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May 28, 2005
Life as a Rummage Sale "Picker"
I have learned a lot in my few weeks of rummage sale "picking." Like how to decode adverts in the newspaper rummage sale classifieds.
For example, anyone who lists "antiques" for sale in a newspaper rummage sale ad really likes those antiques and has absolutely no desire to part with them. I know this because when I show up at the rummage sale, anything remotely resembling an antique is grossly overpriced. (i.e., "I paid $175 for this table years ago at an antique mall. It obviously has appreciated in value since then, so I'm going to ask $250 for it!")
Also, the people holding such rummage sales want to be extremely helpful to us morons attending the sale. Anything remotely resembling an antique is clearly labed "OLD" on the tag, usually followed by several wild exclaimation points to emphasize this obvious fact. The exclaimation points are then followed by the seller's attempt at humor. At least, I think they are trying to be funny when I see the price they are asking for their "OLD!!!" stuff.
I have had some good days out at the sales, and some days when I find almost nothing. Today was one of the almost nothing days. I drove to five sales just to find an assortment of oddments that I don't need or want. Derek enjoys visiting the sales with me, but as naptime nears, he lets me know. I was heading back home empty handed when I saw a sign for one more sale just a few blocks from home. I pulled over to find the usual junk. No antiques, and most of it I would have either thrown away or given to Goodwill.
I had turned to leave and was following my usual practice of scanning the tables again before giving up entirely (I had found a Fenton hobnail milk glass vase this way a few days ago) when my eye caught sight of a 1950's-style cookie jar in the shape of a kitten wearing a hat. It was marked 75 cents. Well, that just made my day!
Derek was able to have his nap, and I was happy in the thought of how cute that cookie jar would look in my antiques booth!
Posted by Jessica at 12:36 AM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2005
More Stuff for the Antique Booth!
I have been receiving glowing reviews of the business at the antique mall from other dealers, so I'm looking forward to my opening on June 1st. Here is one of my eBay finds for the booth.
It isn't actually an antique, but it is in antique style. It's a very small oil painting, about the size of a postcard. I'd keep it myself, but I can't keep everything neat that I find (though I might like to!)
I've spent two weekends running around to tag sales, rummage sales, moving sales, garage sales and auctions. It has been exhausting work, and you never know what you'll find. You might get lucky (1890's oak washstand for fifty bucks) or you might not.
Many, many people apparently do this for a living, and they are all competing with me for the goodies. Many times, I've bundled Derek into the car and arrived early at sales to find the antique furniture that I need has a big sign on it that says "Sold."
Sometimes I've been very lucky. I got a deal on a Victorian side table because the owner had marked it down to a reasonable price after it hadn't sold all day at an inflated price.
Once, I found some hand-forged iron tools for $1 and $2 apiece. That was a great bargain!
I also found a HUGE, old hand-made doll house. It isn't an antique, but it's all handmade and the furniture is, as well. I bought it and the furniture for $12. It is exactly the right size for Julip dolls, and I would love to have room to keep it! Unfortunately, it is just a bit large and needs to go in my booth and find a new home. But until then, my Julip dolls can play "house!"
Posted by Jessica at 11:30 PM | Comments (0)