Antique Barn - June Report

Rent = $115
Sold = $95
In The Hole (Again) = $20

*sigh*

I had a chat with Max at the Barn about why I'm not selling enough to make rent, let alone anything above rent, during their busiest time of year... Needless to say I am frustrated, and am now officially leaning toward closing up shop at the end of July.

Max said the sellers that do best are in the front of the barn (I'm in the back) and are locals who are able to come in every week and add new items, remove old items, etc. I have neither of these advantages, which is showing in my sales numbers - obviously.

Seeing as how I can't move closer, and getting down there every week with new items isn't something that I am really able to do either... well, like I said, I could be admitting defeat sooner rather than later. :(

Featured Collectible - Midwinter Stonehenge Dinnerware

It's no real secret, if you have read my blog for very long, that I have a bit of an obsession with vintage dinnerware and sell a good bit of it on eBay. I just love finding a pattern or brand that I haven't seen before, and researching - which is really just a code word for drooling over - all the different patterns that the company makes, and wishing I had the space and money to keep at least several hundred different sets of dishes in my house.

I had the luck last weekend to find a small set of Midwinter Stonehenge dishes in the Sun pattern - I had never seen either the brand or the pattern before, but I loved it immediately. How could I not?:

Vintage Midwinter Stonehenge Sun Oval Serving Platter

Vintage Midwinter Stonehenge Sun Bread Plates

Vintage Midwinter Stonehenge Sun Soup Bowls

Aren't they just amazing? They are Oh-So-Very-70's - the pattern was made between 1973 and 1986, as a matter of fact. There is a blue version called Moon which is equally awesome:

Vintage Midwinter Stonehenge Moon Oval Serving Platter

The serving pieces are too adorable, I wish I would have gotten some with the Sun set I found... Look at this creamer with coffee cups and saucers in the Earth pattern:

Vintage Midwinter Stonehenge Earth Coffee Cup Set

Here is a casserole dish in the Night pattern:

Vintage Midwinter Stonehenge Night Casserole Dish

The coffee pots are too adorable for words - here is one in the Creation pattern:

Vintage Midwinter Stonehenge Creation Coffee Pot

Most of their patterns and pattern names have a kind of nature inspired, hippie-esque feel to them, but they avoid the stereotypical garish design in favor of a more subdued, modern look - which makes me love them all the more!

Vintage Midwinter Stonehenge Hazelwood Casserole Dish

Vintage Midwinter Stonehenge Wild Oats Bread Plates

Custom Made Midwinter Stonehenge Spring Pattern Tidbit Serving Tray

Vintage Midwinter Stonehenge Day Bread Plate

Vintage Midwinter Stonehenge Summer Dinner Plate

What I think is really neat about the patterns is that a lot of them seem very mix and match - like you could create a set that was made up of Sun, Summer, and Day and it would be really pretty and interesting... There is also an all white pattern that you could use to fill in gaps until you found the patterned piece you were missing - the possibilities seem pretty endless!

There are lots more shapes and patterns than I can talk about here, of course, but I just had to share a few of my favorites! :)

Chenille = Yum.

I scored 4 chenille bedspreads at an estate sale today - on the last day of the sale when everything was half off. It was meant to be!

The house had a baby blue 50's bathroom - the tile, tub, sink, toilet - the whole deal. I meant to take my camera with me (I saw it the first time I went, yesterday) but of course, I forgot. I also saw a pink 50's bathroom at another estate sale yesterday. I liked it, of course, but I liked the blue a bit better....

Anyway, hopefully I will get the chenille listed this week - stay tuned! :)

New goodness at auction on eBay - vintage Tupperware + lots more!

So this week we tackled the backlog of vintage Tupperware - never a small feat, since most of it had to be cleaned up to some degree, and then researched and sorted... I love Tupperware, but sometimes you have a piece that makes you scratch your head, what the heck is this for? Like this pickle keeper:

Will actually knew what this one was, I was clueless! Here's a few more of my faves:

Set of 6 Vintage Tupperware Pastel Cereal Bowls with Lids - NEW

Set of 2 Vintage Orange Tupperware Pitchers

Vintage Tupperware Harvest Servalier Bowl Set with Lids

Vintage Tupperware Green Servalier Cansiter Set

There's lots more - just head on over if you want to see the rest!

