I op therefore I am - ACT

Canberra Weekly cover!

2012-02-16T16:46:00.003+11:00

Have you picked up your copy yet? And do you fancy sharing a picture and story of your fave op shopped outfit on the blog?

(Behind the scenes photos can be found here)

Tip Shopping in Canberra

2012-02-12T18:33:00.000+11:00

I have recently posted in my blog about my experiences at Canberra's Tiny's Green Shed tip shops.

There are 2 tip shops in Canberra:

Southside at the Resource Management Centre, Mugga Lane, Symonston, Canberra
Northside at the Mitchell Resource Management Centre, Flemington Road, Mitchell, Canberra

They're open daily 7.30am-5pm except Christmas Day and Good Friday. For more information and maps, see the Tiny's Green Shed website.

My blog post on the Mitchell tip shop (including photos)

My blog post on the Mugga Lane tip shop (including photos)

Another Chance – another sale

2012-02-11T08:53:00.003+11:00

I paid a visit to Another Chance in Scullen. They are having a sale.

According to the sign, it'll be going for all of February.

Dear Vinnies.

2012-02-11T08:49:00.003+11:00

I saw this at the local Vinnies on Friday. I was there two days before, and will swear that I had not seen this advert.

Dear Vinnies, If you want your sales to succeed, you need to give better notice of them.

Behind the scenes with Canberra Weekly

2012-02-05T17:23:00.005+11:00

This morning Taph, ToF and I met with Katherine and Teagan from Canberra Weekly at Vinnie Tuggeranong.

The challenge? To style Katherine for a cover shot using the contents of one op shop (and, luckily for us, one back room) Katherine looks worried that we're going for the Ugly Betty lookbefore perusing the racks of newly unpacked stock.

Teagan finds a jacket she loves.
And ToF helps the assistants with their unpacking while we narrow down our choices into quality, workable outfits.

Sew and Sew

2012-01-29T22:13:00.000+11:00

Mix tip shop bargain, with Tupperware obsession and sewing notions and you get a very happy op shopper.

This large sized, two tiered Tupperware craft organiser is about the size of a large slice container. We picked it up at Tiny's Green Shed on Sunday for about $1.50. I say about because we had 3 things in the bundle for $3. I've never seen one like it before. I several of the small kind, but this one is a really good size.

It's already full of mending notions. Every op shopper needs a decent hand mending kit at the very least.

Jammy

2012-01-26T20:57:00.001+11:00

Op Shopping opportunities on a public holiday are limited, but we managed to get to both the Canberra tip shops today.

Bargains at both, some for us, some for gifts*.

Best buys of the day that we are keeping was a current (6 months to run) Entertainment Book with only the restaurant card and 3 of the vouchers missing.

and my longed for jam kettle.

It's aluminium so I can't use it for anything but jam. Condiments containing vinegar will pit the aluminum, so no chutneys or sauces, but it will do until we can afford a copper preserving pan. When that happens, I can die a happy and fulfilled preserver (shut up - you have a holy grail, too!).

These two items, as well as a few items chucked in (Tupperware wine goblet for our ever-expanding set, china noodle bowl for winter soups and stews at work and a souvenir placemat as a joke gift for a colleague) came to $10.

Speaking of tip shop finds, did you see what Misfits Vintage found at her tip shop recently? Pigeon pair to this find at Tiny's at Mugga Mugga a few years back.

*gifts of op-shopped items go to the cogniscenti only.

Temporary closure of Vinnies at Phillip

2012-01-25T19:27:00.000+11:00

The Vinnies shop in Phillip will be closed on Saturday 4 February.

It will reopen on Monday 6 February.

This is not charity

2012-01-19T09:58:00.005+11:00

Just stumbled across this new website, documenting the illegal dumping problem around Canberra's charity bins...

(Image shamelessy lifted from the site)

St Vinnies on a Sunday

2012-01-08T21:55:00.000+11:00

I always forget that St Vinnies at Tuggeranong is open on a Sunday, there was obviously a lot of 'book shelves' being cleaned out over Christmas as the shop had a lot of newer paperback books.

My finds included:

vintage plastic belt buckle

a BNWT Barbie t-shirt - a slightly risque looking Barbie, I am not convinced that is Ken with her...

A bit further away ... in Bowral

2012-01-07T20:15:00.000+11:00

I know Bowral does not technically fit within the ACT & surrounds area, but I thought I would share my find from the Salvo's shop.

My new addition to my sewing machines is a very ornate vintage Victor De Luxe. Made in Japan this machine is in great condition. For $10 it was a purchased on a whim, it would either work (which it does) or make a very nice decoration.

It was 50% off manchester, so this souvenier tea-toel from Land of Legend on the Gold Coast was purchased for 25 cents.

Santa Claus is Coming to...

2011-12-14T21:33:00.000+11:00

Vinnies Phillip.

Take your littlies to Vinnies Phillip on Saturday 24 December between 9.30am and 11.45am to meet Father Christmas. He may even have a present or two about his person.

More Op Shopping Hours before Christmas

2011-12-07T16:56:00.000+11:00

Fresh from my Twitter stream:

Belconnen Vinnies extending trading hours over the next few weeks leading up to Christmas. The store will
be opened on Sundays from 10am-2pm.

Vinnies Monster Warehouse Sale - Bargains Galore

2011-11-27T16:31:00.000+11:00

Last time I went to the Vinnies Monster Warehouse Sale, I picked up a skirt and a top, and a few books. I was happy. This time, I filled up garbage bags worth. I could have bought a lot more... Here are the favourites:

Vintage sheets galore! 7 single sheets to be exact, at $1 a piece! This was definitely the score of the day, I love them :)

Genuine leather clutch. Super soft leather and suede outer and leather lining. Inside it says 'Raymond Castles boutique. Studio Donini. Made in Italy'

Framed vintage Pears advertisement, to hang in our bathroom

Unusual gold stretchy waist belt.

Witchery leather flats, brand new!!!

I went on day 1, and then back on day 2. I really recommend getting there on the 1st day - by the 2nd everything had been picked over and I didn't find much. They do add new stock, but most is added on the 1st day. You can see the rest of my purchases at my blog, Simply Me.

Magnificent vintage ties

2011-10-22T23:02:00.002+11:00

On a recent visit to the Salvation Army in Woden/Phillip, I hit the jackpot! Magnificent vintage ties!!!

A few small stains that I'll need to work on, but other than that they are in great shape. A couple of Pierre Cardin in there too. At the same time, I picked up a pair of vintage Van Heusen grey wool trousers that are currently at the tailors.

Trousers - $7

Ties - $1 each

$13 in total... jackpot!

Vinnies Monster Warehouse Sale On Again!

2011-10-21T11:12:00.003+11:00

Vinnies is holding a Monster Warehouse Sale at their warehouse in Mitchell, with many spring/summer items on sale!

Friday, 11 November – Sunday, 13 November. 9am - 4pm each day.
10 Buckland Street, Mitchell ACT.
Gold coin donation for entry – all proceeds go to Vinnies Youth that provide fun experiences for underprivileged children.

For more information, please contact 02 6234 7344.

This was great last time with very cheap prices - diarise it everyone!

Lego Luck

2011-10-19T20:53:00.000+11:00

We were lucky to find these three complete sets of Lego circ 1974 at the Smith Family in Phillip. Along with another shoe box filled with Lego including more furniture sets.

I also thought I'd share this funky 1980's knitting pattern that I picked up in Wagga. While technically outside the ACT Region, it is worth a road trip - I spotted four op-shops on two main streets (stopping to visit two).

Beyond Canberra: The Goulburn Treasure Trove of Oppies

2011-10-16T15:22:00.000+11:00

Hello everyone! I'm a long time follower but this is my first post to this blog. I am a huge op shopping fan, currently residing in the lovely capital. If you'd like to check out my op shop finds over the last few months, the best place to go is my blog: .Simply Me. I only started blogging a few months ago, and to date most of my posts are about op shopping in Canberra and Perth! Otherwise, from now on I will also be posting some of my finds on here.

My friend and I decided to go on an op shopping roadtrip to Goulburn last weekend- perfect timing as Monday was a public holiday in the ACT but not NSW. Here are the shops we visited, and some reviews:

Australian Red Cross Clothing Shop

146 Auburn Street. Goulburn

Don’t bother with this place. They try to be “upmarket” and have prices to match, but not the goods. I saw several ‘Expression’ (Kmart brand) products with prices ranging from $15-$20. They were probably cheaper new! I didn’t see anything worthwhile, nothing retro/vintage, and the prices are sorely inflated. For example, $13 for a used straw beach hat (no brand name). In a town with so much competition, I’m not sure how this place survives. The only shop where neither of us bought a thing!

