American Pickers Contest with Capri Sun Big Pouch #CapriSunPickers #CAMPAIGN #shop #cbias

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One of my very favorite hobbies is to go "thrifting". I love to scour yard sales, estate sales, thrift stores, and church-owned shops for vintage treasures to either use in my own home or sell in my Etsy shop online. A few weeks ago, I came across this great collection of 19th century mob caps, removable collars, and lengths of crocheted lace.  I was so thrilled by the beauty of the find.  To top it off, I got the whole lot for only 50 cents!  Keep reading to find out what I did with them and how you can turn your own great finds into some awesome prizes---including a messenger bag made with empty Capri Sun Big Pouches.

Some call it "thrifting", others call it "junking".  Mike Wolfe, creator and star of American Pickers on History, calls it "picking".  He's created a contest where you can show off your own great "pick" and win some fabulous prizes!

Besides the grand prize, a trip to Nashville to go on a pick with him and visit his store, you could also win a great picking kit that includes a messenger bag, magnifying glass, journal, and more---as well as some Capri Sun Big Pouch drinks to enjoy.  Our family likes to take Capri Sun to the park when we meet for our weekly homeschool sports day.  It's a refreshing drink to include in a sack lunch and definitely quenches a big thirst.  Some of our favorite flavors are Capri Sun Big Pouch Fruit Punch and Capri Sun Big Pouch Maui Cooler.

One of the reasons why I'm successful at my thrifting adventures is because I know what essentials I'll need to get the job done.  Here's my own idea of a picking kit:

• a list of addresses that I've procured online the night before (I always put a star next to the estate sales so I can hit them first)
• a watch to make sure I'm not showing up early at a sale (I consider this rude to the ones trying to set up)
• a phone for taking pictures of my finds and for navigating my way around an unfamiliar neighborhood
• sunglasses and a cool drink for hot days
• and, of course, cash in small bills and coins.

Want to see what I did with my awesome crocheted finds?  

I'm headed to England this Thursday and am putting together a costume for the Jane Austen Festival in Bath.  I laced a long crocheted ribbon through the edging of one mob cap to make a handle, added a gold ribbon, and made myself a little reticule to carry my camera and cash in during the Regency Ball!

It's easy to enter the Capri Sun Pickers contest.  Just provide some contact information, upload a picture of your "pick", and write a short (150 words max.) essay about your find.  I have outlined the process in a little more detail on my Google+ album.

I'd love to hear about the neat things you've found while out picking---let me know!