In that same Kewpie lot, this porcelain brooch and clip on earrings that look handmade were included. I've never seen anything like this. That's what makes hunting for treasures fun...you never know what one-of-a-kind items you'll run across.
August 26, 2009
Collection of Kewpies
Sometimes I'll buy stuff and they end up in a box in the garage never to be seen for months and months! It's almost time for the community garage sale and when I was cleaning out the garage, I finally found my kewpie collection. I bought them over a year ago but hubby accidentally put the bag in a box that ended up in the garage!
I paid about $15 for this lot from a women who had started a collection in the 1970's.
I paid about $15 for this lot from a women who had started a collection in the 1970's.
August 18, 2009
Weekend Finds of Vintage Treasures
I found it interesting that an estate sale started at 4pm on a Friday. It worked for me since I don't get out till 4:30. I found some good buys even though many people had already combed through the house by the time I got there.
Vintage Costume Jewelry
More of the jewelry from the suitcase lot. The blue enamel flower is marked "Sandor" which I didn't realize was very collectible. It's the first one I've come across. Sandor jewelry was made from the 1938 through 1972. Their enamel flower pins are the most popular today. Wow...I had no idea but I usually can sniff out a good deal when I see it.
Rule of thumb: When you find a large pile of junk jewelry, always ask the seller how much they'll take for the whole lot. I stay within $10 if uncertain. But if you see lots of good pieces, it is safe to pay $1-3 each. Costume jewelry is probably my best money-maker.
Rule of thumb: When you find a large pile of junk jewelry, always ask the seller how much they'll take for the whole lot. I stay within $10 if uncertain. But if you see lots of good pieces, it is safe to pay $1-3 each. Costume jewelry is probably my best money-maker.
Vintage Siamese Cats TV Lamp
Ahhh...the thrill of the hunt. I didn't plan to go to any sales, but on my way to picking up kids, I stopped at an estate sale and it was already late noon. Lucky, lucky me! A box was being unpacked while I was there. This $2 TV lamp still works. I had the same one growing up. The rhinestone eyes had to be reglued but what a steal...saw it sell on Ebay for $70!
Vintage Suitcase of Treasures
Here's the suitcase full of junk treasures. I even netted some old buttons. Four dollars was worth the fun of digging through as soon as I got home. I found a couple of victorian pieces (a sterling love token charm bracelet dated 1903 and an etched metal bangle bracelet that needs some TLC).
Vintage Religious Medals
Among a whole suitcase full of junk jewelry for $4, I found these vintage religious medals. One is marked "sterling" and the others aren't but you can tell they're all sterling. Some argue if there is no marking, they aren't real. But how can someone know if the marking just didn't where off? I really need to invest in a testing device.
Ceramic Miniatures
I found a lot of itty-bitties. Two dollars can get you a bagful! Some are marked "japan". I'm told if the markings "made in Japan", they're probably made after WWII. Anything marked with just a country name is most likely made before WWII. I wonder where I learned this? Don't remember anymore but I still use it as a rule of thumb. Anyone out there know if this is true?
Vintage Ceramic Dogs
I'm baaaaaack!. Summer was soooo busy this year. Had no time to take pictures of any of my finds. But things have slowed down at last and I'm back at it. Here's my finds from this past weekend. A whopping $53 was spent but it yielded some great prizes.
June 01, 2009
It Pays to See Past the Dirt!
I've learned to look past tarnish and grime when I'm out sailing. You can't go wrong on whole boxes of "what-nots" if they're only a few bucks. I will always buy small lots of jewelry, sewing notions, crafts, and other "smalls" that I find fascinating.
Here's a picture of something out of an old chinese sewing basket that looked like it was filled with old wooden spools and other interesting sewing notions.
I had no idea what this was and even posted the photo on my flickr page to ask if anyone knew what it was. It was black and all I knew was that it had something to do with sewing and it looked very victorian to me.
I looked at my favorite website, www.rubylane.com and first searched for "sewing basket" to see if I would recognize the basket this came in.
By chance, a picture of that unusual piece came up. It turns out I have myself a tatting shuttle. What's that??? I asked myself. I researched and found that they were used to make lace before machines started doing the work for us. The real old tatting shuttle are marked "sterling". So I took out my magnifying glass and hooray!!! This was not plastic or bakelite, as I first thought, it's actually marked Sterling on the backside.
I've cleaned it up and it's so much different now. The value of this piece is $75 and up!!! I'm so surprised because there was another vintage dealer at the sale searching for old buttons and she never noticed this old chinese sewing basket tucked in a corner. I only noticed it when I went back a second time to rummage before leaving. Even the sewing basket is from the 1920's. Not a bad buy for the same cost as a dozen eggs!
Moral of the story???
Buy junk boxes for a few bucks and go home and research each item, even if they look worthless. Careful cleaning them though; you might risk devaluing something. Check them carefully with a good magnifying glass and look for any print of words.
You can always check with a local pawn shop and ask their opinion.
Sandra Mendoza-Avila
I am a married, part-time vintage dealer and a full-time government buyer who has raised 5 kids (well one is almost done being raised!)
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