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It happens every year. December arrives, the holiday decorations go up, and suddenly that little elf is back, expecting you to come up with a new idea every single night. Whether you love the tradition or quietly regret ever starting it, the Elf on the Shelf has become part of the holiday season for many families. The kids adore waking up to see where the elf landed, but remembering to move it and inventing something clever at the end of a long day... can be a lot. That’s why

There is something wonderfully unsettling about old photographs, antique medicine labels, forgotten advertisements, and Halloween images from another era. Sometimes the strangest pieces of history are the ones that make you stop scrolling and look twice. A mysterious figure appears beneath a veil. Children pose in homemade costumes. Houdini promises to expose fraudulent mediums. A cheerful pharmacy label casually announces POISON in enormous red letters. And somewhere in the

And yes... keep reading, because at the end of this post you’ll find out how to download a complete set of all 78 vintage tarot cards. There are certain pieces of vintage artwork that seem to have escaped their own time. More than a century after they first appeared, the mysterious figures, strange landscapes, golden skies, swords, stars, cups, moons, and wandering characters of the Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot remain instantly recognizable. Even if you've never had a tarot readin

If you spend enough time digging through estate sales, thrift stores, flea markets, and boxes of mysterious kitchen gadgets, eventually you’ll encounter something that makes you ask: “What on earth is this thing?” If it’s a heavy glass disk full of holes, a little metal cage, a wicked-looking bed of spikes, or a ceramic animal with strategically placed openings, there’s a good chance you’ve found a flower frog. And before you toss it back into the miscellaneous bin, take a cl

Blue Willow china looks familiar even when the maker is unknown. The blue-and-white scene, with its bridge, willow tree, pagoda, and birds, has appeared on dinner tables for more than two centuries. That long history is part of its charm, but it also makes dating and valuing a piece tricky. This guide works as a practical list. It follows a rough order: history first, identification next, value last. If you prefer to watch a video, scroll to the bottom of this page for a vide

The new arrivals have officially landed at Toadstool Thrift & Craft, and apparently I’ve decided subtlety is overrated. This round has a little something for the readers, the vintage weirdos, the ocean-obsessed, and anyone who has ever looked at their bathroom and thought, You know what this room needs? More personality. From bookish crossbody bags to vintage-inspired coastal finds and our delightfully ridiculous Cheeky Seats, here’s what’s new at Toadstool. 📚 New Bookish Cr

August Freebies Are Here — Because You Shouldn't Have to Always Pay for Cool Old Stuff Hello, Toadstool friends! The August Free Downloads have officially landed! This month, members can grab 15 vintage art and advertising images, a wonderfully random little collection of old-school illustrations, charming artwork, quirky ads, and other treasures from the past. Use them for junk journals, collage, scrapbooking, classroom projects, crafting, digital designs, or just hoard them

Hi Toadstool Friends! I may have a slight problem with bringing home old, unusual, beautiful, weird, and completely unnecessary things. Good news: my problem is now your auction opportunity. Toadstool Thrift & Craft Online Auctions are officially up and running! I’ll be listing a rotating collection of vintage treasures, antiques, collectibles, ephemera, home decor, oddities, and those wonderfully strange finds that make you stop and say, “Okay…but I kind of NEED that.” Si

Exclusive Member Perk Digital Treasures for Your Next Project Hello fellow maker, At Toadstool Thrift & Craft, I believe that the best stories are the ones you create by hand. As a thank you for being an essential part of our creative community, I have curated a special collection of digital resources just for you. These downloads are designed to add a touch of whimsy and history to your scrapbooks, journals, and craft projects. Before you jump into the download folder, To

Fundraising works best when people feel invited, not pressured. A strong program gives supporters a simple way to help, offers products they actually want, and turns a purchase into a shared act of care. That is the heart of the Toadstool Fundraising Program. Instead of asking a small group to do all the work, Toadstool gives schools, nonprofits, clubs, teams, faith groups, and community organizations a friendly way to bring more people into the effort. Supporters can choose

