Sunday, November 10, 2013

thrift store spoils, ch. 10: mid-century mod goodness and some Pyrex



Just for fun, check out the windows on my favorite Goodwill last week: 




And please humor me while I share with you an odd thrift store encounter. (We've all had odd thrift store encounters, right?) 

It started about six months ago at a nearby SA, when an older gentleman shopper approached me a couple of times to make friendly comments (small talk, really), as if trying to start a conversation. I was polite in return, as I always try to be, but I didn’t encourage him. (I was on a thrift shopping mission and didn't really want to be bothered. Duh.) Later, though, he came up to me yet again to show off what he’d founda Little Tikes shelf  sitting in his shopping cart.

I said something like "Yeah, that’s nice"—at which point, the dude put his hand on my shoulder, leaned in, and asked, “Are you available?” 

Seriously. He asked me whether I was available. In a thrift store.

I rolled my eyes and said, “Absolutely not.” (Come on, mister. Move on. I'm huntin' for some opal Pyrex here.) Then I walked away. 

So this week while in the same SA and in the same housewares department, I turned to find the same man beside me (though it took a few seconds for it to register). The man points to my shopping basket and asks, “Can I put my stuff in there?”

Good God. 

I hardy-harred with him and, again, walked on. Of course, he was harmless, but Lordy. 

I don't know. I guess not everyone goes to thrift stores to shopsome go for company?

Anyway, weird. Has anything like that ever happened to y'all?

And why am I writing about this? I don't know. 


But it does help me segue into why the odd things and people and smells we come across in thrift stores are worth itbecause sometimes you happen across really cool stuff like this mid-century covered casserole.



It's an Ernest Sohn Creations piece, and it's in nice conditionwithout even utensil marks or scratches. I've learned that Sohn tended to mix ceramic, wood, and metal in his designs. In the case of this casserole, we have only the ceramic and wood (walnut, I think); however, the warming stand/cradle that was originally sold with it was made of wood and metalwith classic atomic-style mid-century legs. (I've seen a photo!) I paid a little more than I'm used to spending on housewares in thrift stores, but I wanted this one.


I also bought this never-used basketball toy thingie that you attach to your office or bedroom waste basket. And if the original box and instructions (dated 1969) are to be believed, the thing "fits all wastebaskets." Handy-dandy! The backboard on the contraption (which I failed to photograph) is a faux wood. And all of the piecesincluding the netare still there. 

This office time waster reminds me of a board-type game that my daddy had back in the 1950s, a game that my brother and I would play when we'd visit my Kentucky Mamaw's farm in the 1970s. It was called Bas-ket, and it included a cardboard gym floor, cardboard backboards, spring action spots across the floor for shooting, and a ping-pong ball as a basketball. We spent hours playing that game.




Just a quick note about something I didn't buy: I saw this mid-century serving cart in a GW last week, and I texted this photo to Mama, as it's the same one she bought when I was in North Carolina a while back. (I wrote about hers and posted a photo here.) I sent her this photo to show her what a deal she got. This one was priced at $60, while she paid a mere $5. Yay!




The bottom 474 Pyrex casserole dish here (the lidless one) is a Spring Blossom Green (1979 Redesign).  The top one, though, I'm still unsure of. It's a 472, but I can't figure out whether it belongs to a Spring Blossom Green set or a Verde one. I'm thinking it's a Verde sold with the wrong lid (as the Verde's lid is opal with green flowers, while this one is clear). I don't know.




I love Pyrex mixing bowls. The 401 on top is from the Rainbow Stripes series, vintage 1965-1967. The bottom bowl is from the Primary Colors series, and although it looks like a 401, it's unmarked. My understanding is that this means that it's vintage 1945-1949, as Pyrex didn't issue model numbers during that time period. 

And these are the Pyrex pieces I didn't buy:





These were at my closest GW, and as you can see, all three pieces had lids. (Yay!) But we're talking Old Orchard herethe current ugly duckling pattern of Pyrex. 

I know. Tastes will change, so we may all like it one day. And I do like browns. But still: the price wasn't right enough, and I'd have to find somewhere to store them. So I passed. Then I stopped back in at the same GW a few days after, and they were all still there. The staff had moved them up to the front table where they like to feature items. Poor things. 




I found this enamel mixing bowl at another GW. It's in great condition, and I love the logo on the bottom (designed by Homer Laughlin!).




And last, I picked up some books and a Creative Memories Christmas album. Published in 1965, the Betty Crocker cookbook is so much funfull of sweet illustrations and retro photographs.



Check out the Pyrex Terra casseroles here. Circa 1965, of course.

I'm linking up with Sir Thrift-a-Lot, a living space, We Call It Olde Link-Up, Colorado Lady, and Remnant. (Thanks for the opportunity to do so, y'all!)

And that is all.

23 comments:

  1. I never liked the Old Orchard pattern much either, but I broke down one day a d bought a casserole dish, it's really not so bad, but it would never be a favorite!