Big Heart (Mission Australia) Op Shop

Shop 2, 148-158 Sloane Street. Goulburn

This was my favourite oppy – so cheap and such amazing retro crockery. They charge by the kilo for clothing ($5 per kilo)- my friend found an amazing vintage skirt and it cost her... wait for it.... 70 cents! Crockery was priced between 50c and $5, and books are 5 for $2.

Salvation Army — Red Shield Family Store

123 Auburn Street, Goulburn

This place is reasonably priced with sale racks up the front (vintage blouses for $1 when I was there). They have a large range of crockery and bric a brac, which unfortunately is mostly unpriced. You are at the mercy of the staff member who makes up a price on the spot, which I find a bit frustrating. Definitely worth a look see and on the whole the prices are good.

Smith Family Store

Ellesmere Street, Goulburn

This place had the best retro/vintage stock of everywhere we visited. I picked up my stunning 80s dress for a vintage ball there for $12, marked down from $25. They have a really large range of clothing, with less bric a brac. Clothing prices range from $2 - $10, with vintage items up to $25.

St Vincent De Paul — Vinnie’s Centre

Central Arcade (opp. Post Office), Auburn St, Goulburn

Friendly staff and standard prices, mostly ranging from $3-$10 for clothing. They didn’t have much crockery or bric a brac in stock on my visit, it was mostly clothes.

Trish’s Trash & Treasure

1 Fenwick Cres, Goulburn (entry from Bradley St)

From the outside, we expected this place to house mostly furniture but inside we were surprised and amazed at the treasures it holds. Plenty of crockery, a lot of it dusty and dirty and you need to sort through it all to find the gems... but find the gems we did! The prices are very reasonable – my tea set (tea/coffee pot, 4 mugs, sugar) was $5. The prices varied though- I was surprised to see that a vintage Willow tray in very poor condition was $20. My friend picked up some hand painted pie dishes for $2 apiece.

And now (drumroll please....) for the day's finds:

Handpainted baking dishes, $2 each. Lemon water jug, $1. Tea set + potholder, $5.

Coffee set (pots, mugs & sugar holder) $5, Tasmanian pottery teabag holder $2.

Mushroom jar $2, strange pottery piece 50c.

Pyrex 50c! Arcopal France bowl, 50c.

Vintage bag $3, Johnson Australia Pottery bowl 50c.

Hens party / wedding gag g-strings, 50c each.

Yellow stripe water jug $1, Op shopping bag {>>

Lambada leather tote, $10

Unusual felt & knitted framed picture, $3

Vintage orange skirt, 70c!

The most spectacular find of the day is yet to be posted, it's an amazing 80's dress that I'll be wearing to a vintage ball very soon... I will post photos after the event in my blog!

Goulburn, Bowral and beyond...

2011-09-18T09:13:00.001+10:00

I did a mini road trip a few weekends ago up to Newcastle and on the way up I stopped in Goulburn to have a look in some op shops. On the way back I did the same, but this time stopping at Bowral. I must say, these towns with well to do folk, have some of the best clothing up for grabs. I went to the Smith Family and Salvo's op shops in Bowral and the Vinnies in Mittagong. I missed the Father Rileys and Vinnies in Bowral but I am going back to the Southern Highlands in a few weeks so I will check them out then. But in the meantime, check out my stash...

I picked up this red nurses cape from the Red Cross op shop in Goulburn for $2. 100% wool, made in Australia... I love it!

From Bowral Smith Family op shop I got two black and white jackets. One fancy label I could imagine a Tru or Prue wearing and a black and white check bomber style jacket from the 1960s. It is 100% Bri-lon!

Snuggie Spotting Update

2011-09-07T21:31:00.000+10:00

The good burghers of Goulburn have it right, the Salvos shop had two Snuggies today - in the pet blanket box.

And I do agree with Sarah (Misfits Vintage) - better a crocheted blankie (a craft at which I would normally shudder) than a Snuggie. Mind you, none of my pets would have a Snuggie either, although the ferret shows a worrying attraction to faux fur.

Speaking of Misfits Vintage - she's having a clear out. If you're into vintage and like a bargain, check it out.

4 in a day

2011-09-06T14:39:00.000+10:00

I haven't seen one ever before, but yesterday I spotted genuine Snuggies in op shops.

Bargain Hunter, Queanbeyan had three. Vinnies, Gungahlin had one. I continue to have none.

For the record they feel hideous and are very light so are probably not all that warm.

New (old) shoes

2011-09-03T09:05:00.000+10:00

Working in downtown Mitchell has some advantages. I picked up these classic shoes at the Vinnies op shop in Gungahlin in my lunch break. I think they are mens shoes from the 1960s, but I couldn't figure out if the stamp on the bottom said 1965 or 1955...

Whilst doing some research to find out where these shoes were made, this is the only other pair of Dulwich shoes I could find. Think they were made in Adelaide, but I'm not sure.Very sexy buckle up loafers from the 1960s..

* * * * *

The other pair of shoes I picked up from the Mitchell Salvos op shop (also in my lunch break... on a differnet day) were a pair of Rocketdog shoes. I had a pair of Rocketdogs a few years back (also bought from an op shop but in Newcastle) and they were just as cool as these comfy little canvas shoes. They look like they have never been worn and been at the bottom of someone's wardrobe for a long time.

Mimi Fairall - Canberra Op Shopper!

2011-08-22T21:18:00.002+10:00

Hi there Canberra Op Shoppers!

My name is Mimi Fairall and I am a 17 year old op shopper from Belconnen. I have been passionately op shopping for years, going (obsessively) about every week. I love bargain hunting and am always on the lookout for op shop sales.

When I was younger I tended to only pay attention to the trashier, everyday items that appeared in op shops, however thanks to my family's love for yester year and my addiction to op shopping, I'm now able to recognize and pick out some really valuable, good quality things.I came across your blog about 6 months ago and have been so thankful to have you as my op shopping GPS!

A personal dream of mine is to open a little vintage store somewhere in honour of my op shopping finds! I have a personal blog where I often post about the things I dig up: http://www.the-tiny-teacup.blogspot.com

Look forward to contributing to this blog!

Happy birthday Vinnies Belconnen!

2011-08-22T10:37:00.002+10:00

Jindabyne tip shop

2011-08-14T21:47:00.004+10:00

A late start on a trip to the snowfields resulted in Taph and I being able to visit the Jindabyne tip shop.

This is because it is only open on Sundays from 10am to 3pm.

That said, if you are in Jindabyne on a Sunday, it is well worth visiting.For a tip shop in a small town it has a good collection of stock, and was not as disappointing as the tip shops in some other towns.
We did not see the mobile op shop while we were there, but if it is still going, then Jindabyne has two occasional op shops.

If you are searching for it, the turnoff to the tip, and tip shop is here on google maps.

Ross's Relics at Yass

2011-07-30T11:43:00.003+10:00

We have had a few people ask about the large second hand shop on the main street in Yass. We were able to work out is was Ross's Relics.

Recently Taph and i were in Yass so we called past for a look.

What we found was a converted service station that was now selling second hand goods. Every room from the old manager's office to the old work shop were stacked high with various second hand crockery, china and various bric-a-brac.

There were several things there that I would have bought, if not for the fact that in June I had to make several payments on my Dentist's Mercedes.

So if you find yourself in Yass and feel like a little op-shopping, you now have four destinations to visit:

1. Yass Vinnies,

2. Yass Salvos,

3. Yass Tip shop, and

4. Ross's Relics.

A big day coming up at Vinnies, Belconnen

2011-07-20T20:14:00.005+10:00

Put the date in your diaries folks. and the venue is Vinnies Belconnen.

Today's Finds

2011-07-12T22:27:00.000+10:00

I have not been op-shopping for ages - I am going to try to get to a few this week....

Today was Salvos' at Tuggeranong. They had 50% off all red ticket items - not that I noticed until we were paying. There were a lot of 1980's inspired clothing - think big chunky patterned jumpers.

A Josephine Chaus shirt - I love the
thickness of the stripe - $7

For my daugher, a BNWT, ValleyGirl
stripe pinnafore - Red Ticket Item - $2.50

1980's dress - $7

Degrassi Schools Out DVD - the end of series movie
the ABC never seems to screen $5
The Jane Austin Book Club $1 (they had another copy marked at $3)
Snoopy Book $2

Take 2 is closing down

2011-06-29T11:40:00.002+10:00

Hi Everyone

The Anglicare op shop, Take 2 at the All Saints Anglican Church in Ainslie is closing down tomorrow. Located in a small building behind the church, it is open until 4.30pm today. The last day of trading is Thursday 30 June, from 9.30am until 3pm.

