Email Studio Steinböck

Not too long ago I found an interesting enamelware desk set at a yard sale. A tray and a letter opener. The tray is an off-white with black and gold gilt zebra stripe bands with a red paint droppings on a brown speckled metal back design. The letter opener has the same design on the handle. On the tray’s back is a sticker that said Steinböck-Email Handmade in Austria.

Steinbock Email Enamel Letter Opener Austria Closeup
Steinbock-Email Letter Opener close up.

The letter opener is stamped near the handle with Austria on one side and Steinböck on the other. Before this purchase I rarely paid attention

Before this purchase, I rarely paid attention to enamelware goods. Enamelwares are often pricey, and while the colors are beautiful, I have mostly seen worn or damaged pieces at thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales. With this desk set something inside of me said it was special and for only a $1 it was worth the risk.

Like usual after a long day of yard sale hunting, I always have a few items I am very interested in searching and finding more information on. On this day was this desk set and information was difficult to find. I found random Pinterest pins with other Steinböck enamelware, some eBay and Etsy listings, and a few obscure forum or blog mentions. Continue reading “Email Studio Steinböck”

Displaying Mugs at Thrift Stores

I love shopping for mugs and coffee cups at thrift stores. Sometimes I buy mugs for personal use, other times I buy mugs I will resale on Etsy or eBay. I often will find mugs for people I know and use the mug as part of a gift. One of my favorite things is to fill the mug with something they like, home baked goods, candy treats, or art pencils, something that fits the theme of the mug. Then I add some cellophane wrap, a nice ribbon, and a card. Now you have an easy to make a low-cost gift that is still very personal.

One thing that somewhat irks me from both a thrift shopper and store owner viewpoint is how mugs are displayed at stores. I have yet seen an ideal solution for that benefits both parties, the shopper, and owner. Below I will discuss some of the display methods I have seen including their pros and cons. Continue reading “Displaying Mugs at Thrift Stores”

7 Things College Students Should Buy at Thrift Stores

It’s that time of year when college students are thinking about or getting ready for their first year or return to college life. Living on campus or off campus and staying within your budget can be challenging. I was lucky and live only a few miles from the university that I attended. Many of my college friends did not have my luxury. They had to pool resources together to furnish their apartments, flats, or dorms. Being a local I was able to show them some of the large and small thrift stores around the area that could help them with many of their needs for a fraction of what one would expect to pay. This made them happy, it made me happy to help, and it allowed for money to be available for other activities such as fun road trips.

No matter how big or small your budget maybe in college, every student can benefit from the savings found at thrift stores. Here is my list of 7 Things College Students Should Buy at Thrift Stores that will help save you some cash. Continue reading “7 Things College Students Should Buy at Thrift Stores”

Taylor & Ng Not Just A Mug Company

I recently came across a small collection of vintage Taylor & Ng coffee mugs. The mugs are from the late 1970s to early 1980s. Like all things I come across I did a quick search to find more information about who or what is Taylor & Ng. For those that know me, I always get excited when I learn about a local, close by, company here in California where I live. Continue reading “Taylor & Ng Not Just A Mug Company”

Finding Back to School Savings at Thrift Stores

Back to school season is in full swing as the major retailers are rolling out their great back to school deals. In 2017 the National Retail Federation expects both K-12 and college back to school spending to reach $83.6 billion. However, not all items should be purchased at retail stores. Even after the discounts and sales, whether shopping for a single child or several children, back to school demands can put a serious strain on any household budget. Below are a few items that you should shop for at your local thrift stores now to save some cash as the back to school shopping season begins. Continue reading “Finding Back to School Savings at Thrift Stores”