Vintage Junk in My Trunk

A Doll Trunk, A Brick Camera, and Two Patron Saints

Boy, am I way behind. Lots of adventures this past week, and photos galore, but me too busy on a freelance design project deadline to share any of them.

Fortunately, I've got a handle on that project now, so it's treasure time!

Mr. VJIMT scooted off early Thursday morning to a local flea market, and found some great deals. Like this cool blue doll trunk with amazing decals.

I love the graphics on this decal even though it's worn and torn. Or maybe because it's worn and torn?

There's one on the other side too.

This sign was quickly added to the others on our wall. See more here and here and here if you haven't yet read my trilogy on the signs Mr. VJIMT collects.

The Argus C3 camera, produced from 1939 to 1966 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is fondly referred to as "The Brick" due to its boxy shape and heft. It really does feel like a brick in your hand!

Two more religious statues, St. Rita on the left (Patron Saint of Impossible Causes ) and St. Francis Xavier Cabrini on the right (Patron Saint of Immigrants).

Pale green metal cloth tape measure.

I'm pretty sure these silver pots are worth a little something. My research shows they are manufactured in the 1920s by one of Denmark's greatest designers, Just Andersen, who was also a sculptor and silversmith. They are made of pewter and have wrapped rattan handles.

And what do you know, a typewriter! Pale fallow brown color, great glass keys, perfect working condition, and number four in our 2013 countdown.

Still to come -- yard sale Saturday, Clover Market Sunday, and the weekly Etsy 365 Project recap!

A Little Taste of Treasure Day

We were almost rained out last weekend. On Friday Mr. VJIMT and I went to an overpriced estate sale and all we got was the Mary statue I quickly listed (and sold) as part of the Etsy 365 Project.

We hit another estate sale early Saturday morning. There were about 25 people in line. They handed out playing cards for entrance -- we were the ten and jack of hearts. At 8:00 AM, they started reading off the playing cards, letting in all of the clubs.

And then all of the hearts. Right behind the clubs.

It was goofy. The entire house was closed off except for one tiny room filled with glass and other breakables. And about 25 people. We turned around and left.

But fortunately, there was a garage. Where we found this.

Saturday's forecast called for storms and rain all day. There were two town-wide sales scheduled, one of which was postponed until this Saturday, which was sort of a relief since we weren't sure which one to shop.

The other, which is touted as "Treasure Day" (a much smarter marketing ploy!) went on as planned, although with only about a third of the normal amount of sellers braving the weather (it's on for this Saturday as well).

And of course not a drop of rain fell all day.

Still, I got this fab suitcase!

Only it's not a suitcase, but a case for a sewing machine -- surprise! I'm selling them separately, as I think the case itself is the bigger draw.

A nice little collection of vintage Christmas.

Some vintage cameras with flashes. Mr. VJIMT has a project. The woman selling these was happy they were going to be repurposed.

And what else? What else? Oh, yeah, a typewriter! Number 3 for the season if you're keeping score, Barbara (Oodles and Oodles). (I actually passed on Number 4 at the same sale since the keys were stuck, but am now regretting that decision.) They were marked "Best Offer" which really makes me uncomfortable. So if you have no offers and I offer one dollar, do I win?

On Sunday we went to a flea market after it poured for about an hour at daybreak. That probably scared away some vendors.

Mr. VJIMT found me two more Infant of Pragues there. The one on the left is musical and, again, sold as part of the Etsy 365 Project. The one on the right is really odd; the body is white plaster and the head, crown, hands, and orb are rubber. Bizarre.

We had the added pleasure of an overnight visit from Sue (Vintage Rescue Squad) who came to pick our garage before we packed it all up for the May Clover Market this Sunday.

That was a quick week! There are lots of sales tomorrow, plus our show on Sunday mean lots of stories and photos. "Like" my Facebook page for up-to-the-minute details.

The Etsy 365 Project -- Week Nineteen

Many of my listings last week worked well for Mother's Day, coincidentally enough. Here's a vintage wall pocket vase to hold those lilacs.

This antique print from Godey's Ladies Fashion is dated 1842 and is ready to hang in its fabulous black and gold Victorian frame.

Did you know that this "ladies book" was directed solely at women and was one of the most influential 19th century monthly magazines of the 19th century and a leading authority on fashion?

Me neither.

How about one of Vera Neumann's famous scarves in a bold graphic pattern?

And a pretty Mother Mary statue in lovely soft blues and creams. She sold quickly, even with her obvious repair.

Gearing up for another Clover Market on Sunday. Hope to see you there!