Take 2 is located at 11 Cowper St, Ainslie.

Question from a reader...

2011-05-10T19:52:00.001+10:00

"I heard recently a new op shop has opened at Kingston and that the diplomats leave their old stuff there so it’s good quality, but no one has given me the address. Have you heard of that one? It didn’t sound like the YMCA at Kingston."

Can anyone shed any light on this?

In the News : Revolve ordered to leave site and cough up costs

2011-04-16T12:33:00.000+10:00

The Revolve saga continues....

From The Canberra Times online.

BY NATASHA RUDRA AND PETER JEAN

16 Apr, 2011 12:00 AM

The lack of any Aboriginal involvement was just one of the flaws in recycling operator Revolve's failed bid to avoid eviction with a native title claim, ACT Supreme Court Master David Harper said yesterday.

Master Harper said the case, which attempted to prevent an eviction and did not involve any Aboriginal person or group, was ''scarcely a suitable vehicle'' for determining native title. He described the application as ''not entirely intelligible'' and said the claim of native title was ''misconceived''.

''If I understand the argument sought to be put to the court, its acceptance would cast doubt upon all grants of Crown leases by the Commonwealth in the Australian Capital Territory over almost a century,'' he wrote.

He dismissed the application and ordered Revolve to pay the ACT Government's costs.

While the court dismissed Revolve's attempt to halt eviction from its disputed Hume site, Master Harper gave the business another two weeks to leave the premises.

The Government has been trying to evict Revolve from its leased site in Hume since March 2010 and there have been protracted disputes over the eviction and the payment of $101,880 in rent.

The Supreme Court had previously decided that the territory should take vacant possession of the site, Revolve should pay outstanding rent and the recycler would stop taking donations of second-hand goods.

In February, Revolve filed an application to stop the eviction, arguing that the territory had no right to grant the land at Hume in the first place because it had not addressed ''common law native title''.

Revolve was represented in court by the organisation's president Gerry Gillespie.

Mr Gillespie said the organisation tried to raise ''common law native title'' because the issue had not been resolved in the territory's courts. ''It was not raised to waste the court's time. It is a very serious constitutional issue which we need to resolve in the interests of the entire community,'' he said.

''Common law native title is the fundamental basis of traditional title claims for private property which have existed in common law for centuries.''

Department of Land and Property Services chief executive David Dawes said the Government welcomed the decision and said he hoped it would mark an end to legal battles between the two parties. ''This is just the latest in a number of court decisions about the Hume site that have gone against Revolve and I trust that this will be the end of the legal proceedings brought by this organisation,'' Mr Dawes said.

''The ACT Government is the landlord for hundreds of community organisations and all of them are expected to pay their rent on time.''

Mr Dawes said Revolve had to accept the court's decision to vacate the Hume site and should also pay the Government its outstanding rent.

Revolve is involved in two other legal cases over its recycling operations and returns to the Supreme Court on April 28.

Just for Kids at Salvos

2011-04-07T21:24:00.001+10:00

Anonymous from the comments asks:
Hi, I saw an add in the northside chronicle today for a Salvos stores "just for kids" sale from the 9th - 16th of april. at the mitchell store. but can't find any more info on what on offer or the opening times. have they done this before? is it worth me dragging kiddies out for?

Anyone have any info? There wasn't anything in store at Mitchell when I was there Monday.

Sounds like it's discounts on kids clothing, possibly toys, too.

Do post or comment if you have more info. I'm not going to have time to ring them tomorrow.

Opportunities this Weekend

2011-04-07T15:40:00.000+10:00

Sunday 10 April

Fete
10am-2pm
St Jude's Primary School
Mulley Street, Holder

Opportunities this Weekend

2011-03-31T20:56:00.001+11:00

If you like fetes - this is the weekend for you.

FRIDAY 1st APRIL

Kaleen Primary Twilight Fete
Ashburton Cct, Kaleen
4pm-7pm

SATURDAY 2nd APRIL

YMCA Garage Sale,
Meuller Street, Yarralumla
8am - noon

Farrar Primary Garage Sale
Lambrigg St, Farrar
8am-1pm

Coffee Op Shop
Christ Church, Beetaloo St, Hawker
9am-noon

St Monica's Schoole Fete
Moynihan St, Evatt
10am-2pm

Torrens Primary Fete,
Beasley Street, Torrens
2pm-6pm

SUNDAY 3 APRIL

Hawker Primary School Fete
Erldunda St, Hawker
10am-20am

Homage

2011-03-26T17:00:00.000+11:00

We couldn't get to the Charny Carnie today, but some of our purchases were apposite. Fortunately the only mullet we spotted was $6 a kilo at Fyshwick markets. ;)

Crocs, Vinnies Monster Sale, $3 and Bogan Pride DVD, Vinnies Dickson, $4.

On a classier note, we picked up this Wedgewood coffee pot in the Pennine design for friends who have collected this pattern for more than 40 years. It was $2 at Salvos Fyshwick Bargain Basement.

Weekend of secondhand bargains

2011-03-26T16:11:00.007+11:00

St Vincent de Paul's at Mitchell - a shopping frenzy!

After spending $150 to get my sewing machine fixed, I was reluctant to head out to Mitchell, where I knew I'd spend more cash as the Lifeline Bookfair and St Vinnie's monster sale are on this weekend. I went, I saw, I spent. $33.50 to be exact. And what did I get for my $33.50? I picked up some work clothes ($2 a piece) and a bizarre little skirt/tutu, which I'm not entirely sure if it will stay in it's current form.Yes, my cat has to be where ever I am...

I also got eight CD's, some which are replacements from share house, lending and relationship break up losses, as well as Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood, a book I've wanted to read for a long time. I think it has just been made into a movie in Japan.

I restrained myself at the book fair. As an elderly ladies voice came over the PA system at EPIC saying, "You can never have too many books..." I thought to myself, I beg to differ!

Opportunities this weekend

2011-03-24T21:54:00.000+11:00

It's another big weekend for bargain shoppers -

Friday 25th
Vinnies Warehouse Sale
9am-5pm
10 Buckland St, Mitchell

Lifeline Bookfair

10am-6pm
Budawang Pavilion
EPIC, Flemington Road, Mitchell

Saturday 26th
Vinnies Warehouse Sale
9am-5pm
10 Buckland St, Mitchell

Lifeline Bookfair
10am-5pm
Budawang Pavilion
EPIC, Flemington Road, Mitchell

26th, 3pm-7pm Aranda Primary School Twilight Fete,

26th, 12 noon-5pm, Harvest Festival, Environment Centre , Acton

26th, 10am-2pm, Brindabella Gardens Fete, 38 Theodore Street, Curtin

26th, 10am-2pm O'Connor Co-Op School Fete, O'Connor

26th, morning I think, Uniting Church Jumble Sale, Crawford Street, Queanbeyan

Narrabundah Community Festival
10am-2pm
Narrabundah Shops
Iluka Street, Narrabundah
Sunday 27th
Vinnies Warehouse Sale
9am-5pm
10 Buckland St, Mitchell

Lifeline Bookfair

10am-4pm
Budawang Pavilion
EPIC, Flemington Road, Mitchell

Second Hand Shop in Yass

2011-03-24T12:53:00.000+11:00

Thanks to the other Jo who replied to the question about Yass, and to TOF who asked around at work.

We have two options. One is the site of an old garage which is still going (thanks Jo) and the other is, according to a colleague of TOF's, it is known as Ross's Relics (that is what everybody in the town knows it as, the business name may be something else).

It is located just before the Courthouse on the main street Yass.

Google maps here. http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Yass,+New+South+Wales&aq=0&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=37.134781,56.162109&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Yass+New+South+Wales&ll=-34.841095,148.91033&spn=0,0.001714&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=-34.841095,148.91033&panoid=gk5TX8LRN5dsXU4A1CRsDg&cbp=12,242.64,,0,3.87

Tapping the Hive Mind

2011-03-21T20:09:00.000+11:00

Jo asked a question in the comments. I'm not sure of the answer so thought I'd opening it up to the readership.

I have been wanting to ask someone for ages - and you might be just the lady - do you know if the large secondhand shop in Yass is still open, the one on the main street?

Anyone? Anyone?

Canberra Harvest Festival

2011-03-20T07:05:00.004+11:00

The Third Canberra Harvest Festival is taking place Saturday 26th March, 2010 at the Environment Center car park.

There will be produce and goods stalls, community information stalls, workshops, and talks on sustainable agriculture and food issues. There will also be a ‘best homegrown vegetable' competition with prizes.

Entry is free and there will be a free raffle with donated prizes. A barbecue fundraiser will be run by the Environment Center and there will be fresh fruit juice and other beverages for sale.

