Posted by After several months of minimal buying, February turned out to be a robust and rather fabulous month! Two flea markets, various thrift stores, an antique store and more rummaging in our house have provided me with lots of wonderful things to sell.
Finally, my neighborhood thrift store delivered a couple of finds for me. Honestly I have almost written this store off!
Here’s a little story from the other day–There were three of us in line with others sitting in cars waiting for the doors to open. As soon as the manager unlocked the door, this guy busts to the head of the line and I thought it was to hold the door for us–especially since the elderly lady at the front of the line was using a walker. But no. He was just rude and wanted to get in first. Jeez Louise–who does that?!
But onto happier topics.
A few days ago I found this hand-colored numbered (57/300) print “Fresh Seafood” by Tennessee artist Danny Phifer. Isn’t this fabulous? It’s professionally double-matted and framed. (If you’ve ever had custom framing done you know it costs and arm and a leg!) This is a winner in my books. One sold in 2013 for $95 and so far I’m not finding any others for sale. I won’t mind if this doesn’t sell for a while!
Had to pick up these mid-century Craftsmen Inc. hand-made copper bookends with worn felt on the bottom. These reminded me of ones my grandmother owned.
The older hammered Craftsmen Studios bookends (circa early 1900s) sell for heaps as do the ones by Roycroft, which are typically listed online for $300 to $600! Aren’t these gorgeous? They make mine look like tinker toys, still I have no regrets picking up the MCM Craftsmen pair.
Roycroft was a reformist community of craft workers and artists which formed part of the Arts & Crafts movement in the United States. Elbert Hubbard founded the community in 1895, in the village of East Aurora, New York.
Wikipedia
I also spotted this Royal Worcester egg coddler with a “cute birds in spring” motif. Egg coddlers are out of my wheel house and honestly not the kind of thing I am looking to buy right now, but I have discovered that those made by Royal Worcester have a following and sell fairly quickly. Unfortunately there was only one and the thrift store is now pricing these double what they did just a year ago. I might pair this with one of a different pattern that I bought last year.
Found this burnished and etched Nicaraguan pot at one of my fav boutique thrift stores nearby. It’s a signed piece by Leandro Lopez and quite striking.
While rummaging in my house I came across a quantity of pretty 1940s/1950s hankies that belonged to my mother and grandmother. I’m going to keep a couple but sell the rest.
Here’s one of the lots–a group of six in spring florals. A couple have never been used and all are in great condition.
I have hundreds of old photos to list and am trying to come up interesting groups, like this lot of 28 of boys and men, circa 1900-1950. Perfect for an artist or scrapbooker.
While away from home for a few days (on my soul-care retreat near Carmel on Sea), I did make time to visit a few boutique thrift stores and my favorite little antique store, Pickings Antiques in Pacific Grove. These places have lovely items, but prices that veer close to or at full retail. It’s tough picking for a reseller, but just looking was grand and a nice diversion.
I did buy a few smalls…
This1940s Chinese doll was sweet as can be and marked down, which I thought might give me a chance for a profit. Turns out she’s a Michael Lee Sampan girl. She’s missing on slipper (though most don’t have any at this point) and retains her hat (though I don’t think the yarn ties are original). A little scrape on her nose is the only damage I have found so far.
I bought two brass made-in-India trinket boxes from different stores. Normally I don’t bother with these, but both have some age (1970s) and a great Boho vibe. This one was made for Sarreid, Ltd. and would be a perfect place to tuck your cannabis. (It’s legal where I live! 😉)
Love the inlaid stones on this smaller one. Perfect to store a few favorite rings.
I am a sucker for little bits of pottery and this small beautifully shaped pot in a robin’s egg blue was a must-buy for me.
It has a foot mark on the bottom and may be a Welsh piece from Saundersfoot Pottery.
This small pottery cup in a metallic brown glaze shows some skill with its stamped, slab construction. A handsome piece in my books. Could be used for many things, but I fancy it as a pencil holder. It’s signed “Lexi Jampolsky” who appears to be the grand-daughter of the famed psychiatrist Dr. Gerald Jampolsky.
This mid-century Paris piece of artwork by Arno was just charming. I was ready to walk into this picture. Was hoping it was a watercolor, but sadly it’s not, just a nice 1960s print, though some folks are selling it as a watercolor painting. This one has been professionally framed and matted and I think they did a great job with the mat colors of blue and green. I paid up for this, but should make a small profit.
This antique napkin ring was tagged as being silver plate, but I have a feeling it could be sterling silver. Typically old silver-plated napkin rings are chunkier, heavier. This one is thin and intricate. Will test it when I get home. Either way I should do okay as I only paid $6. (It’s engraved “H. Brown, April 27, 1910.)
And I bought a pine needle basket. Honestly, I don’t know about this one. It’s a bit crude but I like how the exposed ends are incorporated into the design. It still gives off a faint smell of pine so I’m guessing it has no great age. Could be Native American or just made from a kit.
And a bought a few random old photos. This baby photo cracked me up. It looks like he’s thinking, “Geez, Mom, couldn’t you give me more to wear for this photo than a droopy diaper?!”
I bought this one for their outfits and names–Ernest, Merril, Ellura and Rena. I looked up the name Ellura (that was a new one for me) and discovered it means “God-like advisor.” So there you go. If I call you Ellura consider it a compliment!
And a portly conductor standing by a train engine…oh sure, I’m on board with this one! (Ha, ha, ha.)
So no mega scores. Just lots of bread-and-butter finds that piqued my interest, made me smile and that hopefully will find new homes. The downside is that my buying in February outpaced my selling so I’ll need to cut back in March. 😭
Wishing you health, safety and good finds,
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 
Thanks to your egg coddler, I learned what they are! I went and watched a video of a woman showing how they are used. I’ve heard of coddled eggs, but never really knew what that meant!
I see prints listed as watercolors too. Or new pink dishes listed as “depression” glass. I’m not expert, but even I can research a little! I’ve found a few prints lately that are actually professionally framed greeting cards (oh, excuse me, they seem to be called “art cards’ when used this way!). With the cost of matting and framing, I wouldn’t pay to do greeting/art cards.
You always find such interesting things. You are in a better location than I am. I used to be in the S.F. area, now I’m stuck in the Rogue Valley of Oregon, where things have to come to me!
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Hi Lisa. Years ago I bought a “painting” off an eBay seller that turned out to be a print. That’s when I realized that a lot of folks don’t really know what they’ve got or don’t do the research. I’ve certainly learned not to be so trusting of what a seller says something is!
Yes, the SF Bay Area is great for sourcing, just wish it wasn’t so crowded and expensive! I’ll bet it’s really pretty where you are.
Hugs, Karen
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