What’s your favorite yard sale or antique store find and how were you able to restore this item?

Question

What’s your favorite yard sale or antique store find and how were you able to restore this item?

Answer 1

Which find was my favorite? Wow, that is tough as there have been so many in my 53 years. I am a thrift store junkie, a curb picker, dumpster diver (to a small extent anyway), have a built in antenna for garage sales, scour the free section of Craigslist numerous times a day, and belong to Freecycle.

I haven't bought a brand new car in nearly 30 years. I buy my cars from police impound auctions--which is just one more place to turn someone else's discard junk into my treasure.

But as for antiques--my favorite find would have to be a dresser I found for $5.00 over 32 years ago. It was uniquely shaped, but each drawer was painted a different color, and the frame another color. I painstakingly removed layer upon layer of paint. Fine sanded it and applied tung oil. It was bought more for the great price as I was pregnant with my first child and money was tight. The fact that it turned out to be a gorgeous piece of antique furniture was the icing on the cake.

I still have this dresser to this day. As each grandchild is born they have used this very dresser in their nursery. When they reach 2 years old, the dresser comes back to me and awaits the next grandchild.



Of all the moves this dresser has gone through, it remains unmarred and still has the original lock and key for the first drawer.



Whenever I "re-new" an antique piece of furniture, I like to think about how the first owners felt when they first bought the piece. How much did they pay for it? Did they have to save up to buy it? It is interesting to find the pieces in antique catalogs (I have had the joy of doing this several times).



I love saving old things from landfills. I love saving relatively new things from landfills. It is fun giving something a new lease on life.

Answer 2

I got two Lladro Statues at a garage sale for $3.00 each. And a first year issue Barbie in the the original box with the $1.49 price tag still attached for $4.00

Answer 3

My favorite was the base of an old sewing machine. Beautiful iron work with rosettes and leaves. My sis and I sanded it, applied a coat of anti-rust paint, painted it old gold and after that dried we applied a thin coat of dark brown paint and used old rags to clean the excess and reveal the golden color, so the dark brown accentuated the beautiful metal work.

We used polished stone as a table top and we kept a silver tray with antique crystal glasses. Everyone loved it.

Answer 4

I have an even better story to tell than that.Thrift stores are nice and so are Yard sales but...Sometimes people throw out the darnest things.What really springboarded me in the direction of antiques was a clock.I was thirteen and working a paper route at the time when one afternoon I spotted something being thrown out at the curb while on my paper route.The people had stood it up at the curb.Well to my surprise it was an antique clock.I was really wowed by it.So I picked it up and put it on my handle bars.Don't you know that every stop I went to they were trying to buy it from me for fifteen dollars.All I kept saying was No!Got it home and showed it to my mother.The case was wood and it looked awful to most but not to me.One day my mom took it to a clock dealer and had it restored.Well,I couldn't afford to pay in cash for the job my future boss did on it.But it was beautiful when he finished.I worked off the debt all but about twenty five dollars when the clock shop owners wife told me I had to pay that amount or the clock would be sold off.That day I went home and cried.I thought that I would never see that clock again.Then one morning my grandmother came by to visit us and told me that she had something in the car that was too heavy for her to lift and that she needed my help.So,Being the helpful one that I am I said sure and when I got to the car and opened the door...I about fell over.I was so happy to see the clock.It was a gingerbread clock with pressed wood designs all over it.It was manufactured around 1910 and had an alarm.And like most clocks of that type it had a beautiful door glass with gold silk screened designs on it.That is my favorite story whenever anyone asks me what is the reason that I like to work on them now.

Answer 5

I found a beautiful Diamond, Aquamarine and gold ring in a box of jewelry at an estate sale. It was covered in crud, almost as if it had been dug up and hastily thrown in the jewelry box. I rinsed it off and gently used a toothbrush to remove ground dirt. After a a trip to the jewelers, I found out that my purchase was worth much more than the fifty cents I paid for it!



My wife really loved it. It turned out to be from the 1920s. My wife invested in a ultrasonic cleaner and stores it in her jewelry box. She also occasionally takes it to the jeweler make sure the prongs are tight on the stones.

Answer 6

I refinished a dressing table circa 1900-it had an ash body with oak and birdseye maple veneers. Someone had painted it off white with tacky gold accents. I bought it for $30 and spent about $40 more for stripper, stain, etc. It was neither quick nor easy but it sure turned out beautiful.

Unfortunately I was young and poor and had to sell it later for $200. Wonder what it would be worth today.

Answer 7

Hey, I watch enough Antiques Roadshow to know not to do too much to restore an item... at least on my own. Nothing like a bottle of Murphy's Oil Soap or Saddle Soap to clean something up but not mess with it too much. Luckily, most of my estate sale finds have been in decent enough condition to not worry about having to do too much with them.



Oh yeah... my favorite. Not actually mine, yet, but mom says it's my inheritance... It's a table and two chairs made from the root system of some tree that's grown in the Phillipines... the way the air roots grow, they just find a section that looks like it would make a good chair or whatever and cut it out... not too much else was done to the wood... one of the chairs needed to have another chunk joined in to make it balance right, but it just looks like a mass of roots or something...



The varnish is starting to flake, so I'm probably going to have to have it sandblasted eventually and revarnish it...