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    1. Oh, that's funny--how you wrote that you "broke down" and bought one!
      I really think I'd have broken down, too, had I room for it/them.

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  2. I was thinking about how that Pyrex Old Orchard could be used to hold a centerpiece, or as a bowl to serve rolls on a fall table. Bringing the gorgeous brown tones to the tablescape would also bring out its lovely coloring. Interesting post, and I loved your story!

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    1. Thanks, Jennie.
      And I'm sure you're right--that it could find its place on a Fall table, particularly if mixed in with complementary colors. Positive sentiments are always welcome here!

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  3. Besides all of your awesome treasures, I loved the story about the old dude and his pick-up attempt. I occasionally rrun into a guy that thinks he's Elvis. He's got the side burns and slicked hair,but about 50 lbs past the pudgy Elvis.He runs around peeking into everyone's carts. It takes all kinds!

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    1. Oh, that's funny. Does Mr. Elvis-wanna-be ever talk to folks? Or does he only peek?

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  4. Oh my, no, I've never been picked up in a thrift store! You poor thing! Well, be careful out there, he might not be harmless, seriously, I'd watch out for him. On a lighter note, love that casserole, and all the Pyrex of course. I've gotten into old cookbooks lately too, a dangerous new "like" I'd better be careful with ;) Thanks for sharing this at the We Call It Olde Link-Up! Take care - Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com

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    1. Thanks for the concern, Dawn! But I'm pretty good at taking care of myself, even though my first reaction is always a Southern one--you know, be a lady, be polite, give 'em the benefit of the doubt and a smile.
      And I'm with you on the "dangerous" thing for cookbooks. After all, there are only three meals in a day.

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  5. Love all your stuff, but that casserole is wonderful! I just found an Ernest Sohn enamel on copper dish (included in my estate sale post, come visit!) Sometimes I like what others consider the ugly duckling Pyrex, LOL.

    BTW, I love your old dude story. I had it happen to me once, creepy isn't it? Visiting from We Call It Olde, and a new follower. :) Pam

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    1. Forgot to say, your "just because" photo is a riot. Thanks for the laugh!

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    2. Pam, I just followed you, too. I'm also living in Virginia, like you, although it's Northern Virginia, which I know isn't as "Virginia" as the rest of the state. ;-)
      And, wow, I didn't know Ernest Sohn had anything with daisies on it. I need to do some more research.
      That "just because" image was on a post card my sister sent me a long time ago. She loved it and sent it to me. I loved it and had to post it!

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  6. LOVE those painted store windows, and of course, all of the scores ;)

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    1. Yep. I wonder whether Goodwill was violating some copyright law, but it sure did Halloween-up the place.

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  7. That enamel bowl is so pretty! I was in line at SA a few weeks ago and the guy in front of me asked if a set of nesting dolls I was buying (for $1!!!) had all the dolls. I said yes and complimented the dvd shelf he was buying. He asked if I wanted to "share it." *ROLLS EYES* I own my own, nicer shelf buddy.

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    1. Goodness. Perhaps such interactions are pretty common? Either that or both of us look pretty dang fine while digging through other folks' donated linens looking for one (just one, please!) vintage mid-century curtain?
      I do wonder how many such interactions actually see results . . .
      And a set of nesting dolls for $1!!!--yay!

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  8. I watched the exact same scene at St. Vincent's the other day. A guy probably in his late 30's asked a substantially older woman if she was married. She said yes and he asked her "where is your ring?". She proceeded to tell him she had been gardening and forgot to put it back on. Poor lady! He seemed harmless enough but what a pain!

    Love all the Pyrex (obviously, I am one of the Pyrex Thrifter Sisters!). The Rainbow Stripe is one of my favorite patterns. Awesome score on the blue Primary. I have a few Primary sets and really need to check the markings. Thanks for the reminder!

    ~Erica

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    1. Oh, the poor woman!
      And I do like my blue Primary. Another thing I've learned about the different sets: Not only do they differ because of model numbers or lack thereof, but the bottoms are just a little different, too. The newer sets' bottoms are flatter.

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  9. Omg, you totally scored!!! Obviously the old dude did not, lol. This cracked me up! Never been hit on in a thrift store but I've had my share of old guys (it's always old guys... never cute, young guys) mack on me at other places. Blech! The Charlie Brown windows are great! :) Absolutely love your blog!

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    1. Thanks so much for chiming in!
      And I'm glad you like the blog. I tell you, I enjoy keeping up with it, and I'm loving read others' thrifting stories, as well. (It's just nice to know that there are other nutty people like me out there.)

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  10. You just never know what you will find in thrift stores. Hardly would have thought of some old coot tho.

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  11. Well that was an interesting encounter...amazing! I've always said our Goodwill is a bit boring...maybe I shouldn't complain! Love all the Pyrex. Hardly ever find any at our store. I have been looking for ever for microwave safe lisd for the small casseroles to no avail...sigh
    Ruth

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    1. Some days are better than others for Pyrex around here. I guess that's why I stop in here or there so often--just in case it's a good day.
      Good luck on the lid search!

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