I buy miscellaneous lots of vintage paper at auctions, I see a slightly battered box filled with forgotten things and immediately think, Well, somebody needs to love this. Old photographs, newspaper clippings, postcards, letters, ticket stubs, advertisements, book pages, handwritten recipes, I want all of it. The more mysterious the collection, the better. A neatly labeled archive is lovely, but a dusty auction box marked “miscellaneous paper” is where the real treasure hunti

There are two kinds of Halloween people. There are the people who toss a plastic spider on the front desk on October 30 and call it festive. And then there are our people, the ones who start thinking about Halloween while everyone else is still complaining about humidity. The teachers planning their October outfits, the librarians preparing displays six weeks early, and the book lovers who firmly believe every season would be improved by adding ghosts, witches, and an unreaso

Let's talk about the most overlooked decorating opportunity in your home. No, not the laundry room. Not the hallway. The bathroom. For decades, toilet seats have been quietly doing their job while receiving absolutely none of the design attention given to throw pillows, gallery walls, or kitchen backsplashes. We decided it was time to change that. Introducing Cheeky Seats™ by Toadstool Thrift & Craft, a collection of decorative toilet seats featuring historic artwork, vi

If you’re anything like me, the thrill of discovering authentic antique craft supplies is a bit like finding buried treasure. There’s something magical about holding a piece of history in your hands, knowing it once sparked creativity decades or even centuries ago. Whether you’re a crafter, artist, or vintage enthusiast, these supplies add a unique charm to your projects that modern materials just can’t match. Today, I’m diving into the wonderful world of authentic antique su

Authentic antique illustrations carry a unique appeal that goes beyond mere decoration. Created from genuine historical sources, these patterns offer a window into the past, capturing the artistry and storytelling of earlier times. For librarians, teachers, crafters, thrifters, ephemera collectors, and junk journalers, these illustrations provide rich material to inspire creativity, education, and preservation. I want to share why these antique images remain so captivating an

If you’re anything like me, the thrill of finding that perfect vintage button, a quirky piece of ephemera, or a rare crafting supply is pure magic. But let’s be honest - vintage crafting supplies can sometimes pinch the wallet. That’s where Toadstool Thrift swoops in like a crafty fairy godmother, sprinkling savings with their delightful coupon codes. Today, I’m sharing how you can save big while filling your creative stash with unique treasures. Ready to dive into the world

If you’re anything like me, the thrill of finding that perfect antique craft material is like uncovering a tiny piece of history. There’s something magical about working with supplies that have a story, a past life, and a bit of character baked right in. Whether you’re piecing together a vintage-inspired collage, sewing with old lace, or adding a touch of nostalgia to your art, knowing where to find these gems is half the fun. So, buckle up! I’m about to take you on a quirky,

Authentic illustrations hold a special charm that vintage prints and ephemera collectors cherish. For teachers, librarians, and book lovers, these illustrations evoke nostalgia and spark creativity. Turning these unique artworks into fabric patterns offers a fresh way to celebrate and wear your passion. Whether you’re a teacher looking for a bookshelf dress or a librarian who loves crafting, fabric patterns inspired by authentic illustrations bring stories to life in a tactil

When I first started creating my dresses crafted from authentic 1800s illustrations, I was instantly drawn to their charm and unique appeal. These dresses are not just clothing; they are wearable art that connects us to a fascinating past. For anyone who loves vintage style, thrifting, or collecting ephemera, these pieces offer a fresh way to celebrate history while expressing personal style. Whether you are a teacher looking for a distinctive teacher dress , a librarian, or

If you’re anything like me, the thrill of uncovering a genuine antique craft supply is like finding a secret passage to a creative wonderland. There’s something magical about working with materials that have a story, a history, and a soul. Whether you’re piecing together a vintage-inspired collage, sewing with antique lace, or embellishing your latest project with old-world buttons, authentic antique crafting materials bring a unique charm that modern supplies just can’t matc