I did manage to list a few other random gems - some things that were super hard to part with, actually - it was a heart-wrenching week that's for sure!

Vintage Art Nouveau LF Grammes & Sons Wood Hankie or Glove Box (be sure to click over to the listing and check out all the photos - talk about gorgeous!!)

Vintage Wood Koeshi Doll Salt & Pepper Shaker Set - Japan

Vintage Enesco Black Cat Salt & Pepper Shaker Set - Japan

Vintage Silver Plate Vanity Set - Mirror, Tray, and Powder Jar with Puff

Click on over if you want to see the rest - I think we managed about 50 auctions total this week! :)

The Vintage List rocks Google - and I can't seem to shut up about it!

Ok, I already blogged, Tweeted on both my accounts, and updated my Facebook page - but I have to come here to express my true feelings about this news -

I took some stuff to the Barn today...

... and remembered to take photos to show you! I actually bought a couple of things this weekend specifically with the Barn in mind - the main one being this amazing mirror:

It is HUGE and super heavy, with crackly cream paint. I got it hung up in my booth, but it makes me nervous. I asked Max to check on it for me every once in a while and make sure it isn't starting to fall!

The white metal cabinet I also bought specifically for the the Barn, as well as the tin strainer. The McCoy well planter, the white Hull planter, and the Shawnee fish planter my dad found for me, and since planters have been selling fairly well I took them down to add into the mix. The Pyrex mushroom mixing bowls I tried at auction on eBay and they didn't sell, plus I have another set to list that is in a little bit better condition. The black rotary phone I just thought would look cool in my booth. :)

The floor globe I bought to list online, but Will about had a heart attack when he was trying to figure out how to ship it, so I figured I would try it in the booth first. The railroad lantern and the Homer Laughlin bowl my Dad gave me. The Pyrex bowl set is pretty scratched up, it didn't sell at auction on eBay so I figured I would try it at the Barn where someone might want it without the shipping expense...

Keep your fingers crossed for me! :)

New goodness at auction on eBay - Paint By Numbers AND Little People?!?

I've got some great stuff to show ya this week, if I do say so myself! ;)

First up, the boatload of paint by numbers I picked up in one box lot at a sale - I love when that happens!:

Set of 2 Vintage Collie Dog Paint By Numbers

Set of 2 Vintage Boxer Dog Paint By Numbers

Set of 2 Vintage Bulldog Dog Paint By Numbers

Set of 2 Vintage Jesus and Mary Paint By Numbers

Set of 2 Vintage Floral Flowers Paint By Numbers

Next - I know I'm not the only one out there who played with Fisher Price Little People, so these should tickle you just as much as they did me! I got them from this great little old man who has collected them piece by piece for years - his entire garage was full of Fisher Price! I snagged some to list, of course:

Vintage Fisher Price Little People Main Street Set - Complete in Box!

Vintage Fisher Price Little People Barn Set

Vintage Fisher Price Little People Sesame Street Set

Vintage Fisher Price Little People Western Town

There's more of course - click on over to see everything else that is up at auction this week! :)

Antique Barn - May Report

I can't believe my 2nd month having a space at the Hocking Hills Antique Barn is already over! I just got my check for $98.35 in the mail - which means I fell just $16.65 short of making rent. Better than April, but still not great - especially considering I ran a week and a half long 25% off sale for Memorial Day! I figured I would sell quite a bit during that, but only sold 3 items. :(

So, now I am trying to figure out what my plan of attack for June is... if I can't get it together here in the couple of months I'm going to have to give up the idea, which I really don't want to do!

