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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

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A Message From God

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    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.

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    #4

    Shopping Liszt

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    DforDorothy
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created 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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    Disco Attack

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    Slinkman
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Creepy man used DISCO ATTACK , it was not very effective.

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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.

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    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.”

    #7

    The Sower

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    JuJu
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    First season of top model? He's got attitude

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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m confused by the shine on his shapely thighs.

    YoyoSthlm
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    1. One: open the bag. 2. Make a hole in the bag. 3. Put your d**k in the bag. It's a d**k in a bag!!

    NMN
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Parable of the Sower just got sexy!

    NMN
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you're going through model and design school but is hired to illustrate a Christian book

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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like David Beckham is the new face of farming

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    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'The sower doesn't give a f**k'

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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Farmet is hes hobby, mainly he is a ballet dancer!

    MellonCollie
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These comments are even better than the drawing itself 😂

    Robert Bailey
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Johnny Appleseed never looked like that in any of my books.

    temmie
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    THE SOWER SOWS HIS SEEDS

    RandomHumanBean
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    his seeD. tht he cut up into many small pieces to fool you into thinking was multiple seedS.

    Dutch VanZandt
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "You better work, work it girl... sow those seeds in the desert"?!? (He is being rather negligent, prancing through the sand throwing those seeds helter-skelter)

    Rebekah
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sassy Sower Sows His Seed Whist Sashaying.

    glowworm2
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is this, a pinup version?

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    #8

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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.

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    Male Sounds

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    Slinkman
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created 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
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created 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.

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    Mark
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Over 1/4 million in print" absolutely ZERO read!

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    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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    5 years ago (edited) Created 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

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    5 years ago Created 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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    Kitty Kitty smiles with grace, Kitty Kitty missing half her face...

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    Rissie
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A**s is a name. A very unfortunate one to give.

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    #30

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    Monika Soffronow
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created 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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    #31

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    Mark
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Made in Alabama". on the back ;)

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    #33

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    #34

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    Jessica Cole
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    5 years ago Created 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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    #35

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    thee1nonlykRiS
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created 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

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    Peachikeen
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People are actually doing this right now. Lol.

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    #38

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    #41

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    Peachikeen
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    5 years ago Created 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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    #42

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    #45

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    Animal lover❤
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Get this for someone you hate and make sure they don't see what it says

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    Mark
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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    #48

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    Mark
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    5 years ago Created 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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    Mark
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For when you get attacked in a leotard!

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    #50

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    Noez 🇸🇪
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created 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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    Mark
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nothing to see here, or hear ;)

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    Angela Kifer
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    5 years ago Created 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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    Mark
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    5 years ago Created 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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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am slightly confused by the "His name is David" part

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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As it turns out not every time is Leo time :)

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    Mark
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created 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

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    Rose the Cook
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    #65

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    #69

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    Peachikeen
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created 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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    Loki Laufeyson
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created 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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    Mark
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Scary part is you could easily imagine them being actual people!

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    #75

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    #77

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    Rose the Cook
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What happened to the eyes? Looks like one is upside down.

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    #78

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    Mark
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    50 ways to be Jewish, if you weren't Jewish already ;)

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    #79

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    #81

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    Mark
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No implications to tackling Jesus to the ground?

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    #82

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    YoyoSthlm
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is he threatening to hit me or himself??

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    #84

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    Mark
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So is it pizza party or party pizza?

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    Peachikeen
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whoever this is they are a very beautiful woman.

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    Mark
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wheres Maude Flanders when you need her ;)

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