The ThriftShopper Blog
Stories, tips, and insights from the world of thrifting and sustainable shopping
October 17, 2025
My Father's Canteen from WWII
Out of the blue, I received an email from a 5th grader studying WWII who had purchased this canteen on eBay. I'm not exactly sure how he found me and concluded that it belonged to my father. But he wanted to know if I had any stories about it that he could add to his school essay. Suffice to say, I purchased the canteen from him! Stay tuned for other odd family stories found through items that surfaced on online marketplaces.
October 21, 2025
Working in a Thrift Shop: Everyday Oddities
I can understand why so many thrifters post 'Does anyone know what this is?' I had to figure out how to assemble this item as I found pieces in bubble wrap and not all in one place. It's really quite unique and beautiful but I'm not sure if you put it in a window, or hang it? And I haven't plugged it in yet. Any interest? Let me know!
November 10, 2025
Giving Thrift Shops
I volunteer at my church thrift shop and we use the proceeds to help purchase food for our food pantry. We offer food to more than 75 families weekly. Often times you'll find real treasures in charitable shops, sometimes buried in back corners. I'll soon post a video tour of our church shop to give you an idea. For many charitable shops, prices are negotiable but take note of where your dollars are going. This is especially true for your donations: think, is this something a shop can sell?
November 17, 2025
You Never Know...
Thrift shops that accept donations (mine does as our proceeds go directly to our food pantry) are full of surprises, and stories. There is no shortage of learning and history, and fabulous stories (if I only had more time when customers are shopping to hear them all!) and sometimes you take the good with the bad. 'Could you have just washed the goblets before donating, just a bit?' I say sometimes to myself. Bet you didn't know that these mugs are vintage Fire-King Glamite coffee mugs in a carrier. Look that one up! 1950-1959.