First, let's look at what has sold and see if there is any pattern:

Sold in April

New In Box Horseshoes Set - $16.20
Tender Heart Care Bear Glass - $4.00
Cheer Bear Care Bear Glass - $4.00
Vintage General Electric Iron - $18.00
16 Piece Blue Flower Dish Set - $10.00
Pyrex Butterfly Gold Butter Dish - $6.00
White McCoy Pottery Planter - $7.00

Sold in May

Floral Serving Platter - $8.00
Blue & Gold Swan Figurine & Soap Dish Set - $12.00
Round Green McCoy Pottery Planter - $9.00
Set of 2 Floral Ceramic Vases - $25.00
Yellow McCoy Pottery Planter - $5.00
Wood Picnic Basket - $12.00
Vintage American Family Scale - $10.00
Green Hull Pottery Planter - $6.00
Vintage Cookie Gun - $6.00
Hull Pottery Green Drip Planter - $6.75
Blue Esmond Serving Bowl - $6.00

Well, the McCoy and Hull planters seem to be fairly popular, but to be fair I did load up my outside space with a TON of planters... Plus I priced them under $10.00, which seems to be the favorite price range of the things that have sold. In fact only 5 things I sold were over $10.00 - even during the 25% off sale the three things that sold were already under $10.00 (or less)!

I have already decided I need to go down there this week and cut some prices, and I guess looking at these results that is probably the right move. The Barn isn't a fancy antique mall, where you expect prices to be on the high end, and I guess the numbers here are proving that in general people aren't looking to spend a whole lot when they are shopping there.

Pricing things lower isn't really that big of a deal when you look at the grand scheme of things - it is less work for me to sell something at the Barn rather than online, for sure - no photos, no packaging, no marketing... Plus my commission fee is only 7%, which is less than what I pay on an eBay sale for sure. And when you figure that a good chunk of what I have for sale down there is stuff that sat online for a long time without selling, getting anything more than what I paid for it at this point is a good thing!

Other than lowering prices, the only other thing I can do is start shopping specifically with the Barn in mind - which is kind of tough at this point, since I haven't been there long enough to really get a good idea of what kind of things are selling. It all seems pretty random at this point, but maybe after another month or so I will be able to get a better handle on it...

So there's the scoop, I'll let you know how June goes - keep your fingers crossed for me!

New goodness up at auction this week!

Events conspired against me listing auctions this week - overwhelming desires to clean stuff, Memorial Day, Auctiva deciding to charge ridiculous amounts of money and forcing me to figure out how to re-list 600 store listings in 30 days... You know, the usual stuff.

But, I did list some goodies...

Vintage Lefton Ceramic Puppy Dog Cookie Jar

Vintage McCoy Pottery Owl Cookie Jar

I actually found these 4 Kokeshi dolls at the flea market on Monday - they all have bobble heads, and magnets on their bottoms, which is pretty neat!

Vintage Magnetic Bobble Head Kokeshi Doll - Girl With Pigtails

Vintage Magnetic Bobble Head Kokeshi Doll - Girl With Green Hair Bows

Vintage Magnetic Bobble Head Kokeshi Doll - Girl With Red Hair Bows

Vintage Magnetic Bobble Head Kokeshi Doll - Boy (I think?) In Black

There's a few more things, I'll let you just click on over to check out the rest... :)

Lunchtime Poll Topic: Downloadable Vintage Related Magazine?

Those of you who are signed up for my newsletter have already seen (and hopefully filled out!) the little poll I created over the weekend - for the rest of you, here's the scoop:

Back when I started this blog what I really wanted to create was an online magazine - here's the post from December 10th, 2007 to prove it. I let the idea die though when I realized the time and work involved in a project like that, and honestly the same issues I had with the idea back then are the same issues I have with it now.

But everyone's reactions to Country Home and several of the other "shelter" magazines going out of business put the idea into my head again - apparently there are a whole lot of folks out there just like me who love magazines! So, I decided to get some opinions from my regular visitors in the form of a little poll - just to gauge the level of interest in the idea.

Here's the poll - it's just a few questions, it will only take a couple of minutes to fill out.

Here's the results so far - if you are curious ;)

Thanks in advance!

PS - Brownie points to everyone who can name the movie my Lunchtime Poll Topic reference is from!

New goodness up at auction this week!

I can't believe it is time to do another auction promo post - this week flew by!! I am so excited to show you what I got listed though - when I call it goodness I really mean it! :)

Vintage Ceramic Dog Planter Lamp with Fiberglass Shade - click over to look at all the photos - this lamp is a gem - and it works like a dream!

