Posted by The last few weeks my treasure hunting has been limited. Partly because I always have a small backlog of items to deal with but also because I haven’t felt as motivated to face the scrum. Take last Monday for example. It was the Goodwill Labor Day sale starting at 8:00 a.m. (35% off) and normally I go to these sales. But this time I just wasn’t enthused about it. I knew it would be super crowded and half the time when I go there I don’t find anything to buy anyway. I also put some estate sales on my list as possible go-to’s but one was further away than I wanted to drive and another had mostly furniture. And the reality is with my small backlog I don’t have an immediate need to do much sourcing. I have good stuff, already purchased, just waiting to be listed.
That said, I have been doing a little buying!
Thrift Store Treasures
Last week I spotted this handmade ceramic gal holding a big teddy bear. Something about its simplicity was just charming and poignant. It’s unsigned and I have no allusions that it is valuable, but I think someone else will appreciate this special piece. Listed for $25.
And a few days later I found this 6″ carved wood candleholder on the shelf, which was all kinds of fantastic–likely from the Black Forest region in Germany and likely circa 1920s to 1940s. It has some damage but nothing egregious. This one was happy-dance worthy.
After research, this singleton is listed for $125.
Holiday Treasures
I did ferret out a few more of my personal Christmas ornaments to add to my store. This one is particularly good–a hand-made glass ornament/sun catcher by artisan Suellen Fowler. I bought this years ago at an annual clay and glass festival. Similar pieces are listed online between $80 and $99 so I listed mine a smidge lower.
I also decided to part with three hand-painted ceramic Nutcracker Suite ornaments purchased from the Lillian Vernon catalog company back in the 1990s. (I still have the original box.) Alas, the set is missing one ornament (the mouse king?) and for the life of me I don’t remember what happened to it.
Sterling Silver Treasure
I bought this vintage Marathon sterling silver locket from an Ebay seller. It’s a good size and weight with a unique engraved eagle on it and both its celluloid covers. Given the eagle motif it’s likely WWII era. Listed for $125.
Crystal Treasures for Myself
My two vintage chandelier crystal orders (from Ebay sellers) arrived last week and I am pleased with both. These 1.5″ diameter crystal balls are heavy and sparkly. Supposedly they are Swarovski but could be something else altogether. Turns out similar ones are sold as sun catchers and are widely available.
I’m trying them out heaped in a wood bowl. In fall I’ll add some pine boughs or maybe pheasant feathers or pretty leaves. Something festive without being overtly holiday. (I’m also asking myself should I keep all 15 or sell some of them?!)
It does feel good not to have a big outflow of $$$ the last few months for my cost of goods. But I’ll honest, I do miss the sourcing I used to do, so I’ve been watching my favorite YouTubers and living vicariously through their thrift and antique hunts and hauls!
Wishing you happy hunting,
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 