Answer 8

i like random thrift shops, I'll just walk in and look for something interesting. Go into a thrift shop just dig through haha you'll be surprised the stuff you'll find. My grandma bought an antique lamp it was costly because it came from wayyy back. It was worth it. I helped pay for it since it was soo beautiful. She sadly passt away and had handed the lamp down to me. It's a precious gift from my grandma since now that I don't have her I will have the lamp as a memory of her. She loved the lamp since it was from her times.



edit: If you say you have never been to a yard sale you're lying :D

Answer 9

I dont know if they count as heirlooms but I've always collected antique fire extinguishers and water cannons. Not too many people have them out but I've gotten quite a few by just asking if they had any old ones they wanted to get rid of.



I havnt really "restored" any of them. I kinda like the look that they have when I find them. I did clean up an old brass water cannon once

Answer 10

Our house is over 100 years old. Before we purchased it, the previous owners had remodeled the entire house, replacing antique fixtures and trim with "modern" ones. Over the course of several years, we have slowly returned it to it's glory by purchasing vintage light fixtures at flea markets and garage sales, rewiring them, and replacing the ones in our house. One of my favorites is a brass chandelier that we found under a table at a flea market and purchased for $2.50. It now welcomes everyone to our home hanging from our entryway ceiling. Also, baseboard and door trim has been salvaged from old houses being torn down, and used to bring our home "back to date". All of the hollow core modern passageway doors have been replaced with old four panel oak doors with vintage hardware. It requires a lot of paint stripping and refinishing, but it is well worth the effort.

Answer 11

21 years ago I bought a child's roll top desk at a yard sale, the seller said her husband used it as a child at that time he was 35 so the desk has to be at least 50+or- years old. It now sits in the home office. Purchase price $3. I did a gentle sand and gave it a clear coat, left all of the carved holes and ink spots on it replaced the canvas in the roll top with new untreated canvas. It wasn't bought as an antique it was bought to use by my youngest granddaughter. Not much longer and it will be a true antique.

EDITED:Dumpster dive find

Musician; Charles E. Warner

I also am the proud owner of a music satchel with original written sheet music the library of congress certificates all of the memorabilia of a marching band composer who wrote one of the songs for the Barnum and Baily Circus that was played for many years. That includes that particular piece of original written sheet music before it was published.

Have done nothing to restore it. I keep it in acid free folders and the satchel in acid free container.

Answer 12

It wasn't an antique, nor did I find it at a yard sale or antique store, but when I lived in an apartment complex, I once found a cedar chest sitting outside the dumpster.



One of the legs had broken off, and the bottom seemed to sag a bit. When I took it home, I cleaned it up with some Murphy's Oil Soap, then removed the three remaining legs, and attached a piece of plywood to the bottom of the chest to reinforce the original bottom. I bought some furniture glider discs and attached them to the bottom, making it easy to move around. Caulked it up, and it was good to go. I think I spent a total of about $25 to make it usable again.

Answer 13

For the most part, I agree that "restoring" antiques will depreciate their value. However, sometime ago, I was given a beautiful an upright player piano from the 1800's.



It was in very good shape structurally, but it had been badly neglected so that the finish had cracked, darkened and lost it's sheen. Moreover, some little angels had decided to decorate it by painting hearts on it with fingernail polish.



Needless to say, I did not want to house such a sad monstrosity in my house without trying to improve it's looks. At first, I tried regular paint striper, but it was extremely harsh for the wood. It began taking all of the finish and I was afraid that it would dissolve the glue that held the piano together (I dind't want to wake up to a pile of lumber in the morning).



I did some research and ended up with a product that gently removed only the top layer of finish and it gave it a warm glow, all at the same time. It was painstaking work but it ended up revealing the most amazing walnut wood grain. The sliding-front panels of the piano had a beautiful butterfly pattern. Needles to say, the difference was so amazing that most people could not believe they were the same piece.



Sadly, I had to sell it when I moved away, but that is a "restoration" that I'm very proud of.

Answer 14

When i was a kid, my mom owned an antique shop and we did garage sales Thursday and Friday mornings. We were a well-oiled machine, and I remember spotting this very ornate, gold-leaf picture frame for a small oil painting. The price: $25, a big deal back then.



I steered my mom to it and she briefly lit up like a Christmas tree, then turned on her poker face. She asked about THE FRAME and the owner said it was lovely but didn't fit her decor at all, and the picture was very nice, something she'd picked up at a sale years ago.



Mom dickered her down to $20 and we left. And that was it for garage saling that day. She hit the books and confirmed it was an original from some 19th century impressionist I can't remember.



The picture sold for nearly 10K at Sothebys a few months later. A handy profit.



That stuff's out there, for sure.



Jim the Yooper

Still looking for missing Constitutions hidden behind cheap paintings

Answer 15

A Roseville pottery pinecone bowl w/handles. Needed no restoring.

An Occupied Japan girl figurine powderbox that I sold on Ebay for 800.00. Needed no restoring.

A set of forest green square glass dishes that I have put together and have become our Christmas dishes. No repair. Plates were found in the basement of an old house and in original box. Both children have asked for these even though I have much more valuable collectibles.

Two Blue Ridge specialty plates w/pictures on them. Perfect.

A tiny metal ice cream spoon given w/cups of ice cream at grocery before cardboard ones were used.

Nine pieces of apple Watt pottery collected over 10 years time. Pitcher has a chip, but I have not attempted restoration.

Many pieces of Cash Family Pottery that I passed on to a man writing an identification and price guide for the pottery.

Over fifty pieces of Fire-King jadite dinnerware in a period of 10 years. Mint.

Answer 16

My favorite furniture find was a great little stuffed chair I found at the local salvation army. It is a plush velour type material in a lovely shade of green. I didnt have to do anything to restore it, it was perfect in every single way. Only cost 15 dollars and was one of the best furniture finds I have ever had, not just from a thrift store/garage sale but from anywhere. I will own that chair forever, it will be the chair that when I have grandchildren is still around.