Vintage Girl On A Swing Ceramic Planter - Japan

Vintage Ceramic Rotating Music Box - Japan

Vintage Lucite Plastic Owl Napkin Holder

Vintage Oriental Chalkware Wall Pocket Shelf Plaques Set

I found FOUR large framed paint by numbers at one sale! I couldn't scoop them up fast enough:

Vintage Framed Paint By Number Painting - Southern Belles

Vintage Framed Paint By Number Painting - Tropical Bridge Scene

Vintage Framed Paint By Number Painting - Home In Winter

Vintage Paint By Number Painting - Barn In Winter

American House Today Mid-Century Eames Architecture Book - you know I had to list this once I saw what people were charging for it! I threw it up at $20, we'll see what happens!

Vintage Clairol Kindness Deluxe Hot Rollers - I've never used rollers in my life, but I remembered reading somewhere that people like to buy the older ones, so when I found this set I decided to get them and see what happens!

Vintage Thermo-Serv Daisy Coffee Mugs - Never Used!!

Vintage Lincoln Beautyware Chrome Breadbox

As always this isn't everything, so if you want to see the rest just click on over!

My Name Is Earl + Cancelled = BS

The List must be FINISHED! #SaveEarl
http://twitter.com/earltwitition

New stuff at auction on eBay AND both my Etsy stores!

I've been shopping like crazy, as you have probably noticed, which means we are also working hard to list like crazy - we are hoping to get our auction numbers back up to the 75+ a week mark, and I really need to tackle the backlog of straight to Etsy stuff that I've been neglecting... So stay tuned, more new goodness is on its way!

Some of this week's auction offerings:

Vintage Mod Black and White Coffee Mug & Stand Set - Japan (I love this so much it hurts.)

Set of 2 Shawnee Pottery Blue Cornucopia Vases

Shawnee Pottery Blue Bird Mug Planter Vase (I'm not sure exactly what this is supposed to be, I couldn't find another example of it anywhere...)

Vintage Marble Owl Bill Holder (I can see you owl collectors doing backflips right now - this is the cutest thing!)

Set of 3 Vintage Glass Liquor Decanters - Vodka, Bourbon, Scotch

Anchor Hocking Avocado Green Soreno Cream & Sugar Set (I actually have a bunch of Soreno listed, click here if you want to see all of it!)

Vintage Reversible Black & White Beaded Purse

Vintage White Lucite Plastic Basket Purse (I have a lot more purses listed too - click here to check them all out!)

There's lots more of course - head on over to take a peek at the rest!

New listings in both my Etsy shops:

Vintage Japanese Nishi Love Letter Doll (she is the only one of the Nishi Dolls that didn't sell at auction - I imagine she won't be in my shop for too long!

Vintage Cardboard Illustrated Nesting Blocks Set

I found 4 of these amazing vintage leather watch bands from the 1960's - one sold at auction (the most boring one, I thought, but whatever!) and the other three are now on Etsy:

Vintage Red & White Leather Watch Band Cuff Bracelet

Vintage Red Leather Fringe Watch Band Cuff Bracelet

Vintage Red and Black Patent Leather Watch Band Cuff Bracelet

Side note - Someone emailed me on eBay and said my jewelry spokesmodel was "creeping everyone out." I love her, do you think she is creepy??

There are a few other new things in both shops - Vintage Goodness & Vintage Goodness Too if you want to have a look around!

I found more stuff to keep - I'm on a keeping spree!

The sales were really good this weekend - I found lots of great stuff, and on the super cheap - I hope this is a trend for the whole summer!

I actually found a few things to keep again today - 2 days in a row? Unheard of! But check it out:

I am working on thrifting all of these vintage Better Homes and Gardens decorating books - yes, I know, I could just buy them online, but that's not how I roll. Not that I haven't looked at them online, and came *this close* to pulling the trigger about a dozen times... but I just can't. I must thrift.

Anyway, this is the 1975 edition. I'm excited to dig in... I'll have to do some scans to post when I get a chance!

