More Thrift Store Finds - Bottles with Crochet -- Post # 9

 I have 100's of things I could post that I've found at thrift stores over the years. Of course it's my passion, and Dayton, Ohio has the best thrift stores in the country, according to several sources. I did a craft fair in the fall and wanted to find some bottles that I could crochet around. They're a pretty quick project. I have other bottles with crochet, in fact there's a free pattrrn here on my blog. I just think they are a nice addition to any room, especislly if you like Boho style. You can do them in so many pretty colors.

I used jute to crochet around this bottle. Its kind of rough on your
hands but worth the outcome!

I used a soft cotton yarn for this one. Then added the beads at the top.

This one was made with a # 1 fingering yarn.

Thrift Store Find # 8

Thrift Store Find

Although I've bought hundred's of fabulous items at thrift stores over the years, I'm mainly posting crochet and knit related items. I found this stylish knit capelet for around $3.00. It caught my eye not only because of the colors, but because the 70's zig zags have been a hot trend all over the country. And I'm not just taking about crochet!

I'm sure you've seen the zig zag pattern everywhere on clothing, scarves, purses, shoes, notebooks, and even furniture! Back in the 70's most people called this a "ripple" pattern and it was very popular as an afghan design. I wasn't crazy about ripples back then, but I've discovered that it was mainly the colors they put together, just as I posted about the 70's granny square colors that were just not appealing to me. With the right colors zig zags have kind of grown on me.

This capelet could easily be done in crochet. If I were doing it, I would work the ripples in the round (or in a rectangular piece) but work the solid color in vertical rows attaching the ends of the rows to the bottom part as you go along. of course I would use my Graduated Stitch Method and work sc and dc on the same row to get the shaped effect.

Notice the baskets on the bookcase at the left of the picture? The bookcase has 15 baskets and yarn stuffed in each basket. I though it was a cool way to store some of my yarn. Of course I have probably 4-5 times that much yarn in my stash!

Most of my other yarn is in big tubs, bags and drawers. I'm hoping to have one of the rooms in my house dedicated to just yarn and some other crafts. One day, that is........

Thrift Store Find # 7 - Sak Crochet Purse

Mihaela Vaduva

I still have many more Thrift Store Finds to put on my blog, but when you're busy, life can pull you in so many different directions. It's just hard to find time to do little things and I'm pretty sure you can relate to that! Just make sure you find time to do the important things though! (like spending time with family and not neglecting your relationship with God.)

It can be so easy sometimes to let our "quiet time" with God be pushed aside when we have pressing matters to take care of.
I find that reading my Bible and praying in the morning while I drink my coffee helps me to stay on schedule with that - one of the most important things in my life. Seems like my day goes much better and is pretty much stress free when I remember to put God first. Reading God's word is like food for the soul. We wouldn't neglect eating a meal, would we? (which can weaken us and drag us down) So why would we starve our spirits, which need nourishment too? I don't mean to sound preachy, but truly want to be an encouragement to everyone I meet.

I bought this Sak crochet bag because I loved the teal color, which is one of the hotest colors for 2012. It's also brand new and the beautiful sheen of the nylon cord makes it even more appealing to me. I normally carry larger purses, but this one is big enough to carry my personal things without being too over crowded.

Most people can't afford to buy a purse or pair of shoes to go with every outfit they own but when you can find deals like this, why not? This bag cost me about $3.00, if I remember correctly.

Going "thriftin" is SO much fun!

Close - up of  Bag

Keep Scrolling!

Thrift Store Find # 6 - Navy Chain Link Sweater

Once again, Mihaela Vaduva is modeling another one of my thrift store finds in crochet. It's a simple cotton, chain link sweater. There's a lining attached underneath making it even more wearable.
I have so much fun finding these treasures. There are many more out there but unfortunately I wouldn't be able to buy them all! I usually buy the ones I think are special or different.

Thrift Store Find # 5 - Purple Lacy Sweater

Isn't this lacy lavender sweater just gorgeous? As you can tell by now I love thrift store shopping. It's my passion! When I bought these beautiful crochet garments at some of my favorite stores, I was a size small and could fit into them, but I have gained some weight & now they are too small. I won't be this size for long though, as I'm starting to get control of my life. By the way, my new home is within a mile or two of my 3 favorite thrift stores :) Now how did that work out?

Thrift Store Find # 4 - Crochet & Suede Lavender Poncho

Mihaela Vaduva Modeling the Poncho

I just wish you could see this poncho in person. The photos do not show the true beauty of the rayon thread. It has a beautiful shine and I'm sure you've seen similar crochet items with this thread in stores. I've looked for something similar for years and never found it until now.

