Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Are you a hunter?

As I've started this blog, I have had the opportunity to connect with many likeminded thrifters.  Most I talk with crave the thrill of the hunt.  They love leafing through others' "junk"at flea markets or thrift stores for the next item to be repurposed or refinished.  They love the thrill that comes with a great find at a small cost and the adrenaline rush and many ideas that come from landing a rare, vintage piece.


When I first started thrifting, that was my favorite part, too.  Then, as thrifting and refinishing have become a business, I have enjoyed that part less and less.  I have become lazy.  Now my favorite thing is when someone emails with something awesome and asks if I want to purchase it from them.  Score!  No hunting necessary and I have something great to refinish.  It's terrible, I know.  I'm a disgrace to my kind.

So, I'm curious…are you a hunter?  Or are you in the lazy camp with me?

20 comments:

  1. I'm vegan, but when it comes to thrifting I am a hunter!

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  2. I'm a total hunter....in fact, I think that's what I like the most. As I'm reading this, I'm watching "American Pickers"..LOL!

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  3. I actually love both. You inspire me! I'm all about you focusing on refinishing furniture instead of hunting because I love what you do!

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  4. Oh man...I'm definitely getting tired of the SELLING. I like selling items, just not on Craigslist at our house. :-/ I'm now
    looking at other options but consigning can be SO expensive! Any tips are welcome! FYI...I "hunt" in spurts every 2-3 weeks!

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  5. Sandi's Shabby ShedJanuary 25, 2012

    I'm sooo a hunter! To me the best part is finding and snatching it up before someone else can. It definitely gives me an adrenaline rush! I do love the selling part too - just not as much.=)

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  6. When you turn a hobby into a career you better watch out! It could ruin your hobby love.

    As an artist this is becoming a problem for me. I have always been an art teacher and painted on the side. Now I can't keep up, have a big deadline looming for a gallery show and people keep asking about "how the paintings are coming along". PRESSURE...

    It can kinda ruin it. And it's hard to say no to people wanting to BUY your talent. It's hard to slow down and say no, my time and hobby are worth more than money.

    Sorry to ramble, but this hit home for me tonight.

    p.s. I'm a hunter...as long as it's MY choice to go hunting.: )

    Linsey

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  7. Ooooh, I'm with you. I'd much rather have it come to me. If I'm out and about and come across something, that is great but I prefer to be home in my shop than out hunting around. I feel like it takes too much time to find the awesome bargain and in our world, time is money, right? In the end though, there isn't always a choice. When inventory is low...out I go. :)

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  8. I'm a hunter too! But I love when someone gives me their cast offs or find something free on the side of the road! I just picked up two awesome chairs to redo-you can see them on my blog! You've also inspired me to start learning how to use my husband's paint gun!

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  9. Oh you are so me! I still enjoy it, but I feel like I don't have the time to enjoy it so if something great comes along without taking a million hours to find it that is just the best!

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  10. I am definitely a hunter but if someone wants to call me about something awesome for sale, I'll take the call! :-)

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  11. The thrill of hunting is quickly diminishing for me too. I rarely go to the thrift stores anymore and mostly stick to the classifieds (we're lucky to have a really good one where I live). I still get a huge "high" out of finding an awesome piece, but the process of the hunt just feels like time I could be spending getting work done on the stuff I want to sell.

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  12. Haha, I think I'm still a hunter, even though I don't get to hunt a lot..what did you do with that amazing bamboo table? That's a steal!

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  13. I'm soooo in the lazy camp. My mom is an awesome thrifter, and I really think its a difference between CA and UT. In Utah no one gives up anything unless its falling apart. In California people are always giving away their stuff. Mormons were just raised to make it do and use it up! So maybe someday when I move out of this state I can really get into it. . .

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  14. Totally a hunter. I get really excited when it's bulk trash pickup week. It's amazing what people will throw out.

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  15. I will be amazed that u still find anything good for a reasonable price. I live in AZ too & I feel like all the thrift stores are so over priced, I mean come on people this is used already! .......do u have any recommendations for any good cheap thrift stores in AZ, would love to know.

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  16. The hunt is the best part :) Walking into Goodwil, the smell of old musty items, rickety drawers and good deals what's not to like! Thanks for sharing Natalie.

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  17. Any suggestions for painting old metal (wrought iron?) outdoor furniture with lots of character?

    Margita

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  18. I agree, it's all about the score of something you see potential in, that someone else has discarded. Even better if you can use a Goodwill coupon or other deal to get it "even cheaper"! Such a treat. :)

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  19. I do love to hunt, but unlike some real hardcore thrifters, the thrill wears off pretty quickly for me... sifting and sifting and not finding things... those days make me feel like inching over into lazy camp!

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  20. I'm a hunter. A good one. I think the work is the refinishing. Painting is fun but I tend to rush because I can't wait for the end product! Love that you've turned this hobby into a money maker. Pure Inspiration!

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