Hello from Australia, I’m Cronker

hello fellow interest followers

I live in Australia, and although I’m very highly interested in antiques and vintage ware, I’m not really rich enough to collect the stuff on Antiques Roadshow.
I work as a valuer of bric-a-brac in an op-shop, and amongst a lot of junk, ive come across a lot of very nice pieces.
Please be kind as I work my way into the community.

(My thing is vintage and/or interesting kitchenalia, for myself)

 

Welcome to the forum, Cronker.
Valuer of bric-a-brac in an op-shop sounds wonderful, you can sort out the hidden gems.

No worries, as long as you can take a bit of fun as well. You will even find a couple of fellow Aussies here.
I used to live in Sydney (but the Melbourners here don't hold that against me).

 

Thank you. Oh yes, recently I had my boss value a Nao statue at $3.
I took her out the back and gave her the word - DONT VALUE WHAT YOU DONT KNOW!!!

 

I asked my company to buy a UV torch so I can verify uranium glass (it’s great display for customers) so they bought this cheap torch with a purple glass cover...umm..
I brought my own in, even though I can tell by feel and looks...

 

Oops. Some Nao can fetch very nice prices, a little under Lladro.

 

Welcome! I'd love to be a fly on the wall in one of these shops and see what gets donated. What is the junk to saleable merchandise ratio? I suppose some stuff is just headed out to the dumpster since some people unfortunately use charity stores as their trash removal service.

 

Welcome Cronker!
Don't worry... We are (usually) kind and playful!

 

Welcome, Cronker. Love that name!

 

Hi and WELCOME, @Cronker!!! Lots to learn and hope you share as well!!! I'm ALWAYS learning here, and having a good time while doing so!!!!!

 

Welcome!

 

G'Day Mate.......& welcome along for the ride !

 

Welcome to the insane asylum.... board ... home of the chronically junk drunk!

 

well...ya...there is a bit of that too....!

 

WELCOME Cronker !!! ... Joy.

 

Greetings, Cronker!

Back in the 70's my mom was part of a group of parishioners, lead by an Aussie transplant to the US, who organized an "Op Shop" to raise money for church projects. I didn't know then, but I certainly do now, that "Op Shop" is Aussie for "thrift shop!" I never shopped there myself (not living in the area then) but I always brought donations home when visiting.

 

Well, it’s eye opening to say the least. We get some nice stuff, but a huge amount of junk.
Dumping fees in Oz are exorbitant so many people do indeed use us a a removal service.

Thanks to everyone for the kind welcome!

 

Welcome Cronker from Sydney. We desperados lurk in many places across the world. And thanks Bakersgma for getting the name right. We have "Op Shops" (Opportunity Shops) in Australia and it took me a while to understand all the "Thrift Shop" finds so many talk about here. Of course I'm just a little slow at this time of the day (8.00am), but the first coffee is just kicking in. Cronker, you'll love the knowledge and information you get from the wise and wonderful contributors that are here.

 

Welcome!

I love vintage kitchenalia, too. Pity I have such a small kitchen and very little room for display!

 

Okay, I’ll bite. Here’s a very small selection