Busman’s holiday: A vacation always includes stopping at stores like this one on the coast of Oregon just in case there’s something special inside.
Welcome. This is a blog about exploring, hunting, examining, discovering, dreaming, fantasizing, sifting, scouring, repairing, reclaiming, collecting, culling and creating.
And yes, it is about acquiring things while trying to stay organized, clear and clutter-free.
I named this blog Junkshop Jones not only because my name is Debra Goldie Jones. I wanted to convey the importance this interest has had in my life. There’s a great blog on the origin of the word “jones.” Basically it’s an appetite, a craving or addiction. Like any addiction, you have the obsessive thought, “I think it might be nice to hit a thrift store today.” Followed by the compulsion or acting out, pulling up in front of the thrift store and going in.
I hate to liken my passion to an addiction but it is. I have chosen to shop when I woulda/coulda/shoulda been working, socializing, learning and keeping house.
I went to my first garage sale when I was a teenager in the late sixties. A Jewish couple named Joyce and Al lived a few doors down on my block. One day I noticed they had their garage door open and a little sign out. I bought a long (midi) double-breasted white canvas coat with a tight waist and lots of extra ties (similar to the J.Peterman gaucho). I felt so incredibly cool. I don’t know what i paid, probably a few dollars. The coat still had the manufacturer’s tags on it. Joyce mentioned something about Al selling samples. This introduced me to the idea that i could have access to high fashion, even couture, that was very expensive at the retail level but quite affordable when found at wholesale or slightly used.
I didn’t know about pushcarts and the garment district and odd job lots. I just knew I liked bargain hunting and that feeling would stay with me my whole life as I went from Daffy Dan’s in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to the bowels of Filene’s basement in Boston to the masthead of The Underground Shopper in Dallas.
Like any addiction, you have the obsessive thought, “I think it might be nice to hit a thrift store today.” Followed by the compulsion or acting out, pulling up in front of the thrift store and going in.
I hope to post pictures and stories about what I find and, eventually, offer some items for sale. I’ll be writing about everything from art pottery and glass to hats and handbags to masterpieces resurrected from the Ashcan School of Painting (literally).
People who like Pinterest for the pictures and ideas will enjoy this blog. I hope to make the writing witty and informative.
Wish me luck. I’ll see you in the junkshops hither and yon.
Junkshop Jones 