When: March 26, 12noon–5pm

Where: Environment Center car park, corner Lawson Circuit and Lennox Crossing, Acton

Opportunities This Weekend

2011-03-18T05:56:00.002+11:00

Saturday 19th March

Salvos Book Extravaganza (books, videos and DVDs on sale)
Salvos Family Store
32 Hoskins Street, Mitchell
9.30am-2.30pm

Fete
Presbyterian Church of St Andrew
1 State Circle, Forrest
(on the corner of State Circle and Canberra Ave)

Sunday 20th March
Clothes Swap
Reloved Creations (pop up)
The Mall, City Walk (between the fountain and Akuna Street)
10am-1pm

How to celebrate Canberra Day...

2011-03-14T19:03:00.006+11:00

...head interstate to op shop!

Taph and I headed to Goulburn for the first time in far to long to update the I Op listings.

And just as well we did: there've been some changes since we last visited.

Father Riley's op shop closed down last Thursday. Not that you can tell from the front:

It was only when the front door didn't open and we went round the back that we found some staff and were told they had closed. We also discovered that the Salvos that used to be at the back of the arcade has moved:It's now located at 123 Auburn Street: on the other side of the road, at the other end of town.

Hours are Monday to Friday 9:30am - 5pm, and Saturday 9:30am - 12:30pm. At the moment they have a special on summer clothing: Ladies or children's summer clothing is $2 a bag.

Inside is large and airy, with a good craft/ manchester selectionand a number of "rooms" set up with the furniture they had for sale.
What we didn't like was the lighting: with only half the lights on it was difficult to see the details of some of the clothing in the centre of the shop.

And, although there were many interesting things, they were all marked with the dreaded "NFS". The woman behind the counter explained that they kept the items to make interesting displays. I just found it very frustrating that every time I spotted a treasure from across the shop, on closer inspection, it bore the dreaded "For display only" sign.

The prices seemed inconsistent, but on the high side.

And a newcomer to the scene since we last visted: The Purple Patch, run by Anglicare at 232 Auburn Street.

Open Monday - Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm and Saturday 9:30am - 12:30pm, we found this a very inviting shop which sounded good and smelt divine. The wooden floorboards were a lovely touch for a Canberran (as was the beautiful fireplace I spotted behind the large sized clothing rack). And the fact that I managed to grab a bag of three balls of Jo Sharp and Aliseo wool for $5 total and Taph found the cutest black and white spotty sundress for $3 (they have half price on all summer clothing) made us very happy.

Did you head across the border to op shop today?

Recent Finds

2011-03-12T19:18:00.001+11:00

I have not posted here for a while - I really have not had much luck finding anything I want to 'bring home'.

Last weekend at Fash'n'Treasure I picked up this great 1960's dress for $5 - bot sure if I am keen on the high neck - but the fabric is great. I also purchased a Jaeger of London mauve hat. Not that it is something I would normally wear, but my favourite op-shop purchase of all time is an 1960's Jaeger orange wool jacket (picked up circ. 1992 for $5) and I still wear it every winter.

And today, I visited R-Shop in Mitchell (picking up books: vintage Disney, ABBA and Pollyanna), before heading to Salvos in Mitchell where I had found a purchased more books (Judy Bloom)

In the Salvos at Mitchell I had a bit of an op-shop dilemma - finding a fabulous orange glass vase (the sticker reads Radio Brand Hand Crafted Japan); but the price was more 'antique-shop' than 'op-shop'. The vase came home - it was orange, how could it not come home!

I also picked up a old (not-used) Snoopy scrapbook - I am sure it was published before the days scrap-booking became popular. My mum is a collector of all things 'Peanuts', so this will be gifted to her. Oh, it came with a free photo!

Our final stop was Salvos in Phillip, my only purchase a Vogue pattern. I am trying to limit pattern purchases to vintage or 'by designer' patterns.

The Charity Shop Challenge

2011-03-11T18:31:00.003+11:00

Peas and Needles recently blogged about a challenge for 2011 and I thought I Op members might like to join in.

"The rules:

1. Your outfit must comprise of a key-garment from a charity shop plus any other pieces/accessories etc to make up an 'ensemble'.

2. Annotate your outfit. Include a description of the garments/ where you bought or found each piece/ price of charity find.

3. Upload your image onto your blog (and/ or I Op) by the last Friday of each month.

4. On the last Friday of the month tell everyone about it and tweet with the hashtag #charityshopchallenge

5. Extra credit for those who customise their charity shop find.Why not join in!!!

You can also join the Flickr group here. "

What do you reckon? Should we set up an Aussie team?

Not exactly op shopping but...

2011-03-11T07:15:00.000+11:00

Re-Loved Creations is a not for profit, co-operative venture started in 2009 by mother and daughter team Hanny and Lee Dewar.

For YOU ARE HERE, Re-Loved will be taking over ...a vacant shopfront and transforming it into a fashion mecca. The space will be used as a studio throughout the Canberra Festival, where designers will create and sell new garments in a co-operative pop-up shop. Designers participating in the event include; Lisa Barrett, Tamara Russell and Hanny Dewar’s own label, Hanny-d Creations. Under the label Tango & James, Lisa produces accessories, clothing and even furniture updated with her own fabric designs. Tamara Russell is a textile artist who uses recycled materials and free needle machine embroidery to create painterly textile designs.

You too can promote the importance of sustainable fashion by bringing along your unwanted clothing to Re-loved Creations Clothes Swap on Sunday March 20.

When: 6-9pm Friday 18 March, 10am-5pm Saturday 19 March, 10am-1pm Sunday 20 March

Where: The Mall, City Walk (between the fountain and Akuna Street)

completely lifted from Fash 'n' Treasure.

WOW

2011-03-10T19:05:00.000+11:00

A very worthwhile initiative.

I'll be sorting out some suitable work wear tonight for this and particularly encourage my ample-sized sisters to do the same. I wish there was something like this a couple of years back when I got rid of all my suits .

Opportunities this weekend

2011-03-10T15:14:00.002+11:00

Saturday 12th March
10am-4pm, Good Old Days themed market,
Gorman House
Ainslie Avenue
Braddon

Happy Canberra Day to you all. :)

Weekend Roundup

2011-03-07T17:58:00.000+11:00

I'm reading great things about Saturday's Fash 'n' Treasure Market.

There are reports and reviews on Rummage (many thanks for nod last week, btw), Misfits Vintage and HerCanberra.

Any of our correspondents find just the divine thing they were looking for?

and if you're not busy tomorrow night

2011-03-07T17:35:00.001+11:00

for second hand/vintage clothing.

Late breaking weekend opportunities

2011-03-04T13:39:00.000+11:00

Saturday 5 March
Isabella Plains Neighbourhood Watch Fair

10am-4pm
Isabella Plains Early Childhood School,
cnr Ellerston Ave & Narooma St,
Isabella Plains

They don't have a White Elephant stall listed as an attraction, but it might we worth a look if you're South side.

Sunday 5 March
Hall Markets
10am - 3pm
Hall Showground - Off Victoria Street

Hall

Opportunities this weekend

2011-03-03T15:07:00.000+11:00

Wow, it's a bonanza weekend and I've got to work all day Saturday. Let me know how you go so I can bargain hunt vicariously.

Saturday 5th March
Zonta Pre-loved & Vintage Fashion Sale
10am – 3pm
ACT ATSI Cultural Centre, 245 Lady Denman Drive

Saturday 5th March
Harvest Festival Art and Design Market
12pm - 5pm
Belconnen Arts Centre
112 Emu Bank, Belconnen

Saturday 5th March
Fash 'n' Treasure Market
10 am - 4 pm
Kingston Old Bus Depot Building
Wentworth Avenue, Kingston

Saturday 5th March
Burgmann Anglican School Fair
12pm - 4pm
Cnr Gungahlin Drive & The Valley Avenue

Gungahlin

Vinnies Monster Warehouse Sale

2011-02-27T18:17:00.002+11:00

Someone at Vinnies is very smart.

They've timed Vinnies' next warehouse sale in Mitchell for the same days as the Lifeline Bookfair at the Showground.

Very, very smart.

Queanbeyan on Sale

2011-02-26T18:15:00.000+11:00

TOF and I sampled the delights of Queanbeyan's four op-shops today.

All but the big Salvos Family Store had half price sales.

Little Salvos had half price on everything; Vinnies, half price on most stuff and Bargain Hunter, half price on summer clothing.

We didn't buy as much as you might expect.

A pair of brogues for TOF and a vintage cotton sheet which may or may not become blouses and/or a skirt next summer.

Still for $5 the lot from the little Salvos, we were happy.

