TheThriftShopper.Com's Online Thrift Shopper's Magazine

THRIFTING IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

By: Rebecca Kurek
Visit her blog at Thrifty Goodness

Ahhhh, December. Certainly one of my favorite times of the year. The Christmas holiday begins for me on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Often I am one of the millions who flock to the malls to get those Black Friday deals. Although the last two years I've taken to staying home, making a pot of good coffee and putting up my Christmas tree. I have an artificial tree-two, in fact-and I consider myself a collector of tree ornaments. I buy them throughout the year whenever I visit new places. I guess by now you would know that I also hit the thrift stores for decorations as well.

My local thrift stores usually start putting Christmas and other winter holiday items out in early fall. I have to say that the pickins are slim or at least have been for me. You have to dig through mounds of plastic tinsel garland, light up dancing santas, and numerous strands of non-working lights to find your treasures. But I promise you, if you dig, you shall find!

I like to buy up boxes of old glass ornaments. Sometimes you get lucky and get real vintage pieces like this box of vintage Shiney Brites:

And yes, that price tag does say 95 cents. While real vintage finds are rare, more recent varieties of glass ornaments still make for stunning displays:

All ornaments in this bell jar were thrifted for around $2 to $3 a box. You can use these glass balls to fill bowls, glasses, and even thrifted cocktail shakers!

This display is completely thrifted! Two of the shakers were free from a friend, one was $3.00 and the other 75 cents. The ornaments were around $2.00 total and the ornament-shaped oil lamp was 99 cents. Not bad for 8 bucks!

Aside from ornaments, you can also find cookie tins and holiday plates, which make great containers for homemade cookies and candies.

Compared to what you would pay even at the discount stores, you will still save money and

recycle by buying used. Keep your eyes peeled for home decorations and holiday craft items as well. I found all of this on a recent trip:

Holiday napkins will do well as gift basket liners or fabric for making holiday crafts, a holiday cross stitch kit makes a great gift, golden pineapple spreaders to assist at your holiday gathering, and a small quilted stocking for stuffing with some of your homemade goods. How much was it all? $7.00 total.

Buying holiday gifts at the thrift is not only cost effective but unique! I like to give containers and baskets filled with goodies. You can use many items easily found at thrift stores to create these bundles of joy. Look for mason jars, planters, candle holders, and other items that allow you to pack them with things just right for your recipient. Plus, you know there are tons of people out there who would appreciate a "vintage" surprise like a stack of thrifted tea towels tied with a ribbon or even a bag of those vintage ornaments. Many items at the thrift are new with the tags still on them and can easily be gifted. Don't forget to check those bags of miscellaneous items for stocking stuffers, too!

Each item above was $1.00 or less. You can't beat that!

So be creative in your packaging and bring back the wonder of all things retro this holiday season. Thrift your gifts and decorations this year!

Happy holidays!

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CUTTING UP WITH DECOUPAGE
By: Jenn Thorson a.k.a. Thrift Shop Romantic

So ya say you have a dresser that hasn't felt the love since 1968. Or a table with good lines and a bad finish. Or an old trunk that's simply going nowhere. Well, don't pack it in: transform it -- with decoupage and your imagination.

Decoupage literally means "to cut out," and it's a decorative art which uses shapes cut from flat materials-- papers, fabrics, plastics, what-have-you-- which are affixed and varnished into the surface.

And decoupage is a great way to convert thrifted items into original -- and stunning-- works of functional art. Think furniture that just needs a face-lift. Think photos, papers or fabrics to form your decoupage design. Thrift stores are an ideal resource for the inexpensive and interesting project materials that can make items go from ho-hum to heirloom.

There are a number of techniques for doing decoupage, but typically, you'll need the following materials:

A pair of sharp, nimble scissors (note: large shears may not allow you to cut around small details)
Flat materials to cut out, which form the design
Modge-Podge or other clear-drying craft glue (I'm partial to Aleene's Tacky Glue)
A top-coat varnish (I'm fond of Deft paint-on varnish because it tends not to yellow as much, and dries thicker and more solidly than spray-on varnishes)
A cheap flat-headed artist's paintbrush to use on the glue
A large household paintbrush for varnishing
And your item targeted for make-over

Now, decoupage itself is easy-- but before you begin, you're probably going to want to make a few key decisions.

Thinking It Through

First decide whether the item you wish to decoupage needs a lick of paint to serve as the background for your design. If the finish on your item isn't the best or isn't in a tone you like, paint may be a smart option for freshening things up. Just remember once you've decoupaged, you can't go back and fix the finish behind it.

Now you need to think about how to update the item. Asking yourself a couple of quick questions can help you decide on an approach:

What are the colors of the room in which your finished project will live?
What is the overall style of that room?
What is the general style of the item targeted for transformation?

Pop-art graphics pasted onto French Colonial furniture, for example, might make all your hard work lack a bit of credibility. (And make your guests giggle and point.) The same way Victorian images on 50s chrome might feel a little jarring. Just consider how the item will fit into your overall scheme, and that should help guide your choices.

