Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Sweet find!

So sometimes you'll hear this unbelievable story about someone wandering into a garage sale or thrift store and discovering some amazing find. In my circle of peeps these fables usually involve an antique sewing machine or some other crafty equipment. Everyone listens in awe to the story, and then all at once all jaws drop when everyone hears that this unloved piece of equipment cost the teller of the story only a fraction of the normal price. And we all love to hear the stories, but we all secretly believe that this never really happens.

Well on Monday I met my friend and my other friend's mom at a bridal dress shop to make some complaints on behalf of the bride-to-be (who lives out of town and therefore is unable to show up herself). Turns out the place wasn't open yet, so we went to the nearby thrift store.
Karen and I were wandering around looking for cheap jeans (because if the jeans are only $3, there's always room for another pair).
Suddenly, I stopped, dropped the three pair of jeans I was holding, and yes, I screamed out loud.
This is what I saw. I carried it around the store for another half hour and bought it for $99.99 ($107 after tax). I later called the weaver's guild to ask if I could bring it over for them to tell me what needs to be done to make it work. They referred me to their wheel fixer guy. I called him, told him about the wheel, and made arrangements to bring it over.
When I got to his house he looked it over, oiled it up, and put a new leather piece thingy on it and told me it was ready to go. No charge.
His wife came in and was told the story about the wheel, where I found it, and how much it cost. And yes, her jaw hit the floor. Turns out this wheel normally goes for around $425. Used it's probably goes for around $200.
I was reassured that it was indeed a good find.

There was actually a 2nd wheel at the thrift store.
I had been tempted to get both wheels, but since I don't actually know how to spin yet thought it wasn't the wisest idea I had ever had. It was also missing the foot pedal part (which I'm sure could be easily fixed with the help of the wheel fixer guy). I'm still tempted to go back and see if it's still there. Because if one cheap wheel is good, then two cheap wheels is fabulous.
We'll see if I make my way back there... maybe tomorrow.