Answer 17

I have 3 great finds:

1. 2 antique dressers my father paid 25 dollars each for them- they turned out to be walnut, mahogany with birds eye maple trim.

After looking at these with a very ugly stain for 30 years, I took these to an antique furniture restorer and she did an amazing job. Value now 5 thousand dollars.



2. An antique ladies watch in a box of junk - 1 dollar for all of it. This has a mother of pearl face and it is a lady wittenauer from about 1950. It looks amazing with a new gold band but it is hard to keep running because it is a wind up watch.



3. A Chinese hand tufted wool carpet - I paid 200 at an estate sale and it was just appraised at 3 thousand. I took it to a professional that cleans oriental carpets.



I don't think there are any quick tips - if it is valuable it probably needs to be restored by a professional or you risk damaging it.



Bite the bullet and reap the rewards forever.

Answer 18

One of my favorite pieces in my chest of drawers that I have had since I was little. It has been in the family longer than that but then became mine. It is a beautiful dresser as well as functional and has been through several moves with me without losing any of its sturdiness. I have never had to re due the finish and probably wont any time soon. My other favorite is my engagement ring, its from the 1930's and has such a pretty setting.We also have a child's desk that my husband found at the dump, I cleaned it up and its really a nice piece of furniture. Also both of my kids have antique beds. As far as revitalizing furniture, some times its best to just clean them up and enjoy its natural beauty. Sometimes painting a piece takes away from the uniqueness of the item, but not always. It depends on the person who is going to use the item and what their tastes are like.

Answer 19

In 1992, I was on patrol as a street cop in my community and observed an elderly man piling items at the curb, including furniture.



I stopped and spoke to him and notices a chest of drawers in the pile. It was an ugly pink color with hints of blue under the pink. I inquired as to why he was throwing it away and he said he didn't have room for it anymore and it was 'just an old piece of junk' from his grandmothers house.



I asked if I could come back later and pick it up for use as 'tool storage' in my garage... he agreed and we put it on his porch.



I took the item home and let it sit in the garage for 4-5 months without touching it.



I then had an on-duty injury that put me off work for several weeks. After the first 4-5 days, I got bored and decided to strip the paint off this old chest.



When I did, I discovered that it was tiger oak and was in perfect shape. I completely redid the chest, including finding a set of correct knobs. It turned out absolutely beautiful.



I took this chest to an antique auction and it sold for $1325.



What a find.

Answer 20

Years ago, I still have it, I was browsing and came across this rusty looking, dull brass J. It's a flat brass lettering, it weights approximately three quarters of a pound. The wall mounting kind. My name is Julian, as in J. It wasn't the object, it wasn't the price, $5, it was all of the above and then some.. I've been going thru some crisis like I've never experienced. This J was a affirmation that I was coming across everything I needed in life. Starting with the letter J., the first letter of my name. I bought the object and found some polish and it shined like gold. Instead of hanging it on the wall it sits comfy and perfectly in a tight little corner at my bathrooms' door. I see it everytime I go to the bathroom. A reminder that I am. That is just what I need every morning when I wake up and every night when I floss and brush my teeth before bed.. I'm a solid J. I shine like gold, no matter what time of day you see me..

peace.

Answer 21

I bought a painting of a boat for 2 dollars and I took the back frame off and found a copy of the declaration of Independence.......I wish!



Well, really I was in Italy and I went to a flea market type thing in the square and one guy was selling some WW2 memorabilia. There was a dish that was used on a German submarine from 1943 and he was only selling it for about 10 bucks. I was going to buy it but decided not too.

Answer 22

canvas in the roll top with new untreated canvas. It wasn't bought as an antique it was bought to use by my youngest granddaughter. Not much longer and it will be a true antique.

EDITED:Dumpster dive find

Musician; Charles E. Warner

I also am the proud owner of a music satchel with original written sheet music the library of congress certificates all of the memorabilia of a marching band composer who wrote one of the songs for the Barnum and Baily Circus that was played for many years. That includes that particular piece of original written sheet music before it was published.

Answer 23

When we lived in England in the mid 80's, I went to a junk store (not even an antique shop) Anyway, I saw this table with linoleum on top and barley twist legs. They only want what was equivilent to $16.00 for it and I figure it was worth that for the legs even if the top was ruined. As it turned out, I was able to get the linoleum off. I stripped the finish using steel wool pads and used a wax that had bees and caruba wax in it. (The name escapes me right now) and it revealed a wonderful golden oak. The bonus was that the table top swiveled and folded open for a full size table! A real surprise! Then one day we were in another antique shop and they had one exactly like it for about $350.00! I would say that the best thing you could do to some pieces of furniture, is to clean it with 409. It's amazing the amount of grime you can get off of some pieces and it doesn't harm the finish. Personally I like the waxing of furniture pieces as opposed to oils. Prettier finish when buffed.

Answer 24

My favorite things I come up on at garage sales are old furniture. I love talking them down on the price, then refinishing it. Most of my furniture I own are from garage sales, and people think they are all from Pottery Barn! I can't believe how cheap you can refinish things and make them look like they are from a designer company/really expensive company. I live in a rural town in Texas. I know this couple that went to garage sales for a long time (this was very recently). They came across a painting and bought it for the frame. Turns out, the painting was worth $1.5 million dollars. They used to run a restaurant, but now they don't have to work anymore. He is retired (about 65), and his wife is about 35. Some tips for revitalizing the look and feel of some items are endless. If there is some wood chipped/missing, you can get this stuff (it's like a paste) and fill it in...within a few hours, it hardens up to give it a good wood finish. If it is in bad condition paint wise, sand it down, paint it white, and then paint over that with your color of choice. Then, go over it with a clear coat/polyurethane finish. Those two problems are the problems I come along most when I go to garage sales and find furniture to refinish. However, those problems are conquered very quickly and easily. Good luck & God bless!