And one last thing to keep in mind: If you're using vintage or "one-of" items to paste onto your decoupage project, you may wish to either scan those items electronically and print them out on a printer, or make photocopies of the materials and use those in your work. This allows you to keep the integrity of your items and use them again for future projects.

Decoupage Away!

Okay-- now, the fun part: Decoupaging. Cut out the images you wish to use, and arrange them in a pattern you like. Make sure the images in that arrangement will fit properly on the surface targeted for decoupage.

Then use your artist's paintbrush to paint a very thin layer of Modge-Podge (or other craft glue) evenly on the surface of your item, spanning the basic dimensions your final composition will be. Working from the central images outward, stick the images to the glue and press them firmly to the surface so there are no bubbles or ripples, careful not to tear your paper, which will be damp. Let this dry, and glue down any additional edges that may have come loose.

Now apply a second thin coat of glue over the top of your images. Don't panic that the images are now white with glue and you can't see them. This will be clear when dry-- No, really. Honest.

Once again gently smooth out the images so there are as few bubbles as possible. If all of the edges are not flat when dry, put a second thin layer of glue over those rogue edges and let those dry as well.

At this point, you may wish to add some hand-finished touches to the images with acrylic paint--as you see in some of the projects pictured here. And if so, you can do it by painting right over the glue and letting it dry.

On to the varnish! And once again, don't panic if the first, thin coat of varnish makes your images turn temporarily white. It's just the reaction of the glue to the varnish, and both should dry with a clear, even surface. Let this dry per the instructions on your varnish product. The more layers of varnish you apply, the more your decoupaged image will look like it's inlaid directly into the project surface. I usually do about three, but some folks like to do more.

And here's my prediction: once you start decoupaging, you might just view your thrift store adventures in a whole new light. Decoupage opens your eyes to the fact that almost anything can be a candidate for transformation. And when you can use everything from vintage luggage tags and sporting event programs to wrapping paper, greeting cards, and paper dolls, the themes and possibilities for decoupage projects are limited only by your time and imagination. That's what makes it all such a cut-up!

(For more information on the individual projects pictured here, visit the Decorative Painting section of www.thriftshopromantic.com)

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I LOVE CASHMERE
By: Alexandra Murphy
Visit her blog at www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

I love cashmere! It's just too bad I can't afford to buy it at retail - or discount store prices, for that matter. So what is a cashmere lover to do? Thrift!

As an avid thrift shopper, I am always on the lookout for second-hand cashmere sweaters. What follows is this thrift shopper's cashmere-shopping tutorial, along with a few hints on caring and repairing these fragile finds.

First, one need not (and should not) pay a lot for a cashmere sweater in a thrift store. Not only is this a personal conviction, it's a practical one, too. It is extremely rare to find a cashmere sweater in prime condition. They invariably have holes, have been stored improperly - or at least in such a way (on hangers, generally compressed rather tightly between other articles of clothing) that they have been subjected to additional mishandling in their journey from their original home to their spot on rack. Paying more than $10.00 for a cashmere sweater in a thrift store is, in this thrifter's mind, sheer folly. Of course, there are always exceptions to that rule, provided one knows what to look for.

First off, real cashmere is the product of a very involved and cost-intensive process originating from goats residing primarily in three geographic areas: China, Mongolia, and Afghanistan. There are other smaller markets and recent economic developments have caused the price of raw cashmere to plummet, so there are more and more sources for cashmere sweaters than ever before. This is perhaps why it has become easier to find cashmere and blends in thrift and second-hand stores.

The first task at hand is to identify cashmere. It should be labeled, although that is not always the case. There are simple enough ways for a marginally educated eye to deduce whether a sweater is the real thing or not.

The label: On a cashmere sweater, care is taken to not damage the fragile yarns by unnecessary stitching. The cashmere label will generally be sewn on with just a single stitch in each corner. A label that is completely machine-stitched on (either down the sides or all around) is not likely to be part of a cashmere sweater! If the label indicates the sweater is a cashmere/silk blend, then that might explain the sturdier stitching.

Cashmere/silk blends make nice sweaters and should be priced lower as well.

When there is no label: The way the piece is put together is the best clue as to whether a label-less garment is cashmere or acrylic. While the differences are subtle at first, to the accustomed shopper, the stitching at the arms, collar and the placket (the area behind the buttons which runs down the front of a cardigan), tells it all.

An acrylic sweater will have more obvious machine stitching. This stitching often includes thicker collars and armbands, appears to be more "reinforced," and has a diagonal-like pattern as the outer row of stitching. With a cashmere sweater, the stitching
will not be obvious. The bands of the arm and the bands at the bottom are generally the same gauge as the rest of the sweater and are not reinforced with a rolled seam when looked at from the inside. When hunting down cashmere, it is worth it to note a few things: first, single-ply cashmere is probably the most common (and least expensive) form of 100% cashmere. Multi-ply (double, triple, etc.) is thicker, softer and more desirable. If it costs more, it's because it's worth more. In addition to cashmere, nice sweaters can be found that are 100% merino wool, but merino shrinks more and is not as soft.
If camel hair sweaters turn up, these are worth buying, as this wool is almost as precious as cashmere and is very soft as well.

