Saturday, August 18, 2007

The life of an estate saler....

I thought I'd share with you all a little behind-the-scenes action, since many times on the weekend I post pictures of my estate sale finds. I just wanted to show that the pretty pictures of my treasured finds definitely don't tell the whole story. When going to estate sales, you never know what you're going to find! It all starts mid-week. I usually scope out what sales I'd like to go to on Saturday from the Thursday classifieds. I also always check a local site online that posts pictures of their sales coming up. That way I can decide if I'm interested enough to trek on out and check out their sale. Saturday morning from 9-11 am is my sweet window of estate sale bliss!
This is a warehouse not too far from my house that has a sale most weekends. As you can see, today was a grey, rainy day. I have to admit, estate sales that take place in the owners home are more interesting. I like to see things in the environment in which it has "lived" for so many years. However, this warehouse usually has some fun stuff and many times have bag sales on the second day.
Here's just a few photos to show the tables of stuff you will find. Lots of old mixed with newer items. The sales today weren't all that great, but I did manage to find a few things.



Then sometimes you find sales that are just scary! This one was in a home with an older man still cleaning things out. There were dirty boxes of junk everywhere, nothing marked and I didn't even dare to dig. Look at the old cast that was in the basement. Ewwww..... I didn't stay long!

I gather all my treasures and go home and pretty much immediately decide where they will be displayed. I found these three cuties today and have them in my studio. At $1 each, I couldn't pass them up.
I especially like this one. If you like dollies like these, you MUST check out Jenny and Aaron's new line of paintings. Absolutely stunning! Must resist starting a new collection:)

This crown was a fun find.
Ahhhh...buttons!
Hope you enjoyed the little tour inside the estate saleing world of ArtsyMama!
P.S. I noticed that the Artful Blogger party post rolled off the end of this page. I added a permanent link to it on my sidebar to the right (blow my flickr box) so it's there to refer to in the future if you want to follow the wonderful links that people posted.

22 comments:

Lilli in Vancouver said...

What a great idea for a post, Kari! Thanks so much for the insider tips. I feel so empowered :)

Those dolls are Wwwwwwonderful!!! And the crown and the buttons!

Anonymous said...

Wow! You made a killing. I love the dolls : )

Kimla Kay said...

Great post, Kari. Thanks for showing us the process of your hunting and gathering. And yes, that cast was creepy crawler nasty...ha ha!

Anonymous said...

Love the crown pin! What an awesome find. Estate sales, what a fun thing. I have a friend that sets up Estate Sales (as a business), so I can usually get a great lead on some good ones. Bless her, I have found some cool stuff through her. Congrats on great finds.

Anonymous said...

I love buttons!!!...but have yet to find any at yard sales / thrift stores, ect.

Anonymous said...

That was a fun post! Thanks for taking us along!...I can't believe you got those pretty dolls so cheap! What a find!

Anonymous said...

Kari you rock!
I want that crown!!!
so jealous!!!
Great finds!!!
Jessi nagy

www.scrappyjessi.blogspot.com

Jess said...

Love the inside look at your weekend fun!

Bonnie said...

Thanks for sharing you process with us Kari..I imagine you must find some weird of scary things along the way-LOL! But I bet it is a lot of fun!

shy_smiley said...

As you said, some sales are uber-scary. I remember one where the catbox had a $12 price tag and litter and poop still inside! (that's the same sale where all Men's Suites were $5 each).

Lennea said...

Wow! what a bargain on the dolls!
I love jen's new doll art, too! So many lovely things, so little space...sighh...
Lennea

Anonymous said...

Oh what a fun post! Andrea (of shopgirl.typepad.com) was over today and we were just talking about estate sales! I so need to start going to them so I appreciate the tips!!! :-)

Flea Market Queen said...

The dolls are amazing...what a find! I love the crown pin...

Jeanne said...

Thanks for taking us on your estate sale trip. What fun!

Sugar Bear said...

That cast is so icky! Can you imagine?! Well, I'm sure you could! I love the crown pin. I immediately thought of Jenny and Aaron's Charlotte as soon as I looked at your doll photo!
Karla

Jackie said...

You should come out to the Hamptons sometimes; we have some rockin' estate sales! But looks like you made a killing! Those buttons are making me drool.

Ginny Gibson said...

You know it's nice to see the ugly side of searching out a gem. But wow that crown is gorgeous. Well done finding it in all that stuff.

Best wishes Ginny

Miss*Laurence said...

That crown is really amazing, you are lucky to get so many sales close to you. (even scary ones!)x

Anonymous said...

I loved this post! I post about estate sales all of the time. Stay tuned for last week's French Angora find...Hollyhocks.typepad.com

Kara said...

great post, what a lovely insight well apart from that cast gross.
Love the buttons
Kara
x

Shop girl said...

I come to peek at your wonderful ideas and I don't think I have comment on your blog...But today I went to our local book store to buy Artful Blogging. Brought it home to open it to something new, a treat with a cup of Lavender Tea. And there on page 74 was your art...I was so happy for you and to think I have been visiting you for months. WOW, what a great supprise.
I love having my blog and seeing all the talents...it's a gift. Artful Friends,
Mary

Donna Layton said...

It's very had to find a bargain at estate sales around here. They price everything so high. I'm sure I'd do better if I dedicated myself to going every week, but I live so far out in the country it's hard to get motivated to go so far.
Now, I need to check out Jenny and Aaron's new paintings. I forgot those were coming up.