Dear faithful blog readers,
I have just been witness to a most distressing sight. One which, I must say, particularly distressing to someone whom considers herself a thrifting blogger. Even more so for one whom considers herself a budding collector of vintage and retro tapestries. And, of course, one which many may not quite understand the pain of. But you, my fellow thrifters, collectors and bloggers, will... won't you...?
I'll paint the picture for you...
I was just on my way back from a Sydney Festival event (the ever sweet Holly Throsby, in fact) when I decided to pop in to my local Vinnies (St Vincent De Paul/Thrift Shop) for a quick poke around. I was just about to leave the store when I spotted a woman sitting on a chair admiring four of the most beautiful retro and vintage tapestries that I have ever seen - in real life or on the net - EVER. Two were colour blocked landscape pieces of aqua, sky blue and purple, one a sixties looking piece featuring a beautiful woman in the centre surrounded by birds, and the fourth an absolutely jaw-dropping Virgin Mary, with metallic gold detailing and the most gorgeous gold leafed frame. Each piece was very well priced, between $20-$35 (this may seem high for you lucky US readers but in Sydney, this is pretty standard. In fact, quite low for pieces of their style, age and quality).
The woman notices me admiring the pices, pauses her price complaint for a moment to ask me what I think of the pieces. I attempt to be nonchalant, though I sincerely doubt that I succeeded, and tell her that yes, they are "okay". The colours are "nice". She tells me that she collects them, usually doesn't pay more than $10 a piece. I have no doubt that the majority of these purchases are made a minimum of 2hrs from the city.
She continutes to gripe over the price for a good five to ten minutes, then gathers the four pieces up and claims that yes, she will buy all of them. Every single one. I leave, and tear up on the short walk home.
This may seem a frivilous concern to many of you. I can already hear the cries of "first world problems!". But there are a couple of reasons why I found this situation so devastating. For starters, who knows how long these beautiful creations were sitting just around the corner, if only I'd asked! They could well have been laying quietly behind the counter for months.
Secondly, although she claimed to be a collector, I honestly don't feel that they were going to a home where they would be appropriately appreciated. I mean, come on. The woman was openly complaining of the price in a charity store, for heavens sake! And even further, I doubt she's ever stopped even a moment to consider the time, energy and meticulous attention to detail that it takes to create one of these beatiful works of art. They can take weeks or even months to complete.
If only she'd seemed as excited and overwhelmed by the discovery as I was saddened by overlooking them myself, then I think I may have been able to come to terms with it. If I thought that she might cherish all four pieces as much as I would have even one, then I might not feel quite so disheartened.
Well, I guess I've learned my lesson. If you can't see something that you covet, then for heavens sake, ASK!
Haylz x
