Vintage Junk in My Trunk

Oh, Yard Sales, Yard Sales, Wherefore Art Thou, Yard Sales?

I was really looking forward to the first Saturday in April, and the plethora of yard sales that usually come along with it. I'm not really sure what's happening, but there were only a couple of sales listed.

The weather has not been cooperative, as it was still chilly and extremely windy, but the sun was out! I suppose the cold days are keeping folks from going through their things and making piles -- I know it's stopping me from organizing the Clover hoard on my enclosed deck -- but I was really hoping for a long day of sales.

 

Instead I got this one lonely purchase. Oh, well, it's better than nothing. I plan on painting it shabby chic white and hauling it with me to Clover Market. Which is next Sunday, by the way. Have I mentioned the hoard on my deck?

 

 

Fortunately, Thursday was a better day, and I scored a bunch of fine vintage items  (suitcase and yellow box are my props) during my Flea Market visit. I know this Halloween cat would score me some big bucks -- perfect vintage condition, and a rarity -- but I sort of love it. So it's a keeper. I also bought the "18" for myself, since it's my lucky number, but upon reflection, a little too "racecar" for me. I'm on the fence about the scale too. There are only about twelve of them right here in my general vicinity, but the color is divine.

 

I may have gone a bit wild with the vintage figurines, but the price was right and I see them flying off of the Instagram sale pages. The iridescent birds are Enesco (Japan) with original label and the fuzzy cat is a Josef Originals, but the pink and black cow sugar bowl is my favorite find of this lot. The pink porcelain bell around her neck sealed the deal. I probably paid more than I should have, but I think she's REALLY old. I can't find anything like it online. Anybody have one?

 

More figurines, some ironstone, and a giant squirrel cookie jar. All for sale except for the Japan deer planter, of which I'm very enamored. I am going to hold on to her until the holidays and see how she looks with my reindeer gang.

 

 

Because I knew I would be heading to the flea market on Thursday, and in anticipation of lots of yard sales on Saturday, I tried to keep my thrift store shopping down to one day. Finding all of this on Tuesday -- some Christmas, a green metal toolbox, black Couroc skier plate, even the trolls -- made that decision easier.

 

 

Off to make some roasted asparagus and a big tray of pineapple stuffing! Enjoy the holiday!

 

Spring has Yet to Sprung

The last time you heard from me, I had just finished my first Clover Winter Market. Six weeks later, there hasn't been too much to report.

It's been a cold and snowy winter, and today was the official start of the yard sale season with a neighboring town-wide. Sadly, there was SNOW in the forecast and, with only an expected high of 42 degrees, the sale was postponed.

We managed to find a few sellers who stuck it out. I found this very old Philadelphia Mummers three-tiered umbrella. The cats are VERY interested in the feathery trim. And the ribbons. Oh, those ribbons.

We already have a few rusty vintage wagons in our yard, but I couldn't just leave this one behind.

This handmade dollhouse was the deal of the day, and included a bunch of furniture. I envisioned flipping this piece of real estate on Facebook, but my daughter had other ideas. It's been confiscated already, with new flooring (scrapbook paper) already installed.

So what have I been doing with myself lately? Most of my time has been spent selling on Facebook auction sites and on my Instagram page. I try to keep my thrift store shopping to once a week, since I'm still trying to whittle down my inventory.

We had an international visitor earlier this month as the entertaining Aussie Tamarah of Shabby Vintage Junk spend a few days with us before heading to Portland and Texas for a month's worth of junking. I'll tell you more about our visit soon.

I post at least once a day to both my Facebook and Instagram pages; if you're looking to find me on a regular basis that will be your best bet. One photo and a couple of lines are so much quicker, easier, and more instantly gratifying than a detailed blog post. No worries, though; my presence here will increase as the spring weather and yard sales start to bloom.

Vintage Christmas Mother Lode

I still have a ton of June treasures to show you. In addition to the plethora of summer yard sales, we went to more weekday and Sunday fleas than usual. So get ready!

I couldn't believe my luck when I found these old sleds at a yard sale. Even more spectacular? They were priced at a dollar each!

