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14 March, 2010

Fun with a Fantastic Goodwill Find!

IMG_1137I was in Goodwill this week, strolling by the metal ware aisle, when this caught my eye. Hmmm99 cents…interesting…could it be? So I turned it over and…


IMG_1156  …Yes! It is! Do you recognize it? Now I knew what I had to do…


IMG_1138 …go to the glass ware aisle in hope of finding…this! And sure enough, there it was...for 55 cents! Wooo hooo! Be still my heart! Do you know what it is now?


IMG_1140 It’s an antique ink well! I might not have recognized it myself if I had not been antiquing recently with my neighbor Joyce who was admiring them…at a very hefty price! And I got this one for a grand total of $1.54!! Only one thing seems to be missing..it’s topless. I searched the GW from floor to ceiling…no top! Hmmm…I have an idea.


IMG_1110 Buckle up, boys and girls! We’re going shopping for a hat!


page1 OK…here we are in the hat department. Hmmm…too skinny, too fat, too wide… I don’t think any of these work…do you?


IMG_1121 Soooo…let’s try this hat department. I see several possibilities already.


page Well…what do you think? I really like Hat #1, but it’s too big and I’d have to paint it. Maybe I’ll come for it another time for something else. And…it’s $8…a little pricey.
Hat #2 is wonderful! But…it comes with 4 more hats just like it and costs $36. Every lady knows that you don’t need five identical hats! I’ll have to pass.
Hat #3 is just not our style…a little too flowery. Anyway, it comes with a twin and costs $20.
Now…Hat #4 fits perfectly! And…best of all…it costs $1.00.
So which one do you think went home with us?


IMG_1144 I’m sure you guessed correctly…Hat #4!! What do you think? It may need a little bit of a polish with steel wool to match a little better, but for now, I am leaving it as it is!


IMG_1143 Baby Kitty had to check out our purchase and says he approves, although he’s not much good when it comes to judging hats. Now…where to put it? I can’t let you see my desk…yikes! That’s for another day!


IMG_1165 Sooo…how about here on this painted chest? Do you see it?


IMG_1168 Here…on top of the old books. What do you think?


page2 I love it! I think it’s my favorite Goodwill hunting trophy! But…I know where it needs to go. It needs to go live with my neighbor Joyce, without whom I never would have even noticed it. She’s been looking at ink wells for a year. However, next week, I’ll show you what she found for me that made my little heart skip a beat!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please visit these wonderful ladies and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Rhoda at Southern Hospitality for Today’s Thrifty Treasures
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday 
See you next time! A la prochaine!

103 comments:

  1. Fantastic find! Now all you need is a quill pen.

    I haven't been to GW for quite awhile, I feel the need to go thrifting!

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  2. Debbie~~~
    Truly amazing find and equally amazing hat! I love this and really love it on that painted chest!

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  3. Debbie, your inkwell is just stunning. What a wonderful find. I would have never had any idea what it was. You found all the perfect pieces. I absolutely love it. I think it is so beautiful on your chest. I hadn't seen that part of your house. It is just gorgeous and the painted chest is stunning. You need to show us more. Thanks so much for linking up too, I love seeing your creations. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Oh Debbie I love that chest girl WOW!! and your ink well ain't bad either ha ha!! Lord I love coming to a teacher blog and using the word AIN"T ha ha!! You did a great jon finding a hat for it...Feel free to correct this and send it back to me ha ha!! Hope all is well in your world my friend...love ya sis...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  5. Wow! What a find and you knew what to do with it. My husband did that with an old lantern I bought him for Christmas. It needed a part and he searched 'til he found it and it looks great. Love seeing Baby Kitty in your post. So gorgeous. Have a wonderful week, Deb. Deb ^..^

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  6. I was going to say #4 looks the best anyway and for $1 whoo hoo you found a real treasure! I really like how you have it displayed too on that beautiful chest! Gotta love the GW. I'm addicted myself. Hugs, Marla

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  7. Debbie, you always find great things at Goodwill. I went the other day and came home with a bag of filler. It was a good deal though. You did a fantastic job of finding it a little hat!

