Thrift Share

What is better than a church rummage sales with their reasonable priced items? Helping setting up a church sale that allows you to purchase the items before the sale starts.

Every year my sisters church, has a huge four day sale with a pole barn, barn, garage and several tents full of items for sale.

They start taking in donations and setting up two weeks before the sale. My sister is in charge of the housewares section, and asked me to help her this year. I was not thrilled about spending time in a pole barn in the middle of July, but I smiled and told my sweet sister I would be glad to help her.

This is how it worked. Volunteers received the donations, separated the items for the various areas, clothes, holiday, linens, housewares, and deliver the sorted boxes to that section.

Two long tables were set up, and as the sorted boxes were delivered to the housewares area my sister and her volunteers would unpack and price the items. It was my job to take the priced items to the housewares section, which I would like to mention was at the back of the pole barn, and neatly display the like items together.

As I was displaying the priced items, I came across a Cathrineholm lotus fry pan in excellent condition priced at one dollar. I walked back to the pricing table to tell the ladies this was a very collectible item.

There was a very outspoken women who claimed to have a lot of knowledge about vintage items and collectibles whom everyone seemed to listen to, and this time was no exception.

"It's a church rummage sale, let someone get a thrill, leave it priced at one dollar." Well, folks I was that person who was thrilled! I placed the Cathrineholm fry pan in my to buy pile. 

There was no lid with the pan, but I started thinking about the box that contained lids but not pans. The next morning I ran walked, over to the box, to see if I could find the lid, no luck. I was still very satisfied with my one dollar purchase. Several days later I grabbed an enamel aqua lid out of a box, I quickly turned it over to find this logo.

I was so excited, I walked up front, to put it with my to be purchased items, and told my sister that I found the lid to my fry pan. To my surprise and delight the outspoken lady said you already bought the pan just take the lid. Thank you very much.

This Cathrineholm enameled lotus patterned fry pan with matching lid has no stains, or blemishes. This is why I love church rummage sales.

On the last day of set up to my amazement, I found more Cathrineholm.

Two Cathrineholm casserole/lasagna pans with a stand. How lucky can one person get. These were price low, but cannot remember exactly what I paid.

So after years and years of searching I have finally found my first mid-century modern pieces of Cathrineholm Enamel Ware by Grete Prytz Kittelsen.

It pays to volunteer your time.

Linking to:

Sir-Thrift-A Lot:  Thriftasaurus

A Living Space: The Nifty Thrifty

Me and My Shadow: Magpie Monday

We Call It Junkin: We Call It Olde Link Up

ColoradoLady: Vintage Thing Thursday

Thrifty Groove: Thrifty Things Friday

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson: Share Your Cup Thursday