The Best Garage Sale I've EVER Been To

16 years ago

With the school year starting and helping out my brother, things have been busy so I haven't done much in my gardens lately and haven't posted much. I HAVE to post tonight after the I visited the BEST garage sale ever! I hope I don't bore you with my pictures and stories. It's just that I'm soooo excited about my finds!!!

Every Saturday morning, my 7 year old daughter and I try to go to a few country garage sales. We stopped at one Saturday morning. The garage sale was WAY out in the mountains, and the owner said she was moving and wanted to get rid of everything at cheap prices. What great deals! I spent a total of $14...NO KIDDING! I took my wife back twice, and Carol kept saying, "Your Garden Web friends would love this sale!" Here are my finds!

This windmill was my favorite. I paid $2 for it!!! Can you believe that? I found it and these 2 birdhouses in the very back of a storage shed, covered with cobwebs! I paid $1 each for the birdhouses. The first one has a chain but looks like a planter box with a birdhouse on each end. What would you do with it? It has some birdseed left over in the center part but I think I'll use it as a planter box for our covered porch. It reminds me of the double-sided llama in Dr. Dolittle! LOL

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I found this desk chair in a dark workshop. Used a flashlight to find my way around. I've been looking for one for my work area...$1!!! It has such character! The little birdhouse chair was 50 cents.

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The owner gave me the rusty saw blades and horseshoe. Any ideas on how to use the blades? Thought of making flowers with them but I have small children and the sharp points would be dangerous. A windchime at the edge of our woods (away from the children of course!)? When I said I wanted to use the bowling balls for garden art, the owner GAVE me those as well. I want to use the black one as a penny ball. The yellow one looks marble-like. I'll probably keep that one just like it is! I paid 50 cents for the old iron and 25 cents for the old hoe. The old box will be for my outdoor art junk supplies...$1!!!! The walking stick on top of the box has an antler on it. It's so cool! I splurged and paid $2 for it. :o)

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I loved this little WELCOME wind spinner for 50 cents and this artsy birdouse for $1. The owner gave me the ladder when I told her I could use it as a trellis. She was an INCREDIBLY nice lady!

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We also bought LOTS of household items! Like I said, it was a GREAT sale! I can't believe we only spent $14 for my garden treasures plus household items. I'm still talking about it to anyone who will listen!

To top it all off, we stopped at a little country store near us on our way home, and found these scarecrows for $7 a piece for our front porch. Pretty cute, huh? That's my daughter holding my walking stick! A GREAT DAY! Kirk

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Comments (21)

ausaicmosaic
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kirk, All I can say is WOW!!!
I just love all your finds especially the little yellow chair with the birdhouse tops and the windmill and the windspinner. I can tell how thrilled you are by your capital letter words and the way you described everything.
You did good friend!!!

Cheers from Beth in Wagga Wagga NSW Australia
Bright199
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Holy Cow!!!! You did Awsome. I am totally jealous. I love the color of the yellow bb. I think I'd leave it as is too. Someone posted a windchime from old saw blades it's pretty cool, but hang it high. I', glad you had such a wonderful day.
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WOW!! Thanks everyone! You all say the nicest things. This forum is a blessing. I've heard that you guys may be in for a pretty fierce winter this year so I'll be mindful of that and post pics of garden happenings regularly. My Our Lady Gardyn has become an overgrown mess and you can't even see the paths anymore there's so much growth. I cut them all back last month but they've grown quicker than I have time to tend them. My GF was over last week and complained that all my wonderful paths were blocked off and I better get out there and do some work. She's right, but I hate cutting off flowering stems. But I want to see the paths again, too. Such a cunundrum! I'll tell you my secrets LOL. OK, they're not really secrets, just what I've finally learned about where I live. First is an open garden that happens the first weekend in November. These people sell plants and 'junk', too, at extremely low prices so I always do good there. Then there's the church rummage sale. Whatever they don't sell they give away to the charity shops and, because they'd rather have the money themselves, you can bargain sweetly with them. My other coup is having a GF that works in one of the local CS's who saves everything that's chipped or broken for me. But the #1 'secret' is having faith that our Good Lord is looking after me and, wherever and whenever I go 'junking', what is really meant 'for me' will be there at a really good price. What do they say, "Leave you hands empty so God can fill them"? Something like that. Anyway, the Salvia Group is meeting today so I'm off to check out what promises to be a beautiful garden. You folk really are THE BEST!!
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Some things to consider: How many plants are you trying to sell? Are they common or unique plants? If they are common I would cut your prices in half. No way I would pay that much for someone's divisions. Even potted up I wouldn't pay that much. ---Retail trade 1g approx $8.00-$9.50 ---Wholesale trade 1g approx $3.50-$4.75 ---Garage sale 1g approx $2.00-3.00 max, unless it's unique. I would even try and dicker down to $ .25 for the common stuff. Who knows though, if you get enough folks that are more of the "lookie pretty flowers" crowd then you might do very well with your original prices. But, if you have people that know plants and garage sales then they may not go for the higher prices. As for the #2, is that just a true 1gal that you are thinking of? I would be tempted to try and sell trade #3's instead. Maybe try $5-$6 for those, mayb even $1 more. More soil and less plant, muhahahahaha. Kroger bags...most plants will last a while that way given that you keep them watered. Potted up the plants would make a better presentation, but if you have hundreds then do you really want to spend the time? As for potting mix, are you just using garden dirt or a prepared mix? Also, when it's time to wheel and deal you won't feel too bad about letting them go cheap if you didn't spend as much time with prep per plant. Bev is right about the quantity part.
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craftylady-2006
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
OMG, look at all the cool stuff and all for $14 - you lucky dog you! I love all of it.

