It’s time again to for Goodwill, Badwill Questionable-will, where I marvel at the wealth of oddity and treasure provided by my local Goodwill thrift shops.
First up is a brand new exception to my buy used exception list, which will now read:
- Underwear, socks and bras.
- Personal care items.
- Perishables.
- Harmonicas.
- Hookah pipe tubing.
Because a proper lady has to draw the line somewhere.
The second goody to catch my eye was this skillfully painted Mrs. Butterworth bottle. And yes, that is a custom hand crocheted mantilla on her head. Cause Mrs. Butterworth doesn’t buy off-the-rack. She’s a lady and she’s got standards.
Like the art of hand painted Mrs. Butterworth bottles? Then you need to click HERE, HERE and HERE.
The oddest find of the day has to go to this handmade Nelson Mandela throw pillow. Because of course there’s nothing better than coming home from a hard day at work, laying on the couch and propping your feet up on the face of Nelson Mandela.
Humanitarian. Role model. Inspiration to millions. Throw pillow.
What did I buy? Well, I couldn’t resist the temptation of this vintage milk glass shade. With its classic art deco lines, it will look perfect in my soon to be built might get it before I retire second bathroom. This style of shade usually pairs with chunky ceramic sconces, and sell new at Rejuvenation for $40, and on eBay for $20. So $1.99 is a smoking good deal! Especially since my mother paid for it.
Thanks, mom!
My other purchase was very much a inpulse item, as I was unable to resist the groovy power of this Urban Outfitters pillow. Fat with a down insert, this pillow now brightens up my spare bedroom.
She’s huge, bright, loud and unapologetically bold and I love her!
Mwah!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you should start a book of all the pictures of the Mrs. Butterworths. I didn’t actually believed that people painted these, but then I was in a thrift store in Texas and saw one painted and made into a lamp. I posted it on your FB page.
I guess people have too much time on their hands. However, the purple one is the prettiest.
Made into a lamp?!!!! I need to look at that picture again!
Katy
i actually might have purchased that mandela pillow! i have a BA & MA in African Studies, and have studied abroad/traveled throughout the continent. fabric with political leaders/celebrities is trendy. 🙂 but the rest of the pillow doesn’t appear to be made w/african fabric so i might not actually want it in my house, but still it’s pretty cool!
I always like seeing your pictures of Mrs. B (since I’ve never seen one in my store) and laughing at the failed attempts, but that purple one is nice! I still wouldn’t buy it, but I have to give credit to the painter.
My mother *did* buy it!
Katy
All I can say is I’m looking forward to next week when I can go back to shopping the thrift stores. I love the installments of Goodwill, Badwill, Questionable-will. Perhaps I will find something to post here from my trip.
These are my favorites of all your posts. My 84 year old mom and I go to Goodwill every Wednesday for senior day. I have started looking for your painted Mrs. Butterworths and the questionably filled glass bottles. Yep, every time there are one or two. I never noticed them before. Now it’s a game to see which of us see them first! Keep ’em coming!
No! I live in Indiana and totally did not believe these existed near me! I thrift often and haven’t ever seen one. I really thought there was a crazy renegade Mrs. B. painter near Katy. Perhaps…someday….!
There is a TNT ad that blocks out part of the text on your blog today. I can read it as an email but not when I open the blog.
Blargh, nooo!
I hate that!
🙁
Katy
I was just getting ready to comment on that TNT ad as well. Last week it was something different but it does pop up on the side of the blog and you can’t read the blog or make the ad disappear. I have to leave the website and come back later. On the upside I found a Goodwill store about 45 minutes from my house, second trip the other day, scored 2 dresses, 2 blouses and a pair of summer pants for $20. Pretty soon my summer wardrobe will be complete, next is shorts.
Well, I’m kind of glad to hear it’s happening on your blog too, because it’s happening on mine! That means it’s not something I screwed up on my own blog.
I submitted a ticket to BlogHer and it probably wouldn’t hurt if you did it too, so they realize it’s a problem on at least two blogs and probably more.
I thought of you while shopping recently at the awesome main Portland Goodwill (my sister has worked there for years) and its cousin, the stylish Beaverton Goodwill. My husband and I were in the Portland area visiting our parents, and we were amazed at how much nicer the Goodwill stores are there than in our current state of residence, Indiana. My best finds were a garbage can of the perfect size to fit under my mom’s kitchen sink and a book on caring for aging parents.
Love that Urban Outfitters pillow!