my find (singular) for 4.26.08

I only hit one yardsale today (total bust). And before you ask no I’m not sick, and or dying. I was selling at a flea market. I sell twice a year on saturdays. The show it right by my brothers house and I tend to do good there so twice a year I miss yardsales. Its okay…I can live missing yarsales twice a year…plus I found my cheap piece of Fenton today from another dealer. They tried to tell me it was a reproduction. But I know better then that. Some will argue that silvercrest was reproduced. But everyone agrees only Fenton made it. Now this is an old unmarked piece. But Fenton still does make some silvercrest pieces. So that argument could be made some are a “reproduction.” I paid $5 for it…very nice. I shouldn’t have a problem getting 50-60 out of it. The same dealer also had a green depression console set for $25…she knew it was depression glass…boo. But she had the console bowl upside down…and when I turned it right side up…I did it without even thinking…force of habit. She told me it goes that other way, walked back and turned it over and told me its for candles. I started to argue…but I just decided to take my “reproduction” and run.

The flea was good today…really hot…98 and dry very low humidity…and I don’t tan. I ended up making a little over 1,500 after space rental, help, and some Chinese food I got on my way home (on a side note don’t order food when your really hungry and tired…I have way to many leftovers). So it was well worth it. I just wise we could have left earlier…they hold us hostage until 3pm…and with the warm conditions after 1pm I didn’t sell a whole lot. Thankfully I brought both of my tent/canopys and tons of cold water. It was very much needed (plus a few energy drinks to keep my energy lever up). I had 2 booths…I only paid for one. But I know the person who runs it…so as it happens the space next to me “wasn’t rented.” Darn…I had tons of extra room. But I knew I would going in. So I brought lots of stuff. Things…glass especially…was selling good for me today. Too bad about the warm temps…I think it kept a few people in. But I really can’t complain!

All in all a very nice day. But I am left wondering…what did I miss. You just never know if today was the day I missed a set of Custard glass! See you out there next week on the hunt!  Sorry about the so-so pictures of my booth.  The one thing I don’t like about the iPhone is its camera…although maybe if I cleaned the lens it wouldn’t be fuzzy

Blah…ugh…Bad Day

Not even I can win them all. It was just one of those days. You go right when you should have went left…and you go straight when you should have made a U-Turn. Very frustrating morning for me. I’m not sure if I should go back to bed…kick something…or put away my “finds.” Maybe its just getting to warm outside and close to summer. So much crap out this week. I have go move to my summer tactics. I just always do better during the winter months. I think the cooler temps keep the people with 2 trash bags of clothes and a stroller inside. And that’s a good thing because I don’t waste my time driving by. I didn’t take many pictures. I didn’t find a whole lot. I was just disgusted with everything today…it was all JUNK!

I left today right before 6am…got to the first estate sale. Was first in line…but the sale didn’t pan out. I got 2 fire king bowls. But I left thinking I should have went to the other estate sale. But it opened at the same time and was 15 miles away. So by the time I had got there nothing would have been left (around here at an advertised estate sale you got to be one of the first in the door). From there I went around to a neighborhood sale. And it stunk also (how does 4 houses qualify for a “Giant neighborhood sale”?). I did scrounge up a few things…and maybe next week will be a better day. In the end I will pay for my gas plus a few dollars…but not much more

At least the weather was nice…mid 60’s and overcast all morning long. It was about the only thing that cooperated with me this morning…here is the break down on my finds…plus of a few pictures of the junk sales I saw today.  The yardsale board is down again…I’m just not having a happy day so far.

Picture #1

102 Methanol gap pump front $1 It will make a cool sign for my wall. Its also the best thing I got today…sad huh?…so downhill from here…
Handful of fishing lures $2 Junk…to keep really…maybe I’ll list a lot full of them sometime…
Car emblems $1 for all. 2 are for a chevelle, one rambler, and one Bel Air (I cut it off in the pic sorry). The chevelle ones might sell…maybe…
Young Erector set $2 It from 1975…

Pic #2

Dish network dish 25cents Its for a single LNB The singles are nice…I always have a use for this…
2 fire-king mixing bowls $1 the tulip one is cool…it should sell quickly at the flea
Fostoria American torte $1 American is a tough sell sometimes…I probably won’t get much for this…
Sterling candlesticks and bud vase $1 for all. Same person as the satellite dish…good cheap seller…I like him.
Fenton Birds $1 for the pair I seem to find a set of these birds every 6 months or so…not that its a bad thing…they sell. But seem to be really common. At least they glow under blacklight.
Box lot of Christmas stuff $1

Pic #3

2 pastels of native American kids $10 They looked interesting…check the next picture to see the artist…anyone got a guess on the name?? They are originals…so they might be a sleeper?? But I doubt it…

Chocolate!

