Spring flings

Finally I can say something I've been wanting to say for months.

I went to a good estate sale!

Friday's estate sale was sort of like one of those warmish days you get in spring - really, it's not that great, but after a long winter, you'll take what you can get. There were lots of cute toys there, and all of these are already in Etsy or will be on eBay by Monday night. More on my business-first attitude in a moment.

First, let's take a moment to admire the Renwal The Little Hospital Nursery Set. Cute in its own weird little way, and not in a way that tempts me to keep it.

There was a little Christmas, but it was somewhat disorganized, so I wasn't quite sure what I had until I got home.

What I had were bubble lights. In my many years of Christmas collecting, do you know how many times I've bought bubble lights? Until Friday, never. I overcame my fear of vintage electrical items and tested these. They work. I'm happy.

Also in the box was an adorable parachute toy. See his silk parachute in the sack on his back?

Since the sale was nearby, I returned later in the day and picked up this colorful top. It's adorable, but I have no need of vintage nursery decorations. It did serve to amuse the pets briefly, however.

I picked up another box of Christmas jumble and found what everybody finds in boxes of Christmas jumble: glass bead garland, tiny glass ornaments, bottle brush trees, and a glittery bird that needs a beak transplant.

Also, one of those dangly wreath ornaments that I just adore. The foil has worn off the paper mache bells in places, and underneath is newspaper with Japanese characters. It's the paper mache equivalent of patina.

I also found a Halloween noisemaker. Any day that brings a Halloween noisemaker is a good one.

On Saturday morning, I woke up early and headed to Parts Unknown, N.Y. It would have been a very nice day except for a few things.

1. I got outbid on a fabulous box of feedsacks. However, I knew I was going to get outbid, so I bid it up to $490 and stopped. Honestly, it was a fabulous box, but not $500 worth of fabulous.

2. I got outbid on a fabulous collection of apron patterns. However, once again, I knew I was going to get outbid, so I went to $190 and stopped.

3. On the way home, I had the comfort of not being $680 poorer. I have to say, it's not quite as much fun as spending wads of money. But it made a lot more sense business-wise. I probably could have recouped my investment. But it would have been close. And I would have had a lot of money tied up in inventory in the meantime. See? It's the new businesslike me!

4. Also, it was a good thing I was not distracted by being $680 poorer, because I got rather lost on the way home (my phone, and thus the GPS, died) and I was forced to rely on my marginal navigational skills. In a driving rainstorm. In heavy traffic, in sections. But I got home safe and sound. 90 minutes later than I should have, but safe and sound.

I did buy some things I liked, including a huge recipe collection. (I don't quite know why, but there is money to be made on recipe collections.)

Nine or ten boxes worth. If there's a particular recipe you're looking for, there's a pretty good chance I have it. (That sounds dangerously close to me offering to look up recipes for you. Here's a better idea: Use the Internet.)

And while everyone else was buzzing over the feedsack and the apron patterns, I and I alone spotted the big box o' Christmas. And got it for almost nothing.

There were more ornaments in it than I thought.

Quite a few more.

Well, you get the idea.

How many days is it until next weekend? I'm ready to start all over again.

 

 
 

Comments

[Musings from Kim K.]

Be still my heart. I never EVER find vintage Halloween. Love that noisemaker. Heck, I love all your stuff. Glad you made it home safe and sound and are ready to do it all over again next weekend.

[Erica]

Woo hoo for all the vintage Christmas. And that Halloween noise maker isn't too shabby either!

Erica

[Lavender Dreams]

You know I always love your beautiful vintage Christmas finds...but oh the doll house furniture is great! I'm going to start collecting some, but haven't found anything yet. I'll keep an eye on your Etsy store! Enjoy your week! Hugs!

[laurie magpie ethel]

The patina on the paper mache bells..well said. Great weekend treasures and loving ALL THAT HOLIDAY. My-oh-my!!

[vintage grey]

What a great sale you hit! It has been so long since I have been to a good one. The parachute boy is is sweet! I have those cute Commodore Christmas place holders! They are so cute and small! Have a great week! xo Heather

[Margaret]

I had that hospital nursery set when I was about 9. Am I old, or what? I associate it with my grandfather and a trip to Atlantic City. Fun to see it again. Seriously envious of the Christmas stuff which I have sworn off (sort of).

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

Still waiting to say those magic words myself. I've been to tons of estate sales, and the pickings have been super slim. Glad to see you've finally had some luck, and I'm hoping to see some of those beautiful ornies in your much anticipated, end-of-year awards show!

[Jill]

Ha! about the recipe looking up offer...pretty great sale finds!

[Melissa]

I have been following your blog for quite a while but have never commented until today. I often wondered if I would run into you at an auction, estate sale, etc. as I live in the Finger Lakes. I finally did - I was at that same auction! I don't know who was more surprised about the competition for the feedsacks - the crowd or the auctioneers! You can be sure they will definitely be on the lookout for feedsacks at their future auctions! Love your blog and seeing all your great finds!
Melissa

[Beth Leintz]

Glad to hear you've found some great stuff. It reminds me that the good stuff is still out there, you just have to keep looking.

[Kathy]

Great finds and you have cash to shop another day - well done!!

[Into Vintage]

Are there any words more magical than "Christmas jumble"? Where will the recipes end up? I am currently on the hunt for vintage recipes for a little project in my head and I don't know what I'm looking for specifically. Does that make any sense at all?

Did I just turn this from a comments area into a questions area?