A Bag of Beads

I always love when I can get a really great bargain on a collection of buttons or beads.

I bought a Ziplock bag of assorted beads at a rummage sale for only $6...and knowing the going rate for a strand of beads at Michael's, I thought this was quite a steal.
I had a lovely time sorting through them and to begin I thought that I'd make two very long necklaces that I could double or triple up.

What do you think of these?

Hunting for Doors

My friend, Makayla and I spent last Friday afternoon hunting for doors. We rummaged through flea market like shops and yard sales looking for a door that could someday embellish a door frame at Makayla's place.  I was easily distracted by everything because I find character in junk from another era. Why is this?  I must have what certain characters in Midnight in Paris have. Oh, to experience life in another era.

Here are a few snapshots that I took while Makayla diligently browsed through a warehouse of doors.

"S"

This door is stylish, isn't it! It feels rather art deco.

 

I have a few of these and know severaly people that collect them. It would appear that many people do. Why is that?

They are a staple at every garage sale. Why do we collect them?

I thought it might be fun sometime to go around town taking pictures of cool attic windows. I love this one. They are only on the really old houses and they are all so unique. Can't you just see the March girls from Little Woman peering out from their attic window saying, "What do you think of the captive?"

Is it just me, or can you see the letter "D" too?

I took this picture for two reasons: 1. I have a good friend with the last name Phillips. And 2. This company originated in 1912 which reminds me of Titanic.

I like diamond patterns.

Love this font!

I almost bought one of these babies at a rummage sale last month.  It would have been a major splurge. Someday.

We stopped a really great bookshop with book from the floor to the ceiling. I'm not exaggerating. It was amazing. These two volumes caught my eye so I snapped a picture. Moments later Makayla pointed out the same binding to me. We had a good laugh about it.

A beautiful cover!

I took this picture for my dad. I picked up a 2 record album that  I have been searching for at this rummage sale, only to discover once I got home that record 2 was missing. The next day I was driving with my dad and I saw that the sale was still going on. So we pulled over to search for it. My dad saw this little mail box and thought it was so cool. Little did he know I took a picture of it for him the day before. (If you were wondering, they didn't have Record 2 anymore...so I'm going to have to buy Electric Light Orchestra's Out of the Blue AGAIN!) 

Blurry...too bad.

A trip to Two Harbors is not complete without a stop at Betty's Pies. We entered through the exit door because I thought I saw Robert Redford in the parking lot and clearly ignored the brightly coloured exit signs. I swear that was the enterance last time I was there! Makayla had a Butterfinger something or other pie and I had the Great Lakes pie (strawberries, rhubarb, blackberries, raspberries, & blueberries) which was more than delicious! We found all the wrong doors during this hunt, but someday, hopefully the right one will be just around the corner and visibly marked.

The 29th Annual Park Point Rummage Sale

I hardly slept a wink last night. I was so worried that all the bargains would be snatched up before I hit the pavement and began to rummage through those garages of Duluth's Park Point. Even though I didn't make it to my first sale until after three, I am still pleased with my findings. I have to thank the talented Amanda Weis, who will play the Baker's Wife in our upcoming production of "Into the Woods". If it wasn't for her, I would have missed them all together! So thanks, Amanda!
Here are a few of my finds:

Vintage screw-back sequin earrings. I'd like to know what era they are from. My guess is that they are older than the 1950's.

SCORE! Have I mentioned I love this film...and the soundtrack..and these stories? I really need to do a post on my obsession with this film. It's long over-due.

Yep! I'm gonna be having a Murder Mystery Party! Be looking for your invitation in the mail.  I have a feeling I'm going to have a difficult time trying to get people to attend this one though. It's an archaeological theme which kills two birds with one stone for me.

I loved this glass bead necklace. It's really long too and could/will double as bracelet.

Some have called this piece of sheet music my greatest garage sale find. When was the last time you listened to this song? Just try not to cry, I dare you.

Ah, somethings you just can't pass up...

"It's for the kids!" Actually, I got this for James. His response, "Uh, Money can't buy you friendship, Jena." (This is not a typo. He's never pronounced my name correctly.)

Then from the same garage where I found my phonograph cylinder last year, I found this No. 2 Brownie Box Camera for $1. It's from 1904. That happens to be the year that "Meet Me In St. Louis" takes place. I love that movie and know that this will make a great edition to my bookshelf. It's so interesting. The people at this sale were so friendly to me as well and remembered me when I revisited their sale later on in the day.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this bucket quite yet,...that is after I clean the worm guts out of it. Any suggestions as to how I could use it creatively?

