3 Big Vintage Hauls~
Showing you today 3 big vintage estate sale hauls from several weekends ago. And if you’re new here, I only buy “smalls” for my Etsy shop, Vintage Southern Picks. Drop in and see if there’s something you can’t live without!
Here are a few finds from a house in a depressed area of town. There was very little there I was interested in, so I only bought 2 items. The house itself was unbelievable! I walked from room to room with jaw dropped and eyes as big as saucers. I had never seen decor like that! Dolls and frou-frou everywhere you looked!
Just one example:
Here’s the First Vintage Haul~
Christmas Sweater $3. These usually sell, especially if you market them under “Ugly Christmas Sweater.” Sometimes I describe them as such even if they’re NOT ugly. Last year I didn’t use those keywords and sold it anyway. This sweater is probably borderline…LOL, and I don’t buy if they’re over $3.
3 red ties I found stuffed in a box in the basement. I use these in projects. Buying ties from estate sales is usually cheaper than thrift stores. I never buy ties if they’re over $1.
2nd Vintage Haul~
The next estate sale was in a run-down house in a high-end neighborhood. The owner obviously never threw anything away, but we love those kinds of sales!
Dud buys: Wood mortar and pestle made in Italy (pestle is cracked & discolored & they’re about 8 of this identical mortar on Etsy already). I didn’t know what the other thing was. It looked interesting. Have since found out it’s a sterno can burner. It is vintage and I polished it, so we’ll see. It might sell. Paid $1 for both of these.
Reversible Fall Vest. I bought this for me. Halloween design on the other side. This was $1, and when I get tired of it, I can sell it.
Vintage Oriental hand fan…looks like plastic, but it is made of very thin sandalwood with intricate designs. Made, not in China, but the People’s Republic of China. The box you see there has a glass lid. Etsy has pages of replicas of the exact fan for $1-2. So I was chagrined to find I bought another dud, even if it was vintage. However, it sold to a gal in Australia within a few days, so I guess it wasn’t a dud after all. Hand fans aren’t one of the things I normally look for, but I liked the box.
I don’t check Ebay or Etsy on my phone before I buy, like I see a lot of people doing at yard and estate sales. For 4 reasons:
- It’s not always accurate. And it announces to the world that you’re reselling, or that you’re a dealer, and I like to keep that concealed.
- I often run into people that have such a sentimental attachment to what they’re selling, like the lady below, that they’re hoping you’re taking it home to treasure it.
- I don’t want to discuss with them what I’ll ask for it, especially when things aren’t priced. I hate it when people ask me, “oh do you sew, quilt, scrapbook, etc, etc” if I’m buying those items.
- I’m afraid the price will jump if they find out I’m reselling.
Just my opinion for what it’s worth.
Pair of Vintage Eyeglasses…these might be for me…! 50¢
Vintage Picnic Plate holders (8). I never buy unless they’re cheap & they usually are. $2.00 for all
The vintage rhinestone brooch was gorgeous, but it had a bad clasp, so into the scrap pile it will go & I’ll repurpose it. 50¢
Vintage folding knit bag…I always grab these when I can find them. $2. And inside it was the find below…
I love history & old postcards! And I used to be a reader before I started blogging. Perhaps I can sell it if I ever get to look at it, LOL. $1
3 Dolls that I thought were “Nancy Ann Storybook” dolls. I have a sneaking suspicion that they’re knockoffs…vintage knockoffs, but still knockoffs. Would you believe the sale was a month ago, and I haven’t looked yet?? I know. Chicccckken! Maybe I can sell them anyway…sigh. $1
Who can resist these guys? I don’t know what it is about frogs, but they usually sell & I’ll get them if they’re cheap. $1.50. And they’re sold.
I always buy letter openers, too, if they’re cheap & different. $1. This guy is made in England even if I can’t read the brand name. He sold very quickly.
Little tooled leather purse…no brand name. I’m afraid I’m a sucker for purses anyway, but I didn’t buy it for me. $2
Throw in 4 little metal loaf pans, a couple of vintage cookie cutters, a roll of parchment paper (which I needed), and a metal hook, for another $3.50, and you have all of it.
3rd Vintage Haul~
At the next sale, the daughter was attempting to sell off her mother’s crafts, embroidery pictures, finished quilts, fabric, embroidery thread, etc. She was very emotional, and had hardly anything priced. Not pricing, whether it be a yard sale, or an estate sale, discourages buying, rather than the reverse. I wish people could learn that. She had no idea how to price, and would ask the customer, “what do you think?” Not a good idea.
