I had never been to an estate sale until this past weekend. Found out from my neighbor that our neighbor is into vintage and we finally hooked up to talk about it and do a little show and tell. She goes to estate sales by herself, but was excited by idea of me tagging along. It's slow this time of year here, but that is probably just as well as I must say, the first one was kinda weird for me--the idea of rummaging around a house that didn't belong to me made me feel unsettled. I wasn't nearly as aggressive as other folks. We worked well as a team--she's a Fire King fan, so no competition there and the only thing we hunt for alike is vintage Christmas kitsch, but we are both so laid back and flexible I couldn't imagine this being a problem. We would pick up things we knew the other was looking for. We are both in it for the fun of it, not interested in selling, so it was relaxed and fun. I didn't find much but I did come home with something.
I got each of these 475 casseroles with lid for $2 a piece. The Homestead 444 I got at the thrift and needed it for the collection I'm building for a friend. It would have been a supper measly week had I not gone to the estate sales.
I did my weekly scouring of vintage Christmas kitsch and craft supplies, if you like that kinda stuff you can see it at my blog here. I also have a post on recycling old closet doors into shelving for my vintage kitsch display here.
(hopelessly addicted),
Evie
I did my weekly scouring of vintage Christmas kitsch and craft supplies, if you like that kinda stuff you can see it at my blog here. I also have a post on recycling old closet doors into shelving for my vintage kitsch display here.
(hopelessly addicted),
Evie
Jealous of the Friendship…I would be happy to take that off your hands, lol. I have never seen it in the wild.
ReplyDeleteEstate sales also kind of disturb me. I always feel sad that someone's life is reduced to a bunch of folks going through their likely treasured things. I feel most sad when it is the estate of someone who was obviously very ill or infirm (walkers, potty chairs, etc.) or a surviving spouse that passed away who hung on to the other deceased spouse's stuff, it must have meant something to them to keep a coat or dress. I always wonder if they had a family that cared for them, if they were loved. It really helps remind me to keep ties with family and friends as I get older.
That said, those pieces you paid $2 for would have started at $8 or so here. Eeeep!
I feel the same way about estate sales. I have been to 2. Bought nothing, they were in the last hour. People here act like sick savages at thrift stores and church sales, I wonder how they act at estate sales.
DeletePrices here at higher for Pyrex! (not thrifts, tho... just everywhere else).
Ahhh! I've had the lid to that Friendship casserole for 2 years...still no luck finding it. That is awesome
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you find it soon! Sending some luck your way!
DeleteEstate sales are addictive. When my daughter graduated from college earlier this year, we bought her some beautiful 1930's vintage furniture from an estate sale - marked down 50% on the second day. We paid $700 for it and when we researched it found that it commands $4500 in other venues. She just bought a house and has gotten most of her kitchen goods, draperies, etc., from estate sales. She's still on the hunt for living room and dining room furniture; it's only a matter of time. For any young person starting out, I would encourage them to look at estate sales. You can get almost everything you need at a fraction of the price, and it's usually better quality than buying new. We felt a little bit like vultures at our first few yard sales, but then got to know the people who run them, who told us people are so grateful that their loved ones' things find a good home.
ReplyDeleteYes Eileen, you can get such good quality items that way.
DeleteAt one sale, in a nice new community and a rather large house--the owner was an elderly lady who encouraged us to get baskets. She was in a wonderful mood--it made the sale enjoyable as she obviously wanted to unload her possessions. I'm sure all the meaningful things she is keeping and/or giving to family. There weren't any really personal items, it made a difference.