21 Vintage Finds: 4 Days Thrifting in Coastal Maine

Vintage finds can be exciting and unique, adding a touch of nostalgia and character to your style or home. Exploring thrift shops, antique stores, and second-hand shops can yield unique vintage decor. Join me thrifting for 4 days of vintage finds while visiting our family home in Maine.

The holidays are over; it’s a new year with new reflections and goals to look forward to. As I sit here in front of a fire in the fireplace after a day of vintage shopping, I reflect on this same time just a couple of years ago as I thought about the year ahead. See more in the 4 Top Thrifting Goals For 2022 post.

Scouting For Vintage Finds

On the first day’s agenda, first things first, get my hair done…

And almost directly across the street was “Anytime Antiques,” my first stop for vintage finds of the weekend. And boy, did I find some goodies!

Vintage Cookie Jars

Although I didn’t buy one, how about all of these vintage cookie jars? Wow right?

During the 1930s to the 1960s, cookie jars reached their peak in popularity, with various manufacturers producing a wide range of designs to cater to different tastes and trends. Many of these vintage cookie jars were made in the shape of animals, characters from popular cartoons, or household objects, adding a whimsical touch to kitchen countertops.

Whether you’re an avid collector or simply appreciate the charm of vintage kitchenware, vintage cookie jars offer a delightful and nostalgic addition to any home. Their whimsical designs and historical significance make them cherished pieces of art that evoke memories of childhood and bring a touch of vintage flair to any kitchen or collection.

White Metal Snowshoes

The first vintage find I picked up were these white metal snowshoes. I love snowshoes in all shapes and sizes. And they work well in decor year-round, in my opinion. So, I bought this unique pair and hung them up on our front door for the winter.

You may see last year’s snowshoes in the Front Door Ski Lodge Vintage Snowshoes post. And at our home in Vermont in the Ski Lodge Vintage Snowshoes post.

White snowshoes are traditionally used by professionals and adventurers in various fields. Mountaineers, researchers, photographers, and winter rescue teams may utilize snowshoes to navigate snowy and icy environments safely. The U.S. services have been known to train in white winter snowshoes, too.

Vintage Mannequin Dress Forms

Vintage dress forms are not only functional tools for garment creation and display but also beautiful pieces of decor that add a touch of elegance and nostalgia to any space. These antique dress forms, also known as mannequins or tailors’ dummies, have a rich history and are highly sought after by collectors and vintage enthusiasts.

Fairloom Sears Roebuck and Co.

I have looked for affordable vintage dress forms for what seems like ages. And now, in one month’s time, I found two! Today, I found this tabletop dress form in blue and tan. It was only $40.

You may also enjoy this Antiques in Maine & Summer Vintage Haul post.

See what I used before I found my new vintage dress forms in the Meet My Ol’ Gal, Miss Mannequin Dress Form post.

Wolf Model Form

The second dress form mannequin that I purchased was from a second-hand shop that was going out of business for 75% off. I couldn’t pass this up with its heavy-duty metal frame.

This dress form mannequin is a Wolf Form. Because of the Wolf Form’s quality and accuracy, it is used by designers, manufacturers, and fashion schools throughout the world.

Vintage Mannequins in Home Decor

Vintage dress forms can be incorporated into home decor in various ways. They can be displayed as standalone pieces, either on a decorative stand or mounted on a base. Dress forms can also be used as functional tools in sewing rooms or studios, providing a practical and visually appealing way to work on garments or display finished creations.

See more of this craft space in the Sunroom Home Office Inspiration: Triple Purposed with Craft Space post.

Whether you’re a collector, a sewing enthusiast, or someone who appreciates the beauty of vintage decor, a vintage dress form adds a touch of elegance and history to any space. These timeless pieces evoke a sense of nostalgia and celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship of the past, making them cherished items that can be enjoyed for generations to come.

You may also find inspiration in this Vintage Home Decor Thrift Store Collection Finds post.

Vintage Finds Indeed

A few other vintage finds from the second-hand shop going out of business were some blue and white platters, Currier & Ives plates and bowls, and a patina silver pitcher, all 75% off.

Vintage silver pitchers are not only functional but also embody the craftsmanship and elegance of a bygone era. These rustic pieces add a touch of sophistication to any collection or table setting.

Here, I added white tulips to the pitcher for a table centerpiece matched with thrifted Royal Tara China.

