I thought we could use a nice new topic on items we find that prove useful in garbing. This could be anything from mugs (Dad bought me a nice new pirate goblet with skulls for my birthday!) to even good fabric finds. To start with, here is my thrift store finds of the day:
(http://u1.ipernity.com/42/36/91/32413691.d260af71.500.jpg) (http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jubileel/32413691)
003 (http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jubileel/32413691) par Isabella (http://www.ipernity.com/home/jubileel), on ipernity
These are two belts I found at my local thrifts store that will work for medieval and early Renaissance. I really love the lion one. :-) The top belt was $2.90 and the bottom was $3.90. So ladies, gentlemen, and rascals, what have you found lately?
If I get the pics loaded to photobucket (the only way I can post on this forum) I'll do that.
But my favorite place to get repurpose-able jewelry is Gordman's, on what Hubby and I call the "Ugly Jewelry table'
Last week I was able to score a necklace and earring set (for 9.99) that was quickly cut apart and made into brooches to be used to hold feathers on hats. The large medallion with gold stones from the necklace is destined for Milords hat while the two smaller golden sparklies have already made it onto my new green velvet.
I also picked up a set of 2" round gold filigree earrings for 4.99, those are destined to become links in a jeweled belt, the pattern is similar to a rose window.
Oh, my... I can see myself posting in this thread a LOT! I will have to get some pics of a few of the things that I have found over the years... and since it is now garage sale season here, I'm sure I will have at least something to post just about every weekend through the spring/summer/fall! Great thread idea, Isabella! :)
Quote from: Rowen MacD on May 01, 2014, 04:56:37 PM
If I get the pics loaded to photobucket (the only way I can post on this forum) I'll do that.
But my favorite place to get repurpose-able jewelry is Gordman's, on what Hubby and I call the "Ugly Jewelry table'
Last week I was able to score a necklace and earring set (for 9.99) that was quickly cut apart and made into brooches to be used to hold feathers on hats. The large medallion with gold stones from the necklace is destined for Milords hat while the two smaller golden sparklies have already made it onto my new green velvet.
I also picked up a set of 2" round gold filigree earrings for 4.99, those are destined to become links in a jeweled belt, the pattern is similar to a rose window.
I can't wait to see pictures! The filigree earrings sound particularly lovely. I bought a few pieces myself at the local synagogue's annual vintage jewelry sale this past weekend. Three different pairs of earrings are now in the process of becoming Norse disc brooches. :-)
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on May 02, 2014, 01:48:55 AM
Oh, my... I can see myself posting in this thread a LOT! I will have to get some pics of a few of the things that I have found over the years... and since it is now garage sale season here, I'm sure I will have at least something to post just about every weekend through the spring/summer/fall! Great thread idea, Isabella! :)
:-) Can't wait to see what you find, Rani.
A few weeks ago at a flea market, I got one of these tankards (http://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/i/file_6.jpg) for $3. I thought it was really cool, and what a gorgeous handle! But I covered the body of it with a leather wrap so I could have tea in it, and also because some of those monarchs haven't been born yet, from my character's perspective... =)
This thread is gonna be so much fun!
Quote from: Sev on May 02, 2014, 11:06:58 AM
A few weeks ago at a flea market, I got one of these tankards (http://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/i/file_6.jpg) for $3. I thought it was really cool, and what a gorgeous handle! But I covered the body of it with a leather wrap so I could have tea in it, and also because some of those monarchs haven't been born yet, from my character's perspective... =)
This thread is gonna be so much fun!
Nice find Sev! You may also wish to cover some of the handle with leather thong if you plan to have hot tea; that handle can get hot! Or else realize you've gotta hold the cup by the body when drinking hot beverages.
I generally hold my tankards more by the body than by the handle (I at least slip my hand through the handle) because my wrists get cranky if the weight of whatever I'm holding twists them too much. I had tea at an event this past weekend, though, and while the handle did heat up quite a lot, it somehow was never uncomfortable! In fact, the entire surface (handle, leather-wrapped body, and rim) only ever reached my ideal hand-warmer temperature =)
Didn't try touching the bottom, but I think I'm okay not knowing how hot that gets, haha!
