The Latest Vintage Hauls

February 10, 2020 by Florence 25 Comments

Hi there friends and new subscribers! Just want you to know I LOVE having you here, so I’m going to dig in to show you some of my latest finds.

Vintage Hauls

Some of the latest are from thrift stores, and others from estate sales.

Estate Sale Finds

Below is a vintage gyroscope missing the string to spin it. I never had one myself, so I didn’t really know how it worked, but youtube solved that problem!

Paid: $1

Sold

As soon as I saw this, I swooped on it…a vintage plastic sewing box with starburst design…very unusual and probably dating from the 50’s-60’s era.

Paid $5

Sold

From the same sale came a vintage cup and ball game. I’m sure you recognize these…the object is to flip the ball into the cup, but we all know it’s much harder than it looks!

Paid $1

Sold

A particularly pretty CUTTER quilt I found on the 2nd day at an estate sale. Full of holes and tattered, but I always buy these no matter the condition because they always sell at my price of around $20.

Paid $4

Sold

Vintage pop-up address file. These usually sell, even with the latest technology in vogue.

Paid: $1

I happily acquired a bunch of Square Dance sewing patterns for a good price at an estate sale a month or so ago. I won’t show them all but here are 2 that sold.

I’ve found that January/February are good months for listing project pieces. What I mean is, right after Christmas, people are thinking about projects to start.

For more patterns, check out my Square dance shop…SquareDanceNWestern.

Initially I thought the sale disappointing for having driven so far to get there, but after knuckling down to dig through drawers and boxes, I found a few treasures.

For my local readers, this sale was in Pell City.

Check out 5 Reasons I Go Picking Out of Town and why it pays off almost every time!

Vintage mug holder from the 70’s era.

Paid: $2

Pair of darling vintage lace gloves for a child, hand-crocheted and made in Italy

Paid: $2

I have often admired these whimsical mail organizers in other people’s shops, and I finally found one! And isn’t he adorable?

Paid: $1

Vintage money/coin compact.

Paid: $1

Sweet vintage purse for evening.

Paid: $4

Lion tiki statue. What do you suppose this is?

Paid: $5

I always buy wooden in/out trays when I see them because they always sell.

Paid: $2

Some months ago I went to an estate sale selling the records of a collector. There were so many, they were stored in a large warehouse! I just bought a few I liked. Most will go in my booth.

And my favorite which I’ll probably keep:

My most recent find are these 2 matching nightstands, which I got for $12.50 each.

Be still my heart!

I was delighted with this score! They will go in my booth when they get a refresh.

Thrift Store Finds

Vintage tissue box holder. Check out those ice skates in the corner! The fact that it was made in France sold me on buying it, but I think it was probably a mistake. It was cute anyway.

Paid: $1.99

I found these 2 old gardening books at my favorite thrift store in Demopolis Alabama. Books are normally slow movers, but I took a chance because they were old (c. 1910). Available on Ebay.

Paid: 10¢ each.

Pair of Homeco oval bird pictures. I thought these were so pretty.

Paid: $1.99 for each.

Drip-Dry vintage clothes hanger/dryer.

You wouldn’t believe how hard this was to open! I struggled in the store, then brought it home because I knew hubby could open it right away. He struggled too, but found the trick.

These type things are all over the internet, but I haven’t seen one exactly like this, so we’ll see.

Paid: $1.99

Chalkware Owl

It’s hard to find chalkware that isn’t chipped or cracked.

Paid: $1.99

Not sure what to call this, but I plan to make a planter out of it, and put it in my booth. Maybe repaint and stencil it.

Paid: $6.99

What would YOU do with this?

Well, that’s all until next time. Thanks for reading this far!

PIN FOR LATER…

A Vintage Fall Haul

November 3, 2019 by Florence 16 Comments

Hello Everyone!

Back for another vintage Fall haul. People love to see the latest finds & these are from several recent picks.

Yard, Estate Sale, Thrift Store Finds

Decorative Bird Cage…Thrift store find.

I plan to fill this with Christmas balls & put in my booth next week.

Paid $1.99

Ceramic candle stand…thrift store find

I guess this looks blah, but when I find the right top for it, it’ll be a decorative stand!

Paid $1.99

Very nice vintage enamel chamber pot…yard sale find

Paid $5

Coca Cola push button phone…yard sale find

Paid $5

Cross Pen Pencil Set…yard sale find

Paid $4

Fill a bag with as much fabric as you can stuff into it for $5!

Yours truly is planning on making a crazy quilt…

that is,

when she’s not painting furniture for her booth,

and not listing things on Etsy,

and going to yard and estate sales.

Someday she’s going to fit in a crazy quilt too.

