Don't Be A D*** At The Thrift: A Brief Guide To Etiquette

It's a thrift store, not Saks Fifth Avenue. Calm down. 

Like any other retail environment, where one exchanges currency for goods, thrift stores are operated by a team of paid employees and/or volunteers. And as a patron of many thrift stores, I have seen a repeated occurrence to which attention must be paid.

The occurrence being, customers are dicks. And I say that in the broadest of generalizations. I know that many of us thrift shoppers are there for bargains and treasure hunts, not to berate employees for a  personal sense of entitlement. But lately, I've seen some truly atrocious behavior. And since I have this platform, I think it's high time to talk secondhand etiquette. 

Everybody, wait your turn. 

Sometimes in life, we have to wait. I'm not sure just how the immediate gratification in the traditional shopping experience has become so prevalent in thrift stores. But I've been witness to an increasing number of impatient thrift shoppers. And that's putting it mildly. In my opinion, thrifting takes time and effort. It's not as simple as grabbing a quick gallon of milk at the 7-11. Demanding to speak to a manager THIS INSTANT to address these lines at the register----is that getting you home any faster? And if you can't devote a few extra moments to waiting patiently in line like a civilized human being, maybe it's best to stay home and calmly reflect upon what's going on in your life that has you acting...like a complete dick.

You can't always get what you want. 

It's unfortunate. But it happens. One shopper seems to have gotten to all the best stuff before you. And sometimes, that shopper is indeed a vintage re-seller. Simply give them a nod to acknowledge their thrift-hunting prowess. Maybe compliment an item or two. And just walk away. Don't go fishing in their cart while they have their backs turned. It sounds ridiculous---but I have seen it happen. And the results aren't pretty. Here's the key piece of thrift shopping etiquette to keep in mind: If it's in a cart, it's claimed. If it's discarded back to the shelf, it's yours for the thrifting. 

Emily Post may know social etiquette. But when it comes to thrift etiquette, I've got you covered. And in closing, it comes down to just a few main bullet points.

• Don't be a dick to thrift store staff.
• Don't be a dick to other thrift shoppers.
• Don't be a dick while waiting your turn in line.
• Don't be a dick. 

__________________________________________________________

This has been a public service announcement from Let's Go Thrifting.

My apologies for the number of phallic references, but sometimes it just needs to be said.

And The Grafix Shrink Film Giveaway Winner Is...

Well let me just say, this was one fun promotion. In a lovely creative partnership with the Grafix company, I was supplied with enough Inkjet Shrink Film for two. And after fourteen days of competitive clicking for entries through Rafflecopter, we have a winner! 

The winner of the 6-sheet pack of Grafix Inkjet Shrink Film is...

...Ann from Devon, PA!  Congratulations, Ann! Your prize is on its way.

Many thanks to President Hayley Prendergast and the entire Grafix team for sponsoring this promotion. And thank you all for reading Let's Go Thrifting and taking part in the Vintage Inspired Charm Bracelet How-To And Grafix Giveaway. I hope you were all emboldened to get out there and start your own neat little shrink film projects. Happy crafting, everyone!

Teeny Tiny Secondhand Treasures: Shrink It All With Grafix

Authentic Loteria 

It has been a while since my last Teeny Tiny Secondhand Treasures post. So I thought, what better  time to talk tiny than right now, to perfectly coincide with the Grafix Shrink Film Giveaway?

For those who missed the initial giveaway announcement and craft post, no worries. There is still time to get those entries in before the lucky winner is named. But here's just a little refresher.

Vintage Inspired Shrink Art Charm Bracelet 

In the last Let's Go Thrifting update, I introduced my vintage inspired charm bracelet to the world, with a handy how-to guide to make one of your very own. And thanks to the kind folks at the Grafix company, I am able to provide one reader with a 6-sheet pack of Inkjet White Shrink Film! 

Well, all of this excitement surrounding the giveaway got me thinking---what other teeny tiny secondhand inspired treasures can I create?

I took inventory of my vintage photographs, illustrations, ephemera, and pictorial collections and I've come to a conclusion. I MUST SHRINK EVERYTHING. I mean, come on. You just try to tell me that those colorful Loteria cards wouldn't make for some adorable earrings! 

1JJ Swiss Tarot 

Or how about these gorgeous Tarot cards? These are straight off my Thrift Wish List, reprints from original woodcut design---and would look absolutely charming dangling from my wrist. 

Or if I want something a little more dramatic, I could always draw inspiration from my collection of royalty-free pictorials. 

Anatomy sketches and 19th century ladies 

There are boundless opportunities with royalty-free illustrations. These are just two books I own from my days of zine making. But if you're looking for your own vintage illustrations to shrink, Antique Clipart is highly recommended. So many things to shrink, so little time!

And with just five days left in the giveaway, there's little time left before you can start shrinking if you're the winner. So get those Rafflecopter entries in and you'll be making your own teeny tiny treasures soon enough.

A Vintage Inspired Charm Bracelet How-To And A Giveaway!!

"What sorcery is this?"

At long last the winter months are leaving us. And with the spring, comes a newfound appreciation for all things crafty. If you recall my post on how thrifting can inspire creativity, you may remember a little teaser about an upcoming craft project and giveaway. 

Well it is time for that giveaway! But first things first, my lovely little charm bracelet. I was wearing this vintage inspired charm bracelet, showing it off to coworkers, and a young woman passing by was in literal awe. She grabbed my arm, and actually screeched in excitement, "What sorcery is this?" Well, for the first time I am revealing the magic behind the making of my charm bracelet. And the magic is Grafix Shrink Film.

With just a few simple tools and a sheet of the Grafix Inkjet White Shrink Film, I've turned a few of my treasured photos and ephemera into wearable art. And with this simple step-by-step guide, you can create one of your own.

Watching those little plastic films shrink and harden is a thing of wonder, I tell ya.  Prepare yourself for compliments galore. And while you're at it, be sure to check out some of the other neat little DIY projects that are possible with the magic of shrink film and other fun products over at the Grafix Project Gallery.

I am truly excited to say that this charm bracelet will soon be featured on the Grafix website and blog, as well. And thanks to Hayley Prendergast, President of Grafix, you should be excited as well. Because in this corporate sponsored promotion, Let's Go Thrifting is supplying one lucky reader with a 6-sheet pack of Grafix Inkjet White Shrink Film for your next craft project!

So without further delay, here's how you can score yourself a 6-sheet pack of shrinkable sorcery, courtesy of the Grafix company. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Many thanks to the Grafix company for taking part in this project and sponsored giveaway. 

This giveaway is open to US residents only.  The winner will be announced on 4/21/15.

Good luck, everyone!