Well, I got another order of chocolate in today. Has it been a month already? I doubt it…but well the check cleared on my silver and I felt like celebrating. And you can’t have a good celebration without some fine chocolates! Well…that’s wrong…you probably could. But why test fate?

Today I got some from Vosges. It was my first order from them. And I must compliment them on the lighting fast shipping and good packing. It was all neatly packing in boxes and makes for a very nice presentation. And the chocolate is also very good. I haven’t eaten it all yet of course. I just got it today! It should make it through the weekend But the few I’ve sampled so far have been nothing short of excellent. I normally buy from Wen chocolates…so this was a change-up for me. My thoughts so far is that Wen has better dark chocolate and I think the truffles are a bit better as a result. But the milk is much better from Vosges…and things like the bacon bar are unique and very tasty. I had my doubts…I like bacon…and chocolate…but together? However it seems to work well…as do the peanut butter bon bon’s with salt on top!

Wen has mostly truffles and little else. Not that its a bad thing. But Vosges has some interesting oddities and it makes for a nice change of pace! Vosges is more expensive and I think in the end I’m paying for the neat boxes and presentation. But its very good and I would not hesitate to order again. Although my next order will probably be from Wen…its just something about his dark chocolate that has me hooked!!

I got a reply!

This morning I got a reply from Victor Adams. It seems I’m not to late. I can still claim the monies due me! You can only imagine how excited I was to hear this wonderful news! All he needed was a little information from me and we could get started on out new business partnership! I or “Daniel” in this case was more then happy to provide him the requested information!

Dear Victor Adams Esq,
I received your request for more information! But you failed to answer a few of my questions. The main one being how much money will I be receiving. I only ask because last night as I was making a slide show out of my vacation photos I had a brain storm. What they, the people of Yuclock, really need is a way to make money! I mean the share cropping just isn’t cutting it in the desert! So I was thinking about putting them to work. I was thinking something along the lines of factory work…an honest day labor! I have a friend who makes wheels and tires. I’m sure if I was to invest in a new factory with him in Yuclock he would be more then happy to start up production! The jobs that it would bring to the village would be more then enough for all the men women and children (I hate to discriminate!). We could pay the workers the generous federal minimum wages of 55 cents a day! It would give them cash in hand and the company store (who would also extend credit) could sell them all the necessities they need to survive! No more need for charity or handouts! Although working with the chemicals in rubber and heavy metals in the wheels we might need to expand the medical clinic some for those who can afford it. But at our generous pay rate anyone who works 2 shifts a day (10 hours per shift) should be able to afford basic medical! I could even have the bronze statue of myself in front! To remind them I’m always looking out for the people of Yuclock! I was thinking that 6 million would cover the expenses of building and equipping the factory…although with the bribes of government officials to pass environmental standards it might be on the high side of 6mill. So will I be receiving enough money? Please don’t tell me the poor sons and daughters of Yuclock will have to go without?
Anyway to answer your questions. I’m a retired school teacher. Although when I receive your money I might become the head of a charitable interest group. So lets just call me semi retired? Is that ok. Or do I need an actual job with a title? I could work out something I’m sure. My address is tough to give out at the moment. I’m moving and in-between places (I live in a trailer). You could try sending it to me at 33 Royal Street. But please don’t send the money to my address. Because I really don’t want to claim it at personal income. Hence the charity! We can call the monies a donation…plus you would get a tax write-off! My age is 76…is that a problem? I know sometimes they don’t like giving money to people of advanced years. But I really don’t look my age…so how about me just mark down 49? But the real problem is I don’t currently have a phone. My neighbor here in the trailer park were kind enough to let me barrow some of what my kids call “wireless Internet” so I can send me email and receive the 1 picture per month they send of my grandkids! I wish they could visit more…its ok I understand they work hard. But its so nice to have people around. Probably why I’m so excited to start my charitable work!
Please let me know if any of this is a problem. Maybe Bertha would let me use her phone if you needed to call me? She lives right next door. A very kind lady. Her husband died just last year. It was a rather tragic ordeal with an antique fishing lure. But she really enjoyed me picture of Yuclock. I showed her the full 4 hours slide show. She was almost crying at the end…it was all so touching. Remember my offer to you still holds. I can send you a file of the full 4 hours slide show! All you need to do is ask!
Thanks
Daniel Harris

More Scams!

Because everyone seems to enjoy the last email I received I thought I would post the one I got today also.

