I have always enjoyed poking around town, and checking out shops I haven’t been to, so that’s what I’ve been doing with my mom and mother-in-law. We hit some antique malls, thrift shops, and used book stores just to see what we find. I am not buying any larger pieces but rather taking pictures of pieces I feel drawn to just to do some “imaginary shopping.” I have been buying a few small things, books, and frames for paintings. (You can see what I bought in PA HERE.) It’s been fun to do a bit of shopping.
So, my mother-in-law took me to Fuquay last Wednesday, which is just a few minutes from their house in Raleigh, and we went to The Guardian Angel Thrift Store and two antique stores.
This thrift store is great. It’s well-organized and has a wide variety of home goods, furniture, clothing, accessories, and more. The prices are also fair and proceeds go to Alzheimer’s research. It’s nice when you can find some goodies and support a good cause.
I saw a bunch of neat things that I didn’t buy, but I took a few minutes to admire. I loved this vintage blue & white coverlet…
I also saw a set of vintage Meakin ironstone dishes, a few great chairs, and a bolt of green home decor fabric. I left all of those for someone else, but I did buy this antique frame…
The art in it is an original watercolor and there is information on the back about when it was last cleaned…
One of my blog readers messaged me and said she had an original oil painting of this same girl. I thought that was interesting since I had an original watercolor. Neither were prints. Well, after an image search, I found that several people have painted this same girl in a hood, holding a bowl. They are all a little different, but definitely a study of the same picture or painting. I wasn’t able to find the original, but it’s definitely interesting.
I bought this for the frame, so I removed the art, glass, and matte, and my niece took it off my hands. She likes eclectic things that are unique and this certainly falls nicely in that category.
The frame is going to be perfect for an original oil, though! At $22, it was a great price compared to the prices I’ve been seeing.
I also bought two green “500” French vintage Working Glasses. You can find vintage ones HERE and new ones HERE.
I have a bunch of clear ones and I couldn’t pass up the vintage green ones.
I bought a folding wooden ruler for $6.00. Rulers are like scissors for me. I can always use another one.
We packed up my belongings in the car and headed to Bostic & Wilson, an antique store that is in the process of having a downsizing/liquidation sale.
This is a fun store, but you have to be ready to dig, high step, and crane your neck to see everything. There were so many things I like! I loved this cuckoo clock and just might have to get one someday. This one wasn’t the one, but I did admire it for a bit.
I loved, loved this cabinet and if I had a house and spot for it, I think I would’ve bought it. It would be a great pieces to be a great “cabinet of curiosities.” I took a business card from the owner in case this cabinet is still around when we do get a house. (Now, don’t go buy it. Yes, I’m talking to you!)
I ended up finding a few things that I did purchase and would fit in our van (and storage unit.) I got the book American Painting for $10. You can buy used copies on Amazon for as low as $2.50. It’s a nice, hefty book with beautiful plates and a variety of artists featured.
I also bought this John Maddock & Sons ironstone pitcher that dates 1870-1880. It is one of the heaviest ironstone pitchers I’ve ever purchased. I debated buying it, but I sold a lot of ironstone pieces and was pretty smitten with this particular pitcher. It was on sale for $80, which is more than I usually pay for an ironstone pitcher, but I felt like this one was worth the splurge.
I also bought this antique ironstone bowl. It is similar to one I bought a few years ago that broke. This one sort of spoke to me with its wonkiness, chips, and staining. Sometimes I like those pieces more than the ones that are pristine. I don’t see them as flaws but rather as a part of a ruch story that can only be told with use and time.
We hopped over to K&B antiques, which is a delightful little antique mall. It’s well curated and offers a nice variety.
I thought this piece was so pretty! I founnd several great frames in that booth, too, but they were a bit more than I wanted to pay.
I did end up buying an old 8 x 10 frame…
I popped one of my paintings in it just to see how it looked. I think the right frame can really elevate a piece of art.
I also bought a small green darning egg. It had the best color of paint on it and was only $3.00. I haven’t shared about it, yet, but I’ve been learning to darn and patch things. When you buy nice things, you want to take care of them and have them last. I have some antique linen pillow cases that are in desperate need of repair because I’ve used and washed them so much.
I used a vintage mushroom darner to fix some sheets I wore a hole in (I rub my feet together like a cricket at night.)
My darning is a little clumsy, but you have to start somewhere and it beats replacing a linen sheet or towel over a small hole.
We hit a few more thrift stores later in the week and I’ll share those in another post!
Lovely finds and I can understand your excitement to be close to your family and favorite haunts. We moved a few year ago and antique stores are few and far between. The marriage of your artwork and frame is sublime! Enjoy the hunt!
Good to hear I am not the only one that rubs holes in my sheets!
Lovely! So tickled you went to Fuqua. All my family people live in the Fuqua-Varina area. I have been longing to visit them since I live in south Alabama. The area was very rural during my childhood. The Research Triangle Park fed the massive growth and all the tobacco fields I remember from my childhood have mostly become subdivisions. Thank you again, and best wishes in the house hunt.