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  8. How cool. You are just so creative.

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  9. That is a great find! And, you are so clever to match up the parts. Have a wonderful week. Sally

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  10. Debbie such a great find and I loved the hat you choose before I knew it's price! Love it!!

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  11. What a fun find! I'm sure I would not have recognized it at all. I think you should fill it and get a quill pen so that Baby Kitty can ink his cooking show deal! Hugs, Kat

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  12. Debbie, not only do you have an eagle's eye, you have a heart of gold. Your find is somewhat amazing. First you knew what you had in your hand and then you thought to look in the glass section for the other part. Wonderful the way your mind works. The ink well is so elegant, and it's new hat works just fine. Your friend is going to squeal with delight. I've always been drawn to ink wells. I love to write with ink. Do you remember writing with fountain pens that one had to load with ink? I still have my Parker.
    Always fun to see what you are up to. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. I still have my Parker, too, like Sarah! We must both be old. LOL

    I never would have recognized this for what it was in a million years, Debbie. CONGRATULATIONS on the bargain of the YEAR!! BRAVO

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  14. Oh, my gosh-I love it! Great score!
    xoxo Pattie

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  15. Debbie, that is so adorable....love the fact that you pieced it together at GW! But you are the best friend to give that to your friend. It sure was looking great on top of the books! I KNOW your friend will love it! Oh, hat #4 is my favorite, too! Linda

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  16. I adore your blog name! I'm addicted too. Maybe we can start our own 12 step program where we collect place settings for 12! LOL

    I love how you buckled the inkwell in! Too cute. And you are so lucky to find such a perfect top for it! How sweet that you are going to give it to you friend. I'm looking forward to seeing what your friend got for you!

    Janelle

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  17. What an absolutely wonderful find, Debbie. I chose #4 before I got to the end of the post. I like it just the way it is.

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  18. what a wonderful find, I knew what it was right away and you are right they do command a hefty price, love that you thought to go find the glass incert, what a lucky find, you always find great stuff, Baby Kitty loves it then it's gotta be good...Phyllis

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  19. Very cool Debbie! I had no idea what it was, but I can see now how unique it is! Very nice that your passing it along to your friend, your a sweetheart!
    Hope your grandbaby is doing good too!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  20. Debbie, your blog and pictures are stunning! Thank you for stopping by to see today! I am such a newbie, I just love this blogging thing! I find all of it so fascinating and wonderful. I'll have to check things out for the Show and Tell Friday and other things that sound great!

    Nancy's Notes

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  21. Debbie, I am always telling you that you have the best thrift stores down there...here's another great find for you! Do you think the bottle is original to the inkwell and the pieces separated before they were put on the shelves or were you just lucky to find a bottle that fit?
    Have a great week!

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  22. Hi Mimi...Thanks for your sweet comment! I think it was in pieces when donated and then placed in different parts of the store. However, my GW seems to separate things anyway...pots from lids, lamps from shades, etc. And probably they had no idea what it was or its worth!...Debbie

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  23. Wow, what a find and I would have never known what that was...now I do !
    Kammy

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  24. I would have never thought what to do with that. You are so creative!!

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  25. Wow, what a great find, I just love it :)

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  26. Yay! I got 2 points, Debbie. First I thought it was an art nouveau ink well and I was right huh? Then before I even read the prices and which you picked, I actually like #4 the best and picked it and I was right again. What a wonderful find! Gorgeous...Christine

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  27. O! I could not just arrive at your blog and then leave again!! no way! it is beautiful and so very much tuggs at my heart strings. So I just had to add my blog to your friends and I hope that is ok!

    Your find is a wonderful addition to your beautiful home.........now think about me here in Australia I work in a "thrift store" lol lol lol.