I've pulled a few pictures of both acrylic and cashmere sweaters to illustrate things to look for when on the hunt:

This is a cashmere sweater. Note how flat the neckband is - and there is not a lot of obvious machine stitching. Also, the gauge of the wool is very fine.

Below is an acrylic sweater, with a thicker neckband, raglan shoulder (diagonally joined), and thicker stitch at the armhole.

Checking the stitching at the side and arm seams, along with the thickness of the collar, gauge of the yarn, and how the label is sewn in allows you to quickly determine if a sweater is cashmere or acrylic. A cashmere cardigan will have a length of ribbon/binding sewn in back of the buttonholes - an acrylic one generally does not. A cashmere sweater will never have a zipper in it!

Once you've determined you are looking at cashmere, it's time to inspect! Carefully move up and down the front and then the back, checking for holes. Next, inspect each arm. Expect to find holes! If there were no holes, chances are, the sweater wouldn't be at the thrift store. These holes can be repaired if they are not too big. Darning the holes closed is simple, making it worthwhile to keep threads of various colors on hand at home. If a sweater is a really good buy but has conspicuous holes, consider purchasing it anyway. Simply repair the holes and wear it as an under-layer or cut it into a dickie.

Once the sweater is home, stitch up the holes and then wash it by hand in a good quality human shampoo (adding a dollop of conditioner is not a bad idea either). Let the sweater soak well and rinse it thoroughly. To dry, press out excess water, place it on top of a color-safe towel, and roll it up. Press on the towel, unroll it, and place the sweater flat to dry.

Using gentle handling, these sweaters should last for a long time. Inspect them regularly for holes and repair immediately and diligently. Try not to store cashmere on hangers, unless they are the good wooden ones. Make sure the closet has very good ventilation. Otherwise, the sweaters do best in a drawer. During warm (non-cashmere) weather, store the sweaters in a box, separated by a layer of tissue, as shown below:

Treat your thrift store cashmere well, and you should be able to enjoy it for years!

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HOW TO CLEAN BOTTLES
By: Bill Ellis
Visit his blog at
jailstories.blogspot.com

Would you like to clean those nice perfume bottles you have collected? I discovered that more things in life can be accomplished if you constantly approach problematic situations from a different angle. Youngsters call this phenomena " thinking outside the box ." One day, while puttering in the garage on an eBay find that my wife handed me, I came up with a successful method to clean just about any kind of glass bottle you would ever run across.

Much like you, I tried various techniques of getting " gunk " out of perfume bottles with a limited amount of success. That is, until I worked out the following system. I am sure that I am not the first person to discover this little process, but I am also pretty sure that most collectors are not readily eager to share this information with you. The truly amazing part is that it is so easy to do and it is astonishingly effective.

Take a gander of before and after...

Here is a list of the supplies you will need to do the work...

• Disposable rubber gloves
• CLR or other "lime-eating" liquid bathroom cleanser
• Rubbing alcohol
• Electrical tape and plastic wrap
• An old plastic medicine dosage cup like the one on a Nyquil container
• Tea strainer or something similar

3 oz of size 8 lead bird shot used in shotgun shells. (Befriend a hunter or trapshooter and get him/her to take three shells apart for you - you only want the lead shot.) Or you can use small glass "seed" beads found at your local craft and hobby store.

Remove the perfume dauber, stopper, or unscrew the top of the atomizer. Prepare your bottle by

rinsing with warm water to remove any surface dirt. Next, get your cleaning supplies organized. You will need a small flexible container or a small household funnel to pour solution. I use one of those small plastic dosage caps left over from a nighttime cold-medicine bottle to hold the cleaning solution. It works great because you can squeeze it to form a narrow spout for pouring the solution and the lead shot into the bottles. Do not handle the lead shot with your bare hands at any time. Always use disposable rubber gloves. The gloves should never be an option, rather, they are a necessity.

Protect paper labels on your bottles by tightly wrapping the outside of the bottle several times with ordinary plastic wrap. Once that is done, seal the joint with electrical tape where the wrap meets the neck of the bottle. This is NOT water proof, but it will help you keep the paper labels dry and unaffected from splashes. Pour the lead bird shot into the perfume bottle. Fill smaller bottles 1/4 full. Larger bottles can take the entire 3oz of lead shot. Add cleaning solution to the shot in the bottle. Add enough cleaning solution to saturate approximately 3/4 of the shot in the bottle.

Put the top of the perfume back in place or hold your gloved finger over the opening of the bottle and shake it in different directions and angles. The lead shot will do the rest. Rotate the bottle from time to time as you shake. The more dirty the bottle, the more you have to shake. The shot will not harm the glass in any way, so go ahead and shake it like you mean it. Use a circular clockwise motion to get the bottom of the bottle clean.