Then, as I was walking back to my car, I noticed this was free. It has a new home now.
 

It could be the companion to Martin Crane's infamous recliner.
 
But I believe I've just found my next "before & after" project, which should be fun, because this will be my first ottoman!

On Hosting a Rummage Sale

On Friday & Saturday, I conducted a sale from my garage. I had been gathering items for months, but waiting for nicer weather. I couldn't have asked for a sunnier day nor lovelier customers. A peculiar thing happens when you invite people to stop by and rummage through your possessions, they talk to you or maybe they are just easier to talk to. They are rarely in a hurry, because nobody stops at a garage sale when they have somewhere else they need to be. These are the sort of people who like to snag a deal, because there are few things better than finding a new inspiration piece for only a quarter or an antique chair for 3 bucks. I like these kind of people. They are my kind of people.

I met a woman that I saw in the Douglas County Historical Society Fashion Show at Glensheen Mansion a month ago. Now I think I may want to join that society and cross my fingers that we'd get to picket a building from getting knocked down (haha Makayla's idea) or get to participate in the next fashion show!

I met several mothers who were thinking of getting things for their kids. Showing a mother's constant thought on her children. Or adult children seeing something that their mother would appreciate for Mother's Day. Precious.

I talked to a woman who informed me that the monogrammed covered pot that I found at an antique store and was selling for $1 is actually what they call a silent butler and was used to collect cigarette ashes from guests, extinguishing the embers. I had always imagined that it was just a fancy way to serve scrambled eggs.

Learning that new fact, made this pack rat remove the item from the sale and it will be able to be seen in the background on a future episode of TLC's Hoarders.

Yet there were a few things I was able to part with. I will express my goodbyes now.

So long, Glee Albums Volume 1 & 2. You were the better part of several lonely, lip-syncing Saturday nights and I will always remember your severely auto-tuned tracks that made Cory Monteith sound decent.

Take care, trusty Casio keyboard with light up keys that served me well throughout college and had "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)" in its song bank.

Lata, Miami Vice Board Game. You are the worst game ever made and I know that your new owners are going to sorely regret purchasing you for $1.75

Fare-thee-well, plant pedestal that I picked up off the side of the road and somehow managed to become $2 richer by giving you up.

Peace out, Parasuco jeans. I sure hope you didn't have any money in your pockets.

I owe a round of applause to Makayla (who actually found a $20 bill in a pair of her jeans that were for sale! Good thing she checked!), Katie (who carried out a grand tradition), my sweet mom for helping me out (especially when I wanted to check out the other rummage sales in the neighborhood), and to all the rummage "salers" out there who bought my junk. It sure was nice to de-clutter our life a bit and meet some new faces. Remember the age old adage, "One man's junk is another's..."

'Til next time!

Rummage sale season is upon us...

Of course this makes me very excited. So excited that I started a list of what I’ll be searching for during this rummage sale season.



1. Ottomans…Why don’t I own one of these yet? I hope to find a delapidated one that I can re-upholster. UH! That would be pretty cool!

2. Busts…even a crappy little Plaster of Paris one will do.

3. Bookends... I would love to stumble upon a German Shepherd bookend, mainly because I’m awfully fond of that breed.

4. SPOONS! …I suppose forks will do too. But I will definitely be on the prowl for ornate silverware, because I intend to make a few more spoon rings.

5. Records, Cassettes, CD’s …somethings never change. I would shriek over an ELO album or "La Voix Du Bon Dieu" on vinyl, which I'm sure I will never find in America. Still I wish I will find it this way and the previous owner will have no idea of its worth to me.

6. Lockets...and hoping that there is even an old picture inside.

7. Silhouettes. I REALLY like silhouettes.

8. Anything Monogrammed…okay, maybe not anything. I would definitely pass on used towels or sheets. That’s just gross.

9. Lampshades.

10. Buttons…especially antique ones that have been stored away hoping to be used some day. Let me give them purpose!

11. Books…anything classic...with someone's signature or book plate on the inside cover.

12. Skeleton Keys

13. Broken Dishes...That way I can break them even more and use them to mosaic. (Which I've begun to do and will post on soon.)

14. Vintage Clothes and Costume Jewelry. Bring on the gawdy inspiration pieces.

15. Polaroid Cameras. I have a box of polaroid film that is good for a specific camera. Isn't it usually the other way around?

