“Weird” and “wild” are two words to describe a recent thrifting journey that was supposed to be a quiet, “let’s find something no one wants” style of outing.
I never expected what ended up happening.
The workers at the Belfair HUB Thrift Shop, which some might remember under the now-retired moniker Faith in Action, are used to my presence; I’m always asking thrifting-related questions, inquiring about seasonal donating trends, and, in general, finding out what’s hot.
On this particular day, I kept to myself, walking the aisles searching for the outrageously unwanted. Then there it was: a luxe, ceramic gold-trimmed vase. (Or maybe it was, in its past life, a tea pitcher — I’m really not sure.) The bottom sticker indicated that it had sat there for some time.
I held it up and asked, somewhat loudly and to no one in particular, “Anyone want this?” Unexpectedly, about a half-dozen folks responded. We laughed as we passed it around. One person loved the rose design; another derisively described it as “annoying.” A third person characterized it more flatly: “Not usable.”
Still chuckling, the people around me intently watched me take it to the counter, pay the $5.75, and leave. (I did, though, stop at the door to turn and wave goodbye to this cluster of new thrifting friends.)
At home, the research began. I found tons of ’60s- and ’70s-era lookalikes, though none was this exact ceramic creature. Then, I discovered there were barely noticeable indented letters at the bottom, so obscure that I had to guess exactly what they said.
After I submitted that information online, I was very surprised. This was the work of a fairly famous manufacturer, Arnell’s Pottery, that started business in 1953 in Beaverton, Oregon, and became associated with its mushroom-like canisters. I found dozens of works iterating on the mushroom theme, but only a couple of items really resembled my vase. I’d guess that my find was not really the norm for them.
I’m looking at it now. Maybe I like it, this outcast that no one wanted. Now it has a home here — for a while.