You can tell the bottle is becoming clean as the solution darkens during the shaking process. Practice will let you know when the bottle is clean. For real stubborn bottles, let the solution soak in the bottle over night.

Once you feel the bottle is clean, put a small amount of very hot tap water in the bottle so that the bottle is filled a little more than 1/2 full. Shake the bottle one more time to thoroughly mix water with cleaning solution and shot. If hot water does not work well enough, drain the bottle and use alcohol to rinse.

When you have no more bottles to clean, dump the entire contents of the cleaning solution and shot into a tea strainer.

Rinse shot thoroughly under warm running water from the tap. Put the lead shot back into a small container for future use. You can use one of those 35MM film canisters with the lid that snaps in place. Do not be concerned if the lead shot has changed color.

I use a compressor to dry my bottles out, but you can use a hair dryer. If you enjoy finding new tools to help with cleaning bottles, go to your local computer store and ask where they keep the Co2 pressurized canisters for blowing out dirt from keyboards and electrical parts. Hold the bottle upside down when blowing water out. Let the bottle drain upside down on some paper towels if you have the patience to wait for them to dry naturally. That usually takes a day. I am sure you will be pleased with the results of this process. I used to dread the thought of cleaning a " new " dirty bottle, but now I actually look forward to it.

If you use the bottle again for perfume, be sure to rinse it thoroughly with rubbing alcohol to remove all traces of the cleaning solution.

One more look at the results...

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BUYING VINTAGE PRINTS
By: April Granade a.k.a. Thrift Store Queen

Arming yourself with some basic knowledge can help you sift through the art trash and discover art treasure. I have compiled a few tips on how to recognize antique art prints, lithographs, and original paintings. Very few items pique my interest more than a box of old, dusty paintings, especially when the frames are old and dusty, too. Some people may be nervous about buying and selling vintage prints and wonder what the heck the difference is between a lithograph and a print. You do not have to be an art expert to be able to distinguish a valuable piece of art from the mundane. If you find yourself staring at a box of old paintings, consider yourself extremely lucky and remember the following helpful tips:

LOOK FOR A SIGNATURE
If you are blessed with the luck of the Irish, every old framed picture that you come across will have a clear and readable name written in one of the lower corners. If you have at one time or another ticked off any little green men that spoke with an Irish brogue, you will need to do some research. Don't stop reading at this point. Research can be fun and enjoyable, and you will start getting used to some of the signatures that will be the most rewarding for your collection or your store inventory.

Rockwell Kent

OKAY, THERE IS A SIGNATURE. DOES ANYBODY COLLECT THIS ARTIST?
Obviously, there are a vast number of artists, and no one could possibly name them all. I can barely pronounce-much less spell-many of their names. How about we just try and stick to some of the most collectible in this guide and leave the in-depth discussions for the art experts. We simply want to buy and sell vintage paintings, not delve into the merits of Paul Cezanne's style and technique over Pablo Picasso's. I would probably fall asleep during my own guide if we went into that territory anyway.

Names to be on the lookout for:

• Maxfield Parrish
• Wallace Nutting
• John Taylor Arms
• Thomas Hart Benton
• Marc Chagall
• Henri' Matisse
• C.H. Vogt
• Rockwell Kent
• John Boydell
• J.P. Newell
• Sam Savitt
• Currier & Ives
• Bessie Pease Gutmann
• Charles H. Sawyer
• David Davidson
• Fred Thompson
• Florian A. Baker

John Taylor Arms

These are just a few of the more well-known and collectible artists of the late 19th and early 20th century. If you get familiar with these names, you will be well on your way to having a little bit of knowledge in the art print field.

HOW DO I TELL IF IT IS ORIGINAL
A PRINT, OR A LITHOGRAPH?

The best way to know is to look at the painting. Does it have a printing company label or numbers that look like this: 220/1000? Does it have a lithograph publishing company stamp on any of the corners? Is it hand signed? Does it have a stamped signature? Is it a copy of an original picture or painting? Does the back of the painting have a printer's mark or stamp on it?

If you can't find anything on the painting or in the painting to help identify it, then use this as a last resort only: Carefully take away the back of the painting from the frame. Remember to protect the picture and the glass and the old frame as much as humanly possible while doing this procedure. If you find anything on the picture or painting, then research what you found.

Once the only thing I could find anywhere on a vintage picture was a small sticker with the printing company's name on it, a date from the 1950's, and a city, Dallas, Texas. Stuck? I don't think so. I researched the companies that had business licenses issued to them in Dallas, Texas, in the 1950's. Voila! I found the printing company had been bought out by a larger company. I Googled the larger company for its listings of vintage prints issued in Dallas during the 1950's, and I found the artist and the title of my painting.

Marc Chagall

ORIGINAL PAINTING

This is the actual piece of art that the actual artist painted. The artist took his brush and made each stroke and color on the painting. He may have used oils, watercolors, charcoals, pen & ink, or the blending of mashed flowers but he/she actually worked on the piece of artwork personally.

