What is a monkeybox?

When I was a little girl, we had a pet monkey named Amanda. My Dad worked in the produce business, so each night he brought home that days culls in a big box - spotty cucumbers, pithy apples, limp celery, moldy oranges and the like. We called it a monkeybox. It was really just trash, but my Mom would take each piece of fruit and trim it, pare it and cut it up to make a beautiful fruit platter for Amanda. Even though it was deemed trash by one, it still had life left in it and was good for the purpose we needed it. That's how I live my life - thrifting, yard saling, looking for another's trash to be my treasure.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Wednesday's Thrifty Finds

Even though it was The Breadman's Birthday and he was in charge of the day's events, I managed to sneak into one thrift.  We have gone to this same thrift the past two weeks and both times I have found more sets of my beloved Toasting Glasses. 
The Breadman found these last week in the hardware section.

The week before I found this set in the hardware section too.   Odd spot for them to say the least, but I am happy to have added them to my collection.  And, the best part?


I actually remembered to use them on the cake this time! 

On to the meager, but fun thrifting finds:

A wee teeny pottery pitcher for my wee teeny pitcher collection.

A pair of celluloid Indian dolls. 

A new to me find - Standard Oil Wayside Candles.  I could tell they were old and I thought they were Gurley Candles until I looked at the tags.  The fat guy is funny.  He is very rotund!  I'll have to do a bit of research on these to see if the stay or go.

Speaking of research......
I bought this tile last Friday at a yard sale.  I could tell it was older when I touched it just because of the heft of the pottery, the coolness of the glaze and the muted colors.  But, I didn't recognize the mark. 


So, I did some research.  I discovered that it was Rookwood Pottery.  I have never seen a piece of Rookwood, so I wasn't familiar with the markings.  This particular tile is from 1927.  That is quite a bit older than I had thought!  A bit more research led me to see that they are worth a good amount of money.  Far better than the $1.00 I paid for it, that's for sure!  I listed it on ebay last Saturday night and it is currently at $72.00.  Not bad for $1.00!  If it ends there, I am happy.  (But, I will be really, really happy if it keeps going, going, going!).  There are a few others that have Buy It now prices over Five Hundred Dollars.  I think they are dreaming.  Whatever I get is good.  (Yes, $500.00 would be good.  Very good!)

The best part about this whole experience is that I have ebay fever again.  I used to sell a ton on ebay, but then I slowed down and then I just stopped.  Occasionally I will list a thing or two if I look it up and see it is worth selling.  I forgot what a rush it is to see something jump up $20.00 while you are watching Survivor or doing the dishes.  Perhaps this is just the nudge I need to start listing some more of my junk treasures!

9 comments:

  1. It is really beautiful and I hope it sells for a lot!

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  2. I saw your Tile auction - NICE!!!
    Does The Breadman get the $$ from that toward his tix fund, since you bought the tile on his b-day, and everything??? (guilt, guilt, ha-ha!!)

    I know what you mean about the rush of e-bay... I'm still hooked on that part of it, and I think that is why I'm having a little trouble getting into the ETSY mindset. Still, randomly having an ETSY purchase is a GOOD thing! A mix of the two is nice ~ if you can keep it going... I'll be keeping an eye on that auction and keeping my fingers crossed for m-o-r-e bidding wars!!!!

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  3. Melissa6:51 AM

    I have never seen toasting glasses in all of my junking. You are really lucky! And as for the tile-WOW! Don't you just love things like that?
    Love your new format!

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  4. Oh wow...what a beautiful piece! I hope it keeps going up, up, up! Don't you love turning things around right after you get them - seems so much more gratifying :) Congrats!

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  5. Due to computer and time problems I haven't been visiting blogs very much but I DID notice that you are now a three-column-girl. Very nice--did you do it yourself or use the services of another? I also love your masthead--do you actually own that typewriter? Rookwood Pottery is hard to find and you certainly hit the jackpot and hopefully you'll get big money on the sale. Wow!!!

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  6. So how many sets of the toasting glasses do you have now? I can't believe you keep finding them!

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  7. I can't believe I never have seen toasting glasses in my travels - you must live in the toasting glass meca. Hoping the tile keeps going, going, going HIGHER! wOW!

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  8. Oooh, I just signed up to watch where that tile goes - good for you! There is something pretty addictive about watching that total climb.

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  9. WOW! I just checked (it's Thursday) and your tile is up to $100!! That's AWESOME! I will follow this one to the end with great anticipation.

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