What I got at the op shop today

Rough week here with the first of the winter colds hitting the three of us but it turned out I got time in three op shops hassle free as Op Shop Jnr more than happy to be wheeled around rather than causing chaos.

He had been bugging me to leave the house all day despite his ongoing cough so I decided it had warmed up enough for an afternoon trip out.

This is a bit of a routine for us, the rule is if he behaves well in an op shop for ten minutes or so he gets a good play in a local nearby park.  Today was the height of excitement because not only did it involve a train trip but the most exciting thing ever happened (according to Op Shop Jnr) - the ticket machines were stickered not in use in the three stations we attempted to get our tickets from.  He will be talking of this for weeks no doubt!

I managed to add to my very small tea cup collection with these 70s cups and Op shop Jnr scored a bag of Cars toys.

I love the shaped handle to this one, it's marked Corelle by Corning and was made in the US

This is a quote from Wikipedia "In 1953, Dr. S. Donald Stookey of the Corning research and development division invented Pyroceram, a white glass-ceramic material capable of withstanding a thermal shock (sudden temperature change) of up to 450 °C (840 °F). It evolved from materials originally developed for a U.S. ballistic missile program, and Stookey's research involved heat resistant material for nose cones.^"

Ballistic missiles!!!!  I think this is called the Spring Blossoms Green or (my favourite) Crazy Daisy pattern

Now to find more, I could buy it online though but it's not the same, here's some beautiful examples

Etsy collection

This is another pattern I adore and it's marked Royal Tuscan Balmoral, now Balmoral to me makes me think of the Queen and her holiday home which straight away made me relax and part with my cash!

More history of Tuscan Tableware can be found here they were later bought by Wedgewood.

I'll be on the lookout for more, especially some like these

from A little vintage

Another question is how did I miss the above blog!!

Happy Op Shopping people!

All Hail the Garage Trail Sale!!! Sat May 5th

c/o http://www.garagesaletrail.com.au/

It's coming and I'm getting excited!!

This year I'm assisting in a community fundraiser for a not for profit I volunteer for, last year I was shopping!!

I managed about 6 in 2.5 hours, there were people with maps and every sale I visited had people there shopping.

What is it? 

It's a massive opportunity to hold your garage sale with heaps of free publicity for one. 
It's a sustainable way to shop

Great community spirit

We have 59 registered in my local area at the moment and keen garage sale type people will be out in full.

Not to sure what you classify a group of garage sale type shoppers though

• A gaggle of garagers?
• A herd of hagglers?
• A bunch of bargain hunters?

Whatever you want to call them they will be out on one of the best days of the year to pick up a bargain

Here's a bit more on You Tube on it

Piles of stuff was recycled and repurposed and everyone had a whole lotta fun.

Fashion designer Marnie Skillings shows us what's for sale in preparation for the Garage Sale Trail, happening all over Australia on Saturday 5 May 2012 www.garagesaletrail.com.au

World Title winning surfer Dave Rastovich shows us what's for sale in preparation for the Garage Sale Trail, happening all over Australia on Saturday 5 May 2012 www.garagesaletrail.com.au

Check out the website for more info http://www.garagesaletrail.com.au/

Put in your postcode. print off your map and make a day of it, some will be having sausage sizzles - none will have the collection of cakes mine will though!

Don't forget have fun....

Get Your Haggle On!!!

Show Us Your Op Shop Goodies!! Giveaway time!!

This has taken me a while but I figured let's start May off with a new giveaway!!

Another chance for us to showcase why op shops are top shops!  You can include your op shop buys, the one's you left behind or the one's in your op shop now if you work or volunteer at one.

They can be the beautiful, the bargains or the bizarre.

Huge thanks to Suellen who's offered up a copy of her "Op Shoppers Guide to Brisbane and Surrounding Areas" for this giveaway.  Please see her website for more information on the guide born from the love of the op shop (I think a few of us can relate!!)

More info is on the website http://www.opshoppersguide.com/ and the Facebook page Brisbane Op Shopping

Op Shoppers Guide to Brisbane and Surrounding Areas

http://www.opshoppersguide.com/

"For those who are looking to find the best bargains in and around Brisbane, The Op Shoppers Guide to Brisbane and surrounding areas, containing over 200 pages, is the book for you." Op Shoppers Guide

How to enter

Just upload a picture to the Faceboom page here http://www.facebook.com/ILoveToOpShop
Tweet me a picture here https://twitter.com/ILove2opshop

Email me at ilove2opshop@gmail.com

I'll add them all to an album called May Op Shop Giveaway and then people can just vote by commenting "dig it"!! 

I'll total the "digs" in two weeks on Sunday evening, 13th May 

Got to go now as I've been sucked into
a) The Walking Dead - Season Finale on FX
b) The Voice!!

Like I'm not easily distracted enough as it is already!!

This was my pick from last night - sorry to go off topic!!!

Happy op shopping all and thanks for all the support on the page, Twitter and blog to date, I've enjoyed the past few months!!

Hot off the Press! New Salvos store in Bayswater

From a Salvos press release this morning!

www.salvosstores.com.au

Salvos Stores is proud to announce and herald the launch of a pre-loved utopia, with the opening of the
stunning new Bayswater store located at 716 Mountain Highway at 9am on Saturday May the 12th.

The new store will feature clothing, accessories, bric-a-brac, books and toys at bargain prices. The new
store highlights the increasing popularity of the pre-loved clothing market in Melbourne. This respective
store will give customers an environmentally friendly shopping alternative to traditional retailers and a
place to find quality stock at great prices.