I'm happy to say that my friend, Mona, at Creative Yarn Source (formerly Crochet Style, Etc) in Columbus, carries this kind of yarn / thread. I ordered some and it is just gorgeous. It comes in a hank, and if you're planning to wind it on a yarn swift, be very careful, since it's slippery and easy to get tangled. That happened to me and it was a mess. The thread is called La Abuela Rayon and comes in 66 beautiful colors!

La Abuela Rayon Thread at Creative Yarn Source

The solid circles on this poncho are a soft suede, which makes this crochet item a unique find.

By the way, the wallpaper in the background (top photo) is from one of the bedrooms in my home, which is decorated in Victorian style. It makes me  sad that I have to move, but I'll get to do more decorating where I'm going. Interior decorating is another one of my passions.

 Another thread with high sheen that Mona carries is  La Abuela Acetate, which has a high sheen and comes in 66 colors, as well. These threads are very similar in appearance and I know you'll love them. You just have to go to this site to view the amazing colors! If you order from her, please tell Mona that I sent you!

Thrift Store Find # 3 - Red Lacy Cardigan

Mihaela Vaduva - Red Crochet Sweater

Mihaela Vaduva

I think this sweater is really pretty. I see many pastel colored crochet sweaters at the thrift store that just don't appeal to me, because I can't wear light colors. I used to do Color Analysis and I'm very picky about the colors I wear. Wearing the right colors makes your eyes sparkle, and tends to fade blemishes and dark circles. You just feel really good when you are wearing one of your colors. 
Maybe I'll do a post on color analysis someday.

The day was dreary w/ no sunshine

You can certainly tell that red is one of Mihaela's best colors for her hair and complexion. She's a great model, isn't she?

Thrift Store Find # 2 - Colorful Straw Shoulder Bag

Colorful Crochet Bag

 The lovely Mihaela Vaduva is holding my # 2 thrift store find today. I immediately spied it in the store because of the colorful stripes and the fact it is in like new condition. I never buy anything at a thrift store unless it is in great condition.

Close-up of Shell stitch

The thrift stores we have around here (Dayton, Oh. area) are fabulous!  In fact, I've heard more than once that we have the best thrift stores in the country!

I'm sure most of you have heard of Clark Howard, the well known consumer guru. He has a talk radio show on the air every evening. I listen to him a lot and he said when he comes to Dayton he goes to our thrift stores and that we have the best ones he's ever been to.

Our thrift stores are big, clean and carry only the best of items - never anything junky, torn or dingy. Most everything looks new. They are also known for the way things are organized to look like a regular store. I constantly find new items with the price tags still attached. For instance, I may find a sweater that has an original price tag of $78, and I'm buying it for $5 or less. Everything is color coordinated, with sizes separated, making it easy to find the size you're looking for.

One of my favorite stores has 2 half price tags 1/2 off every single day. Each price tag has a color, and when you come in the front door, you'll see a sign that shows 2 colors, like green and blue, as half price. Then the next week, the sign may show orange and yellow tags as 1/2 off. The beautiful and unique purses are organized and color coordinated along a huge wall, and you will find brands such as Vera Bradley, Dooney and Burke, Liz Claiborn, Burberry, etc. The shoes all look mostly new.

Another reason I know we have the best thrift stores is because my niece in Texas told me that a Dallas newspaper had a write up on thrift stores and how more and more people are taking advantage of saving money this way. The article stated, "Dayton, Ohio has the best thrift stores in America." That was exciting for me to hear.

So why don't you hop in a car (or plane) to come visit me and I'll take you around to all my favorite thrift stores! You'll see men in 3 piece suits, women who look like movie stars with huge diamond rings, and lots of expensive sports cars in the parking lot. Maybe we could even get a little crocheting done, and visit my local yarns shops :)  If you are a thrift store enthusiast, let me know what you think of my thrift store finds! I have several more items to post.

Thrift Store Finds # 1 - Ear Flap Hat

Ear Flap Hat

 I want to say thanks to my model, the beautiful Romanian beauty, Mihaela Vaduva. She's my daughter's sister in law, who is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Actually, she's also my son's sister in law. Sound strange? Not really, after I explain it. My daughter, Jamie Hall, married Mihaela's brother, Virgil, 11
yrs ago, and then 3 yrs later, my son Brian Hall, married their sister, Anca Vaduva. So their kids are double first cousins.

Mihaela with her pretty long hair

 Their parents are finally in the states now, along with the 2 sisters. It took many yrs for them to get their visas! Their sister, Ligia, had to go back to Bucharest to finish her last yr in collage and will be back to the US in July.

The hat has braids on the sides

I couldn't have a better model to show off the stunning thrift store finds - in crochet! I found the Ear Flap hat for just 99 cents! When Mihaela tried it on she went crazy over it and of course, I told her she could have it.  Isn't this a cute and unusual hat?

Keep checking back for more thrift store finds in crochet! I have maybe 20 beautiful pieces such as lacy sweaters and pretty purses.