Wednesday, March 23, 2011

My Lucky Day at the Thrift Store

Since I started reading blogs a few years ago, I've been going to thrift stores to see what treasures I can find.  I've snagged some good deals, although I swear our thrift stores have higher prices than the ones that I read about on the blogs from the southern States.  Anyway, I always keep my eyes open for original art, so that I can find a valuable lost masterpiece like they do on Antiques Roadshow.   


A few days ago when I popped into the thrift store I saw a picture that had one of the world's ugliest frames - a brilliant gold frame with a pink mat - around a picture of a some men at work launching a loaded boat.




I was so blinded by the frame that I almost put it back, but then I noticed that the signature looked like it was done in pencil and the blue background wash extended behind the mat, which probably meant it was an original. 




So right there in the thrift store I opened up the back of the picture to check.  Sure enough there were sketches on the back of the paper and it had obviously been cut by hand.




Bingo - it was an original pen and ink sketch.  I paid my $2.99 and took it home.  Once I had removed the picture from the awful mat and frame, it looked so darn cute.




I haven't decided yet how to frame it, but it won't be in a gold frame with a pink mat.  Sheesh!  I love little pieces of art and I'm looking forward to finding a great home for it.   

Linked to Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style,
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring,
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home,
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous
Junkin' Finds Friday at A La Carte
Thrifty Thursday at born-again crafter
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm
Twice Owned Tuesday at House of Grace
Posted by Grace @ Sense and Simplicity at 8:27 PM
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23 comments:

  1. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOMEMarch 23, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Did you google the artist...you might be sitting on a masterpiece!!!

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  2. Ricki TreleavenMarch 23, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Nice find, Grace!!!

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  3. SarahMarch 23, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    I love these kind of finds. I bought a beautiful 'old?' painting in a market in Cuba. $5! And I just love it. Good luck with the framing. Will look forward to what you do.

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  4. Low Tide High StyleMarch 23, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    What a great find! And I'm sure it will be relieved to reside in something other than gold and pink!

    Kat :)

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  5. Carolyn@Sweet Chaos HomeMarch 23, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    How cool! I love that. Can't wait to see how you frame it. I'm thinking those men deserve something much more rustic or masculine. Happy you rescued them from the 80s?!

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  6. DianeMarch 23, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    Love it! You did well with your find. Can't wait until it gets a new frame...keep us up-dated. Diane

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  7. Suzanne@Meridian RoadMarch 23, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    Well, how cool! I've never found original art in a thrift store!

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  8. CheyenneMarch 23, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    I can't wait to see how you frame it and where 'home' is for this cute painting.

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  9. Ann-Marie ~ BramblyMarch 24, 2011 at 12:13 AM

    That is a great picture! Some of my favorite art came from thrift stores. Isn't it a great feeling to find such a treasure for a steal?Take care.

    Ann-Marie

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  10. Silvia CMarch 24, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    What a sweet find! Aren't thrift stores fun?

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  11. Connie in HartwoodMarch 24, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    $2.99 sounds like a deal to me! What a great piece!!

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  12. Tricia Rose Rough LinenMarch 24, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Good find Grace!

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  13. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereMarch 24, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    Grace, Love the pen and ink sketch...the frame not so much! It will look fabulous with a new frame. Great find!
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  14. ArabellaMarch 24, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    What a great find!! I love it!

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  15. Donna@anangloinquébecMarch 24, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    That is really lovely Grace. How smart of you to see past that frame. I don't know if you have ever been to Newfoundland, but you used to see fishing boats pulled up on ramps (this size of boat) after they have been out to sea. Here is a link to show you the resemblance. http://www.hickerphoto.com/st-lunaire-griquet-harbour-great-northern-peninsula-19765-pictures.htm

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  16. TaraMarch 25, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    oh those pink mats...my mom still has them around the house! Such a great find.

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  17. KitMarch 25, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    What a great find! I love finding stuff like that. My fav finds are needlework done by others and found cheap at yardsales. Kit

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  18. Lynn at Cottage and CreekMarch 25, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    What a sweet find! I love the painting. Please show it again after you re-frame it. Visiting from A La Carte. I hope you stop by and say 'hi.'
    ~Lynn

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  19. pamqMarch 26, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    What?

    You don't like pink either?!?

    ;-)

    Beautiful, beautiful find!

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  20. Linda @ A La CarteMarch 26, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    I love original pieces of art like this also. Can't beat the prices. It's a nice one and once reframed will be at rue treasure. Thanks for joining JFF!
    hugs, Linda

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  21. UnknownMarch 27, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Very cool, and a great deal too.

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  22. Shortbread and GingerMarch 28, 2011 at 4:35 AM

    Well spotted! It will look so different when framed sympathetically. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
    Liz

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  23. Lyssa BethMarch 30, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    You've got quite the eye for finds! I love the look of sketches!
    Thanks for linking up at Thrifty Thursdays!

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