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.

Fair@Square fashion show and festival

If you're wondering where I've been, I am putting a fashion show on for Fair@Square festival this Friday so have not had time to get to the op shops! I know it's not exactly op shopping, but I think most of you are eco-minded and might enjoy the show, some of the clothes and accessories are made of second hand things, so there is at least a bit of a link to op shopping!
If you want to buy tickets there are still some available here. The festival is on at Fed Square this weekend and will have all sorts of fair trade and eco-friendly gifts, plus talks and activities. And even if you don't buy anything, if you have old crappy makeup you want to get rid of in a responsible manner, bring it to the festival and the lovely folk at Adorn will help you detox!
Hopefully I'll be back with some op shop posting in the near future when things have calmed down. See you at the festival?

Hey there! 

I went to Spain for a while but am back in Melbourne and hoping to post here more!

These are my little collection of kitchen goods (egg cups and salt & pepper shakers) found at a variety of op shops.

Cheers, Laura

Three opshop visits today.

I had to drive over to Lilydale today, to deliver some craft stuff to the Showgrounds. Driving back through the town along the highway, I noticed two opshops, and having time to spare before I started work at the BSL in Eltham, I decided to check out the opposition! Both shops were large, clean, and had a large variety of lovely stock. At Vinnies, I spent $5 on a skirt (Black Pepper) and $7 on a set of Aussie pubs placemats - what a bargain! They are as good as new.

A few doors up, I spent $6.50 at the Salvos.
One magazine for 50 cents.

A complete box of oil paints, never used by the look of them - $6.

Back at the Brotherhood in Eltham for the afternoon's work, I had a quick look around and found these.
A belt rack hanger for Ken's belts. They are all over the floor at the moment.

Sretch pants (Millers) for $4.50. They are more of a terracotta colour than the red in this photo.

Stunning peacock brooch - $15. I thought this was far too expensive, but the lady who prices the jewellery that comes into our opshop must think she works in an antique shop sometimes; her prices are way too high. But I love peacocks, so I had to have it. I do get a discount though.

A boxed Calligraphy set - $1. Super bargain!! There were extra tubes of inks in it which was why I bought it. I've got more fountain pens than you could poke a stick at, but I had run out of those ink tubes.

Lions Trash and Treasure Sale

Blackburn North Lions Club's next trash and treasure sale will be held on:

Saturday, 19 November 2011 this will be the last sale for the year.

Same time: 8am to 1pm

Same place: 1st Vermont Scout Hall, located near the corner of Canterbury Rd and Mitcham Rd, Vermont.

Hope to see you there.

Salvos Kew

image via

Does everyone already know that there is a Salvos store opening in Kew, in the old Retravision store?

Well, there is. Which will make the op shopping route down High st just that little more brilliant! Yay!