Since discovering this blog, I've reflected a bit on how I came to be a committed op-shopper. It started as a necessity - moving to another city with no furniture and no money - but then somewhere along the line, it turned into something else. Now I find myself quite happy to walk out of an op shop empty-handed, satisfied because I know there's nothing in there for me, at least for now.
Is the art of op-shopping about intuition or developing a practised eye? Or a bit of both? For example, on my last visit to Mitchell Salvos I knew almost as I walked into the shop that I would find some clothes for my daughter, but nothing for me, and that is exactly what occurred.
But of course, the other great thing about opshopping is getting a lovely surprise, and that's what happened on the way to the counter to buy the clothes. This lovely gentleman's travel kit caught my eye (I think I have already accidentally uploaded the picture): an English-made leather case full of grooming devices, including shoe buffer, extra shoe laces, a nail file, and moustache comb!
My husband really loves these relics from an earlier, gentlemanly era. For years, I have tried to find him an old-fashioned tinderbox, but without success. But one day, I know I'll walk into an opshop, somewhere, and just 'know' that that day IS the day when I find one. For now, he is chuffed to bits with the grooming kit - I just hope he doesn't grow a mo to warrant the use of the comb...
3 comments:
I think "instinct" is experience in many ways. Some days, though, a certain shop will just call me and I usually find something worthwhile if I heed the call. The grooming kit sounds great.
I think the bit about walking away with nothing yet still being satisfied is a great point. I know some shoppers who just have to buy something, ANYTHING, whenever we go to an op shop. Currently they are aged 3, 4, 5, and 7. Hopefully by the time they are grown up they'll realise they don't always have to buy.
Trained eyes and gut feelings. I usually never have any expectations before entering an op-shop, except expectation of the unexpected. Sometimes it yields nothing, often they're nice finds, doesn't matter if it's 50c or $5.
An op-shopper is me.
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