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

23 comments:

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

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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. Well, how cool! I've never found original art in a thrift store!

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

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

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  10. $2.99 sounds like a deal to me! What a great piece!!

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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. oh those pink mats...my mom still has them around the house! Such a great find.

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  14. 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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  15. 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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  16. What?

    You don't like pink either?!?

    ;-)

    Beautiful, beautiful find!

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  17. 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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  18. Very cool, and a great deal too.

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

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  20. 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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