127 Sale 2015

Rob and I always look forward to junkin along the 127 Garage sale. This year we decided to take measurements for the new house with us. We also decided to go further into the route and try Tennessee. Pretty rainy today and not many sales so far. I am already getting irritated since he drives so fast he blows past single sales that might hold a treasure

Dixboro General Store

Mom had been wanting to stop at this store for awhile. Dad is in the VA with some complications and on our way home after his visit we stopped at the store. 

Lots of primitive items. Just as we remembered it. They were just starting on the Christmas decor and clearancing out the Halloween items. And of course they had lots of Beyers Carolers. 

Wow time sure flies!

As much as I loved having a booth at an antique mall, the location just was not an ideal one. 

So I decided to close it down in June. And started selling on Facebook. 

It was fun being next to my friend Patty. I helped her rearrange her booth so her sales did pick up. We went to a few sales together and giggled and had great fun. Even when we both wanted the same item. 

I talked her into moving into a new mall

With more visibility. Can't wait to hear how her sales are going. 

New Adventure Begins...

I attended the first dealer meeting this past week. Then stayed on to add some pretty pink paint on the walls I had mixed together from a batch a freecycler gave me. Gotta love free!

My friend Patty and I wanted to go to an estate sale on Friday. The weather made all the roads icy. So we decided to take stuff over to the booth and start arranging then go on to the sale if the roads were better. 

It took about an hour and a half to unload the car and put things up. And this is just the start of my things in the basement

Then we talked to another dealer in the mall who has a warehouse of pickers delightful things. He said we can get things from him for a cheap price for the booths. Win- win!!  

So Patty and I walked over and couldn't believe what was packed in that space. I got so excited to see 2 tulip bowls! I filled 2 boxes of kitschy kitchen things; some for me and some to sell. 

Here are a few pictures of my set up. To be added to this week. 

Valentine's weekend thrifting

The husband thought it would be great fun to take me away for Valentines. And since he knows me so well, he suggested going antiquing. 

We had to deliver some merchandise for a DI tournament on the west side of Michigan, so it seemed only natural to check out places close by. We had not been to these antique stores before. 

If you drive down 131 from Muskegeon there are several malls to stop at. While I didn't find anything that screamed. One home with me I did enjoy looking. There are many more stops I would have liked to see but time waits for no one. 

On the way home we went down to Lake Odessa. I have to go back as I didn't get to explore as well as I could have and missed 2 stores altogether.  

I found a vintage chippy metal kitchen cabinet front painted 50's pink. Must have been a part of an upper cabinet set. This came home with me for $16. I also picked up a pyrex birds and friendship small casserole  and lid for $18 ( more than I wanted to spend) and a Betty Crocker Cooky Book first edition in great shape for $9. The one I have from Mom is falling apart we used it so much growing up and continue to at Christmas.  So I can safely tuck her away and use this replacement. I also got a sweet little planter with birds and a Valentines saying. 

Some of the sights from this weekend. 

Planning time

So I had stopped by the mall to measure the space I will rent. I snapped a couple more photos of the space. Now I need to plan on how I will define it. And how I can add some type of wall to the left and between the arch that divides my booth from Patty's. 

My space goes to the edge of this window

I get to use this yellow shelf. 

This is the archway. I am thinking some kind of lattice. 

I think I will lay out a game plan in the basement and see what works.  

Taking the Plunge

I am going to do something I have been thinking about for quite a while. Get a booth at an antique mall. 

The husband has been after me to do something now the kids are grown. I really am not interested in going back to nursing, and my interest for volunteering for this nonprofit I have been involved with since 2008 is dying. 

So with my love of old interesting things, and the thrill of hunting for them, it seemed like a nice fit.

My friend Patty has had a spot in a local mall since last May. She just loves it. Imagine my surprise on the last visit when the owner told me the spot next to my friend is open. The name of the mall is The Birdcage Antiques & Collectibles on M59, just west of Argentine Rd in Livingston County. It is about 10 minutes from the other antique mall, Livingston Antique Outlet.

