OMG Balloons (and other items)

Sans child for an afternoon, husband and I went to a couple antique malls. Usually we stay away but there are a few booths at both that have reasonably priced Pyrex, and by that I mean, on par with some of our thrift stores. Plus, husband is proposing I do my own booth at one as I keep hauling stuff in the house that I find for a song at yard sales and such, so he wanted to do some sight observation so we could get ideas for how we'd undertake this endeavor. I have to do something with my Pyrex doubles, as it is impossible for me to walk away from a very low-priced item. And Pyrex isn't all I haul in, sigh.

The first stop had the usual outlandish boot prices: $100 for a set of Flameglo, $50 for a set of Spring Blossom Cinderellas, and $18 for two Snowflake Garland small casseroles, no lids. I was starting to lose hope as the stock at the "lower priced" booths was the same as our last visit. Then I rounded a corner and saw the Balloons 444 for $18. Yes, pricey, but I am willing to pay it for this most coveted piece.

All I could say walking back to the car, bowl tightly clutched to my chest, was OMG Balloons. I think my husband was happy as well since this print is high on his must-have list. I took it home, cleaned it up (this picture is before the cleaning), and am now proudly displaying it.

Also pictured is a Yellow Stripes 402 I got at the other antique mall. The booths there also have a range of prices, including one booth where I think the seller must sniff paint fumes. Seriously, the prices are that high, I'm talking $10 for an Early American 501, sans lid; the stock at that booth never, ever changes (I wonder why). Anyway, I once again rounded a corner and saw this Yellow Stripes 402, it was reasonably priced and is in near-perfect condition. I compared the ask price with some completed sale prices on ebay and there you have it, it became mine. I always knew my smart phone would come in handy.

I also hit the Autumn Harvest and Butterfly Gold 1 motherlode the other day at a Goodwill. The below are all duplicates for me so I will be selling or trading these. I just.can't.pass.by.inexpensive.Pyrex. I can't.

I find a lot of Butterfly Gold and Autumn Harvest at the thrift, likely because they are newer prints. However, it is only a matter of time until the drips and drabs of the older stuff I occasionally find becomes a flood, right? I'd settle for a stream to tell you the truth!

Jacquelyn

A Rip Off (of sorts) and a Challenge {Weekend Finds}

My daughter, who usually wakes us up so early on weekends, decided to sleep until 9 Saturday so that meant no early yard sales. What it did mean is a few hours of quiet on a cool morning in the desert.

This is Modernism Week in the Old Pueblo and we had decided to go to the furniture expo. Last year we scored an amazing vintage patio set. This year we scored nothing. But, we did make a few stops on the trek to the expo.

We hit a local junk shop called Bettie Blue's. Fun fact: this shop has a ghost. Seriously. They have video to prove it. What they also have is neat stuff and some overpriced Pyrex. I saw this Early American 2.5 Q casserole for $14 ($10 for the dish, $4) for the lid. I thought that was insane, way too high of a price considering the wear (it had some scratches and abrasion), especially since this is not a super collectible pattern. Needless to say I passed. 

The next stop was completely random. We spotted a small sign for an estate sale that claimed to have vintage and mid-centry goods. We are all about both so we hunted down the place, even though it was late afternoon. The sale was still going and there were some amazing pieces but the prices were insane for the condition. There was an Eames chair that was destroyed. An cute end table with a huge chip. Some really random vintage home goods and furniture. Oh, and these Primary Colors Pyrex Mixing Bowls. I seriously think the woman stored everything outside, because not just the bowls were covered in dirt and grime.