I got a very nice email today from Mr. Victor Adams. It seems this was his third at final attempt at contacting me regarding the monies due me from his late clients estate. Now I’m not sure how the other 2 opportunities eluded me. But I sure don’t want to miss an opportunity like this! So I quickly sent him off a reply! Show me the money!

Dear Victor Adams Esq.

I apologize for my tardiness in replying to your email. I’ve been out of town for this last week on vacation. I was on a volunteer vacation in Africa. Now I’m sure your wondering what exactly a volunteer vacation is right? Because aren’t all vacations voluntary? Well, unless your kidnapped and thrown in someone’s trunk…Although technically probably a vacation. I would consider that anything but voluntary! But no this was the kind where you go, in my case yuclock, and volunteer to help the locals with various tasks. In just the one week I was there we (me and the other volunteers) helped build a medical clinic (I hope no one over 2ft tall gets sick!) and another structure. I’m not sure what the other structure was supposed to be. Things didn’t go exactly according to plan…its not like anyone in our group was a contractor. Plus they had me draw out the plans because I took 2 years of art in High School. I tried to tell them I still didn’t get past stick figures. But no one would listen to me. The “other structure” is best off called a multi room barn now. It started out as a hotel…I think…our translator got dysentery and left after 30 hours. But I’m sure the locals will get good use out of the new multi room barn until the first rain of the season. I wouldn’t expect it to last beyond that…I mean thankfully the building inspector only throws 3 rocks at the structure for his “inspection”. If its still standing after the third one its “up to code!” Ours was still standing somehow! But anyway I can’t recommend these vacations highly enough. You get a wonderful vacation and a rich, rewarding feeling in your soul that only comes with helping your fellow man. All for a minimal of costs! I have some of the pictures transferred to my computer. If you would like a slide show please let me know!

Due to the poor cell phone reception in the area and complete lack of starbucks wifi I was unable to reply! So now lets get down to business. Speaking of business with the money I receive in our transaction (exactly how much money was it again?). I should hire a real contractor for the people of Yuclock and build them a real hotel…or at least one that will survive one rainy season! I could even put a bronze statue of myself in front! I’ll have to start thinking up a dedication speech. You have any ideas of what I should say? Sorry I keep getting off topic. I have a tendency to ramble on sometimes…Let me know again what you need from me (AOL deletes email after 7 days so I guess that’s what happened to our previous correspondence!). And let me know where I can pick up by briefcase of unmarked $20’s! I don’t want to run it through the bank the IRS will take a huge bite! And its my money…well your clients…but who’s keeping track!

I eagerly await your reply in this matter.

Daniel Harris

P.S. Let me know if you want to see the photos!

To trash or not to trash

That is the question…

I have to admit…I was standing over the trash with this vase in my hand. The lid was off…and I was about to drop it…but I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t bring myself to drop it in. So I went back inside and spent 20 minutes picking out sticky gunk with my fingernails and a toothbrush to get it clean. It had some fake flowers and Styrofoam in it when I found it. I thought that was easy enough to clean.  I figured it should just slide out.  Little did I know that the foam was held in place with the green silly putty gunk stuff they used back in the 60’s on flowers. I never would have got it…I would have left it for someone else to deal with…

Now its only going to sell for $5…if that…maybe even as little as 3 or 4…so it wasn’t really worth my 20 minutes. But I just couldn’t bring myself to drop it in the trash…its Fenton after all!

Would you have cleaned it…or let it go?

estate sale today!

Hopefully I didn’t add any of the pictures twice…sorry if I did…

I was up and out of the house today before 6am. I was at the first estate sale a few minutes after 6 (ad was for 7). They opened about 6:30 and I was the first one in the door. I got most of the Fenton milk glass there. It was all out on the back deck. Inside the house they had tons of the maple furniture. So you knew the milk glass had to be someplace near by. And it was. Not a bad little score there.

Then it was off to estate sale #2 The ad was for 8am…and I was in line by 7. But I was number 3. To bad they just had nothing to speak of. I think I got the airplane model and a few other pieces of junk there. Then It was off to estate sale number three. I was there a few minutes after 8 and the ad was for 9am. It was a bit better. I was able to pick up some sterling and a few other pieces including the green lid. Then about 9:15 I started to go around to garage sales. So most of the pictures you see are later in the day. I did take a picture of the 3rd estate sale house when I was waiting outside.

All in all today I didn’t find any one item that will break the bank. At least I don’t think so…I haven’t looked it all up yet. So maybe something is a sleeper? But I did have a pretty solid day and I picked up a lot of stuff to sell at the flea market. Cash in hand is always nice. And on the plus side I didn’t use much gas at all. Because most of my day was spent waiting in line at various estate sales. I only logged about 35 miles on my truck. So it saved me at least 4-5 gallons of gas…and with gas prices they way they are that’s always a good thing.

The weather was very nice today. 60 when I got up…but its hot now…over 90 (93 to be exact). Very dry and breezy…I thought there would be more sales out today. With the good weather and all. But there just wasn’t. Not to say I didn’t see a lot of sales. I did…but not as many as I thought there should be. But when is there ever as many sales as you think there should be. And out of curiosity am I the only one who drives down the street and see an old beat up house with an overgrown front lawn and wishes they would have a sale?

My Finds for…umm…today…what’s the date again?

Here is the rundown on my very dirty finds for the day!  Now with larger pictures so you can really see all the dirt!

Picture #1

Hayden Oil cooler $5 New in box. I don’t have a use for it…but well…its a good deal and I might need it someday!
T-28D Fighter model 50cents. It looks new in box…
Box of vintage Christmas bulbs $1 :::insert witty comment here:::
Old dominos 25cents Flea market junk…
old BB glove $1 I’ll have to look it up before I call it junk!
2 old ford tools and Stanley ruler $1.50 Flea market
3 fishing reels $10 2 are pflueger Taxi’s and one is a penn monofil #25…the monofil should be a good seller…
DPP LNB $1 to add to my pile…
Vintage license plate frame 50cents. I seem to get money for them at the flea.
3 old dolls…2 star trek $1 flea market? I think…I need to look them up to be 100%
2 old pennants 50cents $3ea two for $5 at the flea!

Picture #2

Vintage Mexican/native American style bag $1 Interesting bag…it looks cool to me
vintage kissing salt and pepper shakers 50cents flea market junk
green depression glass lid $1 I know I have the base for this around here someplace…its for the 3 section relish!
Green Fenton vase 25cents…with fake flowers
Milk glass fan vase $1 I really don’t know who made this one…Fenton maybe…but its only a wild glass…
Fostoria american footed mint 50cents flea market…unless I look it up and it sells good on line…but I doubt that.
ruby flashed vase 25cents flea market
Amber fenton thumbprint candy $1 its fenton…and a buck…otherwise I have nothing good to say about it!

Picture #3

McBain microscope thing $2 It looked interesting to me…it called me in a way…I’ll list it and see what happens.
Mexican sterling olive forks $5 It was sterling…it was $5…its mine now!
Jeannette Floragold bowl 50cents For some reason people buy this pattern at the flea…reasons not known to me…
Ruby flashed mini mug 25cents flea market.
2 depression glass handled bowls $1 Flea market
Forest Green Hocking Punch set $3 I wish this set had the base…

Picture #4

Fenton Tall candlesticks $5 Good price for the tall candlesticks…
Candlewick vase $1 I think you can see the price in the picture!
Fenton candlebowl $2 Never had this piece before…and you know me and Fenton!
Westmoreland Paneled grape bowl $5 Nice large bowl. Its one of the few pieces of milk glass that still sells good on line (40 range) So I might give it a go…
Fenton Tall milk glass vase $3 Not a bad vase…large size…it should be a good seller at the flea!

spam

I received a spam email today. Now probably the best thing to do is just delete it. But when I have I never done what’s best? I enjoy replying to them. Its fun to see how many replies I can get out of them before they just give up on me. What can I say I’m easily amused.

Today email was from a friendly son of an African diamond merchant. It seems his father died in a tragic accident and he was now living in a refugee camp. But all hope was not lost as he went on to say that his father had over 2 million is diamonds in the USA. And he would need my help in accessing them! At least this is what I think he was saying…its was hard to translate with no periods, no paragraphs, misspellings, and grammar errors. Now I know my grammar and spelling is bad…people in glass houses and all that. So when even I notice it…you know its bad!

Because I was feeling in a charitable mood I offered to help the poor young lad with his troubles. Here is my reply.

Dear Daniel,

I was very saddened to hear about the passing of your father. Also about the unfortunate circumstances you now face. Times are tough all over the world but in Africa I hear they are worse. I am glad to hear that people in refugee camps are still able to get Internet access! As I’m sure free internet access is a basic human rights issue covered in the UN charter. If they also offer free wifi you should check out apples new iPhone. I have one its really nice. That touch screen is one of the best inventions ever! Although you might have to wait until you receive the benefits of your fathers estate. Because it sounds like your a little short on cash at the moment. I think that’s were I can be of assistance…

I would love to help you out in collecting the monies due you. But I would need some assurances first. I saw that movie staring Leonardo DiCaprio about the African diamonds. It was a very intense and well acted movie. If you haven’t seen it I highly recommend you rent a copy from netflix (you can rent them over the internet…do you also have a flat panel TV in the camp?!). But it hilighted a very important topic in your area of the world. The diamond trade. I would like your assurances that none of the diamonds in your late fathers consignment are not these so called “blood diamonds.”

Also I am a very busy person who leads an active life. I’m working on breaking into Hollywood movies. And between waiting tables, learning new lines/parts, and working out (I want to be in action films!). I have very little spare time on my hands for a charity case. However if you could see to it that I would receive some compensation for my time I’m sure we could come to an arrangement. Say one million American dollars…I’m not sure the 500,000 you offered in your email will cover my “expenses.” It would go a long way to helping jump-start my Hollywood career. Also I’d be sure to dedicate my first film in the name of your late father!

Please think about it!

Joseph Brown

Now I don’t really expect a reply from this one. But I couldn’t resist calling him out on the refugee camp Internet access part of his scam/email.

will it work this time?!

Today was flea market day. So I was very busy yesterday packing and getting ready. I didn’t have time to post about all my wonderful finds! The flea market was good today. All told I made a little over 1000 (after space rental and help). Not even half of what my ebay items got today (I did very well with a set of sterling silver!). But still very nice! I’m very tired…but its well worth it…I’ve had a very good day. Plus Monday is an off day for me. So its all good!!

The flea market went well. I had some help today so most of the heavy lifting was off me. That was very nice. Most of the stuff I had today for sale was junk. I only sold 2 items for over $40 (I think I only brought 5). So it was easily to break down with about 65% of the stuff I brought gone. I wish I had brought a few more higher end items. But I just put boxes in the car. And as Forrest Gump would say “You never know what you’re gonna get.” Until I unpack and look around and mutter to myself “What junk!”

As for yesterday I was out early (when am I not??) well before daylight. I was in line for the first estate sale by 6:10. And I was done with the first estate sale by 6:40. I was able to pick up only a few things there. Before I went to estate sale number 2. That one wasn’t very good either. I was a little frustrated in the morning. It didn’t help that I went to 2 neighborhood sales after and not even half of the advertised sales were out. But I was able to come thorough late and put together a very nice day for myself.

I really like the Van Briggle pottery I got today. I think I should do very well with it. The native American pieces always do well! I’m going to lump the pictures of my finds in with the pictures of the sales I went to today.

I saw a lot of junk sales today. More then normal. I mean normally its 99.5% junk sales…but today it was 99.99% junk sales.

Sorry I only took a few pictures of sales when I was out yesterday. I kept forgetting! And then I forgot my camera this morning. And both pictures I took of my flea market booth with my iPhone look like I was driving by at 110mph plus!

Here is the break down on that I got and how much I paid

Picture #1

Vintage aluminum tree $1 Yes you read that correct $1! Now its only the 4ft tree…but let me repeat that $1! I counted…its all there!
Some older books $2 Lots are not pictured I just grabbed a few for the picture. They were just pulling out the boxes and I was looking at the doll book and the said to take the whole box (about 30 books) for $2…so I did…it has some neat sci-fi ones in there…
Old tree topper + 50cents it was at the same house as the tree…they had good prices!
2 Slide rules $5 the big one might be a good one…both by castell

Pic #2

vintage tin, bottle, and box $2 for them all
Fenton amber hobnail candy $1 Its just like the green one I found last week!
Westmoreland wedding compote $2 Nice one
Maio thing $2 I got this because early bird grabbed one a few weeks ago…we’ll see how it does.
Candlewick punch bowl $1 I got this just to show off a tragedy…some idiot got a hold of it and had it etched with their fraternity Why oh why?? That was a $50 piece…

Pic 3

3 records $1 Beach boys (2) and Elvis (1) nothing too good…
Hairsetter $1 From the same sale that had the books…I keep trying with these…people the board sell them…someday I’ll get it right!
Breast pump $5 It looked like it was all there to me…but then I’m not sure what all there is I’m not sure about this item but I learned the name from the board and took the gamble…I found it about 11pm…in fact I found a lot of items late today!

Pic #4

Very nice collection of Van Briggle Pottery $100 I found this late today…about 12:30 The seller had high prices on it (probably why it was still there). But when I looked at it she said she needed the money and would deal. We haggled for about 5 minuets and settled on 100. well less than half of what she was asking in the morning. Its a nice set…no way I can lose money…I haven’t looked anything up yet…but I bet the figurine sells very well!

Thanks…for the changes wordpress…take 3 at posting this…at least I’ve learned to save (someplace offline) before I post now…