I recently took the time to revisit your first home postings. I’m seeing a change in your design eye/style. Are you going in a more formal look? I’m trying to put my finger on it. Can you explain your thoughts on it? Thanks so much.
Yes, I am going to share some thoughts about the decorating direction I’m heading, but so much of it depends on the house! I’ve been looking at a variety of styles, so I can see my style nudging in a few different directions depending on the style of the home. I am definitely seeking more inspiration from traditionally-decorated homes. I also want to feature my growing library and collection of original art. I can’t wait to get a house to start really honing in!
Does the tag on the cuckoo clock say $475? I have a German cuckoo clock from the 1960s with 7 leaves around the perimeter and a bird on top. It’s in perfect condition. I was thinking of selling it, but I thought it was worth maybe $200 at the most.
Yes! I looked them up on Etsy, eBay, and other sites and felt like that was a bit high. I’m going to wait to see if I have a perfect spot for one in our next house and then I’ll start hunting.
Hi Marian! I love your frames! The pitcher is gorgeous and the bowl is old. I love old things myself. I am going to have to Google the darning process. I have no clue. I hope you find the perfect home and that noone has bought that cabinet. You could have put a down payment and have them hold it for you! Good luck and have fun!!
Just love we the pitcher esp the handle. I collect pitchers and have since I was a little girl so that is over seventy yrs ago. I remember where I bought or inherited each one. Love that you are sharing all your finds and even your left behind pieces!
I love the fact that you can go thrifting and antiquing with family! I’m sure they are more that delighted that you are back in their part of the world to share these special times.
Hi Marian: Thought I would give you a heads up on a couple of early frames we have in our thrift shop. If you go to ALOmaha.org and toggle to online sales from there you can view these 2 frames. I am in charge of our online sales for our Assistance League of Omaha. I listed these frames last week for 89.00 for the pair. They will fit an 8×10 image and are about 11×14. I am so enjoying your wanderings.
I assume you get lots of comments in your post, but rarely do you answer the questions? Surprised when some bloggers are so good at answering. Wondering how you got your cats & dog out east before you left also.
I do answer questions if I can! I don’t always get to them, though.
As far as getting the animals out, Jeff drove them out to his parents’ house in Raleigh. My parents met him there to pick up Sebastian. Jeff left in the wee hours of the morning and drove over 20 hours so he wouldn’t have to stop with them! He’s quite a trooper. The kitties are being spoiled by Jeff’s parents and Sebastian is my mom’s new walking buddy. We can’t wait to be back together again, but they are all well taken care of.
So many lovely things you spotted. I have the book you bought. Have had it for about 40 years and still enjoy it. Great frames. I’m surprised you even have time to post with life in the flux it is in right now. You are amazing!
I love going with you and buying all the things with you. Great purchases….and looking forward to many more!
I love it when you go shopping and then show pictures of what
you bought. It’s like I got to go with you!! Fun…. And I so enjoy seeing what you bring home with you. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thankful that you have been able to spend time with folks and the treasures you’ve found will be sweet reminders of this this in-between time. The ironstone pieces are so lovely and your painting looks wonderful in the frame you found. Pretty neat folding ruler that you found too. Continuing to pray for this phase of your life and God’s timing and provision for the future.
Enjoyed your adventure with family.
I always love the things you find.
Raleigh is a fun place. I live in NMB, SC. We scooted up to Raleigh a couple months ago.
My husband does the Classic Car Show, and I do the Flea Market Show at the Fair grounds.
Love that you are on the east coast!
I actually collect those jointed rulers! I try not to pay too much for them but I love them
What great finds! We’ve lived in Fuquay-Varina for 7 years, from Holly Springs. The Guardian Angel is one of my favorite stores! I try to visit weekly since they are always getting different items.
Bostic and Wilson liquidation??!! Have to add that to my shopping list ASAP! Thank you for sharing!
I LOVE seeing your “finds”. I love thrifting and enjoy seeing what other come with. My family is from PA and whenever I visit my cousins and I go to all the shops.
I have a vintage coo coo clock, maybe for 30 years now!!!! I LOVE it…..most people think I am coo coo for having it!!!
I am surprised you didn’t pick up the blue and white throw…it was beautiful.
Thanks for taking us along!!!
Love all your finds!! I used to go to Bostic and Wilson and KnB a lot when we lived up that way! Such fun stops!!
I love these shopping posts and seeing what you find! Nice to see you’re enjoying your summer, seems lots of us are waiting for you to find you ‘new’ house 😉 Best wishes in your search.
Hey Marian,
I too was wondering about your dog/cats. Sounds like they are being well pampered at their grandparents’ homes…lol. Love seeing your finds and I was so bummed out this week when we stopped by Rebels Roost in Gettysburg on our way back home to VA and it was closed! I have lots of great places in the Richmond, VA area I could recommend but you probably won’t be in this area. When you said you might be nudging into a different more traditional style, I immediately thought Grandmillenial. It’s a style I have embraced and moved more to in the last few years.