Answer 25

I love to go to garage and yard sales on Saturday mornings in my area on Long Island, NY. One morning I came across the most beautiful vintage Capodimonte double tier Chandelier with flowers and cherubs so beautiful and two gorgeous vintage Capodimonte Wall Scones. They didn't need any restoration but being of Italian descent I knew these pieces were very valuable. The woman sold the two pieces to me for $50.00. Unbelievable! I went home and did some research on ebay and another site from Italy and found that the chandelier is worth at auction in the vacinity of $1,000 and the scones are worth approximately $150.00. I was thrilled.



Second fabulous find was antique Art Nouveau beads from the 1920's. I am a jewelry designer and I am always on the lookout for antique and vintage beads to use in my jewelry designs. I stopped at this garage sale and the woman had some old beads in a glass bowl..all dirty, greasy, sandy, but with my trained eye I knew there were some beautiful beads in that glass bowl.There were some broken necklaces and loose beads and some findings. She was about 70 years old and she told me it was her Mothers jewelry. She sold it to me for $2.00. Came home and dumped out the bowl and found a treasure trove of antique beads from the 1920's.Washed everything with soap and water and I found stunning beads..did some research and found that the beads I have were Art Nouveau and were worth alot of money and out of those beads I have made many georgeous jewelry pieces which I have sold..This is about the best find I have had.



I could probably think of another one, but it is late and I am tired.

Answer 26

I found a three book set of Dante's Inferno translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow at the Antique Mall just down the road from where I live. It has some sentimental value because HWL is a distant relative of mine.

Answer 27

I found a console stereo from 1965 - It was a little battered, with a large abrasion to the front and a broken off piece at the bottom. I glued the piece back on the bottom with some wood glue, using a drill and a couple of dowels to make it a little stronger and then used some spray can stain and spray can varnish on the abrasion on the front. That and a little polish, a new fuse and this nice little piece of americana runs beautifully. Best of all- The merchant had plased a "free - take me home" sign on it as it had sat in her shop for 3 years with everyone believing it was broken!

Answer 28

I found a large floral oil painting on canvas at a thrift store for $5.00. It was by an artist unknown to me called Marjorie Dean Andruk. I looked her up on the internet and realized she's world - known. I think the painting that I have is an earlier work of hers. I've had the painting for about 10 years, but even if she wasn't famous, I still love the painting.

Answer 29

I have so many I can't choose just one. One tip I have picked up for "restoring" scratched wooden pieces (not gouged, lightly scratched) it to use instant coffee made into a paste for dark wood and tea for lighter wood. Just pour it on and gently rub over the entire piece with special attention to the scratches, let set for 30-45 minutes and wipe off. This will not help the clear coat but restores the color beautifully. Another treatment I use on raw wood is linseed oil. It takes time and elbow grease but it is well worth it as it brings out the grain of the wood like you wouldn't believe. As far as brass, if you don't want to use chemicals, try this tip I picked up off of BBC America. Let some milk sour, really sour, and use it to clean the brass and you will be amazed at the results. It has something to do with the lactic acid.



What ever your poison, thrift store, garage/yard sale, flea market, antique store, dumpster or all of the above, keep looking because it is as much about the search as it is the find.

Answer 30

My favorite Big Red Chair, It's a huge overstuffed red leather chair that was in a house that a friend bought to rehab... He was going to throw it out, so I took it home, and cleaned and cleaned......



It is in my library and I sit in it every single day....



edit..I'm sorry, you were looking for tips...household cleaner and a soft bristled brush are your two most valuable assets...

unless someone has painted it, a good scrubbing followed by some paste wax, will solve most antique furniture problems.....

Answer 31

I bought an antique jewelry box at an estate sale. I payed $1.00 for it. It was full of old costume jewelry and I thought my kids would have fun looking through it. I found an old watch in it which turned out to have 14k gold on it. I was able to sell it for $60.00!

Answer 32

This is a little off the subject, but my best friend is a garage sale maniac, and ended up getting 3 brand new condition gucci purses for a dollar each.

So never undermine the good things of garage saleing!

Answer 33

There are so many I've found, it's hard to pick just one! Recently I went to Hawaii and found a real silver shell-shaped velvet lined designer purse on a chain. It looks to be from the 1960's or before and it is still in pretty good condition so I didn't really do anything. It is hanging on a wall by its chain.

Then I found an old tapestry table runner with scenes from ancient Arabia while I was in New England. It was really dark with dirt and dust, so I put it into the dryer with Dryel sheets and it came out rather well!

I also began collecting antique spoons while in New England as well and just use Tarn-X or salt/baking soda to clean them. They are really unique in that they are real spoons, NOT those tiny souvenir spoons.

Answer 34

I love antiques and I will spend hours and hours at the yard sale as well as the antique stores. I am so happy being around the antiques even though I do not buy any of them.

Answer 35

I collect Gnomes, and i have several that i have found at yard sales and flea markets. I love my collection and to my amazement, many people ask me where i find them.Gnomes are every where. you need a keen eye for what is a collectible and what is an every day knock off.My favorite is a "Brownie" he sits in a "snail shell'"with his eyes closed as if he is sliding down a path to the garden.He needs to be restored, but i am very protective of my Gnomes,Brownies and Fairies.I love the Gnome in the adds for travelocity featuring my garden guy.Find a garden gnome from the fifties through the eighties and you have a market.And...don't forget your hat.