Fash 'n' Treasure Market: Saturday 5th March

2011-02-26T06:47:00.002+11:00

Just a reminder about the up and coming Fash 'n' Treasure Market on Saturday 5th March.

This fashion market began in 2010 and is a place where Canberra locals can sell their second-hand clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories.

The market also has a section for professional fashion sellers - they have a range of retro and vintage traders along with local fashion designers, modern retailers, milliners and so on. There will be over 90 fashion traders and it should be a fantastic day with lots of hidden fashion treasures to be found!

2011's first market runs from 10am to 4pm at the Old Bus Depot building in Kingston. There'll be change rooms and a professional DJ for the whole market. Entry to the market and parking is free. More information is available on their website.

Opportunities this weekend

2011-02-24T15:49:00.000+11:00

Saturday 26 February
Garage Sale
St David's Anglican Church
Cnr La Perouse St and Fortitude St, Red Hill
We assume this starts at 9am.

Y? It's a sale.

2011-02-22T14:17:00.004+11:00

I made a visit to the Y shop in Belconnen, and discovered that they are having a Half Price Sale.

The ladies behind the counter said It goes until this weekend, but if they do not shift enough stock, then it will continue next week. Also this sale is only at their Belconnen store.

Living in the 80s

2011-02-22T07:56:00.000+11:00

I've taken the liberty of posting Miss Elle's comments from one of last week's posts about her weekend haul because not everyone subscribes to the comments and I thought you'd enjoy it.

It was so fortuitous that I logged on yesterday- I didn't know the St Ninian's sale was on and that's the sort of op shopping I love, poking around for some finds. Oh, I dream about the finds!

I found some fantastic 80's gear. I am having an 80's dinner party and picked up a marvellous wrap button at the waist, shoulder padded dress- very Ashes to Ashes.

I also observed another with an envious bounty- Lacoste skirt, tapestry bags, beautiful black suede pumps.

Hope you don't mind Miss Elle. We'd love to se pics of your party.

Late breaking weekend opportunity

2011-02-18T18:43:00.000+11:00

Saturday 19th
St Ninian's at Lyneham is having one of its clothing sales.

We've got many a bargain at these sales at very reasonable prices. Picked up a Liberty blouse a while back for $1.50 and ran into a weaver buying denim clothing by the bagful.

Price list from last March is on this post to give you an idea.

Opportunities this weekend

2011-02-17T16:25:00.003+11:00

Saturday 19 February
Salvos, half price sale on all clothing and selected other items
9am-2.30pm.
Flemington Road, Mitchell.
Crawford Street, Queanbeyan
(and maybe others - do let us know)

Saturday 19 February
Canberra Handmade Upmarket
11am-4pm. Canberra Convention Centre, Constitution Avenue, Civic

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20thCanberra High Bookfair
Binbudi St, Aranda, in support of World Challenge

St David's Red Hill Garage Sale

2011-02-16T21:21:00.001+11:00

Spotted. Garage Sale. St David's Red Hill. 26th February.

Red Shield Shop, Cooma

2011-02-16T19:20:00.001+11:00

Thanks to my colleague, E, for grabbing the details of the Salvos shop in Cooma last weekend.

Location: 2-8 Mittagong Road, Cooma
Telephone: (02) 6452 1327

Opening Hours: 9.30 am-4.00 pm Monday - Friday.

We've been to this corker of a shop a few times now, and I recommend it for bric-a-brac, vintage manchester and crafty goodness. Clothes, not so much, but great if you are a slim skier.

I suspect the opening hours change with the season - we'll keep an eye on this one.

Anyone else been to their favourite oppie recently and can update the opening hours?

Co-ordinated Rubbish

2011-02-15T07:48:00.012+11:00

With an elegant home full of eclectic, antique gems, Red Hill dressmaker and bargain hunter Teresa Zarlenga says she would never walk into a shop and buy something new.

"I can't imagine anything different in my home," she says of her collection of timeless, classic furniture and accessories, or "co-ordinated rubbish", as she calls it. "I'm not interested in going into a shop - all the furniture there seems to be the same.

"I'd much rather have something with history that has just happened to come my way. It means so much more to me."

"Teresa says she loves the thrill of finding an item, be it an elegant chaise, a painting, a hostess trolley or a nest of tables that perfectly match her "look" and the feel of her home - particularly when it sets her back around $5."

Read more of this article, "Tireless Teresa's hunt for treasures" by Kathryn Vukovljak, City News, February 10-16, 2011, p. 4 on City News online version...

Salvos is not short for Salvage

2011-02-13T16:34:00.009+11:00

The RiotAct.com has had a recent story about a Salvos van being seen at a Waste Transfer Station (aka Tip) dumping a heap of unwanted donations. The comments by some rioters said they consider the Salvos should be a salvage operator, rather than a charity shop*. The question is, do we, as dedicated op-shoppers agree with these views? Is this the thin edge of the wedge, and Salvos and other shops be forced to sort through our rubbish. Or is this the line in the sand?

Let's consequences of these options. If charity shops are forced to deal with our rubbish, they will have to either get more volunteers, which is highly unlikely as volunteers are a fickle workforce. Who wants to volunteer to sort through rubbish, when I can volunteer somewhere else, where I will not be faced with dirty underwear, nappies and syringes. If they cannot get volunteers they will be forced to employ more staff, and if they are a shop that subsidises their churches welfare arm, then this will cut into their revenue, when it is increasingly needed.

(*I know they run themselves on a business model, have paid staff, etc, but they are still a charity shop.

**While i stood at the Gungahlin Dump taking this photo, a car drove up, I was shaking my head at this pile of rubbish. The driver got out, and I said that rather than leaving her donation there, she could take it to the nearby Salvos or Vinnies during business hours. She said she was unable to get there, and proceeded to shove her bag of clothes into the top of one of the donation bins.

I guess this sums it up. It can be difficult to get to a store when they are open, so the stores have these bins for out of business hours donations. But if your donation does not fit in the bin, then it will be exposed to the elements, and spread everywhere, and you have just added to the problem of dumping around charity bins.)

Pegged

2011-02-13T12:29:00.000+11:00

A whole new level of thrift Chez TOF.

Time's Up Challenge

2011-02-06T11:04:00.000+11:00

A question in comments today asked for opening times. I muttered crossly about checking the database for themselves only to have to take it all back - the information wasn't there.

Vinnies Tugg is open today 10-3, Anon *sheepish smile*.

I'll update that one now, but I have a challenge. Next time you visit your favourite oppie, would you note the times and upload it as a post, please?

I'll glean the data and amend the database as necessary.

Look forward to hearing from you all. :)

Ops this week

2011-02-02T12:02:00.000+11:00

Charity Book Fair
RB Smith Community Centre, Crawford Street, Queanbeyan
Friday 4 February (5-8pm) and Saturday 5 February (10am-2pm)
Wide variety of second-hand and near-new books. Fiction and non-fiction at bargain prices.

YMCA GARAGE SALEMeuller St, Yarralumla
8am-12pm
$5 bags clothes $10 boxes books.

Salvos Online – a review

2011-01-24T13:06:00.004+11:00

Now that Salvos have an online shop, I figured it was worth a visit.

The online shop is easy enough to find from the Salvos main page. A poke around shows that several of their stores are putting their better bits and designer clothing up online.

I suppose this means that those items will be available to a wider audience and Salvos can then charge a higher price for them. This can be a good thing as I can now check for my china patten in all participating Salvos stores. The down side is I doubt they will have my teapot for $7 again.

The Salvos Stores are a business, and while we may regret paying a higher prices, this may be a fact of things in the future.

Salvos launches its first online store

2011-01-19T18:12:00.002+11:00

Ripped from 7 news online:

Tom Morgan, AAP January 19, 2011, 12:17 pm

Australians can go charity shopping at the click of a button with the Salvos launching its first online store.

The website will give people the opportunity to shop online with a conscience, the charity hopes.
With retailers complaining that websites such as eBay are hurting local stores, the Salvation Army believes its idea will help shoppers find an online bargain while giving a helping hand.

"We believe that this is the first website of its kind in Australia," Salvos general manager Neville Barrett told reporters on Wednesday.

"This is fantastic and means that Australians will be able to access hundreds of unique items from Salvos stores across the country. This is a great initiative."

The website was the brainchild of several community members who told the Salvation Army they would like to have access online, saving them the hassle of trawling through clothing rails.

Hundreds of items - mainly clothes - has already been uploaded onto the website. They'll be replaced as stock is sold.

Mr Barrett said the website was another step toward ensuring the charity remained relevant and to prevent funds diminishing with the Salvos' especially work cut out providing aid during Australia's flood crisis.