Here is the tankard I found several years ago at a yard sale...for $1. It's tin-lined copper, with a braised brass handle... and it comes to every Faire and costuming event I attend.
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/10247352_10202925949702134_8640110315794531656_n.jpg)
(view of the stamp on the bottom)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/1506952_10202925950222147_6764528109883969143_n.jpg)
This is probably one of my most favorite finds, ever! :)
Oh, yes... and last Friday I found two pair of cream colored gloves, one pair cotton and the other organza with cutwork embroidery. They were .10 per pair... and they both fit, which doesn't happen with vintage gloves very often! Also found a triangle shawl with long fringe (for .50) that I will be painting with some special shimmery acrylics I have.
It wasn't so much garb as a faire find, but a few weeks ago at a thrift store I found a matched set for eight of plates, bowls, mugs and goblets, with two platters and a serving bowl, all carved out of wood. It was absolutely beautiful, but a bit out of my price range. It was only available as a set, and was $65 if I remember right. A great deal for what it was, and it would have been nice to get for the encampment, but alas....
Hoowil, I consider anything that can be used as an accessory for Faire or costuming to be part of my "garb"! If it helps to define my character's station and identity, then it's garb... right? :D
I found this a couple of weeks ago at a yard sale for $1, and I'll be taking it apart to use for something pretty here in a couple of days. It's a queen size deep cream colored 100% cotton bed skirt, embroidered with several different kinds of silk satin ribbon flowers in various colors. The skirt part is 14" wide, and I will be using it for the bottom ruffle of a nice full petticoat. I'm hoping there might even be enough left over to trim the sleeve ruffle of a matching chemise, as well.
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/r180/1382973_10202977095100737_9070435868276079160_n.jpg)
A little blurry, but this is one of the ribbon flowers up close.
(https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1.0-9/10366256_10202976993098187_224966085084673552_n.jpg)
RE: Rani's $1 find - some people just have all the luck.
Good for you. :)
Quote from: PollyPoPo on May 13, 2014, 05:48:39 PM
RE: Rani's $1 find - some people just have all the luck.
Good for you. :)
Polly, I do a LOT of hunting, also! In fact, my family constantly gives me a hard time about what they call my "garage sale problem"... saying garage sale signs switch on my "auto-pilot", and I'm incapable of passing one by. I just tell them I don't have any problems with them, at all... I'm actually extremely good at navigating garage sales! ;D heheh
I'm excited that it is finally garage sale season, again! I'm sad during the winter because no one wants to sit outside and sell me their treasures... so I go to thrift stores, instead. ;)
Rani, you need to move south. There are garage sales here year round!
But Trill... I would never be able to go outside during 3 of the 4 "seasons" (hot, hottest and still-way-too-hot) you have down there, so I would still miss all the good stuff! Besides, I would also have to kill ALL of the TX drivers (except the ones on this forum, of course.. ;) heheh) just to be able to get to the sales... and then where would I be? That's right... in Huntsville. They don't have many garage sales in the Big House... :P lol Oh, and then there is that whole having to drive ALL OVER TEXAS just to get where I needed to go!
No... I think I need to stay up here... at least until I can figure out how to move even farther north! Or until that whole climate shift thing gives us Canadian summers, which I'm really hoping for, you know! heheh And I probably would be even more bankrupt than I already am if I could go garage sale-ing all year long, as well! I already need to build an addition onto the studio, just so it has room for all the stuff I keep dragging home... :-[
Oh, and just as a btw... I took the bed skirt apart today, and I have 6.11 yds (220" L x 14" W) of lovely ribbon embroidered cream cotton for what I am convinced is going to be the loveliest petticoat in my garb collection! I'll be using 5 yards of it for the ruffle, and I will still have plenty left over for a deep sleeve ruffle for a new chemise! Now I just have to find a matching color and weight of cotton to make them with! Maybe I will run across a nice set of sheets that will work here in the next couple of weeks! :D
Actually, Rani, I'd use the rest for a pair of 19th c bloomers to put on under my Victorian gowns.... The Victorians LOVED ribbon embroidery.
