Finds Friday and What the Heck Is It?
Recently Thrifted Finds
Thrift stores are an adventure every time I go because I never know what I’m going to find, and that’s the fun of thrifting.
My finds this week are from a couple of thrift stores that I frequent regularly in my area, and I found a real mix of treasures and some What The Heck Is It items too.
I like thrift stores to have things well organized. I don’t tend to revisit them if they’re a mess.
But I don’t mind looking through boxes, which is where I found this vintage aluminum silent butler.
It’s marked Everlast, Forged Aluminum on the bottom.
The etched rose pattern on the scalloped lid is lovely. It has a few minor scratches, but other than that it’s in great shape and the thumb press hinge works beautifully.
Silent butlers were used back in the day to collect ashes or crumbs. My research tells me that this one is probably from the 1930s era.
This unusual looking aluminum beauty is a vintage juice press. It’s marked Wearever, and is a very sturdy piece. It’s probably from the 1940s era.
You pull up the lever, put your fruit in, press down the lever and the juice comes out the side spout. There’s a removable strainer that keeps seeds etc out of the juice.
These do seem hard to come by these days. This is just the third complete one that I’ve seen in the last ten years of thrifting. I easily sold the other two, and I may sell this one as well.
I have to admit that I’m quite the pushover for anything colorful, like this $2 bag full of 17 spools of thread/yarn.
The size of these spools is not familiar to me so I’m not sure what they’re used for.
But the colors were just too fun to resist.
Do you know what these threads are used for?
I have no idea what I’ll do with this vintage Achilles office stamp carousel, but I can’t resist something like this when it’s just a dollar.
It’s probably from the 50s and is in very good condition. It holds eight stamps and used to be a pretty standard office desk item.
I have a thing for silver and silver plate goblets, and when I first saw this pair I thought that’s what they were.
But how the heck would you drink out of these?
The removable glass pieces make me think they’re dessert cups instead.
What do you think?
Whatever they are I love the carved out pattern, which makes these perfect candidates for some small wind chime projects.
In my last thrifted finds post I found a few sets of actual Russian nesting dolls.
Then I found this 3 piece set of handmade stuffed Russian dolls. The biggest one is about 10 inches tall.
Those happy faces make me happy, and I love how the little one’s head is tilted.
These were probably created using a kit of some sort.
The fabric used is so fun and colorful.
Now onto What the Heck Is It?
Or for this week…
What the Heck Are They?
I found these two items at the same thrift store, and I bought them both because they’re heart-shaped.
And I almost never met a heart I didn’t love.
I don’t know what they’re used for but they’ll be fun to display just as they are, or maybe to be repurposed in some way.
The big heart thingy is about 14 1/2″ long, and the one that opens is about 12′ long.
I’m not sure what you could put inside that one since the heart is rather small.
Any ideas?
Thanks so much for reading, and until next time…
keep on keepin’ on!
XOX
My guess is the big heart thingy was used to beat dust of out carpets. You put the carpet over a clothesline and beat the heck out of it to get rid of the dust. The thing might be a teabag strainer.
That sounds like a good stress reliever Judy! I might like that. lol. I never thought the little heart would be a tea bag strainer, but that’s a great suggestion.
The big one is called a rug beater
Thanks Marilyn! What a handy tool. I definitely could use it when airing out my rag rugs.
Yes the large heart is a rug beater. Iām not sure what the smaller one is. Love your post & great finds.
Thanks Gloria! I’ve never used a rug beater before, but I can see how it could be useful.
I have the Office stamp carousel and I got little glass vases (really cheap but I don’t remember where. I think from maybe Pier One) which fit perfectly! I put flowers in them and it makes a nice addition to the kitchen counter!
Love this idea !
That is a wonderful idea Gabi!
I am not positive, but the smaller one could be a tea leaf strainer.
Thanks for the suggestion Deborah! I’m not sure either. š
Yes, the one thing is a rug beater. The spools of “thread” look line the ones I have purchased in the past for punch needle work, and I have also used it for crewel embroidery. It’s hard to tell from the picture, but I also bought something similar at a shop that did weaving in El Paso, TX. They sold the spools that didn’t have enough left on them at a very low price.
Thanks Karin! I will be using the rug beater sometimes I think, especially on days when I need a little stress release. lol. I’ve never heard of punch needle work, but I am familiar with crewel. I’ll have to check that out.
I would use the stamp holder to hold paint brushes.
That’s a great idea Glenda!
as they all stated the one is a rug beater. I also agree with Karin the thread is for punch needle work, and for crewel embroidery.
The small wire mesh basket one is to put bar soap into . If you google “vintage wire mesh soap basket: you will see old ones like it.
I believe both of yours are reproductions (maybe from 1970s of the old ones to use as decorations and display.
Thanks Molly Jo! Yes it seems the consensus is a rug beater, and I can see how that could be useful. It never would have occurred to me that the wire mesh heart thingy was for soap. I’ll have to check into that further. It’s OK if there are repros because they’re still cool.
oh forgot to say they used the wire mesh soap baskets for Lye soap back in the day. to swish thru the laundry tubs.
Thanks again for the info Molly Jo!
Ah! Bringing back memories! My mom used to make soap from some kind of lard. It was nasty!!! Best used for laundry. I really like the stamp holder. So many possibilities!! Another great shopping trip!!
Thanks Dona! The stamp holder is something I’ve never seen at a thrift store here before. I agree it’s cool. š