Thrift store score of the year

 I walked into one of my favorite thrift stores over Breyerfest weekend, and walked out with what I later discovered is probably my thrift store find of the year. 

 

 

I picked it up because I'm on a bit of a collie kick, but mostly because it's a lovely ceramic dog, in mint condition other than crazing, and it was only $1.  Came home and posted a pic on the Clinky Connection, asking about an ID.  Turns out, this is a vintage Hagen-Renaker Marmion, from the San Dimas factory.  And worth in the vicinity of $200.  

"Shocked" was an understatement.  He (she?) is absolutely beautiful.  Some crazing, no big deal.  Eartips are even intact.   

Marketplace Score of the Year (probably)

 Back in college (30 years ago), there was a gift store at the mall that carried Windstone Editions, dragons and unicorns and other creatures cast from gypsum.  They're gorgeous, and at the time, out of my budget (still are, in general).  I've been admiring them online for years, and entering the company's raffle every month, but the internet prices, even for pre-owned ones, are high and the shipping is tricky since they're heavy and often fragile. 

Friday, while at Mom & Dad's for a visit, I happened to look at Marketplace for some reason.  The top ad was for a Windstone Unicorn, only 20 miles away, and only $40.  I sent a message, and picked it up the next day. It's a Mother Unicorn, seems to be the original "white" color from the 90s as far as I can tell.  Was purchased in Waikiki and traveled with the owner, who moved a few times and didn't want to risk moving it again.  She's safe in the curio cabinet already, I didn't want to chance that horn getting snagged on something.

More chalkies!

 And a week later, more luck at the consignment auction.  Two more chalkies - a bay Clydedale Mare and dapple grey Proud Arabian Stallion - plus some other Breyers and a plethora of non-Breyers, including Barbie horses, Grand Champions, and other odds and ends.  

Glamour shots coming soon.

Chalky Luck

 I just acquired my third chalky Breyer, and second I've found in the wild.  Coincidentally, both of the wild ones have been Donkeys, and both from the same estate auction place.  

Donkey B was an accident, he was in a bunch of toys, in the background of the photo, and I bid on a whim because the lot was going pretty low.  I was happy to have the donkey at that price anyway, and even happier when I picked everything up, unpacked them, and he turned out to be a green plastic Donkey in pretty good shape.  

There were some other goodies in the lot (it was a large lot), including a nice large Dala horse. 

Not included in the photos yet - Touch of Class and the chestnut QH Yearling in really good condition, a glossy alabaster Shetland missing half an ear, a dozen or so Stablemates in various conditions, and other odds and ends of Funrise, Safari, Schleich, a Nylint, a painted Craft House Arabian, and some unmarked, unidentified critters.