WEEK NINETEEN

127.    Antique Godey Ladies Fashion Print Victorian Frame

128.    Vintage Yellow Ice Bucket Thermos Wire Metal Carrier

129.    Vintage Scarf Vera Neumann Brown Mid Century V 1960s

130.    Vintage Statue Mary Religious Madonna Chalk SOLD!

131.    Vintage Infant of Prague Religious Statue Chalk Chippy

132.    Vintage Wall Pocket Vase Green Brown Japan

133.    Vintage Religious Statue Music Box Infant of Prague SOLD!

The Etsy 365 Project -- Week Eighteen

This week's Etsy 365 Project listings included one of the yard sale paintings we found -- which sold within hours of being listed!

Everything else was also a thrift store or yard sale find from the past week. Like these aprons.

And these interlocking toy blocks.

And this scarf.

So that means my inventory listings haven't been reduced, but at least I'm not adding anything to the pile!

WEEK EIGHTEEN

120.    Vintage Painting Flowers Signed Still Life SOLD!

121.    Vintage Half Apron Red Pink Rickrack Scallop Edge

122.    Vintage Half Apron Pink Polka Dot Lace Edge Sheer

123.    Vintage Scarf Glentex 100% Silk Roses Flowers Large

124.    Vintage Blocks Animals Letters Interlocking

125.    Vintage Tablecloth Embroidered Linen Christmas

126.    Vintage Decanter French Art Deco Polka Dots

A Broken Clarinet and Ugly Brown Shelves

This weekend's yard sales were just ho hum again. April definitely held less treasures for us than in previous years, and May started out along those same lines. We were out for three hours on Saturday, and this is all we found -- a small red chest, ugly brown shelves, a box of broken clarinet pieces, and a few other smalls.

I don't photograph everything we get at yard sales, though. I'm pretty sure you don't want to see the stuff that's not vintage. 

Like these "LIttlest Pet Shop" animals my daughter bossily orders sweetly asks me to find. She only has about 400 of them. Fortunately they live in a large bin and aren't teeny tiny. Her obsession is daily video and animation production. I guess I should be grateful it's a creative outlet. [Please let me know if you have any of the older ones like these for sale, especially cats and dogs.]

So back to my vintage finds. More colorful books. The orange and black will get some Halloween-themed ribbon and hit the shop/shows in the fall. 

This vintage fashion print will head to Etsy.

As will these child's skates, but I may wait until the more appropriate season.

I thought this vintage French polka dotted decanter was adorable, although there is a chip on the top and no stopper. Came with 4 equally cute little glasses.

A little bit of bling is always fun too.

The little painted chest is in the Clover Market pile, which is in less than two weeks!

Mr. VJIMT already painted those wooden shelves a pretty blue. What an improvement!

And then he turned the broken clarinet pieces into a fabulous lamp!

Pretty cool, huh? See more of his repurposed lamps here and here.

Yard Sale Madness. Finally!

Well, it took most of April, but at long last we experienced our first case of yard sale madness this season.

Behold the goodness:

For some reason, we've been finding a lot of paintings. I don't think we saw any last year. Love the red background on this one; it's already found a spot in our family room.

The floral painting dated 1949 was listed and sold in my Etsy shop within a couple of hours!

Another female portrait, but a rendering in pastels instead of oils. The black and white is so chíc! Mr. VJIMT is contemplating keeping her as well.

This print of children on ancient steps will need some research.

Lots of chippy frames to use for chalkboards.

A silver handled tray filled with toy blocks, flower pins, a pink clock, holiday figurines, and metal doodads.

This giant suitcase has interesting labels. I think I'm keeping the cute little guy.

Mid-century modern yellow ice bucket made by Thermos. The ones I've seen on Etsy do not have the metal carrying form.

A non-descript game box held these vibrant boards inside. I'm wondering if I should split the boards up and sell them individually or keep the game as is? The box itself is brown and boring.

And, oh yeah, a typewriter. How could I forget?

The second of this young season. And it's a nice one, with great metal keys and a crank on the side. I may have to keep it too!

The Etsy 365 Project -- Week Seventeen

Last week's Etsy 365 Project was the first to coincide with a couple of great yard sale days. Add to that church rummage sale finds and a thrift store bonus run, and I am panting to keep up with the new inventory.

So here we go. Some old old, some new old, some religious old, some exotic old.

Good thing for us vintage souls, it never GETS old!

