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If you've ever set foot into a thrift shop, you know what an uncharted territory it is. Treasure hunting gets a whole new meaning there.

And there’s one Instagram account that celebrates beyond weird findings from the land of second-hand. “Thrift Store Art” collects the trashiest art and design-themed objects that fall out of any normal category. From puffy “The A-Team” stickers to the backpack shrouded with Nicolas Cage’s face to the point that it resembles a pinkish egg, the stuff is both eccentric and an inspiration to hold on to the bold side of life.

163K Instagram followers must be loving the weird vibes, and even if the description of “The Best Art. Ever.” sounds like a tiny bit of an exaggeration, we forgive it. Scroll down for Bored Panda's interview with Bryan Dickerson, the man behind the miscellaneous Instagram account, to find out more about the project.

More info: Instagram

In the past decades, thrift store hunting has become a trendy thing to do, with millennials flocking to the second-hands to browse for unique and budget-friendly items. Thrift shops became popular in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis when cash-short people opted for affordable wear. According to a report by IBISWorld, the size of the thrift store market is estimated at a whopping $10 billion.

#4

Shopping Liszt

Shopping Liszt

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DforDorothy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"liszt" in Hungarian actually means flour...Sooo I guess this fits perfectly. 🙃

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Bored Panda contacted Bryan Dickerson to find out more about the project. It turns out, Bryan is a freelance content creator from San Francisco who combines two of his favorite things—surfing and the thrift scene. Today, he runs the miscellaneous Instagram page and the “Wave Pool Mag” platform.

After Bryan got tired of running a news website as editor-in-chief, he decided to go against all journalistic training, and that’s how “Thrift Store Art” came about. “I wanted a space where I could post fan art of Tom Selleck and say that it’s Pat Sajak or claim that every post is our 'first post ever and still our favorite!'”

The idea of Thrift Store Art is “not to bash art but to expand what can be considered as art—clothing, album art, book graphics, vacation souvenirs,” Bryan explained. Plus, it celebrates “some truly WTF projects like finding a clock with each minute marked with photos of Leonardo DiCaprio.”

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The absurdity level of these thrift items is what inspires Bryan: “It is something I would never make. But someone out there thought it was the best idea in the world and spent the time to see it through.” That’s a way to walk in “someone else’s shoes” and “experience what they feel is important in a benign and non-politically-charged way,” he explained.

It turns out, Bryan used to be a big thrift store fan himself. “Before punk rock moved to the shopping malls, all we had were thrift stores to find and create a look, decorate the apartment, or construct some kind of aesthetic,” he told us. “Table cloths became fashion ponchos, Ronco food dehydrators became wall art, and crocheted doggie pants became beer koozies,” Bryan recounted the creative days.

#11

Male Sounds

Male Sounds

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Slinkman
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooh what a day... let's put on something nice to listen to: 'Ugh, yeah, Hard Hat!, Die - Slice-, Juuueeeeaaahhh!!, More Beeer!! Footbaaaalllll!! Me Mates!! Honey where are my shoes? Fart-sounds, Burb sounds, snort sounds etc. Throwing away the trash sound, 'Honey i'm off to the pub!', Loud snoring sounds for 5 hours...'

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#12

Jazzy Dragon

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Samantha Lomb
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you ever look at something and think: How was this thing made? Someone had to design this, pitch this to the bosses, get it mass produced, molded, painted and for what market exactly the crossover between fantasy and jazz enthusiasts?

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Now his Instagram page runs on reader submissions. “We get about 50 per day during non-pandemics so it’s all community fed and not mine.” Some of the posts, though, aren’t liked by the Instagram algorithms. “Inexplicably, a salt-and-pepper shaker of a boy and his dog got nixed, while an oil-on-canvas of a well-hung Jesus made it through.” But it’s definitely “the most awkward virtual thrift store find,” said Bryan.

#16

Devotionals For Teens

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#18

Help Me Lord

Help Me Lord

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Arild Settli
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you need a god to help you love your own child, u need serious help yourself.

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#21

Fluffy Pink Cat

Fluffy Pink Cat

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#23

Sign Language Tutorial

Sign Language Tutorial

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Foxxy (The Original)
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is when I decided to teach my daughter about sex. She came up to me and said “I know what this means” whilst doing the action that is pictured.

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#24

Wonky Jesus

Wonky Jesus

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Andrew Gibb
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus warned them not to sin, but he was too righteous to say "I told you so"

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#26

Faceless Cat

Faceless Cat

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Slinkman
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kitty Kitty smiles with grace, Kitty Kitty missing half her face...

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#30

Still Stripping

Still Stripping

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Monika Soffronow
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eleanor Burns is a master quilter. "Strip piecing is a patchwork quilt-making technique that is accomplished by sewing multiple fabrics together to create a "strip set" that looks just like a portion of a quilt block. The strip set is cut apart to yield segments that replace two or more pieces of fabric." https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/strip-piecing-tips-and-techniques-2821620

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#34

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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Jessica Cole
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... for a 58 year old divorced recovering alcoholic in the adult education program.

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#36

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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thee1nonlykRiS
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw I recognize this! My mom use to be a Health and Nutrition Coordinator for our state and used stuffed animals similar to this one (pictured) to teach little children proper teeth brushing skills. It looks scary until u know the true meaning for it! Ur welcome!😉

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#37

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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#41

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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Peachikeen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sure. Because what business associate wouldn't respect a man playing with dolls?

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#45

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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#48

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Mark
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You do have to wonder what is in someones mind to create this, I know, I will make a stain glassed panel, really of what, I know, a SHARK!

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#49

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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#51

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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Noez 🇸🇪
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooooh these cook books are so retro! I still have a few of them, they're fun!

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#52

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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#54

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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#56

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Angela Kifer
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These would be worth some money. Everybody older than 40 knows the "Where's the beef lady."

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#58

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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Mark
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the picture is anything to go by it will be purely for pleasure!

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#59

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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#63

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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Mark
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus in the 21st century, social media is so much easier than actually going out to spread the word!

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#64

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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Rose the Cook
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonder how many people have a horse loving Great Uncle named Tony?

#66

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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#69

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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Peachikeen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the very rare event that I EVER run into this dude and feel inclined to lend him money, thanks for the heads up!

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#71

Funny-Thrift-Store-Art

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Loki Laufeyson
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The one in the front looks like he’s just realizing something like “oh no I crapped my pants” and the others are all staring at him

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#74

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#77

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#82

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YoyoSthlm
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