Here is my collection so far - the 1975 I got today ($1.00), the gold slip cased 1961 edition ($4.00), and the green 1968 edition ($1.00).

As far as I can tell I am missing the much coveted 1956 edition (which seems to have some of the same content as my 1961 edition, but some different stuff in it as well):

Vintage 1956 Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book

And there is also the other 1961 edition, which is probably the same as my gold one but with a different cover - but the collector in me wants it anyway:

Vintage 1961 Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book

Is that all of them? Does anyone know for sure? Or am I missing some?

I also found this book from 1951 called The American House Today - it's more of an architecture style book, including house plans:

The photos are all black and white, which kind of sucks, but I am going to read through it before I decide if I want to keep it or list it...

Update: This book is listed online for crazy money - I think the cheapest I saw was $50, the most expensive $150 - what gives? Are any actually selling at that price? Bizarre!

The last book that I was very happy to find today is a book on Hall China. I love Hall China - but then, I tend to have a soft spot for all the old Ohio companies:

I didn't already have a book on Hall, and it was only $1.00 - score!

And last but not least, is something I am keeping for pure, unadulterated sentimental reasons:

It's a cheap plastic Santa's Gingerbread House windchime from 1974. My grandma Hazel had one, and every year we hung it up. It's in perfect condition, and it is in its original box! For $1.00 I couldn't leave it behind:

Thanks, thrift gods. You did me a solid today. :)

FINALLY - A vintage Ouija Board I can justify keeping!

I know I've talked about how I want a vintage Ouija board to put on top of the bookshelf in my bedroom - and I also know I've talked about how I can never justify keeping any that I find because they sell too well. (The vintage dealer's constant dilemma!)

Well, guess what?

Today I found one I'm keeping - my reasons might be a little nitpicky, but they work for me:

#1: - The planchette is missing its plastic insert:

#2: It was only 25 cents!! Here's the proof:

From what I can tell it is an original William Fuld board - the one that Parker Brothers used to create theirs by - from the 1950's or around there. It's HUGE - 15"x22" - definitely the largest I have seen yet, and making it that much more perfect for display!

Yes, I am happy. I'm in thrifting nirvana, actually.

Movie Reviews - Intermission

So, I figured I should do a quick apology post - there might be a few of you out there that are wondering when I am going to get around to posting the movie reviews I posted about a while back...

Honestly, they have been put on the back burner for so long that I now only have a vague memory of the movies that I wanted to write about.

Have you heard that saying, the road to hell is paved with good intentions? Yeah, that's the case with a lot of my grand ideas. You have probably figured that out about me by now though... ;)

Anyway, I am declaring it intermission time in the land of V+G=H Movie Reviews - I hope to get to watch some new ones, take some notes (that I don't lose afterward), and do a few reviews. Sometime.

New goodness up at auction on eBay - rare Pyrex, Japanese dolls, and more!

Oh my, do I ever have some good stuff up at auction this week!

Vintage Japanese Nishi Music Box Doll

Vintage Japanese Nishi Love Letter Doll

Vintage Japanese Nishi Drumming Girls Dolls

Pyrex Constellation Promotional Divided Casserole with Candle Warmer Stand

Set of 4 Vintage Federal Glass Black Americana Devil Glasses

Corning Glass Carafe with Candle Warmer Stand

Pyrex Chemex 64 oz. Coffee Maker - this one is twice the size than the last one I had!

Lot of 30+ Breck Girl Advertisements Collection

As always this isn't everything - click on over to see the rest! :)

Photos of my spaces at the Barn - finally!!

Yes, that's right, I actually remembered to take my camera with me when I went down to the Antique Barn today to pay my bill and add some new items... I know, I could hardly believe it myself! ;)

From the 8th through the 30th of April I sold 7 items for a grand total (minus commission) of $59.71. In other words, I sold enough to pay half my rent. A little disappointing, but I'm going to hold out through May, which is supposed to be their busiest month, plus it will be a full month worth of sales. If I don't sell enough to make rent again, I will have to reconsider the whole plan... so wish me luck!

