Thrifting expert shares tips at Cleveland Expo

Virginia Chamlee, a thrifting expert, is sharing her tips on finding treasures at thrift stores at the Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo from March 21 to 23. Her presentation, titled “How to Thrift Museum-Quality Art, Designer Furniture, and More!” will take place at 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Chamlee, author of “Big Thrift Energy,” learned the art of thrifting from her grandmother. Her grandmother found valuable items like Chanel at Goodwill and started a vintage business. Chamlee remembers their living room often feeling like a store. According to Chamlee, thrifting requires patience, imagination, and a focused style. She believes people enjoy searching for unique items, similar to hunting for food. She emphasizes that thrift stores offer treasures that online shopping can't compete with. She once found a vintage Goyard trunk for $95, now valued over $30,000. To thrive in thrifting, Chamlee advises frequent visits to multiple stores, thinking creatively about how items can be used differently, and focusing on specific styles or items to streamline the search process. She suggests using websites like Chairish.com and Facebook Marketplace to help with the search. Chamlee also highlights the importance of being selective while thrifting. It can be tempting to buy many cheap items, but she encourages learning to curate a collection instead. For more insights, attendees can visit the expo or follow Chamlee on her social media platforms.