The plan was simple. Drop a son off at the orthodontist, and fit in a quick thrift run at the stores around the corner. The dad had about 15 minutes before he needed to check out. Instead, the “speed thrift” turned into 40 minutes and $122 at Savers, followed by a stop at Goodwill where he walked out with six things for $20.

He is one half of the husband and wife team behind the YouTube channel Jami Ray Vintage, who sell vintage finds and furniture makeovers online and in their own shop. His wife went to a different thrift store that morning, which he says felt strange because she normally grabs the things he misses.

The result was a cart full of projects, a few lessons on which mugs sell best, and a quick look at how the pair turn thrift store castoffs into Christmas items.

The Savers Run: Everything Is a Makeover

He arrived with a coupon he earned by donating, which took 20% off his purchases. His strategy was to find items that would be easy to paint or decorate, since the couple sell makeovers. “So far, everything is a makeover,” he said as he filled the cart.

A few of the prices he saw show how he thinks:

• A clock for $5.99, before the 20% off coupon.
• Foam Christmas plaques for $4.99 each, which he liked as a makeover project.
• A gray tray for $4.99. He says those are great sellers for the couple after a makeover.
• A wall-hanging shelf for $5.99, and a sleigh candle holder for $7.99 that he thought would look good painted gold.
• A green patterned duvet cover with the duvet inside, queen size, for $12.99. He thought it could work for Christmas.
• A big basket for $4.99, which he figured he could repair with a little glue.
• A Crabtree and Evelyn tin for $3 and a hanger with a circle on top for $4.
• Rose-pattern Gibson mugs, plus a cute pedestal for $2.

He also kept his eye on trays and frames. He said he could get similar trays at DI for about two bucks, so he thought the $5.99 price felt high, but he still took a few. He added that 8 by 10 art has been selling quickly for them, so frames that size are always welcome.

His Rule for Mugs

One personal rule stood out. He tries not to buy any mug that costs more than $3 with his coupon. A mug for music lovers at $5.99 stayed on the shelf, since it was too much.

The same goes for dishes, which can be a good deal if they are not damaged. He passed on several because they had chips or cracks and were not old enough to justify the price.

The Yard and Housewares Aisles

Out in the yard section, he found a handmade red, white and blue puppy quilt with dog bones in the stitching for $8. He bought all five stocking holders at $3 each, a chunky clock for $5, and a tall clear glass canister for $6, which he plans to use as a display for rolling pins.

Also in the cart were creamers at a dollar each, a strawberry crate from Pier 1 for $2, and a wooden sign for $3 that he said could be much cuter. He mentioned that he looked at some leather-looking bags and put one back because it did not smell like real leather. The tag said 100% PVC. “If it doesn’t smell like a leather glove, it’s not,” he said.

By the time he finished, he had spent about 40 minutes in the store and $122. He said he was impressed with how much he was able to get, and he felt he had gotten all of his favorite stuff.

A Quick Stop at Goodwill

The Goodwill had been open for about five minutes, and he points out that the best pickings are usually right when a store opens. Since he already had a lot of projects, he was picky.

He found a lidded metal and brass piece for $5.99, and he noted that ducks and geese are popular home decor right now. A foam frame, about 11 by 14, was $1.99, and he likes foam frames because you can get fun shapes out of them. He also picked up an 1886 hymn book, which he liked because he prefers old books. In all, six items cost $20, or about $3.33 each.

Which Mugs Sell Best

While browsing the mug shelf, he shared the types that sell well for the couple:

1. Rae Dunn. He says the Rae Dunn pieces sell well, and he spotted one pitcher for $2.99.
2. Anthropologie monogram mugs, with a letter such as an H or a J.
3. Anything floral with a good pattern, plus teacups, which are usually separated and shelved with the plates.

Turning the Haul Into Christmas Projects

Back at their shop, the couple worked on Christmas projects for an event the next day. They painted an enamel pot that had been listed on their website for about two months without a buyer. Their answer was simple: if nobody buys it, give it a makeover. They chose red paint, which looks great with green Christmas transfers, and they added gold script transfers and clear wax.

They also turned a wooden tote into an old steamer trunk look. The steps included a dark base coat, a sealer, olive milk paint mixed one part paint to one part warm water, transfers cut out like old stickers, a heat gun for a chippy crackle effect, and dark oil wax to finish. They used an immersion blender to get the milk paint smooth.

The next morning, they started resetting the front of the shop for Christmas. They did not reset the entire store, since people do not shop just for the holidays and they keep the everyday items in as well.

Takeaways for Your Next Speed Thrift

If you only have a few minutes, his trip offers a good plan. Go early, right when the doors open. Donate first to earn the coupon. Look for good bases that can be painted or decorated, and set a firm price limit for items like mugs. Hit the linens, since a bedding set with the duvet can be a bargain, and check the yard section for the odd unusual finds.

And if a project piece sits unsold, keep it in play. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint and a transfer is all it needs.

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