* Tables -- They come in all styles and sizes. Have some fun with one. A little paint or a refinishing can work wonders. Cut down the legs of a tall table and make a coffee table. Love the legs, but the top is a mess? Cover the top in decorative tiles, or decoupage it to match your decor and protect it with glass. Now, show it off in a special place in your home.
* Containers -- Jars, vases, baskets, boxes... They're all fun. Use the container the way it is or paint it, add a pretty ribbon and voila! You have attractive container for an interesting silk flower arrangement that will look beautiful anywhere.
* Picture frames -- Frames are always smokin' deals at thrift shops, garage sales and flea markets. They're usually dusty with an ugly picture inside. A blink of your creative eye sees the frame cleaned up, painted and with some pretty pressed flowers under glass. Not bad for a frame that may have cost only $5!
* Lamps -- The poor thing looks absolutely beastly with its tattered and stained lampshade! But the base is the right color and is kind of "funky." Give that lamp new life and some personality with an inexpensive lampshade from Target or Walmart. It will look perfect on that bargain table you just refinished and placed behind the sofa.
* Wrought iron -- Once in a while, you may come across an interesting piece of wrought iron with no particular function. Clean it up. Paint it. There's a wall somewhere in your home begging for a splash of iron art!
* Mirrors -- Table mirrors, wall mirrors, or floor mirrors -- who doesn't love a mirror! And they do so much to brighten up our homes. If you're lucky, you'll love the mirror just as it is. Otherwise, use your magic wand to add shells, dried flowers, glass tiles or whatever creativity you can dream up.
* Chairs -- Find that one special chair, stationary or rocker, that "speaks" to you. Sit in it and bond with it. Then, take it home and create your masterpiece. Colorful chair cushions and covers can help give the chair a new look and are available at local department stores at reasonable prices.
* Unique furniture pieces -- A rolltop desk, glass cabinet or old sewing machine table can be refreshed and brought back to life as a lovely focal point to any room. Don't let these special finds pass you by.
* Additional room accents -- Old steamer trunks, three-panel room dividers, Oriental rugs, coat racks, and ceramic planters are only some of the many unique rooms accents to catch your creative eye while thrift shopping. Use your talents to visualize their transformation into cheap, yet chic accents to your home.

Quality thrift shops, such as those run by women's organizations, stock a constantly changing selection of women's clothes. It's possible to find designer labels, and fine fabrics that you would ordinarily consider unaffordable if you went to a fabric store. Sometimes the clothes are brand new or just as good as new, with no signs of previous wear.