This wasn't even how I found them (here they are pictured on the patio table I mention above). They were all nested in each other relegated to a table in the backyard. They were a hot mess. My husband asked how much. The seller said $25. I laughed. Really, I did. She said she had meant to clean them and that sets like these go for $100 on ebay. Well, maybe if they are a full set that is clean and in good shape. This set is missing the blue 401.Yes, the larger 404 can be harder to locate but sheesh, the curb appeal is terrible, don't you think? They are filthy on the inside and the outside, with dirt and grime and goodness knows what else. I mean, there are pieces of plant life attached to the bottom of the bowls. It made me so sad as most of her stuff was so amazing but so poorly cared for.

I hemmed and hawed and asked if she would take $15. She grudgingly agreed. So now I have them but I now also have a challenge. These need to be cleaned up both inside and out. Inside is easy-peasy. Outside I am not so sure. I will need to polish them up. I've looked online for tips but can't seem to find anything for the colored Pyrex like this. 

I'm sure someone in the Collective knows how to clean these babies up and make them shine like new. Ideas and suggestions are welcome!

Jacquelyn

My Thrift Store Finds in the Last Week

Hubby starts teaching today, so last week we scoured the thrifts daily while we/he had the time!  I've gotta admit, I'm burned out!  Burned some gas and put some wear on the old shoe soles!  I didn't find the things I dream of, but here's a glimpse for those wondering what was out there.

 

With the exception of the Crazy Daisy 401 (or old Spring Blossom pattern), everything was in good or excellent condition.  I was 99% sure I had that 401, but took it anyway.  The 401s were priced 1.99 to 3.99. With store discounts and/or 10% hubby gets--brought the prices down a little.  I still didn't pay more than 2.99 for any one 401.  The 402s were priced 1.99 to 3.99 as well.  Most expensive piece was the Town and Country divided dish I paid $4.50 for.

I forgot a piece when I took the picture...

I also got this 442 Gold Butterfly Cinderella bowl to complete my set!  That was exciting.  I also pick up Fire King Swiss Chalet when I run into it so I was thrilled to get these custard cups!

There were plenty DWDs, most notably a sad set of pink gooseberry Cinderella bowls 442,443,444 selling for $19.99!

Evie

A Serious Yard Sale Score

I'm happy to now be a part of the Pyrex Collective! Thanks for adding me, Erin!

One of my biggest yard sale regrets is letting my mom sell all her Pyrex bowls. I wish I had scooped them up for myself, but alas, I was young and foolish and totally invested in Gladware in my hip new apartment. I sat there at that yard sale and watched them sit and sit and then eventually get sold for a few dollars. Sigh. Hindsight is 20/20.

Well, no more. I am on the Pyrex bandwagon and enjoying the ride.

My "awakening" began in earnest last fall, when I decided I wanted to ditch the cheap plastic containers and vintage-up my kitchen and use real, solid vessels. Our family of three loves to go to yard sales at least once a month, and this past May was one I will not soon forget. We live in Arizona, it was already hot, and we were not not having much luck. It was late morning, yard sale time was drawing to a close, but we spotted one last corner sign and my seven-year old asked to check it out.

We found the house and parked well down the street. I ambled up the sidewalk and then broke into a run-walk move the likes of which I save for extreme sales. Seriously, I couldn't get there fast enough, because I saw these sitting on a table, all by their lonesome:

Yep, three Spring Blossom nesting bowls, the 401, 402, and 403, in near perfect condition. And then I picked them up and saw the price sticker: $5. Yes, $5. I just about died. I didn't even try to negotiate, I just pulled out the cash and sprinted away. My husband followed me and grabbed the bowls before I danced too much and dropped them. He's good like that, I needed him to hold them so I could snap the picture you see.

In the Old Pueblo we call a major deal such as this a gonga.

Jacquelyn

Green Green Everywhere!

Last Friday I went about my business thrifting like normal.   Must have been a day for greens.  I found many green stuff.

Square Flowers 444

Verde 402 & 403

Not Pyrex, but still green and cute

I also came across some other lovelies. You can check them out at treasuresmyhh.blogspot.com. Including some pretty vintage dresses. 

Hope your weekend is a great one and stay cool! 

~Katie