    Lee-ann

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  28. You did get a great deal. Vintage/antique ink wells are getting big bucks these days. Actually the top you bought looks more like a match to me.

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  29. What a wonderful find! I wouldn't have had any idea what it was but NOW I will....if I ever see one! I did pick #4!!! It looks fabulous and that you are giving it to your friend is terrific! How generous. XO, Pinky

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  30. I would have never known that was an ink well - how neat is that?
    Now I'll know myself if I see something like it - thanks for sharing, great post.

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  31. OMG You had me laughing with the picture of it in the car buckled in. Hilarious! And what a score!! It's a real beauty.
    Jane T.

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  32. You are so sweet! Don't put any ink in there -- Baby Kitty might make a real mess -- to give it away! Can't wait to see what has supplanted it!

    Scribbler

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  33. I didn't have a clue! I love that you found something you love, so I will love it too!
    You did a great job finding all the pieces..Do you use a quill or pen and nib??
    And you are so safety minded too, ..
    Fun post, Debbie!

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  34. Oh, my goodness gracious....I didn't have a clue as to what it was but now I think I NEED one....LOL.
    Great find and it looks lovely where ever you put it, even in your neighbor's home.
    The hat you picked out was perfection.

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  35. I've never seen anything like it and I know nothing about ink wells, but I'd say that as a steal for $1.54!! It really is a unique piece, and it's great that you were able to find the glass and the hat for it :-)

    Kelly @ DesignTies

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  36. Another beautiful find Debbie.
    You have such great eyes.

    Have a wonderful week.

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  37. Deb, Omgosh!! You are one clever lady and resourceful I might add. I think this beats all thriftiness. I can not believe you came up with this you are a marvel. I am totally impressed!! Great Job my friend!! Kathysue

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  38. I came across one those inkwells while I was in France, at a flea market, many years ago. But, I couldn't afford it. They are a thing of Deco gorgeousness. You're very lucky. Jackie

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  39. What a treasure! And the lid really goes well!

    Amanda

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  40. just had to tell you super thanks for the warm regards about son's wedding :) I hope to be posting pics soon!

    (yes i did cry! but happily!)

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  41. Ok the seat belt made me laugh so funny and what a great find...

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  42. You are a true chineur, (bargain hunter)!
    Finding all 3 pieces to go together so well calls for an expert eye, indeed.
    Then to gave it away to your neighbour Joyce shows what a true friend you are.
    ~Maggie~

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  43. Debbie, I love it! And I love you you put the 2 together at Goodwill AND found a top for it. I voted for that hat immediately too, so glad you got it. What a cute & unique accessory now.

    So glad you joined the party!!! I've missed all of you.

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  44. Debbie, YOur antique inkwell is a fabulous find! You were very wise to pick hat #4. It looks the best and is the best buy. Are you going to fill it with ink? How about a beautiful pen beside it. This is truely a treasure!
    Yvonne

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  45. What an exciting story. You have great eye! And yes- hat #4 was the perfect choice.

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  46. Right fit, right price. What could be better than that?

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  47. You are a clever, clever woman! I am amazed that you could put that together like that! And it looks like a designer went out to find the perfect accessory for that table and spent a bundle. Perfect!

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  48. Oh my goodness! What a lucky girl you are!
    I stumbled onto your blog, and knew that I HAD to check out a girls blog that is addicted to plates! I will be back for sure to read all of your posts.
    Have a wonderful day!
    Warm wishes from Kerin at
    cottageonmain.

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  49. You can put me on the list of people that would have had no clue what that was! But I learned something new today! And I love your thrift hunting style!! :)

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  50. Debbie, I just love your style of blogging. Tooo funny about the seat belt when going hat shopping. Loved the find and how sweet of you knowing your friend had been looking for one. What a find too. Carol

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  51. What a wonderful find. I love thrifting for all the "can't believe this is here" moments.