716 Mountain Highway, Bayswater - 5 mins from train station

The Bayswater store will offer weekly bargains including; $2 Monday Madness (selected clothing is just
two dollars per item), 20% off for Pensioners and Concession Card holders on Tuesdays, 20% off for
Students on Wednesdays and 50% off a range of stock every week.

This expansion is due to the success of Salvos Stores and the current economic climate, as new
customers are turning to Salvos Stores as an alternative to traditional retail outlets. At Salvos Stores,
customers know that they can find ‘that bargain’ but still enjoy a high level of customer service and product
quality.

Kim Willshire, Salvos Stores Victoria and Tasmania Regional Manager said “Over time, it has been
virtually impossible to ignore the increasing influence of Salvos Stores and second hand shopping, as
consumers become more cautious with disposable income and are forever on the hunt for hidden gems”.

“Shoppers can be sure all proceeds from the store will go towards supporting the fantastic work of The
Salvation Army in the wider community. Shopping at Salvos Stores gives a sense of social responsibility
back to the consumers”.

Salvos Stores Southern Territory operates 210 retail stores in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria,
Tasmania and Northern Territory. Salvos Stores operate as a fully functioning retail business, recycling pre
loved goods and relying heavily on the generosity of the public. Overall Salvos Stores operates as a
thriving business with the added benefit of contributing positively to the excellent work of The Salvation
Army.

For more information about Salvos Stores please go to www.salvosstores.com.au.

Looking forward to hopefully seeing some pictures and reviews soon!

GIVIT - "create a ripple of positive change"

I've come across this site a couple of times in the past 12 months but following an Op Shop Tour and a recommendation for a lady from Sandlewood Op Shop I decided to investigate further.

I'm on a committee for a not for profit and every cent counts when you are running on empty, this is the case for many not for profits, charities and individuals across Australia.  GIVIT is a great way of seeing what is needed or of posting items available to those who are needy.

Thanks so much to Juliette from GIVIT for taking the time to answer some of the questions I had.  More can be found on their website also http://www.givit.org.au/

Juliette has said "We REALLY are trying hard to help ease the effects of poverty in Australia. Our goal is to ensure people get exactly what they need. We believe there is such a large amount of items beneath people's stairs, in their cupboards, garages that can truly benefit people.

When I started GIVIT the second item that got donated was for a young homeless mother who didn't have transport from her new accommodation to get the child into daycare. The GIVIT Community gave her a bike with baby carriage that allowed her to get the baby to the centre and get a part time job and raise money for a car. It really is very very simple things that make a tremendous difference:

- an iPod for a boy with schizophrenia

- clay for a disabled centre

- utensils for a previously homeless man

- nail clippers for a man with mental disabilities

- closed toe work boots for a homeless family so the father can get work in the roads.

What has been the biggest challenge for GIVIT since it's launch in 2010?

There have been several including unexpected attention during the Qld floods - and the massive responsibility we felt in channelling all the offers of assistance directly to people in need.

What sort of charities and NFP's benefit from the donations?

25% of donations are for homeless people or people who are entering into assisted accommodation after being homeless

8% donations for women and children domestic violence

15% single parents struggling

20% of items for those with physical or mental disabilities

We also allow charities to request items (15%) so they are not continuously fundraising for items for their center.

Can you give a few examples of how the donation system works?

You can either view the GIVIT List http://www.givit.org.au/The-givit-list.aspx or add any quality items to the GIVIT virtual warehouse which is only seen by over 500 charities.

You can see the transport method required before you commit. GIVIT is just a match maker.. We don't do transport.

How can people help to spread the word on GIVIT?

Join GIVIT to receive the weekly List of what is needed – specific to their area

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/GIVIT_AUS

Read Juliette’s new Blog

Are there items needed on an ongoing basis?

We are continuously requiring items people use every day including fridges, washing machines, beds, bedding, children’s toys, cutlery, garden tools.. the list changes every day.

There is a Charity in St Kilda that requires 16 cots. We would love the Victorian Community to donate portacots, and cots

Thanks so much Juliette.

GIVIT is expanding nationally and I can vouch for how well it has worked, I joined and I did not ask for big things, just everyday basic essentials that would help our centre tick over.  We have received three items to date kindly donated by strangers.

This arrived in the post one day from a lady who had them left over and read a post I'd made, you would be surprised how big my smile was and how appreciated it is for my NFP centre.

The vision on the GIVIT website

To become a global giving network that reduces human suffering

These are some of the items on the GIVIT list now

CD Player

Hairbrushes

Bike Pump

If you are a donor or a NFP/Charity I think GIVIT is worth a shout out and thanks again to Sandlewood Op Shop (you know who you are!!) for making me go back and have a closer look at this fantastic initiative!

This quote is on the GIVIT website

I like them so much I'm adding them to the new page of my blog - My Op Shop Friends. 

Op Shop - You Tube Picks

I haven't done this for a while but here's a few op shop clips out there on You Tube

It's not this years Ball but here's a clip of the 2010 Variety Op Shop Ball

They raised over $40,000!!

I'm still saving for one in 2013!

A great overview of the Sacred Heart Mission Op Shops, I've been to a couple of these and they're great, very atmospheric and the buildings are packed with character.

Some great interviews with customers and volunteers.

And a cute one to finish from Adelaide

Mmbopp!!!! I know you're singing it in your head!!

Here they are a bit more recently

Anyone else think they're a lot less annoying and cuter now than they were then?

Op Shop Humour - language alert!

I keep seeing these cards pop up all over Facebook and had to share them with some fellow op shoppers!!

All care of http://www.someecards.com/





I'll invite you round to my Pinterest garden which does not include 2 tree stumps, faded toddler toys, mismatched plastic furniture and ugly air con equipment!!

Great site full of humour, which is your favourite?