I wasn’t going to go to garage sales this morning. I told myself, “I’m was too exhausted”.
I checked the ads last night and there weren’t many out there. Good, case closed.
So when my daughter’s alarm went off at six o’clock, why did I check the craigslist ads? Simply put, because garage sales are addictive. If you don’t go, you lie in bed wondering what you missed, so you might as well get up anyway.
Well I’m glad I did because I found some goodies. I was the first person at a sale, and I got all of the good stuff! (If I’m not one of the first people at a sale they usually aren’t worth it to me.)
I’m pretty particular about what I buy. I’m there for antiques and vintage furniture, and those things go quickly unless they are way over priced.
I scooped up a great old end table,
a fantastic vintage mirror,
a vintage picture frame (not sure if I’m going to paint this one or not, I kind of like it the way it is),
an old scooter (to stage my furniture pieces with)
a cool old metal container,
an old wire basket and vintage skates to stage with,
some old books to decorate with,
an old rocking chair,
and a stool.
The woman who ran the sale was super nice and very chatty. We started talking about my furniture business and my love of vintage things.
Three days ago I was telling my mom how I hate the way my mantle was decorated, and I wish that I could find a great antique mirror. Fast forward to today, the woman who ran the sale asked if I would be interested in a big, old mirror.
Of course! It was fate! She took me inside, and showed me the most fantastically ornate and GINORMOUS mirror! She told me she paid $700 for it at an antique store.
Seeing how much she paid for it made my heart sink. If she paid that much I knew she would still want a pretty penny for it.
I asked her what she wanted for it and she said “I don’t know, what about fifty?” My heart started pounding … did she she say fifty or did I miss the 2 or 3 in front of that?
So I repeated fifty? She said “would that be okay?” Let me think about this.. YES!!! I can’t believe she only wanted $50 for this mirror!
Then she mentioned it was incredibly heavy. Now heavy is never a word my husband wants to hear. But I called him up anyway. He met me there, and I told him I bought a giant mirror. (Keep in mind this is already after he looked in my SUV and saw it completely packed.)
How giant, he asked? Pretty big I said.
Again he asked how big? So I took him in to see it. Holy Mary of God! he said. Yep I said it’s pretty big.
Now I’m 5’7 and it comes up to my shoulder. It’s big. Husband’s don’t seem to care what an amazing deal you got. All they seem to hear is that you spent money, that he’s got to fit it in his car, and that it’s heavy. Oh, and then there’s hanging it up once we get it home.
Fun sucker.
Here she is (pay no attention to the shlubby dressed person in the reflection):
To some people these pieces probably look like junk, but I see potential. I love taking something that looks like it’s meant for the trash and repurposing it, giving it new life. It’s my part in recycling. Furniture, made in the 20’s through the 70’s, was just made better.
Just because a table has a few scratches on it, it doesn’t mean it’s ready for the dumpster. I think my pieces have been selling so well because people like things in their home that have character and a story behind them.
At least that’s what I like.
Anyway, I’m super happy I got up this morning. I got some amazing deals and unique pieces. I’ll keep you posted on how I transform them.
Have a great weekend!
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