~VINTAGE FRENCH LACE - Seek and You Shall Find~

JUNK STORE FINDS

I mentioned in my Post from yesterday that I've had a BUSY week! I've been cooped up for days and days and so I was VERY excited when I was able to break free from the walls of my cottage chic home and ESS-KA-PAY (escape) for awhile... After dropping our little Miss K off for her final day of kindergarten (boo hoo!) I was FREE! I had exactly two and one half hours to do whatever I wanted before needing to return to pick her up! I knew just what I was going to do and where I was going to go! My plan was to squeeze in two full hours of vintage shopping!

I live exactly 9 miles from one of my favorite Junque Stores which was only one-half mile from an estate sale that started today at noon. I wouldn't be the first in line (I am sometimes, you know?) but, I'd get there within the hour!

DELICATE & BEAUTIFUL

I felt my heart beating a little faster than normal as I walked into a sweet and tidy home nestled inside a part North Oklahoma City called Nichol's Hills.

"Not many cars at this sale" I thought...(a good thing)!

"You snooze-You Lose" is my steadfast motto! :)

Now, I'm very kind about this, mind you. But I believe it nonetheless! It goes hand in had with "the early bird gets the worm".

REDEEMED AT THE SECOND HAND SHOPPE

Would you believe me if I told you the house was picked clean? It was! Either that or there wasn't much to begin with. I felt cheated...after all, I drove almost ten miles from my home only to be disappointed that some other vulture lady had gobbled up finds obviously intended for ME! :( I left empty handed and full of whine (yeah...that kind!).

VINTAGE VENICE LACES

Now, in spite of my obvious disappointment, I trekked on. It's just my way. The next sale is ALWAYS BETTER (good outlook, don't you think?). I drove to an out of the way Shoppe I've come to expect will have mostly junky stuff. Still...I've found lots and lots of treasures there and even snagged them for good prices, too. Nothing however, and I mean NOTHING could have prepared me for what I would uncover today...

HAND PIECED LACE SHEETING

Back in the corner of a dusty little space were bags and bags and bags of vintage laces. Each neat little package looked as if it had been there for years. After a few minutes of digging in a fairly good sized box I decided to take it up to the counter to have a better peek at what was inside...

OVER 150 YARDS OF FRENCH LACE

The voice of a little old lady spoke up and said...

"Honey~That's my little nook you're in...if you find anything you want I'll make you a great deal!"

Well now...that's my kind of gal! So...I dug deeper!

DARLING EYELET LACE

I found this darling old eyelet beading lace...never used...simply stunning! Sweet for Sachet Pillows or little lacy accents...

VINTAGE NETTED LACE

Absolutely 2die4 lace trims...Venice, Eyelet, English, Bobbin, Filet, Netting and so much more...

FIFTEEN PINK GLASS BUTTONS

Stunning glass buttons, too! Icy PINK beauties that I know for sure you will see on upcoming romantic offerings...

LOVELY...JUST LOVELY

My pile of lace-filled baggies grew and grew and expanded from edge to edge on the tiny wooden counter. After adding the pink buttons I knew I was quickly reaching (um, EXCEEDING) my spendable limit. So I ask...

"How am I doin'?" forcing myself to smile...

"Well, let me see" the woman says...

She begins to add and add and then says...

"How about $22.00 for everything?"

"HUH?...

I mean, OK!" I quickly say! "That's GREAT! Does that include the buttons?"

"It sure does" she adds "But I'll have to charge you tax because you don't have your TAX ID Card with you! Your total is $23.25."

"That is JUST FINE" I replied with a Cheshire Cat grin.... :))))))))

Now...I'm thinking to myself...I've gotta get OUT OF HERE before this sweet little lady realizes that she's messed up and has not added up my total correctly. I quickly pay with cash, thank her profusely, and leave.

I skipped to my SUV happy my day had been redeemed...

It was then I felt this pang in my chest...you know the kind I'm talking about. The feeling that overwhelms you when you've gotten the best of something (ugh...or someone) and something inside of you tells you it isn't right...

I started to back out of the parking log when I stopped and put my vehicle in park. I grabbed the bag and walk back into the tiny store.

"Um Sweetie..." I begin...

"I think you gave me TOO GOOD A DEAL on these pretty old finds! I just can't leave without double checking with you about the final cost! Are you sure you don't want to recount everything and change your mind about the total? I'm sure I owe you MORE!"

The old woman smiled at me as she reached gently for my fingers which were still clutched tightly to my new found treasures...

"I know exactly what that old stuff is worth, honey!" she spoke with a polite, yet firm confidence...

"One hundred and seventy-two dollars!!!! I've been in this business a long, long time. Not many more years left to make someone smile. Today I felt like blessing you! I'll be 89 tomorrow! I may not get another chance to talk with you again and share with you my collection and my love of old laces! Make something lovely out of them, dear!!!"

FOUR CARDS LIKE THIS ONE

I quickly pulled some cash from my pocket and pressed a flimsy twenty dollar bill into the woman's deeply wrinkled hand. I softly whispered to her "Happy Birthday!" and left...

I realized yet another important life-lesson today as I returned once again to my car. Too often I put too great a monetary value on things of this world! The deal on the lace was great for me...more than great! Still, my ultimate pleasure came not from the snagging of what very well may have been my best and cheapest find of the year, but from witnessing with my own two eyes the gentle spirit of a lovely old lady who was "storing up her treasures in heaven...".

Blessings to you as you learn along side of me the true value of a giving heart...Rebecca