PRINT (LIMITED EDITION OR OPEN EDITION)
A print is a work of art that meets these requirements: 1. Creation of the master image by artist alone on the plate, stone, wood block or other material. 2. The execution of the print by the artist himself or under his direction and knowledge. 3. Approved by the artist himself.

LITHOGRAPH
A print reproduced by the process of printing from a smooth, flat stone or metal plate on which the picture, design, etc. is made with a greasy material that will hold printing ink, and the rest of the surface being made ink-repellant with water.

Lastly, realize that you are dealing with the marketability of an artist, printer, or lithographer. The condition and subject matter of the painting and frame are also important aspects to consider when buying or selling your vintage pictures. A vintage print or lithograph with the original frame and glass usually bring higher prices on the market. Good subjects to deal with are western, black Americana, art deco, and art nouveau.

Maxfield Parrish

Now you are ready to go out and buy those remarkable vintage prints and paintings. So good luck, be nice to all leprechauns you meet, and be confident in yourself. If you like a vintage painting for whatever reason it appeals to you, chances are it will appeal to others as well.

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THE ART OF RECYCLING AN OLD SWEATER
By: Kathleen Rossi-Howell
Visit her website at Liquid Sky Arts

Today's victim is an old sweater that I've felted in my washing machine and recycled into a zippered pouch and Christmas stockings. You can find a vast array of feltable sweaters in your local thrift store. Here is a quick guideline for finding the right materials: Mohair, Alpaca, Cashmere, and Wool generally felt well as long as they have not been treated in any way to make them machine washable. (*Hint: If the tag also says "dry clean only", that's a good sign!)

To felt, place sweater inside out inside of a zippered pillowcase. Fill your washing machine with hot water at the lowest water level possible. You can add a teaspoon of dishwashing
soap or Eucalan Wool Wash and place your ba

in the machine. Agitate, checking the progress every few minutes. It will probably take several agitation cycles before the felting is complete. Don't let your bag run through the spin cycle, which can cause permanent creases. Lay your sweater on a towel flat to dry.

This is where it gets fun!

Cut your sweater up into the desired shape for your project. I cut the neck of this sweater to make the zippered pouch above.

Inspired by the sweater stockings I've recently

seen in ME's Home Companion , and Alicia Paulson's amazing collection from her boutique Rosy Posy Little Things , I thought I'd try to make some as decorations for our upcoming Christmas Eve party. I started by making a exaggerated paper template from the shape of a sock to cut the pieces for these Christmas stockings.

Remarkably, I was able to sew these thick pieces together with my humble little sewing machine! But if you think it's too much wear and tear for your own machine, these can still be quickly sewn together by hand using the whip-stitch.

Adding the final touches is always my favorite part. Here I used old mother of pearl buttons that I found at a flea market, embroidery floss, batting that my cocker spaniel had conveniently torn out of one of his stuffed toys, and some left-over felt from another project to make the flowers.

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USES FOR VINTAGE HANDKERCHIEFS
By: Luanne Oda a.k.a. Nanalulu

Vintage ladies handkerchiefs make a wonderful collectible and they are still quite affordable. People often ask me, though, What do you do with them? How can you display them? Here are a few ideas for you. You can display them framed in clear acrylic clip frames.

• Use them as doilies on tables & nightstands
• Show them off under glass on a coffee table
• Sew into quilts, pillows, sachets, tablecloths, or potholders
• Make a valance by clipping them onto the top of a curtain with clothespins
• Display them in a vase or hang them from a towel bar
• Wrap small gifts with them
• Sew a monogrammed hankie onto the front of a little girl's bib overalls
• Use them to line your baskets

• Trim the edges with beads & make a "cozy" for your teacups

• Tie them onto your ponytail, belt loop, or purse
• Tuck them into birthday, holiday, or get well cards
• Use monogrammed hankies for the "something old or something blue" for a bride to be, give as gifts to bridesmaids, flower girls, mothers of the bride and groom
• Display them hung by little wooden clothespins on a vintage indoor clothesline or satin ribbon

• A customer gave me this idea to pass along. She is giving a monogrammed hankie to her son's girlfriend as a small gift for her prom night. A nice tradition to start!
• Another customer idea: They look lovely draped over a nightlight for soft romantic lighting.
• Use any type of vintage rack for display

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THRIFTER OF THE MONTH
I'm Living the Thrifted Life
By Selena Mordue a.k.a. Apron Thrift Girl

Milk, cookies, and thrifting were probably the first words out of my mouth. As a toddler, drinking milk, eating cookies, and being dragged to our small local thrift store are what filled my early memories. I didn't think much about thrifting. I remember wishing I could have new clothing, but overall, thrifting was a normal part of my life. As I grew into a picky teenager, I did see less of thrift stores. My teens were during the late 80's, and thrift stores around my hometown were pretty dumpy.