Here is my inside space. I actually got a new neighbor on the right hand side of me, she really jammed her space full - there is just enough room to step in and turn around. I wanted mine to be more open, I didn't want people to have to squeeze in, or worry about their purses or elbows knocking stuff off the shelves. I get the logic of it though - more items = more money and all that...

The wall is kind if interesting - covered in chicken wire, as you can see. I was going to hang those framed prints I took down there today, but decided I didn't have nails that were sturdy enough.

I debated on bringing that patchwork quilt home to list online, but decided against it - if it doesn't sell this month I probably will though!

Most everything here is stuff I had listed online for a while that didn't sell for whatever reason... Lots of great never used Fire-King, a couple cake carriers, a pitcher and glasses set, etc.

This is my area outside on the covered porch. I have two of these big black shelves, with a bit of room to stand in front of them. I put all the "outside" type stuff here - picnic baskets, planters - plus some other odds and ends that won't get hurt if they get damp.

Here is the 2nd shelf... see the Melmac dish set? Someone left an empty pop can in one of the cups. Wasn't that nice of them?

So there you have it - definitely not on par with the gorgeous booths in the big antique malls, but I think they look pretty nice for what they are... and they definitely look equally as good as the other spaces, so I can sleep easy! ;)

New goodness up at auction + a sneak peek!

Not only do I have some fun new stuff up at auction right now, but there is more to come - and I'm going to give you a little sneak peek since I just finished checking everything in that I bought this weekend!

Up at auction right now:

Vintage Red & White Plastic Popcorn Serving Set - Never Used!!

Vintage Ohio Art Table Globe

Royal Copley Green Stylized Leaf Vase

Set of 4 Hull Drip Pottery Leaf Dishes - Mint In Box!

Vintage Daschund Letter Holder - his tounge is a tape measure!

Set of 2 Little Girl Prints on Cardboard

Of course, as always, this isn't everything... just click on over if you want to check out the rest! :)

Sneak Peek:

Featured Collectible - Vera Neumann

Who doesn't love Vera Neumann? Her bold prints are easy to fall in love with and hard to forget! I was lucky enough to find a couple Vera sheet sets, as well as a couple of Vera placemat sets, and thought, I need to do a Featured Collectible post on Vera!

So, I started poking around, and of course there is already a ton of wonderful sites about both Vera the woman and Vera the brand:

http://fashionsfinest.fuzzylizzie.com/vera.html
http://www.theveracompany.com/history.php
http://www.flickr.com/groups/ladybugvera/pool/
http://www.theveracompany.blogspot.com/

Since I really don't need to re-write what is already written, let's get to the fun part - the stuff! I was pretty amazed to find how many different types of items have Vera prints on them - I knew about the scarves, of course, and also the linens and clothing... but I didn't know there is also dinnerware - Mikasa dinnerware, as a matter of fact!

Could it get any better? I think not!

Ok, let's have a look around... First up are the items I have up at auction this week:

Vintage Vera Blue Flower Placemats Set

Vintage Vera Mikasa Field Flowers Placemats Set

Vintage Vera Rainbow Twin Sheet Set

Vintage Vera Floral Full Sheet Set

The Field Flowers placemat set is what led me to finding out that some Mikasa dinnerware is graced with Vera designs - a quick search on Replacements returns 22 results for Vera Mikasa! Here are a couple of my favorites:

Vera Mikasa Butterfly Dinner Plate

Vera Mikasa Abstract Dinner Plate

Vera Mikasa Bamboo Dinner Plates

Apparently another company call Island Worcester also released some Vera patterns, Replacements only lists a few, and they are just as awesome as the Mikasa ones:

Vera Island Worcester Floral Cup & Saucer Set

Of course scarves, linens, and clothing are most often associated with Vera, there are hundreds of different patterns - it's a collector's paradise!

Vera Hand Rolled Silk Scarf

Set of 4 Vintage Vera Tea Towels

Set of 5 Vintage Vera Horse Napkins

Vintage Vera Butterfly Tunic Top

Vintage Vera Floral Tablecloth

Vintage Nautical Vera Dress

I could go on like this all day... I'll sum it up though, in one word - *swoon*. ;)