Sunday 21 August 2011

It Was Junk Nirvana

Round here we have a word for someone who likes a good ol' root around in a bin. I'm guessing it's what some of you would know as a "dumpster diver". Would that be right? We say "bin hoker". That's "hoke" to rhymn with "poke". So when you rock up to a junk shop and you see a big sign saying "Have a Good Hoke" you know you are in for a treat.


We were way out of town, in the middle of nowhere, on a cloudy Friday afternoon. On an emergency trip. Uncle Dave's sources had told him that the junk shop was closing and we had to be quick. "It might be junk," he said, "but it might be great junk. It could be junk nirvana."

No, wait, that was me. I said that last bit. I was almost as excited as he was. We don't have yard sales here, so I don't often have the chance of a lucky vintage find.

And we were lucky. I do have to hold my hand up and say this treasure isn't really mine. The Small One spotted it and persuaded Uncle Dave to pay £5 for it. They brought it home, along with Uncle Dave's radio; and they spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on the kitchen floor with a bucket of water and a selection of cleaning products. Result.

We did leave behind the giant plastic ice cream cone (would have had to lash it to the car roof I think). But we might be back. If he's closing down, he might be open to offers..

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29 comments:

Amanda said...

It sounds like the perfect way to spend the afternoon and what a great find - and bargain! I want to know if you go back though :)

angelfish said...

A great find, well spotted The Small One. I saw a programme about a freegan the other day, who survives on what others throw out and they referred to it as 'dumpster diving' in the US and 'skipping' in the UK.

Jennifer Grace said...

Looks fabulous! I've been looking for a bargain typewriter but not been lucky yet! Hope the small one enjoys it! X

Anonymous said...

I once heard the practice referred to stiging (im from southern England). I can only assume it was in homage to stig of the dump!

Cheri said...

And if it works, so much the better! I'm in the market for one of those myself!

Jimjams said...

I think the phrase "Skipping" has a certain happy ring to it - we all love a good freebie and it sounds like you were skipping with joy at your finds!
I'm sure TSO will let you borrow it from time to time!

Anonymous said...

Great find! You've got me wondering what ever happened to ours.

Lisa said...

what a great find! we don#t really have junk shops round here at all - kind of miss that :-)

Clair said...

A Small One that understands the value of cleaning products? You're on to a winner there my friend. I'll be watching out for typing appearing on your beautiful layouts x

debs14 said...

So the old saying 'one man's trash is another man's treasure' is true then!
What a find - and I am sure we will be seeing some home typed journalling tags on layouts in the very near future ;-)

alexa said...

It's just lovely ... sigh!

scrappyjacky said...

What a great find....I just love charity shops.

Jennifer Shaw said...

Oh what a find!! A fun day for sure! One man's junk is another man's treasure and yay for keeping stuff out of the landfill! I got rid of an old Brother manual typewriter years back and now wish I had it for journaling. Not sure where I would ever find the ribbon for it though. Love the "junk nirvana" term. Someone needs to pick that up for the name of a second hand shop!

Anonymous said...

Oh perfect! A vintage typewrite is high on my list to find, although I don't have any idea where I'd put it if I found it. This one looks to be a beauty.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Love the relationship this suggests between the small one and her uncle!
Rinda

humel said...

Fabulous find! And I can't wait to see the layout :)

I've passed a few signs for yard sales this month but always on a day when there wasn't time to stop :( I must keep looking out for them!

Alison said...

Great find...but I do wish you had managed the giant ice cream cone!
Alison xx

Ginger said...

I do remember my parents throwing one of those out 20 years ago when they sold the farm, but who knew?!! I think your journaling is going to look amazing and then we will all be coveting one :) Perhaps there is something to hoarding :)

Sandie said...

What a lovely find. I bought a typewriter recently, I think they are making a come back. Hope TSO lets you use it occasionally. Happy hunting!

Amy said...

It looks like that will be a lot of fun .. for the both of you!

Sue Althouse said...

Huzzah! A typewriter! I am so excited for you! I use mine all the time now.

Lisa-Jane said...

I don't think we have a name for it down here but I do love a good root about. Yay for a great find.

Cheryl said...

What a fab find looking forward to the results x

Alana said...

I would of liked to of seen you with the giant cone....it would be like the pied piper with all the kids running behind wantinf to 'stop you and buy one'.

Lou said...

lol! what a treasure, i'm sure i had one of these as a kid, it came with its own case. Great story Sian xx

Sandra said...

Ooohhhh I want :)

Peachy Stream said...

i love this Sian! I wish I could find one like this, the thing with vintage type writers (to use) is...where do you get ribbons from for them?!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Ooooh this is a fun find, Sian. Carrie and I are always poking around in places like that, and we usually talk ourselves out of items that we regret (or at least keep thinking about) later - like your giant ice cream cone. lol

Will you use this typewriter for journaling?

Wanda said...

Great find on the typewriter, and so good that you're bringing up a second generation of hoker!

Plus I have this image of you driving around with a giant ice cream cone on your car...priceless!

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