard Tree, all Adult clothing is $1 a piece! Managed to pick up a dress.

Today, Salvos and Rotary.

I'm on a roll at the moment! I happened to be cruising down Canterbury Road today, and noticed two opshops across the road from each other - Animal Aid and Rotary. I was able to park my car outside the Rotary shop, so I went there first. It is a small shop, and one hell of a mish mash, but such friendly ladies! I asked if they had any craft fabrics, and they took me out into the back room and proceeded to drag fabrics down from shelves to show me. I selected these five - all quite big pieces. The lady said I could have them for $3 the lot. I said that wasn't enough, and gave them $5. They were very happy, but I still think I got the better deal!

Then I found a little bag full of lace - 50 cents.

Finally I found this vintage card table cloth for $2.



I didn't get to the Animal Aid opshop - ran out of time. I drove on to Diamond Creek where I was meeting a friend, and I suggested to her that we check out the opshops up there, as I hadn't been up there for a while, and she was agreeable.
The Austin opshop was already closed, and when we stopped at the Salvos, we had 15 minutes before they too closed, so we dived in. I found some great stuff!
Japanese fan brooch - $3.

Magazine, ric rac and laces - 50 cents each.

Long stitch Steam Train, framed and in perfect condition - $5. Hubby loves it!

Set of six napkins worked in Chicken Scratch - $3.

Cute dolphin dish - $2.50


I'm a happy gal!

Vinnies in Briar Hill.

Passed Vinnies yesterday on the way home from Greensborough, and having a free afternoon, decided to drop in. They had another stack of craft magazines, so I borrowed a chair and spent the next half hour going through the mags to make sure I wasn't buying any that I'd had before. I usually sit on the concrete floor, but yesterday was sooooo cold, the ladies at the shop insisted on bringing a chair over to the bookshelves! (a side benefit of being a regular customer).
This beautifully embroidered doiley cost $4.


Patchwork mags 50 cents each.


Half metre of quilt batting - 50 cents!


This scarf is absolutely gorgeous - the photo doesn't do it justice. Polyster, made in Korea. $3.

Salvos, High St Road Ashburton.

I haven't been over this side of town for a few months, and as much as I would have like to visit all the opshops in High Street Road, I just did not have time yesterday, so I went to my favourite - the Salvos, right up near Warrigal Road.
I found some nice fabrics to add to my patchwork fabric stash:
Black with coloured spots.

Several metres of this lovely blue/green pattern

Two pieces of material which are actually placemats, but will cut up beautifully.

Nice little doiley.

Cute little 'apron' for a sauce bottle!

And two rolls of lace to share with some of my bloggy lace loving friends! (Are you reading this, Pam and Cathy?)


I can't remember the prices of the individual items, but I paid $20 for the lot.

belong to anyone here?

From The Age

Op shopper bags a valuable bonus

Megan Levy

June 21, 2011

The small zip-up bag was filled with precious jewellery. Photo: Victoria Police

A shopper who paid a few dollars for a second-hand bag at an opportunity shop on the Mornington Peninsula was stunned to find a stash of valuable jewellery inside.

Police are now appealing for the owner of the pink zip-up bag — which was donated to the Rosebud Opportunity Shop early this year — to come forward and claim it.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said a woman bought the bag from the Point Nepean Road shop on March 19, and later discovered the jewellery stash inside.

The collection includes many gold rings, a gold chain bracelet, watches, earrings and necklaces, and several of the items are believed to be valuable antiques.

The woman handed the bag in at Rosebud Police Station, and police are now appealing for the owner to come forward.

They will have to provide a description of the contents of the bag.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.

A happy couple from FTG Salvos

Being back at full time work means I haven't had much time to visit op shops, so I was expecting to go into a buying frenzy when I managed to get up to the cluster of op shops around Ferntree Gully station on the weekend.

But all I bought was an embroidery book (which is full of crafty goodness and therefore warrants its own post at some later stage) and this pair of carved wooden dolls which I think are Ainu. They both have rings around their neck which must have been carved out of the same block as their bodies. I love their bold, simple style. Having lived in Japan for nearly a decade you'd think I'd be able to say with certainty whether these are Ainu carvings or not, but I'm not 100% sure. Do you know?

Oh, and by the way, as I walked along Alpine Street, I noticed that there was a shop with a sign in the window saying "op shop opening soon".... GET EXCITED!!

Uni Holidays!

Uni Holidays means excessive op shopping! horray!

I'll keep my post to a minimum so here are my three favourites

$3 for a JUMP luggage bag, says made in Vietnam so probably a fake but I dont care! still looks good to me :D found at the church op shop in Watsonia.

also in watsonia a lovely melbourne made Witney Green leather purse :)

near new rainbird japarra for $12 at Hiedelberg heights Vinnies.

my winter blues have definitely subsided this week from my great finds! and the sunshiney weather helps too!