Answer 36

Actually some of my favorite finds I got while curb shopping and dumpster diving. One year during spring clean up I was going around checking out different large piles and I had come home with a couple good bits. When I looked down the block I saw one of the neighbors had and unusual shape in their pile. So I went to look. Turns out to have been a solid oak door with original glass and carved woodwork. I hustled home and got the truck and somehow managed to wrestle the heavy beast in. My dad refinished it and we now use it in our back entry (inside of course).

Another super find was an old wooden couch frame that I got when I was living in Milwaukee. I was walking back to the dorms through an alley, past the back of a second hand shop. I saw it sticking out of the dumpster. It needed a little work, the straps for the seat where a bit stretched out, but otherwise it was in very nice shape. I grabbed a friend to help me get it out and carry it back. It turned out to be a piece of Danish Modern. Which is a well made piece of furniture and has become highly collectible in recent years. Mom refinished it, and had it reupholstered and it's now in my brother's apartment and completes a set of Danish Modern that we put together.

I don't recommend refinishing everything, especially if you don't know what you're doing. My mom is especially skilled and rather anal about it. But her results are worth it. Formbies makes a line of products that are excellent for refinishing. Not least of which is a finish restorer. It softens the finish and allows you to clean the dirt out.

But sometimes you need a gentler hand. I find the pledge spray with orange oil is good for getting things clean. It keeps the wood from drying out, and removes dirt. Lemon oil can be very drying. And only use soft cotton cloths when cleaning. Old soxs and underwear that have been cut into rags work very nicely.

My best tip, is that if you have antique furniture, keep it dusted and polished, basically clean, because dust, dirt and sun exposure are what kill a nice finish.



** Ok I get the whole leave a piece alone argument. We have gone back and forth on that for years in our house. I have come to believe that there are times when it is fully warranted (if you know what you're doing) to refinish a piece. In our house we use the stuff, so it needs to be in as good a condition as it can be. I've often said that someone from the Victorian age would be pretty at home in our house.

Answer 37

youngest granddaughter. Not much longer and it will be a true antique.

EDITED:Dumpster dive find

Musician; Charles E. Warner

I also am the proud owner of a music satchel with original written sheet music the library of congress certificates all of the memorabilia of a marching band composer who wrote one of the songs for the Barnum and Baily Circus that was played for many years. That includes t

Answer 38

This past weekend, there was a huge Flea Market and I found a gorgeous hand-made trunk. It's not as big as those bed trunks, more like a 1/3 of that size but it's great! It has a hidden bottom and was made by the Seller's Deceased son. It was very special to her but she had to move on. I assured her that it would be going to a loving home! I can't wait to restore it to it's old beauty. I am extremely excited!!

Answer 39

First of all - when you find something old - especially furniture - do NOT "refinish" it. You will ruin the value of it. Just clean it gently with towels and a little water or antique furniture cleaner and get it appraised. I found an old red, white and blue stick telephone from the 60's at a flea market and cleaned it up. It is way cool. My best find was a Beatles item that I bought for $75 and sold for $450. No million dollar items yet found in the attic. Someday maybe....

Answer 40

My favorite is an old library table that's 9 ft in length by about 3 ft in width. It was the perfect find for a long narrow room that I wanted to use for family informal meals. We got it at Springfield Antiques show and washed it down with Murphy's Oil Soap. I use a runner based on the season and always have a flowers and candles in the middle. It was the best $150 I've spent in a long time (no pun intended.)

Answer 41

My favorite prize is an old blanket chest that I found at an auction. It was painted in the ugliest shade of pea soup green. I knew I'd found a treasure when I pulled one of the drawers open. It was solid oak. My husband thought I'd lost my mind when he helped me unload my treasure. I stripped the ugly green paint off and sure enough there was a beautiful honey oak piece of workmanship. I sanded it and put a light finish of honey oak stain on it. Our TV now sits on top of this piece and the two drawers hold our collection of DVD and old VHS tapes. Great question!

Answer 42

bed bath and beyond or linens and things

Answer 43

I LIKE BUYING NICE OLD PAINTINGS WITH OLD FRAMING.

BECAUSE ITS EASY AND FUN TO FIX THE FRAMING ON A PAINTING.

Answer 44

I BOUGHT A SWEET BLACK VELVET BULLFIGHTER PIC FOR 50 CENTS. NO NEED TO RESTORE IT THIS SWEET ITEM WAS IN PERFECT SHAPE.



MY SECOND FAVORITE YARD SALE BUY WAS A RIDING LAWNMOWER AND AIR COMPRESSOR WHICH I TALKED THE LADY INTO SELLING BOTH FOR 40 BUCKS. BOTH WORK FINE SHE WAS JUST SELLING HER EX HUSBANDS STUFF.

Answer 45

I'm of the opinion that "restoring" antiques can drastically depreciate its value at auction. Therefore I do not advise in the restoration of antiques unless you plan to keep them.

Answer 46

I once bought a toilet seat, that turned out to be a MAGICAL TALKING ONE......it only spoke CHINESE though, it was very AWKWARD, because I don't know chinese, and it would always say something when I'm going #2.

Answer 47

A PeeWee Herman talking doll, the voice box still worked and i changed his gray suit to a pimp suit

Answer 48

I have a mantle clock [which is not working] hourly strike, it is in need of repair and redecorating but it is authenticated by a Heritage Jeweller in Australia as circa 1780



Anyone interested?

