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Duct Tape and Denim

Thrift store makeovers~Upcycled Jewelry~Living a Repurposed Life~DIY Crafts

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Thrifting Tips

25 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Thrift Stores, Part 2

CLICK HERE TO READ PART ONE

Mirrors.  I love finding good mirrors to makeover!  Here are a few I’ve found at thrift stores and painted:

  • Thrift Store Mirror Makeover
  • Plastic Mirror Makeover
  • The Biggest Mirror I’ve Ever Bought!

Close up of detail in my thrift store mirror makeover | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

{{{Sign up for our thrift store makeover newsletter and get your own printable copies of “25 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Thrift Stores”, “Top Ten Thrift Store Tips”, + MORE bonuses, & all our upcycled projects sent straight to your inbox. }}}

Baskets.  I see baskets in just about every thrift store I go to, also.  And did you know that they’re super easy to paint?  Here’s how I painted a picnic basket from the thrift store.

2014 - How-to-paint-a-picnic-basket-DuctTapeAndDenim.com_

Jewelry Cabinets and Boxes.  If you read my blog you’ll know that I buy LOTS of jewelry cabinet and boxes!  Here’s what they start out looking like:

Thrift store jewelry cabinet makeover | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

But take a look at the jewelry cabinets AFTER I paint and update them!

{{{ Also read 10 Tips for Jewelry Cabinet Makeovers }}}

Wood Trays.  These are really cheap at thrift stores and so helpful to have in the kitchen, coffee table, bathroom, or craft room for rounding up smaller items.  I love this wood tray with decoupaged music by Ella Claire!  She bought it for $3!!!

DIY upcycled wood tray from the thrift store. See more thrift store makeovers on DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Costume Jewelry.  I buy lots of old jewelry, even (or ESPECIALLY) if it’s broken.  You can usually get it really cheap.  Often a whole jar full for $5-20.

Vases.  I don’t think I’ve EVER bought a new vase.  And remember that glass can be painted.  I painted this simple 25 cent glass vase with chalk paint.


More Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Thrift Stores

Napkin Rings.  Sometimes I find these in good shape.  Other times I buy them to update with paint, beads, or fabric.

Vintage Silverware.  There are so many options for old silverware!  Of course, you can eat with it.  Lots of people stamp on it.  And recently I saw this project on Meegan Makes that I LOVE!  She dipped cheap silverware into paint.  I can’t wait to try that.

Paint dipped silverware. More thrift store makeovers on DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Cast Iron.  This seems to be getting harder to find.  At least in our area.  But there’s nothing like cooking with cast iron.  And most of it can be cleaned if you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease!

Casserole Dishes and Pie Plates.  I buy pie plates and tins all year long so when my hubby goes on his baking spree at Christmas we can give pies away without worrying about getting the dishes back.  Same with the casseroles.  Send a meal over to a family in need and tell them to just keep the dish or pass it along to someone else.

“Ugly” Art.  My hubby gives me a hard time about my “ugly” art but I love finding paintings by amateur artists and paint-by-numbers.

Vintage Luggage.  These are great for extra storage.  I’ve also painted a suitcase as a chalkboard and we used a small vintage suitcase to hold cards.

Vintage birdcage and suitcase vignette at Room With a Past | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Shutters.  These can be used as a headboard, jewelry organizer, or just wall decor.  I also have a pair that I use to display jewelry at shows.  Read the story of how I found the pair of black shutters hanging on our dining room wall for FREE.

Wood Coat Hangers.  I find these all the time for 25 cents.  I’ve collected enough to fill our coat closet plus I made special hangers for all Jordann’s bridesmaids last year.

DIY Handstamped bridesmaid dress hanger from a wooden clothes hanger | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

I hope you enjoyed reading my list.  Thanks for reading and let me know what you always buy at thrift stores!

CLICK HERE TO READ PART ONE

If you liked reading about my thrift store projects, check out these articles, too:

  • 10 Things You Should Never Pass Up at Goodwill
  •  

‘Til the next project,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim

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15 Comments

« Paper Straw Garland | Thanksgiving Decor
18 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Vintage Flea Markets, Part 2 »

Comments

  1. Meegan says

    October 26, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    Thank you for including my painted flatware. It was so fun.
    You have SO many ideas that I have never thought of before!

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      October 27, 2016 at 5:32 am

      Sure, Meegan! I still have this on my list of things to try. Love your blog!

      Reply
  2. Barb says

    April 10, 2017 at 5:50 am

    Loved this article! I do buy cast iron and restore it/clean it at flea markets, etc. and I buy lots of picture frames to repaint or sand, etc. Chalk paint is a quick way to dress up an old frame or to paint anything! Thanks for these great ideas. I love vintage suitcases!

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      April 11, 2017 at 8:13 am

      Thanks for sharing! I wish I could find more cast iron. It’s scarce around here!

      Reply
  3. Ann says

    April 10, 2017 at 11:44 am

    I LOVE your blog , I also check out thrifts shops, I also pick up some great things at church rummage sales
    so I’m always on the look out for things to repurpose. keep up the good work . Ann

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      April 11, 2017 at 8:12 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Miriam says

    April 15, 2017 at 2:05 pm

    Thrift stores are amazing fabric stores! When looking at sweaters, shirts, jeans, tablecloths and curtains, think of them as pre-shrunk fabric for all your craft projects and home decorating projects.

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      April 15, 2017 at 10:12 pm

      Great point!

      Reply
  5. Eva Mahoney says

    May 2, 2017 at 5:56 am

    My husband would kill me if I bought all the stuff you mentioned. I see so many cool things at the T-store and my mind reels with what I can do with it but sadly I know my limitations and my lack of space to store it all. But good to know.

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      May 2, 2017 at 4:42 pm

      lol… I’m glad you know your limitations, Eva. It is probably best not to buy EVERYTHING on the list. I live in a small house and I have to think, “If I buy something, that means I have to get rid of something else!” Which causes me to donate a lot to thrift stores, too!

      Reply
  6. Nanette Ettinger says

    November 17, 2017 at 4:04 pm

    Nice list of things you like to purchase in thrift stores. Visit the Happy Dragon Thrift Store next time you are in Los Gatos, CA. I volunteer there and I have a blast!

    Reply
  7. Judy says

    March 7, 2018 at 10:00 am

    Make sure you don’t buy made in China cast iron

    Reply
  8. Jenna says

    June 29, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    I just started thrift store shopping and your website has really helped me refine my projects. I find all sorts of things in thrift stores in my area. It is so fun!

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      June 30, 2018 at 5:47 am

      I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  9. Linda says

    September 19, 2018 at 11:53 am

    I like to get yarn, books and so many other things at thrift stores.

    Reply

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