All of us who shop the yard sales and second hand shops have one. We may keep it in the corner of the garage or jammed into the back of a closet, but somewhere . . . we all have an OOOPS pile.
The fine line between a bargain and miss-buy is often determined by the condition of an item and what we can do to improve it. Some things will require professional attention, but there are others that can be fixed with things that you may already have on hand.
Glassware, even in the softest of markets has always had a loyal following of collectors. The bad news is it demands top dollar at the decorator shows and antique malls. The good news is, these pieces still abound at the charity resale shops. Many of the vases, glasses and pitchers are found with calcium deposits. In some cases this may only be a water ring, while in others it can be clouding on the entire piece.
Petroleum jelly will often remove very light calcium build-up. Coat the affected area and let sit 4-5 days before removing. For heavier deposits fill the piece with distilled vinegar and let it sit overnight. Remember, if you need to do any rubbing always use a circular motion. Rinse your glassware thoroughly in lukewarm water to avoid cracking.
The summer sales are a great place to buy America’s favorite doll, Barbie. Currently trending are the tiny fashion ensembles from the early years. Many of these will have a three piece costume with bag, shoes and other accessories. The trick is to find all the pieces, and the best place to find them will be in boxes of miscellaneous doll clothes at the summer yard sales. These boxes are often loaded with collectible Barbie gear. The problem is, more often than not they are very dirty.
Submerge one or two outfits in a mixture of two denture tablets and one and a half cups hot tap water. Allow to soak for two hours, occasionally agitating the clothes by gently stirring. Rinse by lifting the clothing up and down in a bowl of cool water, pat (do not wring) to remove excess moisture and air dry.
The answer to well polished brass and copper is as close as your fridge! Rub down your tarnished pieces with plain yogurt, allow it to dry and buff with a soft cloth. When finished rub with a light coat of mineral oil to retard oxidation and keep your decorative brass and copper attractive longer.
Cracks in furniture can be a deal breaker, but they don’t have to be. Commercial wood-fillers abound, but one of the most effective may be found on the floor of your workshop! Sawdust mixed half and half with wood glue forms a compound that is easy to work with and dries rock-hard for easy sanding. Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett70@gmail.com