(http://u1.ipernity.com/42/17/81/32771781.688263a2.500.jpg) (http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jubileel/32771781)
return1509closeup (http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jubileel/32771781) par Isabella (http://www.ipernity.com/home/jubileel), on ipernity
See the painting above? Although the shoes below are the wrong type of material, it's hard not to see the resemblance.
(http://u1.ipernity.com/42/01/65/32770165.4e890312.500.jpg) (http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jubileel/32770165)
015 (http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jubileel/32770165) par Isabella (http://www.ipernity.com/home/jubileel), on ipernity
I bought these at the thrift store for $3.50. Now, to make that dress and have my cat play with a ball of yarn. Believe it or not, it's the second part that will be hard....
Isabella, I love that painting! My standard Fair shoes are a pair of tan maryjanes from Travelsmith, that I bought just because of that little girl and her green stockings!
Shoes! I love seeing how people garb up with shoes!
Ooooh... bloomers are a wonderful idea! Thanks, Isabella! :)
Those shoes are wonderful! I've been looking for a good pair of Mary Janes for ages, but I have to have a really supportive cushioned sole, so I might need to find something I can modify to work for me. Great price for them!
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on May 19, 2014, 05:19:49 PM
Ooooh... bloomers are a wonderful idea! Thanks, Isabella! :)
Those shoes are wonderful! I've been looking for a good pair of Mary Janes for ages, but I have to have a really supportive cushioned sole, so I might need to find something I can modify to work for me. Great price for them!
I just buy whatever fits (I apparently have a very low heel) and throw a couple of Dr Scholls inside. It works wonders.
Quote from: isabelladangelo on May 19, 2014, 06:10:54 PM
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on May 19, 2014, 05:19:49 PM
Ooooh... bloomers are a wonderful idea! Thanks, Isabella! :)
Those shoes are wonderful! I've been looking for a good pair of Mary Janes for ages, but I have to have a really supportive cushioned sole, so I might need to find something I can modify to work for me. Great price for them!
I just buy whatever fits (I apparently have a very low heel) and throw a couple of Dr Scholls inside. It works wonders.
I wish I could do that... but with my arthritis and fibromyalgia I have to have a really good cushioned rubber sole or my feet start hurting right away, and by the end of the day I feel basically crippled. It can take me several days to recover from Faire as it is, but if I wear flat shoes it's always soooo much worse. I wish my insurance would cover custom orthotics, but that's not going to happen. Mostly I usually just wear Earth Spirit sandals with a leather upper, and they pass well enough, unless it's cold (every once in a while at TRF there will be a chilly day), and then I have a pair of boots that will also pass, but only because they are hardly ever seen.
Found these at goodwill for $1 each
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/jade_skye29/Renaissance/20140520_19014_edit_1400667151990.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/jade_skye29/media/Renaissance/20140520_19014_edit_1400667151990.jpg.html)
Very cool, Jade! I bet you can find someone at faire to etch them, if you wanted. Are they pewter?
Over the weekend at the Janesville Renaissance Festival, I bought this lovely skirt with all kinds of designs and trim that will be perfect to wear as a dressy skirt or with bodices for faire. If I am going to spend money on something nice, I am going to get a lot of use out of it.
Jade, those are wonderful! Great find! If they are pewter, and older than 1970's, I would check to see if there is any lead content, just to be on the safe side... but they might also be aluminum, and perfectly safe.
LadyK, are you going to show us a photo of your new skirt?
They are aluminum, so perfectly safe, thanks. Getting them etched would be really cool, I'll have to suggest it to the couple I'm gifting them to. I bought one at faire years ago, and now keep finding them at second hand stores. I never can pass them up, so at this rate I'll have equipped all of my friends!