And although that was an amazing find, this little wood reindeer and sleigh is even better! Isn't he adorable? Most of my vintage Christmas finds head straight to my Vintage Christmas Junk shop, but not him!

That same day, I hit the vintage Christmas mother lode. This is all from one sale!

Two boxes of red candoliers, which I don't typically see, a plastic tree topper…

A giant Santa head and snowman blow mold…

Scary handmade styrofoam crafts and clip-on Santas…

A box of corsages and picks, another tree topper, nativity set, and the usual assortment of Shiny Brites.

Looks like I have plenty of inventory for my Christmas in July Etsy listings. Which start tomorrow -- yikes!

I am trying not to buy as many plates as I normally do, but couldn't resist this lot of vintage blues.

My Saturday is not complete until I find a typewriter. Or until Mr. VJIMT finds me a typewriter.

Don't worry, he also finds plenty of stuff for himself.

Yard Sale Finds – June

I am determined to catch up on my June treasures here before the end of the month! It's been tough with a busy yard sale season, Clover Markets, end-of-school activities and a big birthday number for me and Little Miss VJIMT. Lots to blog about!

I found this whole box of old photos at one sale and started sorting through them.

Don't know what I'm going to do with them or how to sell them, but I love the Christmas ones!

This one cracks me up.

Love the skier!

Here are the rest of our finds. You can't see them, but there are two great suitcases piled up under all that stuff. Not as good as the ones Melissa's Antiques found recently, but still.

Little box of bits and pieces for crafting and a vintage beaded plant holder. I had to ask what it was on my Instagram page and luckily, Monkeybox Shara had the answer!

A couple of wedding cake toppers from the 1960s, Christmas bells and linens, and a white rabbit fur stole.

Adorable Christmas mouse guy, some silverplate, a tin shovel, and a sweet blue/green teapot. 

I bought these Victorian cast iron claw and glass ball feet off of a local vintage-selling Facebook page -- I've always thought they were pretty cool. Don't know what to do with them though -- too heavy for jewelry yet too light for bookends. Any ideas?

Oh, yeah, this pale green vintage wicker desk and chair too. It was a great deal!

Flea Market Finds – June

Here we are, mid-June already! Let's get caught up on the sales for the month. 

These purchases were made at Flea Market Thursday, except that it was Sunday. I haven't been able to get there on Thursdays due to kid stuff and uncooperative weather. Sundays aren't as good vintage-wise, but it's still fun to be walking around and taking in the sights.

Because you never know what you're gonna see at the flea market. Like this guy standing atop his truck hustling for customers. My favorite part was the basket he would pull up and down to retrieve his payments.

Once I was less distracted, I found some vintage Christmas items. These teardrop-shaped ornaments are frosted and glittered.

I rooted through a box full of bits and pieces to find these Halloween and Christmas picks.

I have a giant hoard of mercury glass garland. It's one of my favorite things to find. Not sure why; I don't do anything with them!

A fellow Etsy Vintage Team member purchased this heavy metal letter B after she saw it on my Facebook page.

This large aqua Butterprint Pyrex Cinderella bowl was also featured there and a local friend scooped it up to add to her collection.

This cute little embroidered dog made it into my shop and the Etsy Project Listings.

All kinds of fun things! And one of these days I'm going to come home with a parakeet. Be forewarned, Mr. VJIMT!

Madonna, Mercury Glass and a Milk Glass Milk Bottle

May was such a good month for yard sales -- I am still trying to catch you up! This little haul was from one of those good days.

The big and chippy vintage Madonna statue was the first thing sold at Clover Market the next morning (by the way, the last one of the spring season is Sunday, June 8, in Chestnut Hill, PA).

Love this milk glass milk bottle -- keeping!

Gorgeous swirly typography!

Some vintage Christmas, pretty lace, and aqua insulators.

A bunch of vintage Christmas mercury glass ball corsages.

Plaster chicken and egg mold.

 

Nice ironstone sugar jar, even with its handle repair. And I NEVER pass up a beloved Nancy Drew book.

Next up, May's Clover Market!

Aqua Ball Jars and a Turquoise Convertible

As I mentioned in my previous post, you can get a quicker glimpse of my vintage finds if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram. I am new to the Instagram game, so please bear with me! If you are an experienced user, any tips you can send my way will be most appreciated.