“Sewing Embellishments for the Fabric Artist,” as the package says.

These are what you decorate the crazy quilt with…AND you do it by hand.

That’s when you’re not painting furniture for your booth,

Listing things for Etsy,

Decorating for Christmas,

And going to yard and estate sales.

Paid $1.50

More gorgeous fabric.

Really, someone needs to yank me away from fabric piles.

Paid $6 for the rose one which is 5 yds. $2/ea for the others.

Fern Stand

Found in a neighbor’s trash.

Well, I couldn’t leave it there, could I???

It just needs a little tiling repair.

Should it come before or after the crazy quilt?

Vintage Hollywood Regency trash can cover with liner. I hardly ever find the liner too.

Paid $2

Quilting How-to Books…these are for me. My dream has always been to make a crazy quilt using men’s ties.

Paid $4 for all.

Recipe Books and loose recipes…

in a free pile at a yard sale.

Novelty Tape Measure inside a Sewing Machine Figurine

Am I the only one who can’t see a glaring problem with something until after they get it home?

See all that white stuff on the front? That’s where paint has worn off. I swear I never saw it.

Until. I. Got. Home.

That’s why it was only 50¢.

Duh.

But I have a plan for fixing it.

And it only cost me $10.99

I always wanted one of these tall candle pillar things.

Just picture it painted white with distressed brown showing through.

Paid $5

Vintage Patterns

I can’t resist those either.

50¢ each

Vintage Powder Jar

I love girly girl things even though I’m not girly girl.

Paid $3

This is a wooden canister thingy with a handle. I’ve had it a while. Still don’t know what to do with it.

Any ideas?

Paid $4.99

Furniture Picks

Twin Pair Nightstands

I’ve been working all week on these getting ready to take to my booth.

Customers at our store want only matchy-matchy, so that’s what I look for. (Nothing in my house matches.)

Paid $15 for both. I had to do a bit of haggling to get them down from $30.

Round Drum Table

Yard sale find

Planning on staining the top.

Tip: Using Oxalic Acid (wood bleach) or Bar Keeper’s Friend gets black water stains out of wood.

Paid $10

Long Dresser with Mirror

Downside of this is that it’s crackle finish. Hubby wants me to take it in as is, but I don’t like the crackle.

Question for furniture people: Is it totally out, or is crackle still desirable?

Paid $50

Tall Fern Stand we got at the same sale.

Just needs a paint job & it’s good to go.

Do I have a thing for fern stands, or what?

Paid $5

Cute Ladies’ Desk

I found this in Demopolis at a thrift store.

Paid $40, which was about 20 more than I wanted to spend, but whaddaya do?

I lucked up on this at a yard sale.

French Provincial Nightstand

Paid $12

Needs a makeover, and all that takes is time.

Antique Buffet

Found this on Facebook Marketplace

Paid $80, which was about $60 more than it was worth.

It was broken apart in every place it was possible to be broken and still stand up.

If it wasn’t for “handy hubby,” who fixed everything, I don’t know what I would have done.

But it is old.

I swear I didn’t see this damage either. Maybe I should have that cataract surgery after all.

Well that’s it friends. Don’t forget to answer my questions.

Please Pin!

Camping Trip Thrift Store Haul

August 2, 2019 by Florence 21 Comments

Camped by the beautiful shores of West Point Lake near LaGrange, Georgia, no trip could ever be complete without checking out the local sites…mainly Salvation Army and Goodwill!

Grand Southern mansions abound, but my sights were set on several weekly visits to Salvation Army, Goodwill, a local salvage shop, and whatever estate sales I could find, LOL.

With the lake as a backdrop, and an old picnic table and the back of the plastic tablecloth as my setup, here are the first wonderful finds!

Thrift Store Haul

Vintage Train Case…

in near perfect condition!

$3.99

With the tray too! I couldn’t resist.

What do you think of train cases? Are they still selling in your opinion?

Vintage Colander

$2.99

Vintage Rolling Pin…

I got this from the estate sale, and I caved because of the beautiful red handles. Another shopper asked where it was as I was carrying it around…confirmation of a good find.

Another estate sale find…

3 Natural Fiber Trivets

Set 12 Brass Napkin Rings.

These are in pretty good shape, but I’ll give them a bit of a polish.

$2.99

Shabby Chic Floral Tray…

another find I couldn’t resist! (a bit of damage on the back, which I have a solution for) was the reason I got it so cheap.

99¢

Wooden Shelf with Fretwork…

…destined for a makeover.

$1.99

Boxed Note Cards

I’ll give these a try on Ebay. Someone told me note cards were pretty good sellers. I haven’t tried them yet. We’ll see.