I've been wondering where you've been last few days or so Kirkus. Just know you have my thoughts that all goes well for your bro and I hope Carol is feeling better now.

Sal
wired
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Love all your goodies! What a goldmine!

The walking stick really caught my attention, because recently I think on Carol Duval, there was a show about a lady in New Mexico who made some from special wood. I don't know how tall your daughter is, but wonder how long the stick is?

Thanks for all the photos, you got some neat treasures.
rottyinbluejeans
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I love it all Kirkus!Our garage sales are pretty much done now. :(
Just Thrift Stores and Good Wills left,but I have lots of winter projects to do too.So that might be a good thing lol.
~~Rotty~~
shysue
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
And I thought I did well this weekend! You certainly came out on top with all your treasures. And what great prices! I am glad to see someone gets as exited as do over my finds.
goldenpond
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Everything is so FANTASTIC! That is all the very best stuff. Now. you can still use the saw blades for the CENTER of your sunflowers.Make the petals from fan blades or something else a little safer!Hope you dress your daughter up like a scarecrow and take a picture of the trio for fall!
Too CUTE!
rjinga
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If you have a need for it (maybe in a spare room or bath?) I'd use the ladder (clean it up, but somehow keep it rustic/weathered like it is now) and lean it against a wall, with quilts or throws (for a bedroom) or layer towels on it for a quest bathroom.

I saw something very similiar in a design mag...but they used a section of a wrought iron staircase railing...it looked very cool.
use2bcapecodr
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Holy moley, Kirk...that was some sale!! I would have felt like I hit the lottery!

What neat stuff! If I had that double ended birdhouse, I would line it with plastic to keep it from rotting, make drainage holes and use it for a planter. It would be sweet!

The desk chair is wonderful! I don't think I've seen one like that. I wonder how old it is. The ladder is very much like some I have leaning up against my house for plant supports for honeysuckle, etc. I love the look!

The marble-look bowling ball is great and reminds me of the marble orb in my porch fountain. I wouldn't change it. It would look great in your garden. Maybe put some car wax on it to keep it shiny.

You got some really great things at amazing prices! I'm very partial to wooden boxes! The walking stick and scarecrows are wonderful. It looks like your cute daughter is ready to go for a walk with her new-found friends.

And...to change the subject a tad...I think a lot about your brother and the stress he is under waiting, wondering and, I'm sure, dreading the worst. I am praying for him to get good news tomorrow. God bless him!

Congrats on your fantastic finds!

~Sandy~
use2bcapecodr
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Rjinga posted while I was "composing" mine! lol

I was thinking garden...not indoors. I have part of an antique extension ladder in my guest bathroom for a towel rack. It's great, as it goes almost to the ceiling, and the 7 rungs provide ample space for towels when the kids and grandkids come to visit. I sanded and waterproofed the rungs, but otherwise left it untouched. Approximately 2/3 of the way up from the floor, it is attached to the wall with wrought iron brackets that hold it out a ways from the wall. During the summer, I even clip a small fan to the top for use when the AC isn't on.

Guests love it, and it's a great decorating accent!

It could also be suspended from the kitchen ceiling and used for a potrack. There are endless uses for old ladders. They're great! I will definitely be looking for more during the week-long unlimited trash pickup our township has coming up the second week in October!

~Sandy~
kirkus
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Great ideas for the ladder! My wife Carol is an avid quilter...plus we have many things my late mother made. There is a post from awhile back where people did cool things with ladders. I'll link it below. I love the ideas for the saw blades too. This is such a creative bunch! Wired, I saw that show too! My stick is 5 feet 7 inches long. The hand area is at just the right height for me, wrapped with leather. We do a lot of hiking in our area...can't wait to use my stick! Sal and Sandy, thanks for asking about my brother and Carol. Since her surgery on the one knee, Carol says it feels SO much better. She'll have the other knee done in the fall.

