Thrifting in the Hutt

Op shopping (or thrifting) is perhaps one of my favourite pastimes.

I get a huge rush when I find a small "treasure" or two for a small price.

I have to be careful that I only buy things that I need (which can sometimes be hard) but the best thing about this type of shopping is that its ethical and its green. I am buying somebody else's unwanted item therefore I am not contributing to mass consumerism or production. Plus lets face it old stuff is way more cooler.

This particular mission was to find items for the kitchen, namely more Crown Lynn and perhaps some furniture. No luck with the furniture - all a bit too pricey for me to make a decision on by myself.

So here are my finds for this week:

4 beautiful Crown Lynn bowls - $1 each

Crown Lynn dinner plate $2.50

Crown Lynn "Woodglen" dinner plate $2.50

Glass bottles $3.50 each

Recipe book holder - $3

I also got a bunch of chopsticks ($1.50), a small yellow and white striped cake tin ($2.50), a plate stand/stacker ($1.50) and a picture book copy of The Velveteen Rabbit ($1).

Good score!

Thrifting in the Hutt

Jars of goodness

The baking section of my cupboard was an absolute mess so I decided that putting all the items in jars would not only solve this problem but look cool too.

It all started with the jar with the blue lid which I picked up at the Sallies op-shop for less than $1. It makes the brown sugar look so good that I just want to eat it with a spoon.

While at my local tip shop Trash Palace I thought I would have a look for some similar jars like this one and continue the trend.

Hidden underneath trays and trays of other assorted kitchen items I stumbled across a huge collection of French "Arc" glass jars.

Jackpot!

Once I soaked them and removed the old 70's labels off them they came up looking rather sweet. I have filled them with all my different baking goods. Don't they look good (despite my shonky photography!)

It seems I am not the only person to come across such cool jars. Caroline, the ultimate vintage/second hand shopper also found what looks to be that same jars! You can see her treasure finds at her blog.

Jars of goodness

A little unknown fact about myself.

Coffee Cup 

I absolutely adore Crown Lynn.

Sometimes I wonder what the attraction is. Retro design? Durability? I think perhaps it is more because of what it represents in our history.

Crown Lynn had humble beginnings as the Amalgamated Brick and Pipe company. During World War II there was a ban on unessential imported items into NZ hence the need for tableware made out of NZ clay. In 1942 Crown Lynn began production of tableware for New Zealanders.

The utilitarian features of Crown Lynn pottery gained the product the status of being "sturdy and reliable".

Crown Lynn reached it's peak in the 60's with it being an item in every household. It held it's popularity until the late 80's when the factory closed possibly due to the increase of cheap tableware from overseas.

This makes me sad. NZ was producing an item that was uniquely us. Strong and reliable, pretty, durable and ready to last the test of time.

Detail of Calyptus

The only place you can buy Crown Lynn now are garage sales, op shops, school fairs and antique shops. This everyday household item has become a national treasure. I get so excited when I find it. It's like I'm collecting my own little piece of NZ.

Trust me, despite it's increasing popularity and showcase properties I actually use my Crown Lynn for it's intended purpose (although I did oppose it being used as a cat bowl the other day!!) Some people may be shocked by this but hey whats the point of material possessions unless you use them?

Kiwi meal - Meat and Veg served on Crown Lynn Colourglaze

Below are some of my collection. If you see any of the styles below at a school fair over the summer for a couple of bucks please do buy them for me (I'll pay you back!)

A little unknown fact about myself.

Pīwakawaka

It's amazing what you can pick up in op shops!

This is a New Zealand made vest with pīwakawaka/fantail detail.

I get a little thrill when I find something in an op shop that I know is something special!

Pīwakawaka