Hunted:: Gathered: 06/10/12

Yikes! Since I missed posting last week I have a backlog of items to share with you. Trust me, I'm not complaining because the thrifting has finally picked up in my neck of the woods. I was beginning to think that 2011 was an anomaly and that my thrift luck had just about run out. Boy was I wrong.

For some reason or another, there haven't been many estate sales in my area. Whether it was because of a holiday weekend or because some of the local companies just don't have clients. I don't know. However, this item is from an estate sale as are the next two. This is a beautiful Finnish glass vase designed by Tamara Aladin.

I love these mod wire/ mesh racks. I don't know if it's the simplicity of the design that I like but what I do know is that if I see one, I more oft than not have to pick it up.

I found this great little paper clip letter holder at the same estate. It's kitschy, mod and fantastic.

On my way back from the estate sale I passed by a thrift that I hadn't been to in several months. I usually don't have much luck at this particular one but this time I did. I found this stunning woodblock print by Shodo Kawarazaki. It has several marks in the margins and Bryan from Alamodern was kind enough to help decipher some of them. There are marks from the publisher, the date, as well as the artist's name.

In keeping with the Japanese theme, I found this cute Japanese Cedar bear figurine. He is also signed on one side. I know I referred to this figurine as a bear but I am wondering if this creature has a special meaning because I've seen several similar iterations. Anyone know?

This was one of last week's finds but it has a story that goes along with it. I was doing a usual thrift loop of mine (one I hadn't done in a while because of a transitional car situation) and I stopped by a thrift that is typically hit or miss. I've been at this thrift when they bring out carts of new stuff and the 'regulars' that usually sit by the back waiting for said carts are surely a sight. I stay away from the carts while they push, pull, and trip over each other. This day was no exception. I was in one of the aisles and the commotion had died down so I started making my way to them and then I saw the bowl. My heart sank. It was still sitting there unclaimed and just as I was about to reach for it a little girl put her hand on it to show to her mom. "Dangit", I thought, I just missed out on this bowl by a few seconds! But then, like music to my ears, the mom told her not to touch it and leave it behind. So goes the story of my first Finel bowl find in the wild. I hesitated to put it in the shop and I thought it would sit a bit longer but I listed it and it sold within a couple of days. Goodbye beautiful bowl.

Another first for me is this Ultima Thule sugar bowl. I've always coveted the Ultima Thule finds from other thrifters and for once I found my own! Can you believe this is the first time I've found one of these in the wild?

Lastly, I am finally sharing a piece that I collect. I purchased it from another reseller because sometimes that's what you have to do.

It's a set of salad utensils designed by Michael Lax for Raymor Capri. They are a combination of porcelain and walnut. They are 14" long! It's hard to determine the scale without any objects paired with it so...

I decided to show you how big the ceramic portions are by setting one of my Toikka birds in it. They're huge and I find the scale to be a bit garish but it is what it is. Scale is always a bit tricky when you just have online pictures for reference.

I have plenty more goodies to share with you, but they'll have to wait till next week. What did you find this week? Please do share at Sophie's.