Answer 49

Great question.... I'm waiting to see some REAL answers to this question. While I don't make purchases from antique stores I do haunt a local thrift store year round and try to hit as many yard sales as my busy schedule allows. I look at a castaway and wonder how I can use it, but mostly I look at how I can use it for a purpose other than it was made for.



I love ephemera and use it in my paper crafting: collages, handmade greeting cards, scrapbooks, wall hangings etc.



Wood & metal frames are covered with a collage of costume jewelry.



Glass salt & pepper shakers become vases with bead and wire hangers.



Old ladies hankies are sewn into dainty coverlets.



My last yard sale project was with 4 metal wall hangings. They look like tin ceiling tiles. They WERE black and gold with flowers painted in the center of the tile. I painted them all white and then cut squares of decorative (scrapbook) paper to fit in the center of ea. These coordinating tiles are now displayed on a wall (once bare) in a four square arrangement.... and the best thing is that I can take the paper off with each holiday or season and have a totally different look!

Answer 50

I bought a set of TV trays with a rolling holding case from a yard sale..they were made in the 50's or 60's..they were metal and each tray showed the same outdoor scene but from the different seasons..spring, summer, fall, winter..I bought them for $25 and than sold them online for $400.

Answer 51

I just like to pile up on junk that I don't need but may use in the future.



however I do have a interest in buying John Deere stuff.

Answer 52

just mesmerize its beauty

Answer 53

I bought an old cookie jar that was in MINT condition. It is a Shawnee, the pig. The lady still had it in the box and just put it out saying, "I know its old but I don't have any use for it if you want it." Only $10!!!! I was as happy as a fat kid with a Hershey bar!! Needless to say its worth way more than what I paid and I have it displayed where NO ONE can touch it. That's my story :)

Answer 54

I bought a 1950's kitchen booth because my kids were always moving the chairs in the kitchen and getting on the counter. The booth seats were red padded and the table was a yellow formica and looked like a baseball diamond. It was ugly. I grew to appreciate it more when I was able to decorate my kitchen around it. I started off by laying a black and white checked floor, painted small shelves that I purchased at a garage sale white and trimmed them in red and used them to put soda fountain glasses on that were purchased from a second hand store. There was a corner shelf on the wall, where the booth was that I placed a replica juke box on that worked as well as a Mickey Mouse phone rotary dial that came from Disney Land that I found at a garage sale. I also found MIckey Mouse border paper to add color and character to the white walls. To complete the decor, I was able to find red and white striped balloon valances, three of them and hung them small rod on top and larger rod on bottom to give the appearance of red and white canopys over the doorways. This was the talk of the neighbor hood when I was done with it and was known as "Debbie's Diner".

Answer 55

I found a large floral oil painting on canvas at a thrift store for $5.00. It was by an artist unknown to me called Marjorie Dean Andruk. I looked her up on the internet and realized she's world - known. I think the painting that I have is an earlier work of hers. I've had the painting for about 10 years, but even if she wasn't famous, I still love the painting.



http://www.marjoriedeanandruk.com/margeFrameset.html



Also, my elderly neighbor and her husband were moving to Florida, so they offered a collection of old frames from their attic that they were throwing away because they knew that I liked to paint watercolors....One frame had a Wallace Nutting original print in it called "Stone Mountain". It's a fairly large print. I had it in my dining room for a number of years. but now it's in my attic.

Answer 56

Be VERY CAREFUL when deciding to restore an item. If you've ever watched Antiques Roadshow you'll know that restoring an item can cause it to lose most of its value.



There was one show where a couple had this big armoire from the 1700s and they were so proud of how well they restored it.

The appraiser said they could get maybe $10,000 for it BUT if they had not restored it and removed all the patina the armoire would have been worth about $80,000.



Be VERY careful!!!!!

Answer 57

My favorites are original folk paintings. About revitalization, I found a beautiful desk that I refinished following the instructions from a Home Depot pamphlet and some youtube videos. It was very time consuming for a first timer, but very much worth it.

Answer 58

My favorite thrift store find was a turn of the century double wedding ring quilt in immaculate condition. The piecing and quilting were both beautifully done, and the colors had that wonderful misty appearance that older fabrics often have. All it needed was a good airing-out since it had apparently been stored for quite a while, and then it was ready to be displayed and appreciated.



I paid $4 for it at the resale shope and was offered $500 by a dealer, but I refused to sell. Who knows when or if I'd ever find another quilt of that quality to replace it?

Answer 59

I found a nice bedside table for my room. It is gold, and it's held up by what you could call curly Q's. The curly Q's seperate into four and go up to have a glass top, then up again to another glass top. It was a little bent on the trim around the glass tops, so I carefully bent it back. I polished the table and Windexed the glass. It just completes the look I was going for.

Answer 60

I am an avid collector. My entire home is thrift store/yard sale purchased.

My sister came to visit from OH, this past summer and she was totally astonished at what I had done. My last purchase was a hutch buffet from the 20's. It is a lovely piece of furniture. It fits perfectly in my dining room.I oiled it and put my set of old Tierra glass dishes in it.

Every room in my house has a thrift store item and it looks lovely. My thoughts on reconditioning antiques is, If you don't like what it looks like, make it likable. Who cares what it "may" be worth. If I don't like it I refinish it. I have old dressers, old trunks, old dishes. It is all loved and cared for. My children will have no problems getting rid of it all. I even have some very old jewelery, stamps and coins..

Good ole oils and soaps are the best way to clean them up for use.

Oh and some elbow grease.

Answer 61

I am a true Garage Sale Guru. Our local newspaper wrote an article about my girlfriend and I and they gave us that title, Garage Sale Guru.