"It's important that Salvos Stores is relevant and accessible within all communities across Australia, which we do through our local presence and now actively in social media and our new online store," he added.

The public will be able to make their first purchases from 9am (AEDT) on Thursday.

The launch coincides with the start of Shopping with a Conscience month, aimed at inspiring Australians to shop with the environment and community in mind at Salvos Stores online and in the local community.

Salvos Stores has increased its product range to include new household items such as toiletries and cleaning products

The first Salvos Stores online site can be accessed at www.salvos.org.au/stores and delivery will be free for online purchases made before April 19

New (old) shoes!

2011-01-17T22:07:00.004+11:00

Hello everyone,

This is my first post to I op therefore I am - ACT and I feel very special to be part of the group!

My most recent purchase was a pair of Kumfs sandals for $7 from the Salvo's in Jamison. Strangely enough, I put on one of my favourite sundresses on Saturday and thought that thongs just didn't cut it with the dress and I really needed some nice sandals to go with it. I walked into the op shop and they were the perfect colour and size.

I always thought Kumfs were a bit Nana in their style, but this pair are perfect and I can ride my bicycle in them too!

A regional jaunt

2011-01-16T22:52:00.004+11:00

Just back from a week getting to know part of our region (the Upper Lachlan Valley) while it's green and lovely.

I visited the Vinnies in Boorowa (on the way to Cowra) and Crookwell. Not much doing in Boorowa, but very friendly. I found a very quaint hand-made tea cosy there.

Crookwell had some choice vintage linens, and after the extortionate prices of Dickson Vinnies, how pleasant was it to buy a stack of vintage teatowels and tablecloths for $2.50, with a free 'Real Living' mag thrown in with a smile! They also had lovely knitted quilts and crockery.

Overall Crookwell is well worth a trip. We stopped in at the Lindner Sock Factory, which, while not an op shop, had reasonably priced wool socks. The owners will let you go into the back and observe the vintage German machinery making the socks ('strumpfen'). Fantastisch!

Time for bed?

2011-01-16T16:29:00.002+11:00

Extremely cute black and white PJ bloomers (much cuter now I've removed the revolting pink bows and replaced the hard scratchy lace with vintage ric rac): $3.

Bedtime reading: $5

Thank you Vinnies Tuggeranong for being open on Sunday!

New Year Sale @ Phillip Salvos

2010-12-30T18:59:00.002+11:00

Date for the diary

2010-12-26T11:06:00.001+11:00

Zonta's Pre-Loved Designer and Vintage Women's Fashion Sale - we need your help!

Hello Ladies,

Are you thinking about clearing out your wardrobe? Please think of us when you do, as we need your clothes – to help us with our programs to advance the status of women in our region.

The Zonta Club of Canberra Breakfast Inc is holding a Pre-Loved Designer & Vintage Women’s Fashion Sale on Saturday 5th March 2011, and we need your help to make it a success, and achieve our goals.

Don’t leave unworn outfits languishing in your wardrobe – your unwanted clothing can help us to provide awards to assist women with tertiary education, help women entering refuges and other projects.

If you have good-quality, contemporary items of clothing that you can spare – including handbags, shoes and scarves – let us know and we’ll come and pick them up. Email: canberrabreakfast@zontadistrict24.org with your address and phone number or phone Minh 0402 285 586 to arrange collection.

The sale will be held from 10am – 3pm on Saturday, 5th March at the ACT ATSI Cultural Centre, 245 Lady Denman Drive (city side before Scrivener Dam). Schedule this date in your diaries, and come shopping with us.

(Proudly supported by the ACT ATSI Cultural Centre, Nunie, CIT
Proceeds to Zonta Education Awards for Women and other Zonta projects *

canberrabreakfast@zontadistrict24.org
www.canberra.breakfast.zontadistrict24.org

* Zonta International is a worldwide service organisation of women in business working together to advance the status of women worldwide on a global and local level. The Zonta Club of Canberra Breakfast support local Canberra women through a range of programs including;
· providing women in refuges with basic toiletry needs;
· providing women with basic kitchen items when leaving refuges and setting up a new home;
· supporting women after breast surgery with Breast Cushions;
· supporting the education of women in a non-traditional field (eg astronomy);
· supporting women in developing countries during childbirth through the provision of a Birthing Kit to aid a clean, safe birthing environment.)

Oops

2010-12-23T10:17:00.001+11:00

sorry - posted to wrong blog.

Simply the Best

2010-12-23T06:44:00.000+11:00

Apartment Therapy (not somewhere I read but I followed a link), has complied a list of the best thrift stores and flea markets in the US for 2010. Great if you happen to be travelling Stateside.

What about locally - what were your best buys this year? Your favourite outlets?

Answers on the back of a postcard or in the comments - or even better - a post!

Another Op Swap - Woden

2010-11-26T16:33:00.000+11:00

With Christmas fast approaching, Woden SEE-Change has organised a Pre-Christmas Op Swap which is open to all SEE-Change members, volunteers and interested people! If you don't have anything to swap, feel free to drop by and enjoy the entertainment and company of others as this is a SEE-Change wide end of year event!

The Pre-Christmas Op Swap will take place on Saturday 4th December at St James Church, 40 Gillies St, Curtin from 9am (for a 9:30am start) until 12pm. This is a money-free event but we'd love it if you could please bring a plate of morning tea to share.

As well as the op swap, there will be live music and a yummy morning tea. There will also be lucky door prizes: home air leakage test (valued at $400), organic wines, locally produced goodies and more.

The entertainment for the day is as follows:

9am - 10am: Chris Harland: acoustic blues duo

10am - 11am: Raw Honey (acapella group) TBC - if not Raw Honey, will be another acoustic act

11am - 12pm: Trev Dunham and flautist (acoustic roots, blues, folk)

To find out more information and see the Op Swap flyer, visit the Pre-Christmas Op Swap events page.

Op shops losing out as retailers go online

2010-11-05T13:43:00.001+11:00

Op shops losing out as retailers go online by Amy Simmons

Shamelessly ripped off ABC website http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/04/3057044.htm?section=justin

Australian charities are facing an uncertain future as donations from big retailers become increasingly rare and more and more people sell their unwanted goods online.

Lifeline Australia's retail support coordinator Joe Magro, who has been working in the not-for-profit sector for almost 30 years, says big companies are now far more likely to to sell their surplus or damaged stock online than give it to the poor.

Mr Magro says 10 years ago, when he worked for Mission Australia in Sydney, Myer Grace stores would call him on a weekly basis to say they had stock for him to collect.

"That was going really well for us ... we'd get things like a dinner set, with just a chip in a glass or something," he said.

But all this changed when the company started giving its product to a reverse logistics firm in Melbourne, TIC.

TIC describes reverse logistics as the "backwards flow of merchandise from consumers, to retail stores, and back to distributors, manufacturers or remarketers".

As well as Myer, TIC is also used by Target and Kmart.

"Anything and everything, stuff that is returned to the store and damaged, everything goes down to this place in Melbourne," Mr Magro said.

"I've been there on about half a dozen occasions because once we were told the product would be going to Melbourne, but that we could purchase it from this TIC group, we started buying product - the product we were getting for nothing.

"It was costing us a bit of freight and also about five cents in the dollar, so we were still getting a lot of stuff and good stuff.

"But then the company started deciding they would put the product online and it would go to the highest bidder, so what's happened now is that not-for-profits don't get a look in because we just get out-bid all the time."

Mr Magro says it has become too expensive for charities to compete with other buyers, especially when more often than not, only half of the purchased pallet is re-usable.

"You might get a pair of Italian shoes worth $600, so half a pallet is in really good nick, but the other half a pallet is rubbish that you've got to throw out," he said.

"I dare say it could reach 20, 25, 30 cents in the dollar, which by the time you put freight on it's not worth it."

He says he once received a donation from Table Eight worth about $1.5 million.

"That was an order that was apparently the wrong colour, it was more bluey purpley and I think they wanted blue, so it was sitting there in their warehouse and they said I could take the whole lot," he said.

"But I know years later when a new general manager came on board they then opened up a few Table Eight stores around Sydney where they could sell that product, so then the charities that were getting it couldn't get it anymore."

Relying on donations

Mr Magro says it is getting harder and harder for charities to rely on donations to stock their op shops, which in turn, is forcing up store prices.

"Gone are the days where a lot of the product was given to us or donated to charities," he said.

"If we want better quality product we pay for it at a reasonable price - something that we got for nothing, now we are buying it.

"So where we used to be able to sell it for $2 or $3 in our stores, now we have to double it because we incurred a cost."

Moreover, he says the quality of product is diminishing.

"The major companies, we very rarely get product donated from them. The smaller fries, the ones that actually import clothes from China, they're the ones that we get product from," he said.