Here’s what I bought:
A pink patchwork throw $4
Pair of stunning Frankoma pottery candleholders, dating from the 60’s-70’s era. Frankoma is collectible, but it’s not on a par with Roseville, for instance. But it’s coming into its own. Pair $4.00.
Owls are almost as popular as frogs. And this adorable guy is a Josef’s owl figurine for $1.
And 4 adorable Josef’s mice $2 (3 pictured because the 4th is in the Etsy shop).
Stay tuned for more fascinating estate sale hauls!
Sharing with these link parties….
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Florence
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You lucky lady, some of the the things you found are so beautiful. Love that leather purse. I feel so bad for the daughter who was selling her mom’s stuff. I would probably be exactly the same if I had to try and price all the beautiful things my mom has made.
I know, you’re so right Michelle. It’s hard to get rid of anything personal…knowing at some point you have to, but it’s still hard.
I agree. I don’t look up things at the sale, either. On the rare occasion, I have been able to get off by myself and act nonchalant like I’m texting if someone walks up, but no. I’m so not going to hover over my phone obviously looking up the value. I saw a young mother sitting on the floor of the shoe department in Belk around the sale shoes, with her small child beside her. Mom was doing something on her phone. I wondered if she was looking for comps on eBay. It takes a reseller to know a reseller. LOL
You found some cool things! I think the Frankoma, the tooled leather purse, and the owl are my favorites. That’s awesome that the fan sold!
Thank you Wanda. I know, I was so surprised about the fan sale. I figured I was stuck with it…LOL
I really enjoy seeing your finds and your thought process for selling!
Thank you so much Linda!
What a lovely finds! They are unique and some might catch a higher price..
Thanks Treat and Trick! Appreciate you coming by!
I have a thing for frogs and those are adorable!
I know you love frogs Kim! And they were cute as could be!
Hard to believe frogs and owls are back in style once again. I buy them to sell and they do sell fast. The fox head is my favorite.
Hi Donna, glad to know it’s in line with your experience too. Thanks for coming by to comment.
You found lots of great things and I especially like the owl. I totally agree with you about not letting sellers know that you are a reseller.
Thanks Sharon! Appreciate you coming by & for your comment.
Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle! Pinning.
Thanks so much for pinning Sharon!
I would keep the purse, it is so cute. The little mice are adorable. I love reading about your finds.
Yeah, that purse is cute, isn’t it? You should see my purse collection. It’s getting rather large…haha. Larger than the goofy hat collection probably. Love the mice too. Thanks, I’m glad you came by.
Miss Flo — About the purse … I am from New Mexico and when I was growing up we used to run across the border into Juarez Mexico because the shopping was awesome and the dickering was fantastic. Those purses are now vintage and were absolutely hand tooled back in the day by Mexican craftsman. That is likely the reason that you won’t find a “signature” or label. They really were hand tooled and works of art (along with belts too). As far as purse collection and ideas of what to do with them all (eventually), I came across a solicitation from a group here in Albuquerque, NM that is organizing Christmas gift “purse” donations for ladies in abuse shelters. The kids are generally well taken care of by the community but not so much the Moms. They take gently used (or new) purses and fill them with “lady” items such as hand lotion, nail polish, hand lotion, makeup items, etc. for presentation to the shelter ladies. Sounded like such a good idea, this is going to be my charity for the upcoming season. If anyone is interested in doing the same for their community, please email me at [email protected] and note “Purse Charity” so I know it isn’t spam. Thanks Flo — as always love your posts!
That’s so interesting about the purse Penny! I’m glad to know the purse is vintage. I mean, I figured it was, but you never know for sure. That’s a wonderful charity too…thanks for the info about it. I’ll keep it in mind. I like the idea of helping the shelter ladies.
The leather purse and quilt make me smile!
Thanks Carol! Appreciate you coming by to comment. Yes it’s a pretty quilt, & so is the purse too.
Good Morning Florence, You have certainly found some wonderful items. I love cooking, so my favourite item would be the pestle and mortar, although the patchwork quilt runs a very close second.
We tend not to have estate sales, here in England, but I do find lots of items at auction houses and charity shops.
I smiled when you mentioned that frogs are back in fashion…. it really doesn’t take long for fashionable items to re-emerge.
I loved all your hints and tips…. a lovely post.
Best Wishes
Daphne
Thank you Daphne! I so appreciate you taking the time to drop in! I would love to visit an English charity shop!