I started shopping more at the mall during my high school years. We had more money, which meant we were not so dependent on thrifting for our clothing. This changed once again when I moved away and started going to college. All of a sudden my pocketbook didn't look so full living away from my parents. I slowly started going to thrift stores again, at first to check out the books, then onto

housewares, and finally back into the changing room to try on second-hand clothing. I was back, and I must admit it felt good to be there. I realized in my early twenties while living in my first house that thrifting is one of the best forms of recycling that a person can do. It's not like you have to boil it down, turn it into mush, place it on a conveyor belt, and mold it into a new form. You can donate a chair, which can be sold as is, until someone buys it and makes their own changes.

When I married, I took my frugality/thrifty side with me. My marriage took me to the UK to live with my British husband Dave. Thrifting took on an entirely different look. Instead of large thrift stores in the US, the UK thrift stores were packed into very small spaces. Here I was a seasoned thrifter with no place to really thrift. In England, thrift stores are called charity shops. And in one small town center you might find four or five different shops, and some of them might be right next to each other. I was so disappointed at first, as I was quite spoiled with spacious thrift stores. That is, until I discovered car boot sales, which are kind of like flea markets.

Cars will drive into a field and the sellers will unload their boot (trunk) onto small tables, tarps, and blankets. During my time in England we went on a weekend trip to continental Europe. While we were in Germany we stumbled upon a flea market. I was a little intimidated to be bargaining in German with deutschemarks, but I still managed to walk away with a gorgeous vintage mirror with an inlaid oak frame for only $35.00.

As we moved a few more times before settling outside Seattle, Washington, I would get to know an area through thrifting. While some parents took their kids to the mall to buy things, I took mine thrifting. My journey of thrifting has been an enjoyable one. Between thrifting items and reselling them, blogging about thrifting, and having a thrift website, I'd say I'm living the thrifted life.

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CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
Ranchos de los Animales

Ranchos de los Animales in Nipomo, California, offers a therapeutic horseback riding program to aid people with disabilities as well as a farm animal petting zoo. The ranch has 13 very gentle, voice-trained horses available for people of all ages to ride. Voice-trained horses are used at the ranch so that riders aren't required to direct them with the reins or their legs. Riding horses is therapeutic both physically and mentally, and benefits include increased abdominal, back, and trunk strength, as well as a boost of confidence from feelings of power and control.

Beth Currier is the owner and director of Ranchos de los Animales. She operates the ranch herself with her many volunteers. As a youngster, Beth had been riding horses for two years when she was afflicted with polio at the age of 12. Beth was determined not to let her illness prevent her from riding again, and her father helped by putting her right back in the saddle. Each time Beth slid off the horse, her father would put her back up. Eventually, she was able to sit on her own and then finally keep her seat as the horse started out with a few slow steps and eventually worked up to a jog.

Public stables often will not allow children with disabilities to ride horses, and this inspired Beth to create her own ranch for people with special needs. The two RAD Thrift Stores in Santa Maria and Bakersfield, California, contribute about $36,000 a year to operate Ranchos de los Animales. Both stores are very well-rounded and sell furniture, clothing, housewares, and bric-a-brac. I recently had the chance to speak with Beth Currier and hear about the wonderful program that Ranchos de los Animales has in place to accommodate anyone's financial or special needs.

THE NATIONAL THRIFTER: Do you want to just start out by giving me an overview of your charity?

BETH CURRIER: Well, we've been a nonprofit for 19 years now. In '84 we became part of the nonprofit organization. And basically, we provide a free ranch experience, a therapeutic equestrian program for all people with disabilities. We charge no fixed rates. We know so many disabled are on a fixed income, so they can come ride a gentle, voice-trained horse or enjoy or large farm animal petting zoo at no charge. If they're capable, we ask that they do some ranch chores in exchange for their horseback ride. And that could be saddle soaping or cleaning the saddle and bridle or helping us clean the corral or sweeping the walkway or the tack room out or organizing the groom boxes, just help care for livestock, things like that.

And we work with all disabilities, also youngsters with autism or ADD, ADHD. We also work with at-risk youth because they come to us to do their community service hours, and they see the young people here that are my volunteers that are riding around learning and having a good time. And so they'll come back after they've done the community service and become volunteers, and they will learn to ride and handle horses, too. And subsequently, when they learn, they then end up helping to teach others how to learn to ride and handle the horses.

TNS: Are the RAD Thrift Stores the sole support of the ranch?

BC: We will do some birthday parties for the community. We'll do some public riding lessons. We go to public events where we may do some pony rides or a petting zoo, and those donations will all come toward the ranch, too. So we'll earn monies, too, but the thrift stores are primarily our support.

TNS: And so when you do go out and do other events, you only ask for a donation, not a mandatory fee?

BC: Right. And even our riding lessons, it's a very sliding-type scale. Some people can't afford it. We don't charge $40.00 an hour like most stables do around here. We ask what they can afford, and sometimes they would prefer to exchange ranch chores. So they'll do two hours of ranch chores in exchange for that free riding lesson, so we work it that way, too.