I have found many things of value to me. Most things are not of serious financial value. I did find a dining room table / chair set that I bought for $ 35 for my daughter, only to find out later it is hand made, approx 90 years old and worth about $ 3500. !! But.. it isn't for sale. My husband treated it with linseed oil and left it alone. And my whole backyard is decorated with cool garage sale stuff. I have plants in wagons, tricycles, the 50's kids style. Everyone loves it. I don't clean those up, leave them rustic looking. I found a Charley McCarthy puppet for $ 15, cleaned him up and he is worth much more now. Probably my fave is the iron cross that sits by my fireplace. Jesus is on this intricate cross. I really love it. I paid a high yard sale price for this but I also knew the value and knew the deal I was making. I bought a tall wooden ladder for $ 4 and put flowers and bird houses on it. It is in the yard also. Too cute! All my finds are simple and are treasured by me. Others like them too. Nothing is for resale.

Answer 62

Halloween crap, especially silly wigs and hats. When I'm DJing and the crowd needs stirred up, NOTHING I can do perks them up like donning my pink pig cap with wings that flap when you tug its string, or my Rob Zombie-looking wig while I'm head banging to "Dragula." I'll toss random stuff like that onto the dance floor as well, and watch everyone put something on then break out their camera-phones for pics. "Old lady church hats" with fake flowers are VERY cheap and a big hit as well. Gentleman yard salers: A word to the wise. Your wife MAY love yard sales, and she may love lingerie, but trust me!!! She will NOT love yard sale lingerie!!!

Answer 63

Stumbled upon

my beautiful bride

no antique

known with pride

known to peek

replete with swoon

no yard to sell

antiques ring my bell

Answer 64

This is not an antique,but it has given me pause to wonder about things we have owned.We were going thru a hard time and I had asked my children to contribute to a yard sale we were having.So we had tons of 33 albums,but my daughter had her own collection,she donated one which I had written on as it was a birthday gift.She regretted giving it up and we serched later everywhere for another one.Never found it.Then nearly 20 years later at a flea market in a different state,I found that same album with my birthday greeting on it.That was amazing.She had it up untill this year when the tornados in March took it all.Just thought I would share that.

Answer 65

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Answer 66

An original oil on canvas, painted by Levy, the close friend of Renoir.

I bought it in the hungarian quarter of Manhattan for $5

in a Thrift Shop.

Answer 67

..... I found one American pattern glass decanter, based on a design of Horn of Plenty and made in around 1845, yellow in colour, without stopper but in good condition otherwise from a store.

I have cleaned it and it proved to be a prized possession, a rare object.

I used denture cleaner for cleaning the bottle.

Answer 68

I found a cedar chest from the 1930's with the original cedar boards inside it and sweet talked the dealer into selling it to me before taking it to auction. I paid $110 for it- I later found it was worth around $400. It's immaculate. I buff it lightly every 6 weeks with diluted warm virgin olive oils and it is in amazing shape. I've had it for 6 years.

Answer 69

From Goodwill:



There are two items. One is a glazed clay mixing bowl which is just the right size and feel which I cleaned up and use all the time.



The other is a metal bread & cake baker by Rival for crock pots. An unusual contraption with the entire lid vented to deflect condensation away from contents inside the little pot. Actually it was in good condition with the instruction pamphlet inside and only the box was missing. I only had to wash it and have already used it several times in my steamer to make Chinese Malaysian cake.

Answer 70

I had been looking for an unique bookshelf for a few months, hitting up local thrift stores in Chicago and finally I found one hidden in the basement of The Arc. It was $6 but it needed a little work. I had to sand it to the bone and still it has someones name carved into the top but I don't care its the first thing I ever restored myself and its displayed nicely in my dinning room.

Answer 71

I like to go to antique shops in foreign countries and bring back something unusual and clean it up and make it functional. I bought a what I think is a West Indies gun powder container, made with brass and had a 2 dimensional round top with a 5 inch long neck base and had a star shape design that was enamaled on(colors were red, gold and green) and twisted rope made of brass outlining the design. So I cleaned it up (not using any abrasives) and polished it up (with a chamois-no chemical polish) and us it as a tree top at Christmas. it looks very pretty and quite ornate.



I love looking for unusual things and turn it into a conversation piece. The whole process of shopping to final end piece is fun. :)

Answer 72

well, truth be told, I found a fur rug (or mat) at my great aunt's estate sale. I had to steam it to loosen the old, petrified fibers in the leather, so it wouldn't just crumble and fall apart. I then treated the leather with a spray on conditioner and after all that, I sprayed the fur side with a conditioner and spent several tedious hours combing it out. All to give my fiance' the most memorable birthday gift she has received in along time. It was definitely worth it.

Answer 73

My favorite thing I've found was these vintage posters and pictures I got from a garage sale!They were two bucks each. One is from Paris and the other I think is from Venice! The frames were in great condition, but i sanded the edges a little to make it have a more antique/vintage look! They turned out great and are hanging up in my room!

Answer 74

as we were driving home we found this coffee table. metal legs wtih a solid wood top. the bottom legs were falling apart as they were missing screws and the top was old and scratched up. it just looked so pitiful. it was sitting at the curb by a trash can and we just had to take it. we brought it home, bought a few screws for the legs, wiped it down and sanded it. we then stained it. it came out beautiful! i am not sure if it's antique but it could pass as one. it's a beautiful coffee table now. you wouldn't even be able to tell the difference from the old table to the restored table. not many people know how you can turn an ugly wood product into something nice just by refinishing it.

