Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Great yard sale

Now that the weather has gotten warm the sales are in full swing. Hit my 1st sale where nothing was priced, different items out each day. When I went back on the 3rd day and asked how much for this this and this, I got away with less than half of what I was going to offer for one item!
If I had more room I'd have a new set of patio furniture. Woman was selling off items from mother-in-law's house. Things she couldn't use, but too good to throw out. I got a Rock-Ola bar cabinet for $5 it has inserts for 2 size glasses, a hanging rack for stemware, storage in the bottom and storage behind the serving "board" just right for bottles or rum, vodka etc.
It wasn't even advertized in the paper just signs on a few corners. I happened down the street because of an advertized sale that was a dud. So I chalk it up to my 1 great yard sale of the year. So much schlock and so few good items at most sales. I wonder if clothes really sell other than for growing kids? How many canning jars does i person need, when you can buy new sets after the season at the Dollar stores for less than used.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Surf to save gas

Just surfing this afternoon and came upon an interesting site on antiques with a British perspective. Check out: http://www.writeantiques.com/why-not-start-to-collect-20th-century-ceramics/ and expand your possibilities.


I also tried antiques at Google Images and found great photos and many new shops.Take some time and explore the web--it saves gas and the environment. Once you've sussed out the treasures, hop in the car for a productive roadtrip. I just love roadtrips, side trips, detours and getting lost!
Just visit our road trip blog at roadamigos.blogspot.com

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Springfield extravaganza

Travelled down to Springfield Ohio for the extravaganza flea market at the Clark County fairgrounds. Admission now $5.00 for entry after Noon.


Lots of outdoor vendors even with soaking wet sites. Crowd seemed reduced from last year but people seemed to be buying. I found a great piece of "folk" art-- a copper mushroom design about 12" by 24" backed with wood and nicely framed for a mere $3.00 it's a nice vintage 1960's piece--perhaps mystical mushrooms!


Plants and garden pots and iron decor were a big item with lots of people at each booth. Seating whether just chairs, wicker or a row of wooden "theater" seats were packed into SUVs, pickups and tied to the roofs of vans.

Most interesting pieces I saw were made of license plates nailed to wood and cut into the shape of a state, or small pieces such as LOVE made with narrow strips of 1 letter from different license plates!

Please visit your local antique malls and flea markets to keep the economy moving. Every purchase no matter how small helps keep a family afloat!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Antiques Roadshow here I come!

Got news that I get to go the Antiques Road Show in Grand Rapids MI this August!

Now looking for suggestions on what to take. What should I expect on this day?

I don't currently have anything that unique or valuable. I have a book printed in the early 1600's but haven't checked the rarity.
No oils by famous artists at least no one stands out when I Google their name.

I'm going to scour the markets and yard sales in the next 2 months hoping to find a treasure.
A baseball signed by Rick Leach just isn't going to cut it. How about a Detroit Wheels bumper sticker? They didn't stay around very long.

This will be the highlight of SUMMER!


Who links to me?

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Home again, Home again, jiggedy jig!

Well the road trip of a lifetime is a fait complet.
Back to reality. Luckily April was pretty good at the mall and several pieces of furniture sold. Now yard sales are starting and I can hunt for those treasures and get a few pieces of furniture at auction. What a high visiting antique stores and malls along the way. Hit 2 Brass Armadillo stores--Kansas City and Denver. Both rate high above most other malls we visited.
If you are in Hays Kansas be sure to stop in at Northglen Antiques. Owner Susan McRae Bickle is delightful to talk with and her unique goods imported from her buying trips to Scotland are a rare treasure to find at good prices. You can visit her website at www.NorthglenAntiques.com

I was surprised I didn't find much Couroc and Calif Pottery in the shops in California.

Thank goodness for a laptop and wireless access at most motels. I was able to seek out some antique stops and the roadside billboards were great. Certainly an advertising expense well spent. Now if hours were on all signs that would be ideal. Stopped at a store in west Kansas--place where world's largest Van Gogh is--only to find store was closed on Sunday.

Millington Antiques in Albuquerque was a classy site and had a great conversation about shows and markets.

Gas was high everywhere--especially California, but it is as high at home as most places along the way. Don't put off a buying trip or vacation--economize on motels and meals. There are good buys out there. Spend that incentive check at antique stores!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Road Trip Blog

Check out
http://www.roadamigos.blogspot.com/ to hear about my April trip of a lifetime!

Acoma reservation New Mexico USA

certainly the Land of Enchantment!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Spring into ...

Spring is here somewhere besides on a calendar. We expect 1 to 3 inches of snow late today into Saturday. I was talking with a woman who has a sister in the "north of England" who told her she was out in the garden and it was so nice she didn't need a jacket! Weather is getting topsy turvy.

Hope in the next 4 weeks it clears up to a nice spring as we start our road trip west to Monterey.
I've thrown out any expectations of getting to a destination by a certain time or even day. Constraints now are when we leave and we get back. Luckily we all have 2 full weeks vacation time. I keep finding more and more scenic drives, bypasses, sites etc that I'd like to see and we have to stop in Vegas.

Despite the soaring gas prices we are GOING!. May cut into our motel budget and we downscale but, oh well. Carpe Diem!

EBay goes on hold as well as any other antiques business. I hope this could be a "busman's" holiday but I may not have time to shop--oh no, is that blasphemy?