TNS: Do you know approximately how much money the RAD Thrift Stores provide to operate the ranch every year?

BC: About $3,000 a month, so we'll take that times 12, and that gives our approximate.

TNS: How many people can you accommodate at the ranch at one time? You said you have a petting zoo also. I'm just wondering how big Ranchos de los Animales is.

BC: Well, we also work with school children, especially in the spring. Special ed kids will come maybe 20 to a class, and then we've got like two classes of kindergarteners, so we'll accommodate 40 or more at a time. And we work hard to make sure each child gets to ride a horse and take a tractor ride and pet and see the farm animals. When we have our disabilities classes, then it's a smaller group, depending on how severe the disability is.

TNS: So you have to plan the ranch operations from day to day?

BC: And they have to call for an appointment. People can't just come drop in. We have to have the horse groomed and saddled, so it's important that they call for an appointment.

TNS: And how many horses are there total for riding?

BC: We have a total of I would say 13 horses for riding, and then we have a couple of ponies and one miniature horse and one donkey. And we've got cows and sheep and goats and ducks and chickens. We just have a whole bunch of different farm animals.

TNS: Are there a lot of therapeutic riding programs out there?

BC: Well, our area is primarily rural. I'd say we're growing very fast here on the central coast of California. People are streaming in from the cities because we have such a desirable climate here. And in our county, we have two active programs. Mine is probably the largest. We accommodate a wider variety of people. In Santa Barbara County I believe they have two also, one in Santa Barbara, one in Santa Inez. In LA County, I bet you're going to find triple, quadruple that number.

TNS: Is everyone that works at the ranch a volunteer?

BC: They are, yes, even myself as the director. I'm not paid. None of us are paid staff. We all do this because we love what we're doing, and we just can't afford to take salaries out. Our horses eat a heck of a lot and are very expensive, and then there's the veterinarian and the farrier and everything else that's involved. It's fortunate I have the ranch. It's willed in trust to the corporation when I go. This valuable eight acres here will be willed to Ranchos de los Animales. And there aren't more programs like this because they just don't have the land and the place for it. I personally bought the land here 25 years ago.

TNS: So you're donating your own land for this whole endeavor?

BC: I will be donating this piece of property to the corporation, that's right.

TNS: It's an expensive hobby. It's nice that you're offering an affordable alternative.

BC: And young people who are not disabled can become volunteers, too. They can give us two hours of their time for that hour of riding. And after they become proficient in halters, grooming, saddling, and riding different horses, then they hardly have to do the ranch chores. They no longer have to shovel out the stalls because they're busy helping other people groom and saddle and learn, too. So it's an excellent thing for the young people that get involved.

TNS: You can see yourself progress, and you get more responsibility?

BC: That's right, and more riding time and less work once you learn the ropes.

TNS: What ages participate in this program? Is there an age minimum or limit?

BC: No, there isn't. I had a 90-year-old lady ride from England. She had never ridden a horse before. We got her on a gentle horse and led her around. And we've had two and three-year-olds with disabilities sit on horses and ride, so all ages are welcome.

You can find the RAD Thrift Stores in our directory, and please call Ranchos de los Animales at (805)489-4751 for more information or to make an appointment.

