The Thrift Wish List & The Tarot: Another Fortuitous Find

In a recent trip to the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop, I found something that I've coveted for some time. While I'm no means an expert on divination, I find myself drawn to the ancient mystery of Tarot cards. They're not especially hard to come by these days. Stop in any pseudo-alternative goth gift emporium or chain book store and you can find them.

I have a few speciality decks myself that I've collected from New Age shops that I've come across. But I have a special admiration for the European Tarot varieties, specifically vintage French cards. The primary colors are vibrant and the illustrations are artfully produced from woodcut tiles.

So when I spotted this deck of 1960s 1JJ Swiss Tarot Cards imported from Switzerland with the original French titles, it was like lightning striking twice. Mind you, this incredible thrifted rarity is just a few weeks following my original Keane print find.

Two sought after Thrift Wish items in just a few weeks? Maybe this stroke of secondhand luck is karma's answer to the slow winter thrifting.

In all honesty I must note that sadly this 1JJSwiss Tarot is not a complete deck. Either the previous owner was careless, or simply kept a few key cards for personal reasons. But still I can't help but feel fortunate that this deck--for the most part-- is now part of my collection. And I have some crafty plans for them indeed. Oh, yes. 

What items have you found on your Thrift Wish List lately? 

This post is linked-up with Sir Thrift-A-Lot. Go check it out! 

Celebrating Fall Folklore In The Thrift Store And The Orchard

Celtic Oracle Book, Cards and Calendar Set. $2

Early in the fall season I visited my favorite suburban thrift store, a renovated barn in Bryn Athyn, PA, affectionately known as BATS. 

And sitting in their  front parlor, seemingly out of place was this novelty fortunetelling set. And while it's faux vintage, the low price and the colorful artwork held my interest long enough to warrant a purchase. And good thing, too. Because I really brushed up on Halloween history. 

For instance, did you know that the modern interpretation of Halloween is based in part on Celtic traditions surrounding the end of the harvest season? From sunset on October 31st through sunset on November 1st, celebrations and offerings were held for Samhain. And according to folklore, the wall between the spirit world and the world of the living was quite feeble. 

And have you ever wondered why pumpkins and apples are so integral come Halloween time? These were some of the Gaelic traditional food offerings left for the spirits in remembrance of the dead. On Samhain (pronounced sah-win), spirits and other mischievous members of the spiritual realm would go door-to-door claiming these offerings, which centuries later evolved into modern day trick-or-treating. 

Pretty neat, huh?

Well, you better believe that after reading this, I decided to take part in some traditional autumnal activities. Just a few days before Halloween, I went off to Styer Orchard and picked a bucket of fresh apples and an armful of pumpkins, fresh from the patch. 

A scrumptious Granny Smith just hanging there all for me.

Harvest corn for fall decorating.

I found the the perfectly imperfect pumpkin, still attached to the vine.

It was the kind of fall day that reminded me what I had been looking forward to all summer. Crisp, cool air, hot apple cider and a Nightmare on Elm Street marathon later in the evening. And now that Halloween, or what the ancient celebrants called Samhain has officially ended, it's quite easy to get caught up in the Christmas craze. 

But hold on to fall for as long as it lasts. This is just the beginning of what the Celts referred to as the "dark months." There's no need to rush through them. 

Because, it's undoubtedly a beautiful time to celebrate. 

What's your favorite part of the fall season?

Vintage Photo Friday: A Bit Of Serendipity

While scavenging the shelves of the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop, I noticed a corner dedicated solely to photo albums. This is where I was standing when I met Nina, the manger of BATS. We talked of thrifting, blogging and the cyclical nature of it all. I also happened to mention my obsession for other people's family photographs and how it was rare to encounter enough to keep Vintage Photo Friday a regular occurrence here on Let's Go Thrifting!

Our conversation was interrupted when Nina had to price items for a  few customers, giving me a few minutes to flip through my selections from the shelf.

Vintage album of snapshots.... 75 cents.

And this is where I found the  lone photograph stuck between the pages  of an otherwise empty album. Of course I pointed out the find to Nina, who, much like myself, was just a little bit amazed by the discovery. 

Don't you love when you put something out into the universe? Something simple... like "Oh, how I'd love a vintage photograph today," and if by some means of thrift magic...it suddenly and serendipitously appears. 

BATS in the Barn: The Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop

Never mind the belfry. There's BATS in the barn.

In traveling the winding curves of Tomlinson Road in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, it would be easy to dismiss this building as a barn belonging to an old orchard on the grounds of the Bryn Athyn Church.

But this is what is lovingly known as BATS.

This is the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop. And this barn of secondhand treasures has been a fixture in this tightly knit community for 17 years. Yet somehow, I had not been there until just a few short days ago.

After stepping inside for the first time, I greeted one of the employees to seek permission for snapping a few photos. And much to my surprise, both the co-manager and manager were eager to give me an inside look of what BATS truly means to both the shoppers and staff.

Between taking photos of the shelves, displays and decor and talking shop with Nina Finkeldey, the manager of the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop, I spent upwards of 90 minutes in total awe of my surroundings. 

There was kitsch. There was vintage. And there was a passion for the business that was palpable. And as I learned from Nina, BATS is a shared and collaborative passion among its 12 employees and 190 volunteers. The proceeds may benefit the Bryn Athyn Church, but the benefits are beyond  mere monetary value. Nina was quick to note that BATS serves the community first and acts as a fundraiser second. 

A lot of love, a lot of creativity and a whole lot of hard labor has gone into  to make this thrift shop into something more than just your average Goodwill. And there's much more on the horizon for this secondhand wonderland. More than just a retail environment, BATS  serves as an antiques gallery, with records,  bicycles, movie posters, hardware and more hanging from every nook and cranny. 

These thoughtfully arranged display pieces within BATS are marked "NFS." What I would typically dread as a vintage-seeking thrifter, I've come to admire.  Nina explained that  these pieces are not for sale so that all might  see and appreciate them. These vintage vignettes give the already historic barn added nostalgic charm. And who can complain about stepping into a time capsule?

Just admire the view. Snap a photo. Be a little jealous and move along. There's 6000 square feet to explore, after all.

And after a friendly exchange between management, some browsing with fellow shoppers and a lot of handshaking with the volunteer staff, I can officially endorse The Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop as one the must-see secondhand stores in all of Pennsylvania.

Of course I couldn't help but snatch up a few vintage bargains during my BATS exploration. But that's for another post. 

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The Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop is located at 510 Tomlinson Road, P.O. Box 277 Bryn Athyn, PA  19009. For announcements of sales and future thrift happenings, stop by the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop Facebook page.