    Sami G.

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  52. How neat was that? WOW!~ That is the one I was choosing, and then I scroll down and happy to see you chose it too!!~ Fantastic find!

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  53. What a find! I had no clue what it was -- and a great little hat as well! I know you're just pleased as punch!

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  54. Oh, wow! What a great find!! I'd say you really lucked up on this ink well and it's hat fits it to a tee!

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  55. What a great find...I want an ink well. The hat is the perfect fit and accessory. Thanks for sharing.

    Blessings~
    Tonya

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  56. Now that was the cutest post. I didn't have a clue what it was. But I like hat #4, too. I thought it looked best with it. And how sweet of you to give it to your friend.

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  57. HI Debbie! What a great find! You did good! It looks great.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  58. What fun...what a fabulous find you were able to pull together!

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  59. Wow, what a terrific find!! The glass part looks like it was meant to go with it. Love the 'hat" you picked for it too!

    Debbie

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  60. Honestly, Debbie, I never would have guessed in a million years what that was! Such a keen eye you have. Did Baby Kitty know what it was when you brought it home?

    Have a great week!

    Bonnie

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  61. Debbie,
    I love your story...how neat to find the two pieces at GW! Hat #4 was my pick too...it's perfect. Thanks soooo much for coming to my PARTY and I hope you have a wonderful week:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  62. GORGEOUS!!!!!!! How sweet of you to pass it on to your friend!
    Blessings,
    Blessedmama

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  63. I Hate You..............

    Oh now you know I'm just kidding but if your GW finds keep getting better and better I just don't know what I will do!

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  64. Now that is an amazing deal!
    Whit whew! :)

    ~Liz

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  65. That is a wonderful find and how clever of you to actually think to go look for the glass ink jar. I would have just assumed that the jar was MIA and to think it was in the store too. I enjoyed seeing your new treasure wearing the seat belt and hat shopping :-) Hat #4 was a perfect choice.
    Jane

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  66. It's fabulous! Don't you just wonder why they would separate the two pieces at Goodwill? I've had similiar experiences ~ smart thinking on your part and I love the "hat" you decided to put on top of your new gal LOL!! Judi

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  67. Debbie,
    Great post! Fabulous find! Smart thinking to look around. I laughed so hard on the hat exertion. You found the bestest one!
    smiles, alice

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  68. Debbie, love the inkwell and how gorgeous is that painted chest!

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  69. This is one of my all time favorite thrifty finds! That inkwell is gorgeous! I love how you found the "missing" pieces and the hat...you got the perfect one!
    Hugs, L

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  70. That is an amazing find!!! I love the hat you chose-it looks great. Baby Kitty is so cute helping you out:)! I need to go thrifting with you-you always seem to find the best stuff!

    Blessings,

    Kim

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  71. Well I would say you done well for yourself there! Love the ink well.

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  72. The fact that you took a picture of the seat belt around the ink well~ just too funny! I like your sense of humor! Great find!
    Thanks for sharing,
    Jody

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  73. What a fabulous find!!! The SA and GW stores near me aren't very good. Thanks for sharing!

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  74. Great find...and at such a good price! Don't you just love the thrill of finding a great piece at a thrift store?

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  75. I had no idea what that was until you showed the little glass jar that you found. I think it looks great on your books on that gorgeous cabinet but giving it to your neighbor is the best reward ever.
    Joyce

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  76. Such a unique find Debbie. You have a good eye to figure out what it was too.

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  77. I've never seen anything like it! But now I know what to look for! Really an amazing find and #4 was my favorite from the start! Love your blog! ♥

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  78. Debbie,
    You certainly found a treasure! I love poking around thrift stores, because you never know what you might find.
    Cathy

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  79. Debbie, how smart of you to put all of that together so inexpensively! That would be high dollar in an antique store! It looks beautiful, and I'm so impressed with your search for just the right hat! laurie

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  80. What a wonderful treasure! I am in serious envy! *smile*
    Your painted chest is also just wonderful! As always, your gift for arranging shines through!
    Love,
    Sue

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  81. How clever and patient you are. What a perfect little treasure to find, and you fit it all together beautifully.