WEEK SEVENTEEN

113.    Vintage Infant of Prague Religious Statue SOLD!

114.    Vintage Cabrini College Banner School Felt Pennant

115.    Vintage Yellow Train Case Samsonite Silhouette Mustard

116.    Vintage Infant of Prague Religious Statue Porcelain

117.    Vintage Rusty Scale Kitchen Columbia Crusty Primitive

118.    Vintage Pyrex Spring Blossom Crazy Daisy Refrigerator

119.    Vintage Tea Set Lusterware Japan Aqua Peach

An Exercise in Thrifting

I headed out Friday morning for my morning walk (after school drop-off) when I realized there was a church rummage sale going on AT THAT VERY MOMENT.

All thoughts of exercise completely vanished from my mind. My walking partner was coerced agreed to go with me. To the sale we went!

It wasn't very big, and we were about 10 minutes late to the party. But I did manage to snag these adorable red and pink vintage aprons.

[extraneous thought] I wonder if everyone has weird dining room photo shoots?

Anyway, I also found this lovely round, scalloped edge, embroidered table linen. It's Christmas, right? Because of the colors?

A few other bits and pieces.

We now felt more like shopping than walking, so after the church sale we headed to a big thrift store that I don't go to very often.

I don't know why not. It's super clean, extremely organized, and I found some great things! The first time I tried to find the place it was difficult to get to, and sometimes the prices are crazy, but this time it worked out well. I'm probably going to be going there more often.

Although I've been trying to cut back, I couldn't resist these pretty plates.

And this perfect set of Pyrex refrigerator dishes -- with lids -- in the Spring Blossom/Crazy Daisy pattern. The casserole bowls already sold in my Etsy shop, so these are (already) listed there as well.

Now for the most amazing find -- this gorgeous Japanese Lusterware tea set.

It is in pristine condition and is a fabulous iridescent aqua on the outside with peach on the inside.

It is so pretty it almost makes me wish I drank tea.

Almost. It's headed to Etsy too. And now we have to make up for that missed walk. But it was worth it!

We've Reconciled!

You may have seen my Facebook post last week about my love/hate relationship with the community or town-wide yard sale. Sometimes they're good, like here and here, but sometimes they're bad.

Last week's in a neighboring town was bad. This was all I got after almost 5 hours of yard sale hopping. Also, it's still cold in these parts, so it wasn't a very pleasant adventure either.

[Although I've already resold three of those items, so maybe it was good after all. Hmmm.]

This week's, in my own town, was decidedly better.

Because any yard sale day that features vintage Christmas is a good day for me! How do you like this plastic Santa cookie jar? It was made by Empire in the 1970s, and the red part of the hat comes off.

And vintage Christmas tablecloths.

And just when you (and I) thought I had listed just about all of my vintage religious statues, in particular the Infant of Pragues, along comes this collection. You can blame Mr. VJIMT, since he was the one who spied (and purchased) the box lot of them.

That Jesus bust in the center is frightening. Even more so than my creepy dolls.

And look at this thing! It's a crucifix fish. Yes, an actual fish that looks like a crucifix. Talk about scary.

Mr. VJIMT also found another large school group photo for his collection.

We also came home with this drawer.

And this iron container basket.

And more silver trays.

And this separated drawer turned into wall hanging organizer.

And these two frosted state glasses.

And this yellow Samsonite train case.

So the community yard sale and I, we've kissed and made up. 

Just in time to snuggle under this cozy quilt, which rounded out our day of community yard sales.

I love the unusual color combination, especially the green! How about you?

The Etsy 365 Project -- Week Sixteen, Feeling Blue

…the color blue, that is! Most of my Etsy 365 Project listings this week were glorious shades of cornflower blue, robin's egg blue, cobalt blue, and slate gray blue.

This blue doll rocker is sooo chippy!

This antique spice drawer piece was originally unpainted oak, then a pale yellow, and now this bright blue. I think it would look great for holding bathroom or crafty essentials, especially since it can be hung on a wall or just sit on a surface.

The green on this miniature wardrobe really pops agains the blue. Love the little latch on the front.

And this dusty blue book cover is the perfect background for the red and black illustration.

I didn't set out to have a blue theme this week; it just happened! It's odd how a lot of my listing weeks end up as a theme -- religious, creepy doll...

The only time it will be on purpose is when I start listing my Christmas items in September!

WEEK SIXTEEN

106.    Vintage Wood Towel Ribbon Rack Yellow SOLD!

107.    Vintage Chair Doll Rocker Rocking Antique Blue Chippy

108.    Vintage Miniature Cupboard Armoire Doll Blue Green

109.    Vintage Leather Baby Shoes White Lot of 6

110.    Antique Spice Box Drawers Vintage Cubby Blue Primitive

111.    Antique Book Pilgrim's Progress John Bunyan 1800s

112.    Vintage Painting Portrait Woman 1960s Canvas Signed