"I've just come back from South Australia where I visited one of our centres, and when I was talking to the warehouse people the first thing they said to us was 'we're not getting any designer label products'.

"Now the designer label stuff is what gets people in, that brings them into the shop."

Mr Magro says 80 per cent of Lifeline's funding is accrued via its op shops, so without the shops, the organisation's other operations are at risk.

"It's getting tougher and tougher and tougher for organisations like Lifeline, who are wholly and solely dependent on the money that comes though op shops, to fund their centres throughout the country," he said.
"If our shops come down that could pretty much jeopardise the 24-hour counselling service, which is our core business."

The rise of eBay
What's more, Mr Magro says donations from the general public have also dropped in quantity and quality.

"The quality of product people are donating into our collection bins is not what it used to be five years ago, 10 years ago," he said.

"People have garage sales, markets, eBay, so then if they don't sell it there we get what's left over."

Red Cross merchandise general manager agrees donations from retailers are rare these days, and that the quality of donations from the general public is not what it used to be.

"We find retailers are happy to donate their faulty stock, but for us at Red Cross we do have to spend quite a bit of time and labour sorting through that stock, identifying what is repairable, and then can be sold in our stores," Olivia Cozzolino said.

"But unfortunately the proportion of items that can be prepared is fairly slim, so often the rest of the donations do have to be disposed of because they are beyond repair."

Ms Cozzolino says the rise of eBay has also made things harder.

"Whereas once upon a time people would have donated to a charity store now they know that they can put it on eBay and actually make some money from it," she said.
"So unfortunately we do find that there is a decline in the quality and quantity of he things that we receive and that does make it difficult for us.

"It does force us to go and purchase stock for our stores, whereas in the past we would have relied solely on donations."

Both Mr Magro and Ms Cozzolino have urged retailers to reconsider donating their excess product to charity.

"It's social responsibility, it's helping people less fortunate, people who wouldn't go into their stores and buy their brand names because they can't afford it," Mr Magro said.

"It's giving those people an opportunity to wear an outfit they wouldn't normally be able to buy."

"And those goods that they donate are then going on to the good of society by giving funds to the charities who really need it," Ms Cozzolino said.

Vinnies Experience Feel Good Shopping event

2010-11-05T07:17:00.002+11:00

Mums, daughters and friends are invited to a fun fashion evening with Vinnies!

Date: Thursday, 2 December 2010
Time: 7:00pm
Location: The Deck, Barrine Drive, Parkes (just off Commonwealth Ave bridge, easy and free parking)

Cost: $25 pp and a bag of pre-loved clothing.

- View some amazing outfits styled with Vinnies clothes
- Receive invaluable and up-to-date styling tips for Summer
- Have the chance to be made over by stylist Jenny Kozlow and Bentley's Hair of Canberra
- Buy some fantastic Vinnies bargains on the night

RSVP - Stephanie Hawkins by Monday, 29 November 2010 on 02 6121 2944 or stephanie.hawkins@svdp-cg.org.au

Queanbeyan Charity Book Fair

2010-11-04T19:08:00.002+11:00

CHARITY BOOK FAIR

RB Smith Community Centre
262 Crawford Street Queanbeyan

Friday 5 Nov 5-8pm
Saturday 6 Nov 10am – 2pm

Great variety of second-hand books !

Belconnen Festival Op-Swap

2010-11-04T09:17:00.001+11:00

ACT otherWISE is hosting a GIANT OP-SWAP and recycling drop-off at the Belconnen Community Festival on Saturday 13 November 2010. The Festival is at Margaret Timpson Park (35 Benjamin Way, Belconnen) between 10am and 5pm.

HOW WILL THE SWAP WORK?

Bring clothes, books and other swappable items to the Festival and exchange them for something else. Come by any time between 10am-5pm.

There is no minimum on what you can donate, but we ask that if you have bulky items, or you're unsure whether something is appropriate, please get in touch first.

CANNOT ATTEND THE FESTIVAL?

If you cannot attend the Festival, but would still like to contribute, you can drop your items off any time at the ACT Conservation Council (17 Childers St Acton - next to Street Theatre). There is a marked box just inside the front door.

DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DONATE?

Not a problem - just bring a donat ion to help cover the costs of running the event.

PRIZE DRAW

Everybody who donates something in the lead up to the Festival, or brings something to swap on the day, will go in the draw for a fantastic prize.

HOW WILL THE RECYCLING DROP-OFF WORK?

We are collecting mobile phones (and accessories), printer cartridges and batteries. Just bring them to our stall and we'll send them away to be recycled free of charge.

MORE INFORMATION

Contact ACT otherWISE Project Officer Scott Walker by email on otherwise@consact.org.au or leave a message at 6229 3211

Lifted directly from Conservation Council Newsletter, November 2010.

Yass - Second Hand Weekend

2010-10-25T12:39:00.000+11:00

Yass recently held their Second Hand Sunday Weekend. So we headed over on the Saturday to see what we could find.

We did not find muh there that interested us, and a number of houses did not have anything outside. We think this is because they were only participating for the Sunday.

I guess the concept of a Second Hand Sunday Weekend can get a little confusing, Sme people will put out their stuff for the whole weekend, others for one day only.

Perhaps having it over one day is a better option.

All I did find was a pair of towing mirrors, which I intend on using with the Mobile Storage bunker (aka Caravan).

Yass tip shop – Epic fail

2010-10-24T12:13:00.005+11:00

We paid a visit to the Yass tip shop. Usually you expect the tip shop in a country town to be a small operation, but make up for their lack of size with a good management policy, and friendly staff. Yass however was an epic fail. The photos below will show what I mean.

That being said, they did have a full on paper, glass, metal recycling facility, that I had a quick look at. And they have a nice stack of computer desks there, either assembled, or still in boxes, for $10 each.

Op-shopping suits The Old Flame

2010-10-16T17:55:00.001+11:00

Read all about it

Pambula op-shop celebates 28 years

2010-10-14T10:11:00.006+11:00

Back in February when Taph and i had our op-shop trek down the coast we paid a visit to the Pambula op shop. We got there just on opening time, but no-one was around, and with storms pressing we figured that we should set off for home before we got flooded in.
I recently found a story on-line about how the shop has just celebrated 28 years of operations.
With summer coming and people from Canberra heading down the coast for holidays, i think this shop is worth a special visit if you happen to be in the area.

Green Savvy Sunday

2010-10-13T06:38:00.000+11:00

We've been contacted by the crew at the Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston. OBDM is having it's first 'green' themed day this coming Sunday, 17 October.

I reprint from the press release :
Green Savvy Sunday was developed in response to feedback from market customers and stallholders who wanted to have better access to information and products that helped them develop a more sustainable lifestyle and reduce their impact on the environment.

The themes of recycle, reuse and low use of energy are things we all want to strive for. Green Savvy Sunday stalls will feature green products and displays to inspire and entice, as well as people to answer customers’ questions, and loads of green information.

Green Savvy Sunday will include recycled and UPcycled fashion, food and wine with an organic winery onsite, craft made from recycled materials and skin care products. Experts will also give advice on green products and services, and there’s even a mobile phone drop-off point to safely dispose of unwanted mobiles.

For those keen on learning more, the markets will feature an all day speakers program called Green Savvy Speakers, headlined by famed author and sustainability guru, Jackie French. Her three presentations will teach you how to grow everything (except chocolate), how to take forty years to make your breakfast, and death to the three minute shower. More information available at www.obdm.com.au

For more information visit www.obdm.com.au/news-events/green-savvy-sunday/

OBDM is keen for bloggers to pop by and review the day - they will link to the best blog posts. Go to it I-Oppers.

The Eyes Have It

2010-10-12T17:24:00.001+11:00

Sorry about the scary self-portrait, but had to show you these truly divine vintage sunglasses.

Black and white frames with green lenses. $3 from Vinnies, Gungahlin a few weeks ago.

Favourite find in a very long time.

Yass Salvos and Vinnies

2010-10-08T12:20:00.002+11:00

We paid a visit to Yass over the weekend. Taph and I were planning on visiting the Yass Vinnies before going on to the Murrumbateman Moving Feast. However a dead battery at the toilets left us 2 hours behind schedule and with the realisation that the Vinnies had closed 10 minutes before we got there.
Well the country markets were happening at the showground, so we headed that way, but we did not get their either, as when we drove past the Salvos, Taph yelled out, "They're open".
I was able to quickly turn the Sub-Zero around and got a rock star park out front.

The Shop is only open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 12:30pm. For some reason the op-shop gods knew we were coming and had arranged for it to be open on a Saturday.
Inside was a small and tidy shop, with reasonable prices, but due to their floor-space, a fairly limited range.

