Op Shop Finds

I am always on the lookout for treasures when I am op shopping; buttons and baubles, future embellishment and refashioning projects.  Most of the time I am on the lookout for garments I can wear with little or no refashioning, so with a good soak and wash they're ready to go.  I already have quite a stash, but have not got around to take any decent photos, so here goes with a few jewelery finds.  Red is one of my favourite colours, which I gravitate to when I'm op shopping.  Over the next few weeks I will post some of my favourite op shop finds.

Red coral necklace and 1960s earrings.

My favourite red coral necklace, which I found in a second hand shop for about $25.00.  I suppose you couldn't call it a bargain, however I have seen these necklaces with chunky red coral in high end shops for approximately $100.00.  I've always lusted after red coral and did quite a lot of research to make sure I wasn't looking at fakes, then dropped lots of hints to family around Xmas time.   So, when I came across this example I was ecstatic and have managed to wear it on quite a few nights out.  

The screw back earrings were an absolute find in an op shop, for all of $6.00.  I kept the tag to remind myself how well I did that day.  They are in excellent condition, and even though I have them as 1960s, they could just as easily be from the 1950's.  I have never worn the two items together, because there is one thing about wearing the colour red, always keep it to a minimum within the same outfit.  

I found these pink and purple harakeke (woven flax) earrings with paua, in one of my favourite second hand shops: Savemart.  They have the Toi Iho trademark, which authenticates the goods with Creative New Zealand.  The photos don't do the earrings justice at all; even the decorative box is beautiful.  So for a mere $3.99 I am certain that I got a bargain!  The shop assistant said that they had only been put out for display that day, so I was very grateful for being in the right place at the right time.  

I have to travel to the nearest city to get my op shopping fix, so I try very hard to look for quality.  It can be a challenge at times, especially as I live one and half hours away in a rural area.  This is one of the reasons that I make it my business to be focused and determined with my op shopping trips.  There are many tips and helpful hints on how to make your op shopping and thrifting trips successful, which a number of bloggers have posted about.  I have decided to do a few blogs of my own on what I have found useful over the years.