It's really hard to get something at an auction for a dollar. Auctioneers never want to start the bidding that low, and even if they do, there's always somebody who will bid against you just for sport.
So when the auctioneer said "Anybody gotta buck for this table?" and I was the only one who raised my card, I knew one of two things had to be true. Either there was something really wrong with the table, or everybody else was missing the boat.
To be fair, the original paint job was somewhat lacking. But I thought there was a kind of great folk-art quality to the table. See what it's made out of? The top and the shelf look like the ends of a fruit crate.
And the spindles are little blocks of wood alternating with wooden spools that were threaded on a metal rod. Forty-four wooden spools, to be exact. I had time to look when I was painting today.
When I was done, I finally had my answer. I think everybody else was missing the boat.
* counting down the days to the yard sale season with finds that cost a dollar or less
So clever! I have been gathering a small collection of homemade items...I love thread holders and small bookshelves [made in shop class?] I have a homemade green side table and a grey box rescued from the curb.But I don't think I have anything as cute or clever as your table. And the price was right! I guess the other bidders just couldn't see the potential in it. Good thing you have an eye for what could be. And besides, it was very lovingly made by someone who spent a lot of time on it. Aren't those the best things after all? I love when a piece speaks to you like that!
Posted by: julie | April 04, 2008 at 11:01 PM
So clever! I have been gathering a small collection of homemade items...I love thread holders and small bookshelves [made in shop class?] I have a homemade green side table and a grey box rescued from the curb.But I don't think I have anything as cute or clever as your table. And the price was right! I guess the other bidders just couldn't see the potential in it. Good thing you have an eye for what could be. And besides, it was very lovingly made by someone who spent a lot of time on it. Aren't those the best things after all? I love when a piece speaks to you like that!
Posted by: julie | April 04, 2008 at 11:03 PM
So clever! I have been gathering a small collection of homemade items...I love thread holders and small bookshelves [made in shop class?] I have a homemade green side table and a grey box rescued from the curb.But I don't think I have anything as cute or clever as your table. And the price was right! I guess the other bidders just couldn't see the potential in it. Good thing you have an eye for what could be. And besides, it was very lovingly made by someone who spent a lot of time on it. Aren't those the best things after all? I love when a piece speaks to you like that!
Posted by: julie | April 04, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Where do you find all these crazy auctions? I am trying to picture it...I may have to come up there just to go with you one of these days! Spring super trash day is coming! I will keep my eye out for you. It is when all the students leave for the summer. Because it is so hard to move here and have a car, it is cheaper to just put the stuff out in the trash and buy new stuff that to move it. We have found some treasures. Can't wait now that you have me counting down the days haha. Love Stacy
Posted by: Stacy A | April 04, 2008 at 11:26 PM
It's a keeper- thank goodness not everyone thinks everything we think is great is great- does that even make SENSE?
I mean- I'm always glad when I'm the only one bidding and I get something for a dollar!
Posted by: Beth Leintz | April 05, 2008 at 01:37 AM
Well, that is just AWESOME for a buck! Shoot, I'd pay FIVE bucks!
Posted by: Kathi D | April 05, 2008 at 01:49 PM
I got up this morning and to my suprise it was yard sale day in my city! I don't know how it got passed me! I took my 4 year old with me and she is totally hooked! It's funny because all I could think of while I was driving around was your blog LOL!
Posted by: Gail | April 05, 2008 at 04:58 PM
What color did you use?
I bought something this morning I want to paint, and instead of my usual pink I was actually thinking a green like that.
Posted by: Sarah | April 05, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Great story and the project looks good too.
Good luck on the upcoming yard sale season.
Posted by: Lisa | April 05, 2008 at 08:05 PM
What a steal! I love the color you picked to paint it.
For your daily dose of vintage goodness a bit of silliness, stop by Confessions of an Apron Queen, the home of Vintage Thingies Thursdays.
Posted by: Lisa/The Apron Queen | April 06, 2008 at 12:55 AM
What a lot of work someone put into that little table! I love the color and I think it's cute!
Posted by: robin~thrifty miss priss | April 06, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Too cute! I love bargains like that! Last year, I scored an adorable antique Singer sewing cabinet for a dollar, and I remember feeling the same way. Was everyone else missing out on a great deal, or did they know something I didn't? Turns out to be one of the best buys I ever made - the vintage Singer machine is in perfect working order and came with all sorts of neat ol' sewing notions! Viva la deal!
Posted by: Gabrielle Smith | April 09, 2008 at 02:23 PM