$2.99

Fly Fishing Note Cards

I wasn’t sure about these, but hubby said get them. You can’t see it very well, but they’re embossed with a fly fishing reel…kinda cute and masculine looking. But do men write notes???

$1.99

Pink Chevron Scarf

This is for a project I have in mind.

$1.99

Set of Twin Sheets

…for use in the same project

Basket Pedestal

I plan on keeping this for a while.

$1.99

Mug Tree

I plan to paint and display some cute mugs on this. I’ve never tried one of these before.

$1.49

A Vintage Sewing Basket

$2.99

I swore I’d never buy another one of these…but I caved when…

…I saw how good a shape the inside was in. And I swear I never saw the poodle until I was taking photos for this post!

And now for my prize find!

Vintage Paris Poodle Train Case

$4.99

Before I even got out of the store, 2 people commented on how cute it was!

What do you think and which is your favorite?

PLEASE PIN!

The Latest Fun Finds

May 26, 2019 by Florence 25 Comments

These mostly estate sale finds are from over the last month or two.

I swore off yard sales because they’re mostly either ~

Kids’ toys (where the kids aren’t through playing with them 😀 and practically push you away if you dare to touch)

Clothes

PURE junky junk…and I don’t mean the good kind. 😉

But I broke down and went to a few yard sales a couple of weekends ago (reminding myself again that nothing good can be found there).

However…

Not all yard sales are bad~

Like these~

FREE Dog Treats!

And our Leo loves his treats!

And next best he loves his toys…so he can TOTALLY kill them.

50¢ each on these. But they won’t last long.

I’m Going to Keep These~

I almost hate it when I find stuff I plan to keep…at least for a while…like these:

(Maybe I’ll get around to watching these DVD’s).

$2/ea, so I spent $12 on DVDs…not good, when you’re a reseller, and don’t keep anything.

When I noticed they were $2/ea, I found a good many I could live without…like the Rockettes Christmas Show, which I’ve already seen in person, and on youtube.

And what are the chances of finding 2 almost identical vintage parrot pillows in 2 different places??

I kinda liked these…

$2 for this pillow

And 50¢ for a Parrot pillow cover. I couldn’t resist.

Do I have a parrot? No.

Have I ever had a parrot? No.

So on to the stuff I plan to sell…

I never turn down a Vintage Mirror Tray. I found this the last day at an estate sale. I don’t know why it was still there.

Cost: $2

I usually buy fabric if it’s cheap and cute. It has to meet both those requirements for me to buy.

Cost for all 3: 50¢

Dahling, I can’t even remembah when I got my hot little hands on a vintage corset!! (SOLD)

And it was still there the last day!!

Cost: $2

I also never turn down a vintage Hollywood Regency tissue box cover.

Sh-h, now don’t tell anyone. At the last 2 estate sales, on the last day, these vintage tissue box covers were the only thing left in the bathroom.

Cost: $1.65

At the next place, the whole house was totally cleaned OUT, and this was the only thing left in the bathroom.

And I grabbed it.

And they were going to charge me a dollar for this on the last day?

No mam.

Cost: 55¢

So here’s a brass mouse figurine with a curly tail. So cute. But I’m finding that figurines just don’t sell very well.

Because a lot of the buying public are young women who don’t want something to dust. They’re minimalists now.

So why did I buy a brass mouse with a curly tail? He was just so darn cute. But I might be stuck with him.

I don’t want something to dust either.

Cost: 50¢

Same goes for these lovely figurines. But they were such a great bargain.

I found these on the last day at an estate sale where a guy was serious about getting rid of everything. The next 3 things came from that sale.

This is called “Flight into Egypt” and by Goebel, West Germany. Perfect condition.

$2.50 for both of these.

And he threw this in…a music box (broken piece on the back), but I’ve sold broken and cracked, repaired, and less than perfect.

Cost: $1.25

A genuine Hummel Joseph from 1951 in perfect condition & sold.

Cost: $1.25

I couldn’t resist these plastic plate holders. They’re kind of funky, and would look great on a wall for a boho look.

Cost: $1.65

And I may have let my heart rule over my head here. I love these Victorian-ish (or maybe they’re 1920’s) hat pin holders! I’ve always wanted one…to sell not to keep. I found them in an attic.

I’m definitely embarrassed to tell you what I paid for these.

Cost: $10 (ugh yes).

After my head cleared, I wondered if the young-woman-buying-public is gonna want hat pin holders?
What do you think?

Here’s another fun find. My hubby really doesn’t want me to sell this, but he doesn’t need it.

A vintage winding travel alarm clock…very nice quality.

Cost: $1

And lastly, a vintage Chatty Cathy red coat and headband.