ZODIAC THRIFTER December Horoscope
	Sagittarius You'll have no shortage of admiring attention with your knockout personality and appearance this month, Sagittarius. A new romance could quite literally land on your doorstep, so take care that you're looking your best this December, even when you're just at home relaxing. Keep in touch with your new beau if frequent dates aren't possible. A party at your place is the perfect way to ring in the new year. Just make sure you commandeer car keys from guests who've celebrated a little too much. They'll thank you for it in the morning.
	Capricorn An irritable family member will have to be dealt with in the first week of December to clear the air in time for the holidays. You're willing to take on the responsibility, but your mate won't be happy about getting the short end of the stick in the attention department. To make matters worse, you'll have to keep a few secrets to yourself, but not for too long. If anyone can successfully tackle these problems and find a solution, it's you, Capricorn. Get everything out in the open and deal with matters honestly. If you don't, a mid-month disagreement could turn into a brutal argument.
	Aquarius Be prepared to meet new friends in unusual situations, and make sure to keep a tight grip on your finances. You'll be easily talked into splurging on dinners you can't afford or hosting a party that's way out of your league. Enjoy yourself this month and strut your stuff, but if you're going to take a risk, make sure it's been carefully calculated. You never know whose anger you might innocently arouse. A wonderful announcement from a family member will catch you off guard, and you'll be at the center of a celebration. Save some energy for a new and fascinating person you'll meet at a party.
	Pisces Even though you love working behind the scenes, you're ready for some recognition right about now, whether it's personal or professional in nature. You'll either be ready to ask for a raise or ask that coworker you've been interested in for a date. With your heavy workload, you'll need to take some time to be alone and relax. Your health will improve with your sense of renewal. A happy surprise is in store later in the month, and single Pisces can look forward to the possibility of love at first sight during the end of December. Make sure you're ready for it by thrifting the best New Year's Eve outfit you can find.
	Aries That long-distance relationship you'd all but given up on will surprise you this month, Aries. You'll have to figure out who's going to move because it's likely that this love affair will be renewed. Authority figures will notice your dedication and might give you a nice Christmas bonus or a chance for a promotion. In the meantime, take care to keep late night parties to a minimum, get your work done, and be available to respond to financial or romantic opportunities that arise. A new admirer will appear towards the end of the month, consider it an early New Year's gift.
	Taurus You'll have a heart-to-heart talk with a loved one in the first week of December that will produce an incredible result. Don't become involved in a relationship matter that doesn't concern you, Taurus. There will be a power struggle mid-month, and you'll have to remind yourself to be impartial and take care of your own needs first. You'll need to be well-rested and relaxed to process all of the surprises in store for you this month. Right before the holidays you'll have a burst of energy, so why not explore the thrift stores in a town near you. Use our directory to map out your thrifting adventure.
	Gemini The outgoing personality Gemini is famous for will be in overdrive this month. You'll be thanking your lucky stars for the best holiday season you've had in a long time. If you already have a special person in your life, make sure to spend time together in the second week of December before the hustle and bustle of the holidays takes over. A serious discussion might bring you down, but last-minute plans will quickly improve your mood. If you're a single Gemini, expect to meet new people in unusual ways right before the third week of December begins. Be careful not to wear yourself out too early in the month.
	Cancer Family and co-workers bring warm feelings to you this month, and you'll feel more outgoing and generous, too. You'll have to maintain your composure midway through the second week of December and not let a small issue snowball, because it definitely won't be worth the effort. Take advantage of your special talents with family-oriented matters. There is a possibility that you'll meet someone from out of town near the holidays, and they'll somehow be linked to your work. You can't afford to be overly generous this year, so keep a close eye on your wallet.
	Leo If there's one word that describes December for you, Leo, it's romance. Expect to meet someone exotic right as December begins. However, you cannot be truly together with this person until they end their long-distance commitment to someone else. I know it's hard to be patient about this, but by all means, do not act on impulse in this situation. By mid-month a sense of permanence will begin to settle in where your relationship is concerned. Money matters come into play towards the end of the month when it will be easy for someone to take advantage of you.
	Virgo Take your vitamins and get plenty of rest this December, Virgo. Just because you nap doesn't mean you're lazy. You'll be busy as December begins and your family will miss spending time with you, but they will understand when they see the end result of your hard work. A bonus or raise might be on the horizon for you or perhaps even an authoritative title of your own. Get ready for a shock mid-month when serious financial and legal issues will crop up. Pay attention to this issue and deal with it. There is no way you can ignore this problem or pretend that you're not responsible.
	Libra Even if your last blind date was disastrous, take a chance when a matchmaking sibling or neighbor wants to introduce you to someone new this month. A serious talk about a difficult subject will end up with positive results. It's best to be brutally honest in order to effect long-term changes. Investigate the goings-on at work and make sure you're on top of things. You might have increased responsibility in the workplace soon, but take the time to relax and enjoy the holidays. Just make sure to watch what you eat or you'll be incapacitated with stomach problems.
	Scorpio I know you usually go overboard with gifts, Scorpio, but you'll want to pull back this holiday season. It's no secret that you're impulsive and generous, so there's no need to impress anyone with your gift giving. Just relax and stop pushing so hard. It's not too late to slow down, so don't give in to temptation. A casual relationship will surprise you by quickly turning to love. Get ready to be spoiled by a lavish gift or an affectionate outburst. You deserve it after everything you do for those around you, so accept your rewards gracefully. Back to Table of Contents

THRIFT KITTEN TIPS

GET THE GOODS

Check with your local thrift stores and get the goods on when they display recently donated merchandise. Many stores have a particular day and time set aside for putting things out on the floor, and you'll have a chance to see what they've got before it gets picked over. Don't forget to find out when their regular thrift store sales are, too. Ask if they have an e-mail list for their sales flyers and sign up!

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THRIFTED RECIPE

Brown Rice Casserole
Submitted by Leigh Foster
Serves: 2 People

2 eggs, lightly beaten*
1/2 cup heavy cream*
1/3 cup water
1+1/2 cups cooked brown rice
1+1/4 cups grated cheddar
salt, pepper to taste
pinch of cayenne, if desired
1/2 of a green pepper, chopped
1/2 of a yellow onion, chopped

*You can substitute egg whites for eggs or half and half for cream. In
fact, you can substitute cheeses or add more vegetables, like carrots
and mushrooms.*

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs with cream and water. Stir
into cooked rice. Add cheese, salt, pepper, cayenne, green pepper,
onion and any other vegetables. Mix well, put in oiled casserole dish
or deep rectangular baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, until
top is crispy. Enjoy!

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