Oh, that's so nice of you! I pick up a lot of things for friends, as well... although quite a bit if it usually just goes into the "guest garb and accessories" bins, since we tend to introduce as many people as possible to Faire, and usually end up garbing them for their first few visits. We have garb in all different sizes, and a few different styles, as well. I'm always on the lookout for extras, especially male garb, since it's a bit harder to come across than things that the ladies can use.
It's so much fun to see the look on our friend's faces when they see our selection of garb/costuming! I wish we had a spare room where we could have it all hung up on display racks, like in a costume shop! I have one heavy-duty iron rack made from rebar in my room that holds our cloaks, heavier outer wear, full length chemises and full skirts... but it would be nice to be able to display all of the bodices and corsets, as well. Oh! The rack, itself, was a "garbing" find at a yardsale, as well! LOL I paid $10 for it close to 9 years ago, and it still holds pride-f-place in my bedroom! :D
Sorry for the double post, but no one else has posted since my last one over a week ago, and I just stumbled across something today that I HAD to share! ;D heheh
These are black Italian leather boots by Sudini, made in Italy, that I found today at a yard sale for $10! They are back laced, and have a wide calf and a wide width, so they are the first pair of knee length pull-on boots that I have owned in over 25 years... and I can hardly WAIT to wear them! They were only worn twice by the original owner, and then she had some medical issues that kept her from being able to get them on... and the sole is in perfect condition. If I can find a really good pair of comfortable insoles for them I might even consider wearing them to Faire, even though they have a very slight (wide-based, NOT pointy) heel. They are perfect for my Pirate garb, and I should even be able to make them work for Steampunk, as well... so wearing them for indoor events will definitely be happening!
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/10426647_10203098181687826_2653143939788863248_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/10353586_10203098182007834_1383536123005931115_n.jpg)
I also found a brand new Bota bottle that I will be covering in leather, as well.
(https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/10423752_10203098181327817_2282384180554963085_n.jpg)
Went to a local thrift store today, also, for "Final Friday .88 day" (all clothing and "misc." items that are not tagged with "current" color tags are .88 each). and picked up 3 beautiful (but small) leather pencil skirts that will be dismantled and used in this, and other projects.
Oh... and at that same yard sale I also found a bolt of gold braid/tasseled trim with at least 20 yards on it, plus another couple of yards of 2 different purple braids and tassels and a few tasseled curtain tie-backs, all for another $10! It was a good day... :)
Wow! I need your luck! I've been frequenting garage sales, second hand stores, etc. For poker chips with no luck. I'm having a Vegas themed murder mystery party soon and chips are ridiculously priced at stores!
I just love those boots! What an amazing find!
And your luck rubbed off...(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/jade_skye29/Team%20Stiletto/20140601_152554.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/jade_skye29/media/Team%20Stiletto/20140601_152554.jpg.html)(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/jade_skye29/Team%20Stiletto/20140601_154020.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/jade_skye29/media/Team%20Stiletto/20140601_154020.jpg.html)
Found both of these for $20 total at a flea market! Woot!
Great finds. I don't usually find anything like what has been posted. Wish i would. I am glad that itd once again yard sale season...
Sent from my LG-L38C using Tapatalk 2
Quote from: Jade on June 01, 2014, 03:06:59 PM
And your luck rubbed off...(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/jade_skye29/Team%20Stiletto/20140601_152554.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/jade_skye29/media/Team%20Stiletto/20140601_152554.jpg.html)(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/jade_skye29/Team%20Stiletto/20140601_154020.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/jade_skye29/media/Team%20Stiletto/20140601_154020.jpg.html)
Found both of these for $20 total at a flea market! Woot!
Oh, that's awesome! It always helps to put those things out there to the Universe, so that what you're looking for has a better chance to put itself in your path! Congratulations... looks like it's going to be quite a party! :)
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on May 20, 2014, 04:24:10 PM
Quote from: isabelladangelo on May 19, 2014, 06:10:54 PM
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on May 19, 2014, 05:19:49 PM
Ooooh... bloomers are a wonderful idea! Thanks, Isabella! :)
Those shoes are wonderful! I've been looking for a good pair of Mary Janes for ages, but I have to have a really supportive cushioned sole, so I might need to find something I can modify to work for me. Great price for them!