However it was so good, we didn't bother trying to get to the country markets.

We headed out to the moving feast, and to find out what happened there, you will have to go to my blog.

Something for the Weekend

2010-10-08T11:48:00.000+11:00

Saturday 9 October offers two of the less frequent op-shopping experiences

The YMCA Garage Sale starts at 8am in Meuller Street, Yarralumla. Not the mega sales they used to be, the Y sale is still great value.

From 1-3pm, the Finnish Lutheran Church on the corner of Gould and Watson Streets is having a fete/op-shop. TOF and I experienced this wee gem back in July and it was great. If you get there early, you can buy coffee and Pulla (a traditional tea bun) from Noon.

Discount at Vinnies

2010-10-07T06:25:00.000+11:00

Vinnies stores are offering a $5 voucher to spend on your next purchase when you spend $20 or more in a single purchase between 1 Oct and 30 Nov 2010.

This appears to be part of Vinnies Spring "Feel Good Shopping" Campaign launched last week. The ambassador for Vinnies is Miss World Australia ACT, Claudia Vannithone. Obviously a campaign to attract a new generation of opshoppers.

And then the Salvos

2010-10-06T18:59:00.002+11:00

got their Spring thing together with Buy Nothing New month.

Register your buy nothing new idea and win a prize.

They're even blogging it! Do let us know if you enter.

Yass - Second Hand Weekend

2010-10-05T16:02:00.010+11:00

While the date for the next Second Hand Sunday in Canberra has yet to be advertised, the Yass Valley Shire will be having a Second Hand sunday Weekend on Saturday, 23 October and Sunday, 24 October 2010.

For more details keep an eye on the Yass Shire website.

Consignment shops?

2010-10-04T19:11:00.001+11:00

Asteria left a comment about where she could sell her second-hand clothes.

Anyone know of consignment shops in the area?

Crafty Goodness

2010-10-02T08:09:00.000+10:00

Salvos at Mitchell has brought out the craft materials that have been absent from its shelves for some time.

Tables of fabric remnats, baskets of yarn, notions, tapestry and cross-stitch kits and sewing and knitting patterns are all there.

I picked up a couple of vintage Patons patterns for the collection but was very restrained with the other items - there's plenty left. :)

Op-Shopping on Family and Community Day

2010-09-27T20:07:00.007+10:00

On Monday we were faced with a public holiday in Canberra but across the border it was a normal working day.

Hooray Taph said. Let’s go op-shopping across the border.

So we piled into the sub-zero, and set a course for Queanbeyan. Our first stop was the Red Shield Store on Morrisett Street.

Fate seems to shine on us as we got rock-star parking outside the door. However the fate gods left us as there was nothing there that followed us home. However, they do have a good supply of 4xl and 6xl Mens S/S Shirts.

We did a short walk to the Salvos Store, and all we found there was a Country road linen shirt and a jar.

Feeling that the Frugaling gods would shine on us at our next two stops, we moved the car closer, and were rewarded with another Rock-Star Car Park.

Taph picked up a jumper, and a vintage knitting patten. I found a CD for the Collection.

But our luck ran out at Bargin Hunter, and we left empty handed.

We had a quick Brunch at the Central Café as we shared a Big Breakfast.

A quick visit to SpotLight for some needles, also turned up some bargain wool.

We were finished in Queanbeyan by 12, so we set course for Cooma.

Our first visit was to the Red Shield store. For the grand total of $10 we got a shirt each, a Tupperware mixing bowl, some genuine Croqs and a selection of knitting patterns.

We headed down to the Vinnies and got a Book, Shirt and knitting pattern.

We decided the day was still young, and Adaminaby was 30 minutes away. The cruise control on the Sub-Zero got us there well before closing.

It is easy to find, there is one main shopping street, and it is supporting the Snowy Mountains Museum.

We had a lovely time inside. I picked up a pair of xc-skis for $5. The Bases are shot, but I will use the bindings on another pair of skis.

Taph got a pure wool jumper, Tupperware rock and serve, Cheese knives and a cook book. All up this cost us $11.50.

We took the back road home via Namadgi national park. It is a lovely road, but don’t do it if you are in a hurry.

Take 2

2010-09-26T01:00:00.001+10:00

A couple of weeks ago TSS received this email asking why we did not have Take 2 on our list.

So Taph and I had to pay it a visit.

Our first attempt was on a Monday, when the shop was closed. We had a look through the windows and decided we must visit again.

A couple of weeks later we were driving down Limestone Avenue at 11:50 on a Saturday morning, we found our car gripped by a strange force, and we found ourselves parked in the All Saints car park.

From there it is a short stroll over to the op shop that is located next to the church hall.

It was not the smallest op-shop i have been in, however that op-shop was located in a one-horse country town.

Its mens wear range was very limited, but happily very cheap. The shirt i bought was only $1. According to Taph, it womens wear range is limited but select, with the stock they have being good brands.

Big changes in stall for the R-shop

2010-09-24T17:00:00.000+10:00

While at the R-shop in Mitchell recently, i noticed that they were extending the shed and also putting in a verandah. It looked to me like the shed size has been increased by a 40 meter extension. And the verandah would almost double the space the have under cover.

This means even more stock will be stored under cover.

I asked one of the staff there about it. They said the building were still owned by the ACT Government and they were doing these improvements as they were going to be tendering for the recycling business again in April.

Free clothing at Tinys Green shed

2010-09-23T16:29:00.007+10:00

Taph and i are fans of "Tinys Green Shed" on Facebook. However a couple of weeks ago we were gobsmacked by the post on his site.
Free clothes, Taph was thrilled by this prospect, and i was mildly excited, so we set off to see what we could find.

When we found the magic mountain of clothes, the lucky dip that was just piled up on the floor, we decided the best thing to do was just start digging and see what turned up.
Taph was looking for:

Woolen jumpers that she could unravel,
Nice feeling shirts that could be converted into hankies,
Stuff that had nice buttons, and
Clothing that fitted either of us.

While we were there we met a nice lady who was after babies clothes for Karinya House. So all afternoon when ever we found something that was baby wear, the call went up, "Baby" and the items of clothing were thrown over to where she was.
After a few hours of searching, we left with several bags of clothing that fitted our search requirements.

On the wearable clothing front I picked up a couple of nice shirts, a pair of shorts and a nice black jacket.

All for Nix,

Barneys Boutique sale

2010-09-17T06:21:00.001+10:00

"I am a regular reader of the blog and I thought that I would let you know that Barneys Boutique in Charnwood are having their winter sale and all the clothes are reduced to a dollar each.

There are some great bargains to get--my husband got a new woolen dressing gown (Smartex brand) yesterday and a mans pullover for a $1.00 each both in excellent condition.
I thought you might like to pass this on to the readers.

Regards
Doreen Grey"

(Thanks for the heads up, Doreen!)

Fash'n'Treasure

2010-09-08T22:26:00.000+10:00

We had some great finds at Fash'n'Treasure on Saturday. The two bags and the pair of shoes totalled $15. Felt was selling three items for $20.
The black leather bag is a Pink Corporation brand, I cleaned it up at home with some shoe polish and cut off a few stray threads. I may have to take to a boot maker to have the eyelets replaced - but I think it will be worth it as it is a great style.
Apparently by the end of the day a lot of the sellers were selling items for $2 a piece.
The next market is on 27 November.

Salvos Jamison Centre: reopening

2010-08-22T19:31:00.009+10:00

I don't know if it was because this Salvos returned to the space it originally occupied(as opposed to the Phillip and Mitchell stores, which moved to new premises) but I have to say I was fairly unimpressed (sorry, Ken)

First up, the "Grand Opening" sign was well hidden behind a donation bin (see photo one).

Then there was the Grammar Nazi in me which cringed at the new (unapostrophied) signage:I turned the corner, noting the new carpet, paint job and branding:(Yes, it looks brighter and cleaner than the old store)

The furniture is in the same place and I have to say I didn't notice much difference in ambiance...

But, as I turned round to head to the craft and book section this is what greeted me:
(That's a "Staff Only" sign on the door)

What! No craft section!?

Ken told me they were pushed to get things in order before the opening and the craft section would return soon. I though he meant to the same spot. But those doors look pretty permanent.

And the books have been rehoused next to the furniture:Which seems quite silly when the homeware section is now shoehorned in behind the mens' clothing (see picture 4 above)

All in all, I sadly have to say I'm giving the new Jamison Salvos a big thumbs down (even though I did pick up a brand new MIP Queen cotton valance for $5) and hope that I'll be able to change my rating once they've settled back into the space.

Did you visit on opening day? Can you convince me otherwise?