Good to know that ugly Christmas sweaters sell! I know it’s a popular trend–makes sense 😉 Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Thank you Cecilia! I appreciate your comment. Love to be in Vintage Charm when I have something to contribute!
Hi Florence! You always find great things at garage and junk sales!!! Love the sweet frogs, owl, and mice!!! My mother collected owls back in the 70’s and its fun to see a resurgence of them again for the next generation. 🙂 Happily pinned/Tailwinded for you!
Have a great week!
Barb 🙂
Thanks so much Barb! I appreciate the shares!
p.s. Like your new header logo!!!
xoxo Barb 🙂
Oh thanks so much!!! Glad you like it!!!
I absolutely loved seeing what you purchased and your reasons why. I love to shop and buy vintage things too. I should start selling some of it I suppose. xo rachel
Thank you Rachel, for popping in. It’s hard to sell sometimes. I want to keep more than I allow myself to. But we do love the thrill of the hunt!
Lot of great buys Florence! I love the pottery candle holders. All I can say about the lady with the lights is Wow. It’s funny that the sweaters sale under the Ugly sweater title. LOL
Yes, Linda, those sweaters seem to get more attention under that moniker. Aren’t the candle holders beautiful? I love those myself. We used to have a Frankoma piece years ago, but I highly suspect we donated it, not knowing what it was. Darn!
Florence you are very smart not to tell people you will be reselling. Don’t want to give that away otherwise how will you do your job. So many great finds this time around and dirt cheap too.
Thanks Mary!
I had a good friend who collected small frogs. If you live in a small apartment or condo, you usually keep with collecting small things. I used to collect fish. It was appropriate considering I lived in FL for 56 years and the last 20 of that was FT. Lauderdale. I had fish everything – jewelry, drinking glasses, all kinds of serving bowls, plates, cocktail napkins, pictures and of course, fish chotkies (not sure if that is how it is spelled). When I moved to TN, I sold most of it at a yard sale I had with a friend – it all sold really well. Since my grandchildren were small, I decorated the guest bathroom with a sort of underwater decor. Blue Christmas lights draped across the ceiling and all kinds of fish ornaments hanging from small hooks in the ceiling. I even had a Nemo lamp that was their nightlight and all sorts of fish pictures. The youngest is now too old to spend the night at grandma’s house so we are in the process of re-decorating that bathroom for my son who lives here – he is 46 so is a little tired of the fish so almost everything has gone to Goodwill. We kept a a couple of pictures and a couple of fish that are not childish. Walls will now be light grayish blue-green with all woodwork and cabinets white – there are 13 cabinets and 3 drawers. No more builder grade hardware- it will be polished chrome – or pewter – something masculine. Also getting new lights, shower curtain and valance – might change out the light blue cell shade – if we need to. We are leaving the blue lights and the sparkly fish hanging from the ceiling but will possibly add a fish net – the ceiling will be the only whimsical part of the new room as he still wants it to feel like it is underwater – guests love it. What do you think? Love it when you post your finds. I love picking, antiquing, flea markets, thrift stores, etc. A great way to spend your time!
Carol, that’s so interesting about all the fish decor! I’m interested in the fact that you re-sold it so easily. I might have to have another look at fish figurines in my hunt, not that I see them very often, but I’m going to keep an eye out now. I gave a fish figurine to a friend & she still has it, so I guess she liked it. We have a fish picture in our bathroom we really like. I would love to have seen your fish bowls & plates. Yes, it’s very appropriate for Florida living. It sounds like your son still likes a bit of “fish and water” decor, which really fits a bathroom anyway. I love the sound of your bath colors, and my goodness, 13 cabinets! That’s a lot for a bathroom! Lots of great storage! I’m really behind on posting about the vintage finds. I’ll be doing more. Started to put the last one here, which was so interesting, but it would make the post too long.
Be still my heart!! That lamp just stole my Victorian heart!! What great finds!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Thank you Debbie!
I like your job! Such fun finds. Good luck on the reselling.
🙂 gwingal
Thanks Nikki! It is a fun job….sometimes.
I would love to be a fly on the wall and watch you at these sales. Or just have a running commentary, having you explain why you buy something and why you don’t. But that would tip off the seller’s wouldn’t it? LOL It’s fascinating to see what sells, what doesn’t etc. I love reading your “find” posts. So fun.
Thank you Nikki! I would love to have you along with me! Wish we lived closer.
Me too!
Love all your finds, Florence! I have a collection of mice, but I’m no longer collecting them. I keep them in my craft room where I can enjoy them.
Thanks Carol! Would love to see your mice. Appreciate you dropping in.