Non-Consumer Photo Essay — Goodwill Edition

by Katy on May 7, 2024 · 28 comments

My husband and I stopped by the Goodwill at 122nd and Halsey Boulevard the other day and I picked up a few items for myself. Starting off with a lucky penny in the parking lot. Needless to say it’s been added to my Found Change Challenge jar.

 

I bought this $1.99 wine glass, which matches the five we already had at home. I broke one a few months ago, so this was a perfect find. There is (was?) a vendor at Portland Saturday Market that makes these pottery wine glasses, so they’re not an uncommon find. They’re so pretty, and I like that my “set” is actually a mixture of different glazes.

 

I thrifted every single one of them.

 

 

I did not buy this stemless wineglass, which came complete with a vaguely upsetting nipple feature.

 

 

Lastly is my semi-annual reminder that there’s no reason to ever (ever!) purchase a brand new mug. I made a decision to only buy used in 2007, and can tell you that the overmanufacture of consumer goods means that it’s comically easy to stay true to this strategy.

 

Lucky me.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }

Joyce May 7, 2024 at 3:33 pm

Nice set! Enjoy. I’m sure the artist would love to see this.

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Katy May 7, 2024 at 4:32 pm

I would hope so, they’re so pretty!

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Val May 7, 2024 at 4:01 pm

I love that shade of blue on the wineglass stem. Gorgeous.

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Katy May 7, 2024 at 4:31 pm

I agree, they’re just so pretty!

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JOANIE RUPPEL May 7, 2024 at 5:38 pm

These wine glasses could be one of my Top 5 of your thrifts! Great job!

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A. Marie May 8, 2024 at 1:35 am

Joanne, I agree. I think it’s especially nifty that the design of the glasses is the same but the bases vary.

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Lesley May 8, 2024 at 2:42 am

An easy way for guests to remember which glass they’re using!

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Emily May 7, 2024 at 5:54 pm

One of my first purchases in Portland after moving here last year was a funky toothbrush/paste holder from that artist at the Saturday market. Later we bought one of those wine glasses. And the PERFECT mug from a different potter that I haven’t seen there since and I’m sad because when my daughter visits we both want the mug. It’s that good. I don’t mind buying new if I’m supporting local artisans.

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Katy May 7, 2024 at 6:11 pm

Oh yes, artisans get a pass in “buy nothing new!”

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Selena May 7, 2024 at 7:07 pm

While that penny looks to be of 2024 mint date, poor Abe is already pretty beat up.
Nothing wrong with being eclectic though your wine glasses similar. To me, if an item/items make you happy, go for/with it. Dust and dust bunnies optional of course!

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Katy May 7, 2024 at 8:38 pm

He’d been run over. A lot.

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Jen in Santa Cruz May 7, 2024 at 8:02 pm

That Nipple Wine Glass reminds me of your old light fixture. Haha. I have one in my bedroom and I chuckle every time I notice it, ever since you said that. 🙂

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Katy May 7, 2024 at 8:13 pm

Sorry to have ruined your lighting for you.

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cw May 8, 2024 at 7:09 pm

Is that nipple glass one of those fancy glasses where the nipple is actually supposed to be a PNW mountain (Adams, St. Helens, Hood, etc.)? There’s that uber fancy gift shop in the Pearl —called MadeHere— that carried those glasses the last time I was in Portland.

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Katy May 9, 2024 at 8:59 am

I don’t think so, as there don’t seem to be any geological detail to the “nipple.”

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Q May 8, 2024 at 2:33 am

I like that the glasses are a set, but each unique: no need for wine glass marker rings (remember those?) to identify your glass!

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Hawaii Planner May 8, 2024 at 4:36 am

Love, love, love those wine glasses! Also love that everyone could remember their glass without needing a wine charm or marker.

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Cindi May 8, 2024 at 4:42 am

LOVE those wine glasses!!
::checks eBay::
❤️

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Jill A May 8, 2024 at 4:47 am

Those wine glasses are beautiful. I like all the different glazes.

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Ruby May 8, 2024 at 7:19 am

Such lovely wine glasses!

Buying secondhand means I can afford much better quality than I could at regular retail. I am picky about fabric for my clothing and what I like has gone the way of the dodo in affordable retail. Not adding to the ridiculous over-production of goods is equally as important.

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Fru-gal Lisa May 8, 2024 at 6:10 am

Katy, OMG! Your set of wineglasses are second to none!
I always shop thrift stores for coffee mugs, esp. holiday themed ones. A good office gift is to fill up a like-new coffee mug with individually wrapped candies and give to your colleagues. Another option is to make it into a scented candle (other ceramic or glass items, such as vases and drinking glasses, could also be used. )

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Blue Gate Farmgirl May 8, 2024 at 7:43 am

I collect those wineglasses, too! My cousin has thrifted a set of 12 and I fell in love with them and started collecting them as well, even though I don’t drink wine, I use them as water goblets. I have also found a nut dish by the same artist. It is a special thrill to find thrifted artistic art. So far this year I am not so lucky in the found change arena, I’m heading to the home building/lumber yard today, crossing fingers! I actually got run over by a flat cart as I stopped to pick up a quarter, not sure it was worth the softball sized bruises on both heels, lol.
Enjoy the beautiful weather!

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A. Marie May 8, 2024 at 9:34 am

Blue Gate, my prime directive for both change-finding and bottlepicking is “Don’t get hurt.” I remain haunted by the memory of a woman who got out of her car on one of our local Interstates to pick up a can and was run over.

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Bee May 8, 2024 at 2:02 pm

Are the wine glasses artisan made? Are they made company? are they signed? Does anyone know the maker?

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Lifetime lurker May 8, 2024 at 3:02 pm

Those wineglasses are awesome! Love the display of them too!

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Jennifer May 8, 2024 at 4:21 pm

I saw something where a couple created a mug wall for their wedding favors. I thought this was a great idea for my dd who loves coffee.

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Amanda May 10, 2024 at 5:30 am

The wineglasses are amazing!! I’ve never seen anything like those.

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Katy May 10, 2024 at 9:19 am

So cute, right?

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