Posted by October just started and now it’s over. Last night, Halloween, was a lovely one for the kids–cool and dry with a few fallen leaves to kick up as they went trick-or-treating. And now it’s November and I feel a bit dismayed and unprepared for all events and upcoming holidays.
On the biz front I am trying to list more this month while doing a bit of selective buying.
Here’s how it’s going…
Vintage/Antique Barware
Vintage barware is one of my fav categories and a popular one with buyers and if the pieces are sterling silver so much the better. I have sold a number of these sterling silver “Just a Thimble Full” jiggers over the years and I can tell you that they appreciate well. This was an eBay find from several years ago that I’ve had on display in my house and decided I could let it go.
Here’s a sampling of current jiggers for sale–the older, solid silver ones command the best prices.
I don’t know much about vintage liquor decanters, but the few I’ve sold over the years (mostly Jim Beam) were not worth the effort. Still I was tempted today by this big Jim Beam great dane complete with liquor tags in my local Goodwill but I discovered there are tons for sale at a variety of price points. So I decided this had to be NO.
Antique Wood Spinning Top
I got this top from that big estate haul last fall and never knew what to make of it. Why did this simple wood top have these top-like discs inside it? I didn’t list it because I didn’t know what I had. Finally found the answer–it’s a parachute spinning top game from the 19th century. Apparently as the top spins the base loosens and the other tops are released. But the base to my top is fairly snug, so I have not been able to replicate that!
Here’s one from a private antiques company. Unfortunately, they don’t display their sold price and mine is more simple. Still I have been able to find prices a few prices on Worthpoint that helped me price mine.
Missed Opportunity?
I saw this mid-century modern watercolor painting today ($16+) and I swooned. I loved the colors and the graphic style, but it was so big and I am so over shipping big items. They are a nightmare. Still I debated about buying this painting as I went up and down the aisles in Goodwill and the debate resolved itself when I saw it tucked under another shopper’s arm!
Turns out it was made by the Bernard Picture Co. and had a companion painting. In the long run I’m glad I didn’t buy it to resell.
Norwegian Pewter Nutcracker/Seafood Cracker
This pewter cracker was sturdy, attractive and usable and I decided to give this a go. I remember at Christmas my grandparents always had a big bowl on unshelled nuts on their coffee table for us to crack. Do people do that anymore? If not, it’s perfect for seafood too.
“Working Girl” Coat
Oh gosh this was a fab Forecaster (made in USA) pure wool coat in power red with big 1980s shoulders–like something you’d see in the movie “Working Girl” with Melanie Griffith. But I’m not dealing much in clothing anymore and this was Goodwill priced at $45! Maybe, maybe, I would have bought this if it had been $20 or less. But I had to leave this behind. Way too pricy for me since I rarely sell clothes.
Villeroy & Boch “Cascara” Pieces
I wasn’t looking to buy more tea cups, definitely not, but these were Villeroy & Boch, so it was a “Yes, please.”
Villeroy & Boch is a luxury German brand (dating back to 1748) that sells well for me. Plus these are usable items, not something just gathering dust on a shelf. It was a grand bundle of eight items for less then $10.
There were four tea cups with cherries that have a cottage-core vibe. Cute as can be.
And four small shallow bowls with scalloped edges and ridges and peaches that would be perfect as small dessert plates or for rolls or appetizers. These are all in the Cascara pattern.
On Replacements.com they are pairing the cherry cups with the small peach plate/bowl. Well, they are calling it a saucer, but it isn’t and it doesn’t make sense to use it as one. There is no indentation for the cup to sit and they are overly big for a saucer. Just doesn’t make sense!
So I have listed the cups separate from the bowls.
In Closing
Well, I believe my recent buying decisions, both yes and no, have been good ones and we’ll see if any of them become holiday gifts!
Happy Hunting,
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 
Well, one of the dismaying events has come and gone! You have found a lot of nice stuff! I like bowls of nuts with a nutcracker. Messy, but a seasonal staple. I find them by bulk so I can mix the ones I like. Too often now they are prepackaged. I used to have that Great Dane decanter. And a poodle too. Too big, no room! I like the top, interesting. I have some Bernard Picture Co. “genuine” watercolors. I don’t know about the ones listed there, but it looks like a similar technique, which was airbrushed. So, original in that each was done individually by one person, but not quite “genuine watercolors” as I think of them. Mine are the fancy ladies and gentlemen. I’d be surprised if they sold as a pair for that much. St. Vincent de Paul here has a pair similar to mine for $40.
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