It will be a challenge to decorate the space, to get  a shabby chic, vintage cottage like feel balanced with a little 50/60s emphasis.

My husband wants me to sell off some of my pyrex, I am still thinking about that.

This is what the space looks like now 

The Polka Dot Closet: "What Sells and What Doesn't: Flea Market in Missouri"

The Polka Dot Closet: "What Sells and What Doesn't: Flea Market in Missouri"

Birthday Thrifting and Antiquing in Ohio

This weather has been so frustrating for me. I love to be able to pop in to the newest thrift store, and all the snow and cold has not made that easy.

So for my birthday, my husband decided to take me to a few antique malls in Ohio.

First we stopped in Findley at the Jeffreys Antique Gallery. Was a nice size mall right off the highway. Every time I have gone south on 23/75 I would wistfully glance at the mall, hoping for a stop. It was a nice large mall, with prices all over the place, depending on dealer. I was on the lookout for some pyrex and kitchen things to add to my collection. I found a yellow dot bowl; need the blue and green to finish my set. Also found a 404 butterprint to finish the bowl set my mom had given me; she had broke hers long ago. and a couple other small pieces. I also picked up a childhood tiny toy I had, a Porky Pine; A Walt Kelly character from POGO the comic strip that was a give away by Proctor and Gamble in 1969 when you bought shampoo or dishwashing soap.

Then we went down to Wapakoneta to the Auglaize Antique Mall. The town was small, with some abandoned machinery type plants. But we went into the downtown area. The buildings were those great old brick kind, lots of character and charm. There were actually 5 shops with old things. The only one that proved fruitful was the large mall. Nice people running it. Found a salt and pepper jadite set with tulips on them, many other pieces of pyrex, including one of my Holy Grail pieces; Green Wheat! Only $12. It did not have a lid or cradle, but I basically skipped with joy to the cash register.

We then had a great evening stay at the Hampton in Lima. We ate supper at Olive Garden and I had a toasted marshmallow chocolate martini and the lasagna. Then we checked in and went down to the hot tub, which we had all to ourselves. It was wonderful to just soak in the bubbly goodness after a long day of antiquing. Afterward we made some hot tea and had a couple of freshly baked white chocolate raspberry cookies from the front desk. We then settled in for the evening and watched some basketball.

Saturday we got up and ate breakfast. It was a standard waffle, and hot oatmeal with walnuts, raisins and cinnamon sugar. There also were eggs and cheese in a round shape to put on top a bagel with a sausage patty. Not half bad.

Next stop was Springfield. And there was a snow advisory out. The roads had a bit of icy patches, as it was sort of freezing rain coming down. But we pushed on.

 I had read on Martha Stewart about the Heart of Ohio mall. So I was really eager to see it for myself.  It was a huge place right off the highway.
First impressions....well they are all about security there. I am unsure if they have a ton of theft, but they have people standing guard at the exit and entrance. No large purses or bags. Since it is winter, I had a bulky coat on. Man I was followed around, finally my husband just took my coat to the car. Prices were high I felt. I wonder if it was due to the rent being high?
Anyway, I bought 3 items; a glass figurine of Lady (Disney) from the early 80's parks, a 403 friendship bowl (been wanting something from this pattern for a long time, but never seen anything under 20) and a 403 spring blossom. Overall I was disappointed, and probably wont ever go back.

We then went to the sister mall of the Findley one. Springfield Antique Center. Not as nicely organized, but I managed to navigate myself around. Prices were much more in line with what I thought they should be.
I found a Fire King Tulip bowl. Have wanted one since I saw it on pinterest. For $20, I will take it. It had one tiny smudge on one flowers, but I can look past that. They are so pricey every time I saw one, about $50-75, even faded and damaged ones. And the full set goes for $120-210. That was my only purchase, but I did see many things I could have brought home.

Here is a picture of all my goodies;