Thanks for your encouraging words about my treasures! Now, I need to start placing the items in our yard! :o) Bear Hugs! Kirk

Here is a link that might be useful: Ladder Ideas from Garden Web Friends
use2bcapecodr
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What a lot of neat uses for old ladders!

Here are a couple of mine.

The picker's ladder I found in someone's trash...

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and another part to the extension ladder I have in the guest bathroom...

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I lugged that extension ladder from house to house for years, until I inherited my dad's aluminum one and worked up the courage to saw this one into 3 parts. Good ladders never die...they just multiply! lol

~Sandy~
cait1
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What a great way to spend time with your daughter! Amazing finds!! And I sure do love the prices! The walking stick is magical.

Cait
sow2grow
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks for showing all your goodies!!! I love to look at other peoples "junk" ...I find it very inspiring.
When you find places for everything....please show us more pics of your great finds.
luna_llena_feliz
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What wonderful finds! You sure made a great haul this past weekend. One of these days I hope to come across a great sale like that. I think the wind chimes made out of the saw blades is a great idea. I admired grandmabarb's husband's chimes that he made. Below is a link to her message thread.

Here is a link that might be useful: grandmabarb's DH's saw blade chimes
Purplemoon
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Gosh Kirk, what can I say that hasn't been said?
How about "DITTO". Can't believe all you found, and at the price. Some really super things. Hope Olivia found herself some treasures too after the haul Daddy made. LOL

Prayers continue for your brother daily.
hugs, Karen
Dottie B.
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Can I just say how totally jealous I am of your finds!!! Just wonderful!!!
kirkus
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Karen (aka Purplemoon), You made me chuckle! Olivia found a cool handcarved wooden bowl, a compact, 2 Beanie Bear giraffes, an antique whistle, and TREASURES OF ALL TRESURES...a BIG, SPARKLY, SEQUINED, "BEAUTIFUL", purple purse. Carol rolled her eyes when she saw it! HA! The owner didn't charge her a cent! It pays to be cute! Hee hee! Sandy, the desk chair has an old, yellowed manufacturers tag on the bottom. I'll have to look for a date. Thanks for all of your positive comments! I LOVE A GOOD GARAGE SALE! :o) Kirk
susiesunshine
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kirk:
I'm just getting to write to you about that
"best Garage Sale ever !"
The best part was you took your daughter..
the together. fantastic.. the icing on that cake really.. was that you and daughter had fun.. and helped the person who was having the sale..
Truly it is fun to buy treasures... But you all know
Giving it away ( although I might not do enough of that - I try) but really the JOY OF GIVING IS G R E A T and I can just picture that lady getting so much pleasure seeing YA'LL having so much F U N and also the fact that she knew that her T R E A S U R E S now had found a new home with the perfect family to love them and treasure them and then pass them on along.!!
Keep up the teaching and keep up the quality family time
P>S> Your little daughter is A DOLL (not a scarecrow - but she is the cutest one I've ever seen.. doesn't scare me !) tee hee !
God Bless You and God Bless Your Family!
And Thank God America has Good Quality.. I mean to say
F A N T A S T I C.... Teachers like you !!
I'm a better person since I am getting to know you !
Grammie Jean
susiesunshine
kirkus
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Susiesunshine, Once again you made my day. You're so right! My daughter and I spend a few hours every Saturday morning...just her and me...doing whatever she wants to do. It's a priceless time. In nice weather, it usually involves garage saling together. Many times, we play board games or go out to breakfast (McD's is her choice! LOL). I value this time although I've created a garage saleaholic! HA! She has a little plastic frosting container where she saves all of her coins for garage sales, and then takes it with her to the sales. Whenever I call an item "junk", she reminds me it's a "treasure"! Hee hee! Thanks again for your positive posts! Kirk
susiesunshine
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
T H A N K S !! FOR sharing that precious story and most of all thanks for doing it !!!
I am doing that with my granddaughter, and my grandmother did it with me!!! PASS IT ON !!! Play it forward!!!!
After all the KIDS are our future...
we must teach them to grow things.... to be good and kind and honest and LOVING and Caring!!!
Sounds like your precious daughter will be able to PASS IT on as she has had Great Training !
God Bless YA'LL
And I know He is Blessing America by having Men like you and Daughters like yours !Happy Garage Saling Selling etc. and not to forget that thoughtful wife, and mother or the daughter... parenting is a BIG, FUN Job and well worth it.!
susiesunshine

The Best Garage Sale I've EVER Been To

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