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  82. Okay...now I need to go to Goodwill! I wish I were you lucky neighbor - I love inkwells! I've never seen one as ornate as the one you found. Lovely!

    xoxo
    Deborah in NC

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  83. Thank you so very very much for the good wishes re: son's wedding :) It was a glorious time Ms Debbie!

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  84. I may have discovered why I am no good at Goodwill hunting--I NEVER would have known what that was!! I hate that we are losing the art of handwriting. To me the ritual of dipping into an inkwell has all kinds of romantic attachments. Your neighbor is lucky to have your tenacious nature and generous heart next door :)

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  85. How fun to have combined two separate items to create a whole new one! I didn't know what you had there until later. Fantastic thrifting there, Debbie! Love where you placed it. hugs, Sue

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  86. YOU are a teacher! Loved learning. Loved the adventure you had at GoodWill. How lovely for your neighbor Joyce that you are so thoughtful. I dare say, things we find at spare, thrifty places are the best things of all. I have thought a bit about the person who brought this nice "find" to the GoodWill..we are all so glad for those who decide they will let someone else enjoy...and fill the thrift shop shelves with wonders for the patrons!

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  87. What a great find! And how lucky you were able to find a glass inkwell and top that fit perfectly!!
    I'm always hungering for an antique brass inkwell for my desk, but whenever I see them they are so expensive! What luck you found one at GW!!!

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  88. Hey Deb, What a truly wonderful find, it's beautiful, I'm sure it hasn't seen the last of it's many hats yet!!! I looove your kitty's too, I love all cat's, but I'll pick a sassy calico out of a litter first! (another) Debbie @ Cottage Hann~Me~Downs

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  89. Wow you are a great GW shopper. I am impressed. I love how you told the story and the car ride home was so funny.
    Hugs,
    Carey

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  90. Debbie I love your inkwell! It is such a unique shape and you don't see many of these around these days it doesn't seem like.

    Great find!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  91. Hi Debbie. What a wonderful find and how generous of you to give it to your friend! I think that's such a nice thing to read. :)

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  92. What a find! I can't believe you found the glass part right there at Goodwill - I don't think I would have ever thought to look right there. I'd be tempted to paint it white...yep...I'd paint it white. I'm so jealous...the goodwill closest to me never has anything this cool.

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  93. What a Great Find, Great Price, and Great Eye... I wouldn't have figured it out! Bella

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  94. There is nothing better than a found treasure... great stopping by your blog... a lot of fun!

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  95. It's so gorgeous. And I must add that I like the photo with the pretty kitty best. LOL ---me, a cat lover.

    My show n tell is HERE. I do hope you can find time to stop by and visit me. I'd love your company.

    Have a super weekend.

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  96. You are quite a talented "picker"!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  97. absolutely Bee-You_Tee-Full! What a great post! I dropped in from "My Romantic Home" and am so happy that I did. Please accept my invitation to drop in at my place one day soon when you get a moment. until later...

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  98. So sweet! Love GW and all the great items we can find there! Beautiful job of finding all the parts and the lid is perfect! So glad you think of safety for your finds! How cute!!!
    Doni

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  99. What a find! And, how very generous you are to give it to your friendly neighbor. She'll be thrilled, I'm sure.

    I'd have picked #4 too.

    Warm blessings,
    Spencer

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  100. It's just me, catching up on older posts! Yup, it's Moi! I adore this ink well...and OH do I "KNOW" the skip in your step when you found this pair in separate aisles at GW! Oh I wish I would've been there to help you celebrate! I love the hat you selected for her! Goes perfect! Joyce is one lucky neighbor! :) Hugs! ~CC

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie