Budding trees, warmer temps and the arrival of Spring 2021 mean one thing to many of us . . . it’s garage sale season!
People often ask me what I look for on my early morning ventures into the neighbor’s yards. Furniture accounts for at least 50% of my purchases, but I also watch for unique iron pieces for my flower gardens and fabric for my DIY projects. There is a world of “thrift” just waiting for you this spring and here are a few tips on some of the best bargains to be had.
It seems I always have a project piece or two vying for my attention and quite often they require fabric. Reproduction vintage fabric is available online but why go for a knock-off when you can have the real thing? The trick here is to think outside the box. While you may occasionally find actual vintage yardage, also consider your options. Table cloths, drapes and bed covers can usually be found in the $1-$5 range and provide enough fabric for small reupholstering jobs, and don’t forget to grab those stacks of napkins. Two large dinner napkins are the perfect size to cover a throw pillow!
Garden art is often found at estate sales or other situations where people are relocating. Be on the lookout for old iron gates, spheres and terrariums. These items, which have gotten very expensive at the garden shops, can be quite reasonably priced at garage sales. Plus, they often have that wonderful rusty patina that looks so nice in a garden. Vintage statuary and concrete pots are not something that everyone is willing to drag home! As a result I have purchased some very nice items for only a few dollars. Exerting a little muscle can add up to big savings!
I have furnished a large part of my home with vintage and antique furniture that I pulled out of someone’s yard or basement. Unique chairs, from the 1930s upholstered variety to kitschy 50s accent chairs, are one of my favorite finds. Some of these will need to be reupholstered, so allow for that in your total cost. Occasional tables, buffets, cedar chests and chest-of-drawers are among other pieces I watch for. While I will pass on those with deep gouges or missing veneer, I have found that often wood furniture needs only a good cleaning and a light rubdown with a refinishing product to look like new. Then too, there is the option to paint, if that is in line with your decor.
Seldom do I stop at a sale without seeing a table full of glassware. My weakness is mid-20th century stretch glass and swung glass, but they have become very high ticket item at the shops I frequent. I have found pieces from Fenton, Imperial, Northwood and Jeanette Glass for under five dollars. Clear glass has plummeted in value, making it readily available at garage sales for $1-$2. While it is no longer of valuable as a collectible, you can purchase nice serving bowls, cake plates and relish dishes for a fraction of those in a retail setting.
Vintage jewelry is found by the box full at garage sales. Many estates remove the pieces with precious stones or family sentimentality and sell the rest in bulk. These piles of castoffs often contain gold and sterling pieces. Another common find are old watches that no longer run. These too can be of value, especially to those who repair vintage watches and are always looking for spare parts. The next time you start to pass by a box of “junk jewelry” for a few dollars, consider taking it home for closer inspection. You might just be able to sell it for enough to finance your next day of junking!
SHOPPERS TIP: Watch for sales advertised as “combining two households.” I have found new items, still in the box, from newlyweds selling their unwanted wedding gifts! Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com
