The Week In Junk: Wishlist Find, A Fabulous Freebie and More

Friday I left the house in search of the non-yard sale from last week.  They had updated their ad to show it was going to be this weekend (fingers crossed), so I went to see.  They were having it FINALLY!  It was massive, but a ton of the bigger things had SOLD things on them.  There were boxes of things so I dug and dug and found a few things.  When I walked up the driveway I passed someone I know carrying a big stack of berry baskets.  Noooooooooo.  When I mentioned that to the lady having the sale, she said, "I have more!' and handed me a stack of 29 more.  The best part - TENS CENTS each.  Woot!  Besides the berry crates, I bought four huge packages of Resturant napkins for 50¢ each and a stack of fluted paper tart pans.  

On to the next sale which was a Neighborhood sale out in a very nice subdivision.  One ad in particular looked promising of old vintage stuff.  As soon as I got there, I recognized that it was the owner of the flea market next to where I have my booth.  It is VERY upscale and very fru-fru.  Not that that is a bad thing - it just isn't me.  I thought the prices would be high, but they were actually pretty good.

I dug this vintage baby rattle out of a box - the tag is faded though.  Does anyone recognize him?

I bought three old thumb pump oil cans in a baggie for $1.00.  I've never found oil cans at all, so I was happy to have found these.  Then when I got om and looked - two were transparent oil cans which seem to be pretty desirable.  We'll see - they are on ebay tonight.  

In the center of the driveway was a table full of holiday stuff - at first glance it appeared to be all newer Mall-ish stuff, so I didn't bother looking there until I had covered all the other areas.  When I did go look, I was right  - it was all newer stuff - but I have found one vintage ornament or one spun head, so looking through all that new stuff can still pay off.

And, it did!  Under the table I spotted a box with things wrapped in tissue paper, so I peeked in there and GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE am I ever glad I did!  Napcoware Turkeys!  Lots of them!

I have a collection of individual shakers like the big turkey, but I have never seen the smaller one.  I looked it up and there should be a butter dish, but other than that, it's nearly a complete set.  I thought there were only  a couple pieces in the box and I would just add them to my collection.  But now I see their value, so it will all either go on ebay or to The Junk Ranch in October.  (Yes, the Junk Ranch talk is starting again.)

I spotted this Shopping Cart on a table (that is one of those sample sized boxes of cereals in it for scale) and I was chomping at the bit to grab it.  But, a lady was standing right in front of it and I just KNEW she was going to pick it up.  Luckily - WHEW - she was looking at a platter UNDER it.  I asked and she said, "Go for it," so I grabbed it.  I have been wanting to find one of these for a long time.  They sell for $50-100.  I bought it because I knew it was worth selling, but.....well. you know what's coming.  I kind of LOVE it.  I think it will live with me for a bit anyway.  Surely I can think of a valid use for it. THINK, WOMAN THINK!  

On to the next sale.  I drove by a small house with an older couple sitting in the driveway in those old webbed lawn chairs.  I couldn't see that they had much, but little couples are MY THANG.  They had a table full of those Wal-Mart Christmas bears with the dates on the feet (you know which ones I mean?) and another table chockablock with Paperback Westerns.  There was very little else.  I did spot an old motor oil box, so I peered in and saw a nice old Bocce set.  I was just about to ask the price when out of the corner of my eye I saw a box in the side yard.  

DUHN DUHN DUHH.

Yes, one of THOSE boxes.  There was a pile of those plastic candy canes that people line down their driveways on top of the box, so it was hard to see.  I said, "How much is the Christmas Tree?"  The man said, "Oh that is going in the trash."  "Oh, sir.  I'd really like to buy it."  "Honey, that thing has been up in my attic for about 60 years and last night it got all wet in the rain.  It's just junk."  "I would still really like to buy it.  I am kind of crafty.  I think I can use it for parts or in a project." Well, his eyes brightened up and he came over to me and told me to take it.  I told him I really wanted to pay him for it.  "No, it's trash to me and one less thing I will have to take back in or to the curb."  I asked about the Bocce set and he told me $5.00.  I tried to give him a ten and told him to keep the change. He shook his bony finger at me and said, "You are not leaving this driveway without your change!" Then, when I went to gather it up, he took the heavy Bocce Balls and said, "And, I'm carrying it to the CAR for you!"  I mean, what a sweet man.  Really. 

The tree is 6 feet tall - 96 branches all in their paper sleeves.  The tree and sleeves were dry.  I laid the box out in the sun and it is worn and beat up, but dried out.  It has the trunk with the silver paper and the tree stand.  Finding one of these trees is amazing on it's own.  But, FREE?  That is just crazy. It has been suggested on Social Media I take the man back a gift or something in thanks.  Well, first of all, I don't really remember exactly where the house was - secondly, I tried to pay him.  I offered repeatedly.  He was happy to give it to me.  I didn't say GIMME that tree.  He's already forgotten about it anyway, I bet.  So, why do people think I need guilt added to it?  I just don't get that.  I've bought many things in driveways and sold them for big profits and no one has expected me to drop $50.00 by their house.  I don't know.  It just made me feel weird that people thought I owed them something.  He was happy and so was I.  End of story.  I don't mean to sound like I am unappreciative, because I am VERY appreciative of his kindness to give me the tree.  I hope that makes sense to you.    

The Bocce Set is really nice too.  It's a Super Martel Set - Made in Italy.  He told me that he played with it with his family when he was a kid.  I bought it to add to my porch decor, but it turns out it is pretty desirable too.  (I had a good day yesterday).  It's on ebay too.

I put this colorful shot on Instagram.  The Viking Glass Vase was at the Super Cheap Thrift as well as the Yellow jar.  It's plastic - can you tell?  

This canvas will go to the Funky Booth for the college crowd.  

As will these Jamaican IRIE wood carvings.

And this big concrete Tiki.  

I am trying to find weird funky things for the college crowd.  It's hard!

This PINK Kitchen Charm waxed paper box will go in my kitchen.  

A vintage light fixture cover.  On ebay tonight.

I'm not a glass person - but that red is a stunner, isn't it?  

It's on ebay too (I'm on a roll!)

A set of Godinger Silverplate Salt and Pepper Shakers.  These are on ebay too, but if they don't sell, I will put them to use.  The "S" got to me before I even realized they were Salt and Peppers.  :)

And lastly, I am a sucker for any old wooden box - if it has dividers of any sort, all the better.  

So, a nice weekend of junking.  This week the heat index will be well over 100, so the mere thought of a yard sale does not sound inviting to me.  It will be a good week to clear out some clutter and put a few more things on ebay.  In the air conditioning.  :)