Do you go to yard sales?
I do.
Every Saturday my father and I spend the day going to yard sales.
We find some good and interesting things, but the real rare and great finds seem to be a thing of the past.
Years ago, we used to find silver, even gold items a couple of times, antiques, and just about anything you want.
Now, really good things are getting harder and harder to find.
Oh well.
Many people have become educated over the years as to the value of things.
Antiques Roadshow has made even more people dream.
Many more still, want to get rich quick, and the idea of that once-in-a lifetime find brings them out.
Of course, the antique dealers want to get to them as well, and some dealers are at the yard sales before they even open.
One dealer was at a yard sale before the people were out of bed.
All of this leaves my dad and I to wonder if it is still worth it?
We still enjoy our time together, so it is worth it and more.
You can't put a pricetag on memories and love.
We both love photography, so we might start doing that more.
During our yard sale driving over the years, we found some interesting sites that we will spend some time at.
You see, doing one thing can lead to another.
Quality time spent with family can do that.
George Vreeland Hill
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Comments: 60
Marilyn
Awesome deal huh?
I enjoy it now, but I am in it for the odd things like paintings and things that I can re-purpose as garden art. I don't think that I could deal with wearing old clothes or using other people's linens.
Once in a while I find a great deal. I bought and old trunk for $2!!! I see them all the time at antique stores for $100 and up, and they are in worse shape than mine. I like to find old paintings, some to keep, but many just to use the frame and canvas. They are so expensive new:)
I have everything I need now, so only stop on a drive by.
In our area, there are too many people who have garage sales every weekend, and they buy up items cheap at somebody else's to sell the next week at theirs. I just don't get it.
I agree with the observation in the article that people are becoming more aware of the value of older items and it is harder to find that treasure.
"Mine is colonial."
"Mine is yard sale and dumpster secured."
Treasures can still be found out by the curb, with a little paint here, varnish there, and glue to seal the deal. I love it when someone is moving. I can always use another piece of furniture, if only to replace an existing piece to go to the curb to become treasure for another.
I had a yard sale yesterday, half of it was my mom's which were mostly collectibles worth $100 and more, but she sold these things for $25-$40 a piece. It was great seeing people find something they wanted and giving it to them for a $1 or a quarter. We made about $10o, and could have made more $$, but mostly wanted to get rid of the stuff, we sold most of it and took 2 boxes of leftovers to a hospice. It was fun, I hadn't had one on a decade or so!
I really enjoy going to garage sales.
It is a big social event in my small town. I spend more time visiting with people than I do shopping.
My home is filled with garage sale treasures! I collect "garage sale" art which consists of original paintings or framed needlework. I also collect frames and have hundreds!
I am and artist and I also teach art so I am also always looking for arts and crafts supplies.
I have found plenty of great clothes for my two sons and more toys than I care to admit!
So...
Don't give up your weekend fun with your father! That is the fun and challenge of "treasure" hunting!
Geri
Baby clothes for my kids for almost nothing 24 yrs ago.
Antique linnens and old fashioned things.
Desks and furniture for my college bound children.
6 small plates that almost match my set.
Now my life is almost at downsizing.
And a lot of those things will be put back into the yard sale boxes.
I dont go any more but if I did, I would be on the look out for things to sell on Ebay.
Those memories you speak of remind me of my time yardsaling with my daughter...t
I once found an original copy of Gone with The Wind for 30 cents, I knew it was worth once more because it had a banner over the top telling me not to miss the upcoming movie. I took it to Powells and got $25,000 for it. I lived on that monies for two years.
I get clothes and other necessities for my family too. I'm not doing so much of that lately, I am likely moving to Denver next year and need to get rid of stuff.
Thanks
Cricket
I guess this stems from when I was a child .... I would spend hours on end going to garage sales, yard sales, and flea markets with my grandmother .... she really loved me and I loved her .... and we spent time together on weekends .... and that meant a lot to me ........ She died 33 years ago ..... and I still miss her ..... but I remember her most vividly whenever I stop at a yard sale and I have to smile ....
I like the excitement of the hunt!
WwW.SparkleTags.Com
1) Wealthy inner-city neighborhoods that tend to vote Democratic. (avoid wealthy suburbs, where people fled to a place where they could all look alike).
2) Around universities. (World traveling professors and students who don't own cars and can't take aunt Nellie's quilt with them).
3) Working class neighborhoods where people choose to retire in the house where they raised their kids. (Vintage tools and every variety of kitsch)