I just buy whatever fits (I apparently have a very low heel) and throw a couple of Dr Scholls inside. It works wonders.
I wish I could do that... but with my arthritis and fibromyalgia I have to have a really good cushioned rubber sole or my feet start hurting right away, and by the end of the day I feel basically crippled. It can take me several days to recover from Faire as it is, but if I wear flat shoes it's always soooo much worse. I wish my insurance would cover custom orthotics, but that's not going to happen. Mostly I usually just wear Earth Spirit sandals with a leather upper, and they pass well enough, unless it's cold (every once in a while at TRF there will be a chilly day), and then I have a pair of boots that will also pass, but only because they are hardly ever seen.
I have a hard time finding comfortable, reasonably dressy shoes for faire. In addition to high arches, 20 years ago I had both feet operated on for bunions, as a result of too many years of wearing pointy toed heels.
I will now wear nothing with pointed toes and I have to have the wide toe box.
While in Payless a few months ago-the salesgirl asked if I had considered wearing children's slippers. I wear a size 7 in ladies and apparently a size 5 in girls (same sizing as men's shoes apparently).
They have a completely
flat , non skid sole, no arch, and are constructed with soft, wide uppers. They come in many styles. Perfect. They have plenty of room for inserts too.
Rowen, look at Garb the World's duck billed shoes. You will need to add insoles, but they have a very generous toe box, are reasonably priced, and very soft leather. I cannot access their website from work, so no link.
Link to Garb the World's shoes: http://www.garbtheworld.com/items/periodshoes.shtml (http://www.garbtheworld.com/items/periodshoes.shtml)
Oh, my! I will admit that I was skeptical of any garb site being in any price range that I could afford, with my limited budget... especially regarding hand made period shoes... but GTW's sale prices are extremely reasonable, and with a little saving on my part (and a couple of months of skipping lunch), I don't see why I shouldn't be able to afford to kit both myself and my daughter with a pair of simple, yet quite stylish, period shoes from them!
Butch, thank you so much for the suggestion, and Serenity, thank you for providing the link! I will explore it much more thoroughly during daylight, when I can look through their stock on my monitor instead of my phone.
Butch, I take it you own at least one pair of their shoes/boots, then... and a are happy with the fit and quality of the materials and workmanship?
Rowen, I wish I could do that! Both my daughter and I wear size 9W in ladies, and I also have the high arch. I can't do the super-flat flats, either, unfortunately. I need that springy, rubbery cushioned sole, plus inserts. I LOVE all of the pretty little ballet flats that are out there, but can't walk in them for more than ten minutes without fairly severe pain. I can wear them to events that are mostly sitting, though, so I do own a pair or two! :)
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on June 11, 2014, 04:30:16 AM
Butch, I take it you own at least one pair of their shoes/boots, then... and a are happy with the fit and quality of the materials and workmanship?
Rani, I have two pair; and my son has two pair. We each have a pair of the duck billed thingees (don't remember what GTW calls them). I also have a pair of their "Mary Rose" shoes, and my son also has a pair of their viking...something? ankle boots with mildly pointed toes and 3 leather strap ties.
I am very happy with all of the shoes. I wear the Mary Rose ones quite a bit. The duck bills do not match any of my personnas (at the present time), so they do not have a lot of time on my feet.
The shoes are all leather, and have thick soles. The uppers are also surprisingly thicker than I would have thought, and are also very soft (the soles are NOT soft). The soles on the duck bills are cut straight lasted, meaning there is no right or left; however, the strap with buckle will help you remember which one was right and which was left.
Very basic shoes with just soles and uppers. Based on your earlier comments, I would recommend that you add inserts. I have just basic foam inserts in my Mary Rose shoes.
I recommend these 3 models. And by the way, order your normal (men's) size, don't pay attention to their recommedation of getting "normal, larger, or smaller". So, if you normally go up a size to account for your inserts, go up a size with these.
Good luck!
Thanks... I'll look into them! I would definitely need an insert! No flat insoles for me, at all... :o