I had no intention of posting today because I wasn't going to too many sales, and we've got a busy weekend ahead. But fate intervened. If you can stand my long-winded story, there might be a payoff for you at the end.
I went to an estate sale this morning because it was only a mile away, and I like the lady who does the sale. All of the antique dealers complain endlessly about her prices. However, they never miss her sales, and in fact line up hours before she puts out her list so they can make their own list to get on the official list. It's not uncommon for this activity to take four or five hours. Nothing short of a house full of Jadeite marked a quarter a piece could induce me to wait four hours for a list.
Once in the house, the dealers walk around empty-handed and gripe about how much everything costs. It's the walking, talking definition of insanity if you ask me, but they haven't. I was #41 on the list and did more than fine. I found a box under a table, and on top of it was what you see in the picture above: Gurley Christmas candles, which I adore, and tiny Shiny Brites, which I've been accumulating for a project. I didn't care if there was anything else in the box. Suffice it to say that what I paid for the box was what I was willing to pay if only the candles had been inside.
When I got the box home, I unpacked it, and found a good-sized box in the bottom, marked "Fragile." I was hopeful there might be something good wrapped in the tissue paper inside. I wasn't optimistic, though, because this was a really clean, well-organized sale, and finding a hidden treasure seemed unlikey. I unwrapped this flower basket ornament, and then another ornament, and honestly, I think my hands started to shake. And then I got my camera.
A whole box of old glass figural ornaments. Not real, real old - not the early 1900s ones that are so light they feel like they'll float away - but some really nice ones from the 1940s and 50s.
A heart with a butterfly.
A tiny vintage Volkswagen.
A duck. Or some kind of water bird.
And a stork, who needs his feathery tail replaced but is otherwise perfect. In all, there were 30 ornaments in the box: snowmen, Santas, a creepy-looking clown (but I think all clowns are kinda creepy), horns, teapots, houses and churches. I'm a happy girl today.
Here's the deal. I've got a wild week ahead. My mom and dad are leaving Monday, and my sister-in-law is arriving Wednesday to help us move my mother-in-law. Then a long-lost relative and her family are popping in next weekend for a visit. Oh, yeah, and work. And kids. And the house and yard. You know. And I don't like to abandon my blog for days on end.
So here's my plan: A couple of times this week, I'll post some more pictures of my ornaments. Probably without much commentary, because I'm pretty much talked out at this point, but who knows? Since it seems obnoxious of me to flaunt my find without sharing, I'm doing a giveaway. Just leave a comment on this post (not the ones to come), and I'll pick a name at random next Sunday and send that person an ornament. Please don't ask for a particular one, OK? It will just make me feel guilty if it's not one I necessarily want to part with. I promise it won't be the creepy clown. Good luck! And send some lucky wishes back to me, because I think I might need them this week.
Those are awesome!! Especially the little duck/bird and the churches!
Posted by: Wendy | July 19, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Can I enter even if I don't have a blog? Your blog is a favorite. You have such great luck in finding treasures. Christmas treasures like that bring back such memories of being a kid...
Posted by: Judy | July 19, 2008 at 01:07 PM
How lucky can you get WOW!!! I would of been over the moon!!
They are so gorgeous!!
Diane
Posted by: Diane ( Crafty Passions) | July 19, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Oh my goodness, I was right with you when you said your hands started to shake! How amazing to unwrap such treasures! I remember having those little candles at Christmas - the choir ones.
--Vicki K
Posted by: Vicki K | July 19, 2008 at 02:03 PM
What a great find! Your tree will look fabulous this year!
Wishing you all the luck (and peace and calmth and strength, looks like you could use some of that too) to help you through this busy week.
Posted by: Geertrude | July 19, 2008 at 02:29 PM
What a great find. Hope you have a great week.
Posted by: Becky | July 19, 2008 at 02:38 PM
The ornaments are lovely.
Good luck this week!
Posted by: Sarah | July 19, 2008 at 03:53 PM
That is one of the best estate sale finds ever! What a lovely surprise to find those in the box. I will be looking forward to seeing the rest, but these are quite wonderful as it is!!
Posted by: karla nathan | July 19, 2008 at 03:57 PM
lovely finds! and good luck on your week--sounds like a good but busy one.
Posted by: pasha plum | July 19, 2008 at 04:06 PM
I love your candles!
I had never heard of Gurley candles before visiting your blog but after seeing how cute they were on ebay I have been searching my flea markets for them! I've found one little angel but I really fell in love with the halloween ones!
GOOD LUCK this week!
With everything you have going on it should at least make the week go by faster! Then it's back to the sales!
Posted by: Lindsey | July 19, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Sounds like a very busy week ahead! Hope all goes well. Love all your Christmas goodies! My hands would have been shaking too!
Posted by: debbie | July 19, 2008 at 04:22 PM
I cannot believe all of those ornaments were in one piece.
What a great giveaway. Thanks.
Posted by: oliveoyl64 | July 19, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Wonderful ornaments. I find one here and one there, but never even two at one place. You were very lucky to have gone out today!
Posted by: Shara | July 19, 2008 at 05:46 PM
Great find! You're so nice to share!
Posted by: Carla | July 19, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Wow! Wish I had been at that sale! You did really well, thanks for sharing the photos and excuse the drool on the message.
Have a wonderful week
maggie
Posted by: margaret Parks | July 19, 2008 at 07:43 PM
How nice of you to share!!!! I love the old ornaments.
Posted by: Vicki | July 19, 2008 at 09:13 PM
I hope your week goes well. You found some treasures there!
Posted by: Ceekay | July 19, 2008 at 09:43 PM
You have renewed my faith in yard sales. There has been a slow down around here lately, so I was happy to see that you had a terrific surprise today. Congratulations, and by the way, about the clowns...most of the people in this family feel the same way you do...I don't mind them myself, but my mother in law and oldest daughter find them creepy too. Enjoy your company. Susan
Posted by: susans at black eyed susans kitchen | July 19, 2008 at 09:54 PM
What a score! I've never seen so many interesting and unbroken old ornaments in one place. Ho ho ho!
Posted by: Beth Leintz | July 19, 2008 at 10:12 PM
oh I would have been giddy with excitement! Great finds! Good luck with all the visitors!
Posted by: Robin~Thrifty Miss Priss | July 19, 2008 at 10:14 PM