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...
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Salvos is not short for Salvage
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.)
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.)
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Time's Up Challenge
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. :)
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. :)
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Ops this week
Charity Book Fair
RB Smith Community Centre, Crawford Street, Queanbeyan
Friday 4 February (5-8 pm) and Saturday 5 February (10 am-2 pm)
Wide variety of second-hand and near-new books. Fiction and non-fiction at bargain prices.
YMCA GARAGE SALE
Meuller St, Yarralumla
8 am-12 pm
$5 bags clothes $10 boxes books.
RB Smith Community Centre, Crawford Street, Queanbeyan
Friday 4 February (5-8 pm) and Saturday 5 February (10 am-2 pm)
Wide variety of second-hand and near-new books. Fiction and non-fiction at bargain prices.
YMCA GARAGE SALE
Meuller St, Yarralumla
8 am-12 pm
$5 bags clothes $10 boxes books.
Monday, 24 January 2011
Salvos Online – a review
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.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Salvos launches its first online store
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
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
Monday, 17 January 2011
New (old) shoes!
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!
Sunday, 16 January 2011
A regional jaunt
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!
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?
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!
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