Cost: $5.50

The 50¢ is tax at the estate sale. Are you having to pay tax at estate sales now? I’m not happy about that at all. Bummer.

Hope you enjoyed the latest fun finds! I have more to show you and updates on sales will be in an upcoming post.

To see more vintage goodness, check out these posts:

Vintage Estate Sale Haul

Favorite Weekend Junking Finds Birmingham

And I Got All This for Only $10!

The “I Splurged” Vintage Haul

Show me a little love & pin!

And I Got All This for Only $10!

March 17, 2019 by Florence 24 Comments

Saying a giant hello to all my new subscribers to the blog! So glad you’re here!

And a big hello to everyone else! It’s been a long time since I’ve written, and I have lots to tell y’all. Just to catch you up, I’ve been downsizing for the last year, so I haven’t allowed myself to go to any estate or yard sales. How could I possibly add to the junk I already had???

We’re downsizing, yes, but since we decided not to move yet, I decided it was OK to go shopping again. I about exhausted all the treasures I could scrounge up out of the house. It was time!

You know I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel when I list things like my mom’s 1930’s Commencement Invitations in my Vintage Southern Picks Etsy shop (I found in my mom’s keepsakes), but you never know what someone may be interested in..for mixed media and art projects and stuff.

Anyway we went just a bit further afield that our usual stomping grounds because that’s where everybody else goes. In fact, in another post I shared 5 Reasons I Go Picking Out of Town. I tell you it pays off just about every time!

Don’t Forget to Stop and Smell the Roses!

Here’s another sale we enjoyed so much mainly for the beautiful weather and drive. On the way we discovered an unknown gem my local readers may like to know about…a Mennonite Bakery outside the small town of Falkville, Alabama called The Dutch Oven Bakery. They have every pastry and confection known to man; they serve lunch, and it’s all delicious…definitely worth a trip!

You’ll know you’re in the right place by that colorful line of metal yard art!

But Back to the Sale…

For all my local readers, this fabulous sale was in Forestdale, and I was thrilled to get all this for only $10!

I literally sloshed through mud to get there too.

Lovely Vintage Finds

Vintage Arpege eau de Lanvin Perfume

Vintage Brillantine Hair Pomade…

Just picture John Travolta’s hair in “Grease,” and you automatically know what this will do for you!!

Vintage Merthiolate Bottle.

You mean real Merthiolate that Mama painted my knees with when I was a kid, and it burned like fire??!!

Do people actually use this stuff? Yes they do!

I already sold 4 bottles of it I found in a vintage first aid box a couple of years ago. You can read all about those lucky finds right here.

As I understand it, the real vintage Merthiolate is no longer sold. What’s now sold is apparently made with a new formula.

There were concerns someone was going to get mercury poisoning from using the vintage kind. I mean, COME ON…ya really think anyone would get mercury poisoning from using 2-3 drops??

So all those school age kids that came up for decades through the ranks and grew up never actually got mercury poisoning, but the FDA took it off the market. Go figure.

So I was thrilled to find 2 of ’em.

Now there’s only a bazillion of these Vintage Glass Eye Cups on Etsy, so we’ll see.

Vintage Emeraude Powder Box…empty, but gorgeously papered.

Another gorgeous powder box, made of celluloid.

Don’t you love that pretty pearlescent lid? I’ve never seen one like it!

Vintage Evyan “White Shoulders” Powder (the person who lived here loved her powder!)

Vintage Hickok box, which is the kind of thing cuff links might come in & very collectible.

Vintage 40’s Sewing Pattern…cut and complete.

Vintage Injector Razor Blades

Razor blades! You gotta be kidding! Why razor blades?

I dunno, but men are particular about their shaves & blades. It would have been better if this were a name brand, but you take what you can get.

Vintage Bates List Finders are getting harder to find!

Another Bates List Finder in the original box.

So what are Bates List Finders? These are actually pop-up phone number & address files, likely dating from the 40’s-50’s era. People still use them.

Like I said, she loved her powder. This is an old Avon powder jar, holding Avon powder & puff.

Do people buy used powder? Yes they do. Not as quickly as that not opened, but they do.

4 Vintage Hoosier Cabinet style spice storage jars. I haven’t cleaned them up yet.

A vintage Evyan Gift Set containing “White Shoulders” fragrances

7 Vintage wooden coat hangers, some with ads

A satin peach quilted vintage jewelry box…

….and a matching peach satin covered glove or hankie box…

And lastly, a plastic basket full of extra large hang tags for the crafter who wants to make artistic tags out of them…so many things you can do with these.

All this for $10! What do you think?

I’d Love it If You’d Pin!