There was also this white laundry basket that I thought I would paint, similar to this other magazine rack that I also found.

You may also enjoy this Maine Coastal Towns, Antiques, & Boondocking Road Trip post.

Painted Laundry Basket

I chose a blue paint mix and stain that I already had on hand.

With a stenciling brush, I added the “Amith Verma’s Brown Antique Glaze for Chalk Finish Paint” all over the laundry basket, then used the paint color from the trim in our guest bedroom in Maine to add the blue striping. I share the paint color’s formula in our Coastal Maine Home Tour.

Vintage Find Pastel Ship Watercolor

This watercolor framed ship was another vintage find that I purchased to accent our Coastal Maine home. It’s part of a pastel sailboat theme that I have created throughout our home. Each is thrifted and inexpensive yet elegant in its coloring and nature.

See more in the Quaint Nautical Decor Corner With a Vintage Wow Factor post.

More About The Trent Ship

The Trent Ship portrayed here was built in Freeport, Maine, in 1801 for Salem, MA, shipowner merchant William Gray Jr., whose blue and white house flag flies from the fore-top gallant masthead. Her original master was Nathaniel Kinsman from Salem, but when ownership of the vessel passed in 1807 to William Ward, he was replaced by Captain Peter Lander. Her Salem ownership ended in 1809 when she was sold to Boston Interests.

The original painting, from which this hand-colored print has been made, is in the Peabody Museum of Salem collections. It has been in the museum since 1864, when it was given to the Salem East India Marine Society, the organization from which the modern Peabody Museum was to spring.

You may enjoy the Best Vintage Finds for Winter Collections post.

Are there any good online thrift stores for vintage decor finds? When searching for vintage decor finds, you can explore thrift stores, flea markets, antique shops, online marketplaces, and specialized vintage stores. It’s always exciting to discover unique treasures from the past! You may also enjoy this How to Vintage Decor Shop Online post.

Wooden Snowflakes, Amber Cake Stand, Spongeware

A few more vintage finds were these wooden snowflakes that look handmade, an amber cake stand, and a spongeware pitcher and basin. Beautiful, affordable collectibles all coming back to Vermont with me.

Vintage Cathedral Glassware Pattern

I recently learned that the amber glass cake stand is a cathedral pattern. Cathedral glassware typically refers to glassware that has a textured or paneled design reminiscent of the architecture of cathedrals. The amber color is a warm, golden shade that adds a vintage and elegant touch to the glassware.

An Irish Twist at the Fabulous Find

Royal Tara

Royal Tara China is a renowned Irish pottery company that specializes in the production of fine bone china. Founded in 1953, Royal Tara China is known for its exquisite craftsmanship, attention to detail, and traditional Irish designs. The company takes its name from the Hill of Tara, an ancient ceremonial site in County Meath, Ireland.

And here I found a 13-dinnerware set made in Galway. I have dreamed of finding a beautiful Irish set just like this one. And there she was.

And since it’s 13-place settings, I’m going to split up the set and resell almost half of it in my vintage window booth. You may learn more about vintage booth vendoring in the How to Start a Vintage Booth Business post.

You may find my vintage window booth at The Vintage Soul in Manchester, Vermont.

The blue glassware was also a vintage find, and I’m thrilled to be able to offer both options for sale now in my vintage window booth.

You may also enjoy the Bring Irish Charm to Your Home with Antique Crocks post.

8 More Vintage Finds at The Fabulous Find

The Fabulous Find is a not-to-be-missed second-hand shop in Kittery, Maine.

It is a non-profit resale boutique that benefits the local community. You’ll forget you’re in a resale store as you peruse designer clothing, jewelry, home accessories, furniture, music, and books.  Your purchase or donation of gently used items will benefit Piscataqua Region arts, environment, food pantry, fuel assistance, animal shelter, and educational organizations that their board selects each month! 

It is there that I also found the blue glassware, vintage milk glass vases, and a second cake stand.

The magazine basket is going to match so nicely with our new vintage Revival rug in our Vermont living room.

You may also enjoy This Season’s Thrifting Trends post.

A little painter’s stool topped it all off, and phew, that was a lot of vintage finds for 4 days of thrifting in Maine.

I hope you found all the inspiration here today, and thanks so much for following along with “Thrifting with the Gals.”

You may also enjoy the Grow Paperwhites for Saint Patrick’s Day post.

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