16. Paintings...and paint supplies. Canvases, brushes, oil paints. I really hate to pay full price for such things.

17. Rotary Phone in a brilliant colour...I've been searching for one of these for a while. My grandparents have a beige one, which I'm sure that they would let me have, but I would really like a brightly coloured one or at least a sleek black one.

I better end this list.

Happy April!

Artist's Sister by Gustav Richter

I recently discovered this portrait at a rummage sale along with a lovely Victorian Chocolate Pot which I had never seen before. It differs from a Tea Pot in that it has a flat bottom. Believing that I found two items that everyone would admire, I was baffled when I heard voices of disapproval. Apparently this portrait has been deemed "creepy" by the majority of my family.

The label on the back of the frame reads, "Artist's Sister- By Gustav Richter, Artist: Gustav Richter was born at Berlin, August 31st, 1823. He studied first at Berlin, and in 1844-1846 was the pupil of Cogniet in Paris. He made numerous journeys to France and Italy, and in 1861 was commissioned by the King of Bavaria to visit Egypt to make sketches for pictures of the Pyramids --which were destined for the Maximilianeum at Munich. "The Artist's Sister" by Richter depicts the charm of the Romantic period of last century. The original hangs in the National Gallery of Berlin. He died April 3, 1884. " I appreciate that the price is written on the back in a white wax crayon. You can observe how the sale price decreased over time. So, what are your thoughts? Do you find this work of art classic or creepy?

Godey's Fashions for February & April 1870

I found these at a rummage sale on London Road last May. Aren't they divine? I added a coat of Country White acrylic paint to the frames. Instant charm. Now I just need to find a place to display them.

I thought it would be fitting to post them as I have begun reading Anna Karinina which takes place in the 1870's if I'm not mistaken. I also watched Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence this past week which occurs in that time period as well. Unfortunately, I was not impressed with the film (mostly the acting...I'm not a Daniel Day Lewis admirer) although the costumes were stunning. It made me want to post on Period Costumes in the near future. I wonder if there are any travelling exhibits on Period Costumes in Film? Does anyone else feel the same way? There was this one: http://www.tme.org/Exhibition%20Fashion%20in%20Film.htm That one would have been amazing. It featured costumes from Evita, Out of Africa, and Sense & Sensibility...I hope that I can get a chance to visit this. I'm kicking myself that I didn't jump at the opportunity to tour the gowns from the movie Titanic when I had the chance.

And now that a new season of Project Runway is in full swing, I'm sure there will be a post on fashion soon.
That show is so cultivating and inspiring for me.

I saw some screen shots from the upcoming Robert Redford film, The Conspirator starring James McAvoy and can't wait to see an actual trailer. I also have the films Bright Star & Coco Avant Chanel on their way.  So much to look forward to!

Until then,
Jana

From My Treasure Trove

   

Dated July 29, '02...1902 that is. I found this phonograph cylinder at a rummage sale last month. At first I was somewhat quizzical as to what I was holding. I was attracted to the object because of the ornate font and elaborate wrapping, but to learn that within the box was a nearly forgotten form of music that I had never seen before. Well, that rapidly altered my appreciation for the item. I deemed it worthy of sitting on my bookshelf. The one that contains treasures from around the world.

 Here's a recording of the song that I found on YouTube. It's actually kind of cute.

 

After...

Here is the end table that I found for $2 last summer. I obtained the antique handle from an ornate buffet that my mom has been planning to discard...of course I only found it after several trips to various hardware stores and countless hours of web search...Also this infamous Desert Blue colour instigated a need for "Clean up in aisle 5!" at Michaels.

Another project that I have been working on can be seen above the little table. I'm working on an album cover. It's still in the early stages, but hopefully I will have something to pass out to family & friends soon. Lord willing :)

"Will you not sit?"

I often frequent rummage sales and friends can attest that I can't pass by a disheveled chair without considering its potential. I intend to post current and future projects for the fellow chair-enthusiast. Here is a recent find. Inspired by Miss Austen and an issue of Victoria magazine, I chose to cover the seat with a delicate worn cornflower blue & white toile. I was especially drawn to the chair solely because of the harp design its back. Once I primed and painted the chair country white, I sanded away portions to reveal the original finish, thus creating a shabby chic effect.

Below: I painted the finials on this little oak seat metallic gold, plum, & magenta to complement the velvet striped cushion cover. It was originally outdated 70's burnt orange pleather. The envelope pillow was made from an upholstry sample and features a collage of antique buttons.

Below: This chair was purchased for $6 at my favourite Antioch, TN boutique, Alabaster Box. I did nothing to alter this particular chair, although I did fashion the costume rubies to the square senorita floral pillow.