The holidays are right around the corner =) I already have some of my Christmas goodies brought in from storage, and am trying to go through some of it. There is too much. I could never be considered grinchy - I tend to hoard up Christmas stuff. I decided to scale it back, and sell some of my vintage things. 

The ornaments above have been hanging around for years! But don't you just love the shapes? I probably have less than a dollar in them, picked up at yard sales & thrifty shops. They brought me $41 - yay!! - more $$ to get more Christmas stuff. Oh wait, I said I was scaling back. =(

I have no idea how old the reindeer are, but I am guessing from the late 50's to early 60's. They are covered with a soft flocking. the flocking is "chippy", and the glaring gold glitter on their antlers and inside of their ears has all but come off over the years. But their little faces are too darn cute! I'll be selling them this week. =)

Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffett. Isn't she sweet?!!

Not all of my Christmas things that will be going up for auction are old.This one is a beautiful Hallmark. It was an "Exclusive" for their club members. It was never out of the box, until I took it out to take pictures.

Aren't these little vintage Santa mugs just adorable? Four are winkers. They are all from the same set as far as I can tell - all have the exact same marking on the bottom. They would be so cute lined up across the fireplace mantle with a votive in each one. Coming soon - to an ebay auction near you ;)

Lamps Lamps I love Lamps!

I'm always on the lookout for interesting lamps. I recently found several, and I just Have to share!

This one is an authentic Artemide Tizio. It needed a good dusting, and a new bulb.  It has counterweights built into each arm, which allows it to be positioned just where you like it! It's my prize =)

This little beauty is unmarked except for the fancy "F" on each knob. It is dual bulb lamp, with a darkened brass finish. Love the round finial on top.

This vintage hanging lamp was nice find. It looks like glass, but it is really some type of plastic - lucite perhaps. The shade glows nicely when it is turned on. The hanging / swag lamps were a popular addition to late 60's / early 70's homes. I love it! 

And this fantastic pair were picked up at yard sale. These babies are old! They still have the original cloth covered wiring. They have a wonderful gold finish, with a bit of faded red and green accents. I adore the intricate detailing. The "candles" were made of a formed cardboard material - complete with wax drippings! 

Paint is my Friend

I love paint. Especially the kind that comes in the can that you just shake and spray! It makes me happy =) I highly recommend spending the extra couple dollars for good quality paint: Rustoleom or Krylon works well. Today I bought three more cans: bright red, and a sunshine yellow. I used the red on two old plastic lawn chairs. They turned out pretty good, but I think I need to add another coat. I painted two other plastic lawn chairs last week that I love: 

  

 I liked them so much that I had to do matching flower pots:

            

 I only used a little of the yellow - on a large flower pot. It's so pretty! I have almost a full can left. I have a large faded wicker basket I might use it on - it would be pretty with some flowers or a vine growing in it. I thought about using it to do that old typewriter I mentioned before - but I think I'll stay with the decision to do that in pink. So friends - if you're bored, feeling a little creative - go get spray paint! Find something old, dull, or just plain ugly - and make it new, shiny, bright and fresh! Yard sales and thrift stores have an abundance of things you could give a face-lift too. Happy Painting!!! =)

Thrift Store Treasures

During the summer months, I don't usually go to the local thrift shops very often. I usually spend my money at estate sales, an occasional auction, and yard sales. But I had some time to kill and stopped in at a couple. I rarely ever go to the first one I stopped at. Their prices are way too high for used goods. And there is an awful, very distinct smell in that place. It lingers with the odor of a dirty gas station bathroom. I don't know if they have bad plumbing or what the problem is. The store itself is clean, and fairly well organized making it easy if your looking for a specific type of item. But, between the smell, and the prices: its just stinks! I didn't buy anything there that day. The next thrift shop is just up the road. They usually have really good prices, but not a great selection. They have the usual massive amount of discarded, out of date clothing. A large selection of cheap knick-knacks, a small selection of household goods. On this trip, I found an art deco chrome toaster in great condition for three dollars. When I got ready to pay, I glanced across the counter and seen an amazing trio of vintage-mod lamps. They were in mint condition - never even had the cords unwound. There was an orange, a cream and a turquoise blue. The lamps had a metal cone shade on a flexible arm. I SO had to get them. She wanted $8 a piece for them, but I got her to take $20 for all three.

I also found a pair of old chandelier ceiling fixtures. The tops are adorable brass cherubs riding a fish - very art nouveau.  They have long clear cut glass globes, with a small brass acorn on the bottom of each. They would look amazing in a cottage style bedroom with a small bulb in each. One hanging on each side of bed. They are still available on eBay if you want to claim them for your own. (just click that ebay link over there on the right side of this page)

I went to a few yard sales yesterday. I didn't find a treasure trove of goodies, but managed to pick up a few things. One is an Olivettie Studio 44 old school typewriter. It is a boring dull blue color. But for any of you who know me: I LOVE paint. So it is going to be redone in a new, appealing shade. Pink perhaps. =)
I also found me a new tool. I really really needed it. It is a brand new Black & Decker cordless driver. With a cute little tray of interchangeable  bits. The lady didn't know if the battery would still charge or not, so she let me have it for a dollar. I charged the battery for a couple hours, and it works like a charm. At this same sale, which the second day of an estate sale, I found a great pair of vintage brass table lamps. They are heavy, and came with a pair of fiberglass shades which are in mint condition!! The lamps have four sockets each - talk about energy hogs. With energy efficient bulbs, and maybe even vary the watts for "mood lighting", they will make someone very pleased to have them. Pictures coming soon =)

Im Baaaack!

After a brief trial run with this blog, I put it on the back burner. Re-evaluating, I've decided to come back! This blog was focused on some of the great finds I would come across while  out yard-saling. And it still will - but will also be including posts on up-cycling. Re-purposing things people no longer have a need or want for. Please follow me, come back often - you never know what kind of goodies Ive found out here in the hills of east Tennessee! =)

The Griswold Skillet

Check out this great old Griswold skillet! Griswold skillets are great  collector pieces. This one is a number 10. It's a nice large cast iron skillet, seasoned so nothing sticks to it. These are such versatile pieces: use on the stove, or in the oven. They are great for making cornbread. This one measures 12" across! This particular skillet would also make a  great piece to display. It is listed on my ebay right now, with a fair buy-it-now price. And Ill even consider offers =)
The Griswold Skillet on My eBay

This could have easily wound up in a landfill with so much more of our society's unwanted. Would you ever have imagined an old medicine cabinet could actually be worth something? This came from an estate yard sale. The mans parents had remodeled the bathroom years ago. They had placed this in the basement, where it was long forgotten. I bought it for one dollar. It had three glass shelves inside, with lights up each side. This great old find sold for $60 (and an additional $27 to get it shipped out). Yes, people DO like old stuff. Goes without saying, one mans junk is another mans treasure. Be careful what you throw out!