It's not every day that you have the chance to thrift 800 miles from home. My mom, who taught me all there is to know about thrifting, called me on Friday evening to share about an Estate Sale that she was attending in Washington State on Saturday. She warned me that my father and her wouldn't arrive early at the sale. In fact they would probably not get there until after 11 a.m. She asked me though if I would be interested in looking at the photos of the sale. Of course I said yes. We spent the next 20 minutes looking through each photo and discussing what we liked and didn't like. I couldn't think of a more ideal way to spend the beginning of Mother's Day weekend than talking about Thrifting with my mother.
When I hung up with her, she had my "wish list" and would call me with any questions the following day at the sale. The next morning right before lunch she called me to let me know that nearly everything that I had been interested in had sold. The only thing left were these sweet plates (pictured above). We had chatted about them the night before. I had thought that they were from Scandinavia and my mother though that they might be Russian. When she called to tell me the plates were still available, I asked her if they had any markings. She said the magic words "Arabia" and I knew immediately that I wanted them.
Arabia is Finnish and I've loved nearly everything that I have ever seen by them.
These plates are called Kalelava and were produced as annual plates designed by the Arabia artist Raija Uosikkinen.
I asked my mom how much they were. She said $50. I told her to buy them.
She called me 20 minutes later to let me know that when she went to check out they were half off. We bought them entire collection for $25.
This made my weekend especially since I had barely a chance to thrift. Friday was spent focusing on this:
May Faire
Saturday I was just too tired from all the festivities of the May Pole, the horse rides, the freshly popped popcorn, the music, the face painting, the warm sun and the laughter and smiles among the Waldorf crowd.
Keiran dancing around the May pole.
Saturday I just didn't have much energy so Keiran and I went to a few sales and decided to spend the rest of the day with Dave & Cerys.
Cerys all in white with her flower crown.
Did you go thrifting this weekend?
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Don't forget to visit Her Library Adventures for Flea Market Finds.
Wow great deal with the Arabia! The may faire looks like a dream...
Posted by: Vintage Scapes | May 08, 2011 at 09:55 PM
Unbelievable!!! That is probably the bargain of the century! I discovered how collectable arabia is when I sold a coffee pot online, I'd paid 50c for it and it sold for $306! I couldn't believe my eyes. You must be elated, well done Mum :)
Posted by: Sarah @ MissMollyCoddle | May 08, 2011 at 11:36 PM
Wow you really got it for free! The value of one plate only can be anything between $30-$200, maybe even more. The most valuable plates are from 1988, 1992, 1993 and 1995. During Finnish economic depression in 1990s the plates were made only as custom orders.
The design is based on Kalevala which is the national epic of Finland.
I really love these plates. My grandmother has a collection aswell.
Greetings from Finland! You have a nice blog :)
Posted by: Meri | May 09, 2011 at 03:22 AM
Congratulations on your amazing bargain! Your Mayday celebrations look wonderful x
Posted by: Faith Hope and Charity Shopping | May 09, 2011 at 03:31 AM
I am elated for you. What a fantastic Mother's Day present! You have a very special mother to even think about doing something so wonderful for you. (Although she could have gone and stood in line earlier!) Many mom's would not have been as thoughtful. Even without knowing their "value" they are beautiful and a treasure.
What a nice faire day. Looks like you had perfect weather. Didn't you volunteer the cotton candy machine?
Posted by: DogsMom | May 09, 2011 at 05:20 AM
Amazing plates, and I love the May Day photos! That's beautiful :)
Posted by: Van | May 09, 2011 at 05:48 AM
The plates are gorgeous - more so possibly now I've read here about the value! Lovely pics from the maypole, such a sweet tradition.
Posted by: Barbara | May 09, 2011 at 06:24 AM
Wow - amazing score and amazing mother - she definitely has your back!
Posted by: Jil Casey | May 09, 2011 at 07:09 AM
that may faire looks FUN!!!!! and i love that you and your mom talk thrift....so do my mom and i! she's one of my biggest advocates!
Posted by: Leah - MoxieThrift on Etsy | May 09, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Set of gorgeous Arabia plates? $25. Thrifting long distance by phone with your Mama? Priceless!
xoxo
Pam
Posted by: one gal's trash | May 09, 2011 at 08:08 AM
LOVE those plates. wow are they ever cool. it's so great when you get a serendipitous prize at the cash register too. i think there must be a thrifting gene in your family. :-) glad you had a happy mother's day!
Posted by: angelika | May 09, 2011 at 08:22 AM
What a fun way to "be" with your Mom at long distance - is she feeling all right?
Posted by: Vicki K | May 09, 2011 at 08:48 AM
Thank you so much for asking Vicki. She was so sick last summer that we were worried that we might lose her by Christmas. Luckily she changed her chemo, added some different nutrition into her diet and came out feeling so much better. She can even travel again. Its been so wonderful to thrift with her on her last two visits to us.
xoxo Selena
Posted by: Selena Cate | May 09, 2011 at 08:57 AM
The kids at Mayfair are stunning!
Posted by: amy zimmer | May 09, 2011 at 11:12 AM
So glad there are still places that celebrate May with a maypole! Very cool!
How wonderful that you and your mom can share the thrill of thrifting together. That is wonderful.
Tammy
Posted by: tammylovesdishes | May 09, 2011 at 01:41 PM
Love the pictures of Cerys & Keiran (:
Posted by: Shara | May 09, 2011 at 03:14 PM
I sold a Finel mug on Ebay this week to a woman in New Zealand (I liked that) - I bought it because I thought it was cute, not knowing it was collectible. It sold for $44 - not too shabby for me (who usually sells $10 items). I, too, heart thrifting with my mom.
Posted by: kikithespunkymunky | May 09, 2011 at 03:42 PM
Wow! Score!
~ Jenny
Posted by: Jenny | May 09, 2011 at 04:40 PM
I'm touched & heartened to read your Mother's Day Thrift Adventure! Real treasures you & your Mother found! A $2/plate purchase getting immediate valuation by Meri, from Finland, gives us the exciting information...your "rise above the $10 mugs" affirmation is coming true!! Well...that is if this is a re-selling gift from Mom...you may be keeping them!?
Posted by: Joy | May 10, 2011 at 12:28 PM