Here's another treasure you may have missed --

Isn't it amazing? I found it the same day I found those adorable reindeer blow molds.

More amazing -- it wasn't even our first pedal car of the week. Mr. VJIMT had purchased this one at our first Clover Market. Yes, we're supposed to be SELLING, not BUYING, but who could resist?

We got lots more stuff on that yard sale day. I thought it best to split into two posts so as not to overwhelm you!

Some ironstone and a cool little table.

A bunch of Ball (and Atlas) jars, with glass lids and metal bales.

And more!

I can't get this suitcase opened! But it's very cute!

Woman with dog print, bowling pin, scale part, cocktail shaker…

Magnolia print, electric clock, miner lamp, vintage Christmas and Halloween…

Popeye toy ukelele, small aqua insulators…

Metal t-square, bird pottery, dice…

It was quite a morning!

Rummage Sales and Reindeer Blow Molds

May turned out to be a great month for treasure hunting! It started off with an unanticipated church rummage sale.

I only found out about the sale the night before, so it was a pleasant Thursday distraction. Here's what I got -- it took me longer to find a parking spot than it did to gather up this stuff!

Mr. VJIMT painted the urn/planter thing white. I'm not sure how vintage it is, but it's a solid piece and will look great with some bright flowers in it.

The next day, I found not one, but TWO rare (for these parts) Friday yard sales.

You've already seen me list the Hazel Atlas Moderntone Platonite Pastel Pink Plates and Tea Cups, and the seahorse drinking glasses. 

The movie camera sold in a blink of an eye at our second Clover Market, which I haven't gotten to posting about yet. It's been a busy month!

Mr. VJIMT made chalkboards out of these cool doors.

Next was our usual Saturday yard sale day. This find was NOT usual, however! 

Aren't they adorable?

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you saw it as it happened! Click on the links so you don't miss the next treasure!

A Scandinavian Pew and a Primitive Cupboard

Remember that town-wide sale from last month in which we had only two hours to shop? We picked up a few other things that day that I forgot to show you!

Like this colorful granny square afghan.

And this giant blue and white lidded crock, with spout.

At one point, we split up and I came home to find Mr. VJIMT pulling this huge Scandinavian-designed church pew out of his not-so-huge SUV.

Pretty good yard sale find, huh?

But this was by far my favorite treasure of the day. No, it's not just a vintage glass doorknob and escutcheon. Although I do like them.

Not just a primitive architecture element, although that would be cool too.

Or a sectioned- and glass-paned door. Always a good thing.

Imagine putting all those things together (which Mr. VJIMT literally had to do once we got it home, as the door had no hinges), plus a bookcase form with a wainscotted back. 

It would look something like this: an amazing handmade primitive bookcase with glass door cupboard thing! 

We keep putting it in the Clover pile and then taking it back out!

It's staying here for a while.

Snowmen, Suitcases, and the Scarlett Letter

A couple of weeks ago, our small town held it's community-wide yard sale. Unfortunately, it also coincided with a family event and, sadly, a funeral for a friend's brother. We had to start early and could only allot two hours to the sale.

But I think we did okay.

Some mini-Christmas ornaments.

Holly and poinsettia tablecloth.

An adorable apron featuring Mr. and Mrs. Snowman.

I'm not an apron kind of gal, but Betty Lou sure is.

Ironstone lidded bowl, vintage globe, Royal Haeger orange leaf ashtray, Boston pencil sharpener, Romanian glass decanter, hideous foam snowman.

This snowman follows the Plucky Maiden mantra of "crafted by a person with too much time on their hands."

Linens.

And lace. Tons of lace.

Cameras!

Vintage ads.

Books, including an edition of "The Scarlett Letter" compliments of the Hotel Taft in New York.

"Scat, Scat" has some sweet illustrations.

All kinds of cases and bags. 

This isn't vintage, but it was made in Italy and I am keeping it for myself.

But I'm selling these at Clover Market tomorrow.

Little Miss VJIMT almost hyperventilated when she saw this -- "Another baby head?!? I thought I asked you to get rid of them because they're creepy!"

So not creepy.