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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Recent vintage finds in unusual places


Last weekend, I was in Cedar City, Utah with family, and my daughter-in-law and I decided to hit some yard sales.  We found two that yielded some great finds.  The old rusty tin above yielded some great old buttons and also some other very interesting vintage items.  Above is the tin after I took most of the buttons out to wash the rust and dirt off of them.  The button tin had a weird smell because of the rust.  Below are pictures of what I found in all the pile of buttons.
These vintage glass buttons.  I love love glass buttons!  yippee!
These unusual pretty buttons. some are celluloid I am sure.

Some very large buttons and rusty bobbins.
then buried in all the buttons were these unusual items.  A crusty "J" hair clip, a rusty boy scout knife, a whistle that had turned patina, and some military type wings.  Most people would probably have thrown them away, but I call them truly interesting and wish I had stories of the people who once owned and used these things.  
Even the button cards by themselves are cool.  These are what caught my eye in the first place, laying in the old rusty tin.  All this vintage goodness, even if it did need to be cleaned up, was only $4.00

At the next yard sale I found these way cool glass glittered shadow boxes (below) calling out to me.  They aren't vintage, just look alikes.  Oh, the things I could do with those, and they are still in the original box unopened.  This was $2.00
And I also found this at the same sale.  Something for my studio or perhaps my own dresser.  
This cool jewelry console that was only $1.00

I am going to paint it up shabby!
 But then my truly amazing find and bargain of the day was this electric wall sconce.  I am thinking  maybe 1920's  There is still a bulb in it although I don't know if that is truly vintage. the crystals that are hanging on it will surely find other uses.  And I am planning on something special with the rest of it.  When I saw them I wanted at least one of them really badly.  
The man was selling antiques in a parking lot, out of a big truck.

Notice that the tag on this sconce says $99.00 for the pair.  I asked the man if he would take less than that.  He said he could go as low as $25.oo for the pair.  I said I just wanted one and would he take $10.00 for one.  He said I guess so.  So this lovely piece with all the crystal only cost me $10.00  I think it was the bargain of the day for sure!

20 comments:

Barbara Jean said...

wonderful finds. I would have loved going through that old tin too. my kind of 'gathering'. =)
blessings
barbara jean

ImagiMeri said...

Yep, you are truly blessed! Love, love, love all the vintage goodies you found. Since there are rarely any good sales like those out here in AZ, I usually have to get my vintage goodies off of Ebay or in a local antique shop. I have purchased some lovely story books lately, and I hope to show them on my blog soon.

Hugs,
Meri

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Love the buttons and the light fixture..I think you should have both of them!!
Sent your swap package out ~ keep a look out for it!
deb

romance-of-roses said...

Wow, talk about a bargain. It certainly was your lucky day. It's a beautiful piece. I am your new follower.
Hugs...Lu

Lovey said...

?wow did you hit the jackpot!!! What an awesome find!!!! Loved how you talked that last beauty down to $10.00...sa-weet!!!! c'mon back and link up...

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Great finds and $10 for the crystals was a deal. It will be interesting to see what project you use them for.
Judith

Red Rose Alley said...

That wall sconce is so unique and beautiful.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Rebecca Nelson said...

SCORE BIG TIME! Love it all. You are one blessed gal my friend. Loved stopping by!

xoRebecca

Cheryl said...

My Grandmother had an old Sharps Toffee tin full of the most amazing old buttons. My Mom inherited it and allowed my children to play with it, but I ahve no idea where it has gone. My daughter is desperate for a tin of old buttons so evey boot sale I go to I look for old buttons. Love, love your find!


Thank you for the birthdya wishes, I appreciate it so much. You have no idea what bogging has done for me - meeting like minded people and such inspriational spaces!
Cheryl

Melanie Statnick said...

hello! Thanks for visiting my blog and for your lovely comment. You have found some great treasures here ! lucky lady. Enjoy your creative whims!

Davi said...

Oh my you did score some Fabulous finds!! Those buttons are so wonderful and the fun other things plus that wall sconce is SOO beautiful!! Nothing like that in my neck of the woods!!

Plush Possum Studio said...

You are a smart shopper!!! What a treasure finder you are, too! I love a good bargain, and have been known to sniff out something special now and again.
Have fun this weekend with your new haul.
And thank you for the Follow!
Rose

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

What amazing treasures you found. I can't even imagine throwing out those trinkets. They look so good all cleaned up, and those buttons are so pretty. Love the light fixture...such a great price.

Fran. said...

Hi Michele! Thanks for stopping by my blog!! I just went back and read a few of your posts!! and checked out your studio! LOVE IT!! You have so much personal items in there and that is what I love! I LOVE the pics of your mom in the hat! Beautiful and how lucky you are to have it!! I am alos in rust heaven with your tin. For some reason I love rusty things!! LOL That was a great buy on the crystals. Some people are so afraid to ask. It sure paid off for you!! Take care, and I will follow you too. Love, XO Fran.

Valery Klassen said...

Wow! Love those vintage buttons. Thanks for the lovely comment on my blog post. I am a fan of your blog, thanks for the link.

Anonymous said...

Michele, these are great finds!! Good for you!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. And I'm with you, 50% humidity is not humid! LOL! We like the dry air too. This 97% here is very unusual for northern PA.

Hugs, Diane

Gaby Bee said...

Fantastic finds and such great deals! Love all the stuff you found, especially that crystal chandelier! I just know you'll create wonderful things with all your treasures!

Hugs,
Gaby

Erica said...

What great finds!! Those buttons are fabulous!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Who would ever think buttons after washing them would look so beautiful. You have a lot of finds. When I look at things at a garage sale . Like most ladies. Would never think to grab the grungy things. Now will make an effort next time to do it. You have for sure keepers.

Anonymous said...


Aw, this was a very good post. Finding the time and actual effort to produce a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never manage to get anything done.

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