Pickin' in Topeka

When I was in Topeka in April, I didn't have time to do any thrifting or yard saling at all.  It was still pretty cold, so I didn't see any Yard Sales and I only passed by Goodwill once - and Goodwill isn't my favorite sort of thrift store, so I didn't stop.

On our way to the Reunion this Friday morning, we hit one sale and then a few of us headed out and hit a few more before lunch, but they were mostly a bust. 

I did buy these three handmade matte white angels marked 'Hawthorne 1974' at the first sale.   When we first walked up the man had said, "If you offered half on most anything, I'd probably take it.....I'm just sayin'."   When I paid for the angels, he only wanted $1.00 for them.  So, I decided to ask abut an old trumpet in a case on the table. 

I've never bought an instrument before, but it looked old and had character.  It was priced $10.00, but he told me I could have it for $5.00.  It isn't perfect, it has a few dents and one of valves needs oil, but it's just neat.  I need to do some research on it.  I can tell that is old, but I don't know how old.  But, I do know that it was certainly worth five bucks!  If it isn't wroth anything, I will think of a junk project for it.



I mentioned last week that part of my family reunion included a "Pickin' Event".  We all kicked in $2.00 and a bunch of us headed out to see what we could find.  The four of us (me, The Breadman, The Bean and my Dad) headed out with my Aunts and Uncles and did a little pickin'. 

We went to Goodwill first. I bought an old board game for $1.99 and three vintage hankies for 59¢ each.

 None of these items were really "pickin'" worthy, but I had to buy them because I didn't know if I would find anything else.

Luckily there was an Estate Sale sign on the corner by Goodwill, so we headed there next.  They didn't have a lot, but I did my best pickin' there.  I wasn't so sure at first when I spotted a table full of Goebel figurines for $10-$30 each, boxes of door hinges for $17.00 and a box of old padlocks for $25.00. 

I found these two perfect vintage tablecloths for a total of $4.50.  I prefer to pay about a dollar for my tablecloths (who wouldn't, right?), but what the heck, they were nice and they would make good souvenirs of my trip. 

When I paid, I asked about that big box of old padlocks I saw out in the yard.  The box was marked $25.00 - Must Take All.  I saw a couple that I wanted to pick, so I asked if the padlocks were all or nothing or....and ended it in an open aired question.  There were two ladies running the sale and I had just witnessed them bickering with a lady over a difference of a dollar on prices, so I wasn't sure they would be open to letting me buy a couple for a dollar two or not.  When I asked, they said that several people had already bought a few out of the box.  "What would you give me for them?" one of them asked.  Well, I don't like to do that, so I just said, I "Oh, wouldn't even know what to offer, I just wanted a couple of them."  At this point, I was still holding a ten dollar bill out to pay for my $4.50 purchase.  The lady looked at my hand and said, "Give me that and take them with you."  I believe I then shouted out "WOO-HOO, Thank you and I love you Ladies" as I ran to collect my box of locks!

When I went to pick it up, I couldn't!  It weighed a ton.  The Bean schlepped it to the car for me.  When I weighed the box - it weighed thirty pounds!  Thirty pounds of locks!

There are forty five assorted very old padlocks and two big rings of keys.  I don't think any of the keys actually go to the locks though.  I found one that dates to 1902.  I haven't even looked at each one of them yet.

There are various brands, sizes and styles.  Although I seriously cannot handle another collection.....I really like all these locks!  I can't believe I got them for $5.50. I never ask for a deal, but I nearly always get a deal!

No matter what I do with them - see that one in the center with the bunny on it?  Yeah, that's a keeper. 

And this tiny one that is about the size of a Nickle will be going on a junk necklace for me.

So, who won the pickin' event?  Well,  I have this ridiculously adorable smart and funny ten year old cousin named Angel.  He went out pickin' and found two English Bone China cup and saucer sets.  His items were chosen as the Pickin' Winner.  He won $20.00 plus they auctioned off his cups and he made even more money.  Ahhh......a boy after my  own heart.  A picker at the age of 10!

So, did you get anything good this weekend?