1. Signs with character. Old signs offer a big bang for the buck, especially considering how much a framed print or painting of equal size would cost. Have fun searching for that just-right piece — I love this "Rooms for Tourists" sign hanging in a guest bedroom.
by Ken Gutmaker Architectural Photography
2. Old suitcases. Use nice old hard cases to store linens, children's books or dress-up clothes; stack them up and use them as a side table; or just pile them up in the corner as a decorative accent.
by Custom Home Group 
3. Wooden shoemaker's forms. These shapely little wooden objects can be used as you would a sculpture, adding interest to tables or shelves. Or attach them vertically to a wall and hang coats on them.
by Sivan Askayo
4. Vintage children's toys. Look beyond the toy store for gifts this year and surprise little ones with vintage treasures no one else will have. Vintage kids' toys also work well as holiday decorations — a wooden horse or bright red tin truck would look festive beside the tree.
by Décoration et provence
5. Birdcages. There is no end to what you can do with vintage birdcages — display them atop a high cabinet, fill them with twinkle lights, slip old photographs between the bars, paint them or suspend them from the ceiling ... your imagination is the limit.
London's Big Girl Room
6. Skis and snowshoes. Vintage snowshoes or skis make a wonderfully rustic seasonal display on the front porch or mantel, especially alongside stacks of firewood and fresh greenery. True antiques will be quite costly, but vintage finds from the 1950s on are usually reasonably priced and just as charming.
by Michelle Fries, BeDe Design, LLC
7. Milk cans. This farmhouse basic, made from galvanized metal, looks great as a decorative accent on its own but can also be filled with umbrellas, walking sticks, fresh flowers or branches of winter berries.
Lakeshore Cottage Living
8. Vintage trophies. From sporting events to 4H shows, vintage trophies tell fascinating stories — and make great conversation starters. Display them in a group on the mantel, tuck them into a bookshelf or fill them with flowers.
fun on location
9. Stoneware crocks. Widely used for food storage before refrigeration, stoneware crocks of various sizes are a frequent antiques fair find. Smaller crocks can hold kitchen utensils or flowers, while the larger ones are perfect for storing umbrellas or rolls of wrapping paper.
by Joan Heaton Architects
10. Transferware. Originating in the Staffordshire region of England, transferware is made by transferring an engraving onto pottery. Newer and imperfect pieces can be found at bargain prices, perfect for cheering up a winter table or hanging in a wall display.
by Katie Emmons Design
11. Salvaged windows. Beautifully shaped windows can make a magnificent statement simply leaned against the wall atop a dresser or console table. Use pretty Japanese masking tape to affix holiday cards to the glass for an easy seasonal display.
by French Larkspur
12. Picture frames. Old picture frames with good shapes and details can be easily repainted to match whatever scheme you wish. No glass in the frame? Use it to frame a corkboard instead or hang it on the wall and tape a picture in the middle for a fun, eclectic look.
by Kasey Buick
13. Wallpaper scraps. If you find a partially used roll of wallpaper with a pattern you love, snap it up! Just because it's not enough to paper an entire wall doesn't mean you can't still have fun with it — paper the back of a cupboard or bookcase, line your stair risers or cover the drawer fronts of an old dresser.
by Sivan Askayo
14. White quilts. Vintage creamy white quilts and coverlets have a fresh, homespun feel that can fit in anywhere, from the most modern space to a home more rustic and cozier. Vintage textiles tend to be delicate, so clean them gently.
by Tess Fine
15. Mercury glass. Nothing adds a festive sparkle quite like mercury glass. Collect pieces to decorate your mantel or place down the center of your dining table.
More: 12 Hints You're Becoming a Hipster
by DOXA Home
More: 12 Hints You're Becoming a Hipster
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But...and I don't want to quibble, really, but...this ideabook's title concerns me, because I consider myself quite the gifted thrifter, and I find the number one ingredient necessary for finding AWESOME stuff is patience. And more patience! Set yourself a list of things you're allowed to look for, give yourself 6-18 months (if you want something really cool, or at a really good price), go to antique stores until you realize that they don't have anything that's not marked up at least 400%, NEVER give in and pay said markup, and stalk craigslist like a psychotic. And then...since you waited for it...when someone asks where you got that beautifully carved 19th-century antique dining table that seats 12, you can say, "Oh...I got it on craigslist. It was $100." :D
olldbob- Estate sales are great! There are generally a lot in retirement communities on the weekends.