I love thrift stores! Hunting for bargains and interesting items is one of my favorite hobbies. As my mother used to say, “One man’s junk is another’s treasure.” She’s right. It’s like finding buried treasure when I purchase a beautiful necklace for only a quarter. My husband wishes that I would sell my bargains, instead I’ll fill my house with “treasure” and let my kids sell it at a garage sale when I’m gone. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy my dragon horde and use it to inspire my writing and help me market my novels. How do I use thrift store and garage sale bargains to inspire my writing? Here are three ways I use thrift store items as “stage props” in writing and selling my books.
1. For Inspiration
I found this cute bunny statue for a less than a dollar at my favorite thrift shop. It had creepy pink eyes and I thought I could repaint them for Easter. Then I had an idea. What if I made them creepier? Turned them into dragon eyes, like the character in my upcoming novel, Manjucatus The Not So Mean. One of my characters is changed from a dragpar into a hare. Dragpars are related to dragons, but much smaller and more annoying. When the dragpar is enchanted into a cute bunny her blue, reptilian eyes stay the same.
To fix my statue, I used acrylic paints and changed the crazy pink eyes into sneaky dragpar eyes. I also repainted the face and body. Fun! Now I have an adorable, but angry, enchanted hare to sit by my writing spot and give me inspiration for the final revisions on book three.
For my second book, Adorabelle The Not So Adorable, I found a beautiful seashell that reminded me of the mermaid Shelly’s magic shell. When I was editing the book I would hold it in my hand or up to my ear and then write about how it felt and looked. Sadly, no magic voice told me secrets. My magic shell must be broken.
2. For Marketing
Thrift store finds like books, globes, statues, or re-painted goblets make great background props for my Instagram photos. I recommend classic children’s books and they look wonderful next to one of my treasures. For example, the globe and pewter tankard are fun props for The Dictionary of Imaginary Places, a great book for readers and writers.
3. For Selling/Signing Books
When I sell my books I like to set my table with props that look medieval. Thrift stores are a great place to find baskets, old goblets (spray paint them gold and glue on gemstones), and candleholders.
First, I spread pretty scarves over the black cloth covered table. Scarves and old table cloths or curtain panels from thrift stores are perfect for decorating. Make sure they are machine washable before you buy.
Then I add my thrifted items. This large candlestick which I spray painted black, displays my books. Baskets may hold seashells (I get bags of them at thrift shops and garage sales, you can never have too many seashells), or candy for the kids. I’m trying to figure out how to get my new dragpar/bunny to hold business cards for my next sale.
Lastly, I set up thrift store frames giving the prices of my books. They sort of look old and medieval. Solid wood frames are easy to repaint and use for photographs, art, or selling books. I do all three.
There you have it. Three ways I justify my obsession with thrift stores and garage sales to my husband. The truth is I’m like the dragons in my novels. A hoarder of treasure.
You don’t have to be a writer to enjoy thrift store finds. Halloween costumes and props can be created from thrift store finds. Thrift stores are a great place to find attractive gifts. And as for decorating, Jennifer Howard from Cottage On Bunker Hill explains in her post Thrift Your Way to a Cozy Home: How to Decorate with Thrifted Finds.