Answer 75

If these hidden treasures are truly or suspected as being of value, do nothing to it.



Value is lost when what we think is a ugly surface and we destroy or mar its patina or shape, for therein lies the value.



On antiques, revitalize nothing, before checking with the experts on such an article.



Found what I thought was a modern Queen Anne Lowboy Dressing Table at a shop. Sanded it down and painted it a nice ivory. Wrong move,found out later it was Eighteenth century. I still like it though,

Answer 76

i was able to restore an old 70's JCpenny record/8-track player i bought for $5, it was in great condition and all it needed was a new needle!

Answer 77

I got this clerical table from the 1930's made of Narra or Philippine Mahogany at a garage sale. I never did restore it. Just gave it a good cleaning. My father always said that when you restore antiques to its former glory, then it's not an antique anymore. The more beat-up, the better...

Answer 78

I found one of the original tube radios in an estate sale in immaculate working condition. The owners were asking $15 for it. I had to replace a tube ($35) and that was it. A local electronic "mom and pop" store had the part for it after I convinced him to just take a look at it. (He didn't believe me when I told him what it was.) I kept it on my mantle for many years and finally resold it to a collector for almost $300.

Answer 79

a cedar trunk that was at a thrift shop, it was so dirty that I didn't realize it was cedar until I opened it, got it home and cleaned it up, discovered it had brass bands and after sending a pic to an antique dealer he said it was probably made in the 20's. I used Murphy's oil soap and lemon oil cleaner on the wood and brasso on the bands

Answer 80

I once found this beautiful dining table that had seen better days. I used sand paper to smooth rough surfaces and a bit of wood stain to give it a richer color, it turned out beautiful.

Answer 81

I have several pieces of Chinese and other Asian pottery and artefacts that range from the late 19th century to a few thousand years ago. My favorite would have to be a 19th century Burmese Buddha.

Answer 82

My favorite find was a beautiful old farm table for $100. It was in great shape. I don't know much about antique furniture, so I don't have any idea what era or style it is, but I love it and use it in the middle of my Kitchen for a workspace, and extra seating.

Answer 83

my ex-wife, and i resold her....:(

Answer 84

I bought an old vanity chair at the Goodwill, painted it black, and it looks pretty cool in my hollywood themed room :)

Answer 85

When my husband and I were first married he worked in a thrift shop and bought what he told me to be a fern table for $45.00 (which to us at the time was a small fortune). The table had about 20 layers of paint and was in about 10 pieces. I was so angry with him for buying this dilapidated piece of junk, that I didn't speak to him for a couple of days.



He took the piece(s) to a friend (who professionally restores furniture) he glued them back together, stripped the paint and stained the table. When I saw it I had to admit it looked very nice. We also found out that it was a primitive piece, with handmade nails and hand turned spindle legs. It probably dated back to the Civil War. Needless to say I started speaking to him.



The other piece we have is a rocking chair that we purchased at an auction. My husband told me he was going to only bid up to $200. I think we paid nearly $400. I remember I kept looking at him, trying to get him to stop. As we were loading the chair into our vehicle, this guy came running up, asking how much it went for. We told him. He asked if we realized what we had. He then went on to say that we had an ORIGINAL Gustav Stickley. He showed us the mark under the arm. He was an antique dealer that had scouted the auction out earlier, however it had started to rain and the auctioneer decided to go the other way. He said he was going to bid up to $1200. Lucky for us it rained. The chair's old owner (we also bought her house) told us that her son who did maintenance at an apartment building found the chair in the dumpster. Talk about other people's trash is other people's treasure.

Answer 86

craigslist.com =]

Answer 87

Good question!



My husband and I bought a large, beautiful cherry coffee table in nearly-mint condition (the only flaw was a small puppy-chew mark on one corner) with lion-paw carved legs for $20. It was able to be touched up with wood-putty. and wood-colored markers.



I've also bought many framed prints from garage sales -- the best were two large Van Gogh's (framed) for $3 each. We also got an oval framed decorative mirror last weekend for $1.50.



Garage sale finds are great!

Answer 88

I found my bargain purchase at an estate sale. I purchased an antique sewing machine in its original console, circa 1930's. I didn't refinish the console, because I thought the natural aged look suited it best. The heavy Singer sewing machine (black iron and gold filigreed accents), I took apart, oiled, dusted, and "tuned"......after I reassembled it, it worked like a dream.



When I visit antique or consignment shops in my town, I have to smile to myself when I think I paid $15 for the cherry of a sewing machine I have.......when they are asking for $300!!

Answer 89

5 years ago i bought a 1960 seeburg juke box loaded with 45s out of the 50s and 60s for 50 bucks i found a guy to repair it for me for 100 bucks some of the songs in it are vintage elvis and rick nelson to name afew. it has been in perfect ever since.

Answer 90

I haven't found good stuff but I keep looking....

Answer 91

I went to a Goodwill Store (Almost like a yard sale) and I found a black vase with Silver Roses and Scrolling on it ....



I purchased it for $4.95 !



Turns out that the vase is worth approx. $950 !!!!

Answer 92

I found these two chairs that were from an old movie theater in town .the theater was getting renovated and I guess someone didn't think they were worth anything.Well I saw them and bought them for $.50 cents each.

I had the reupholstered and someone at the shop offered me $400.00 each ,I turned them down because these chairs have brought me back fond memories as a little kid ,

Answer 93

well i would have to say snow babies and Precious Moments

Answer 94

My favorite would be buying Wood Furniture and re-finishing it ,I have my coffee table,two side tables , two chairs and my headboard that I bought from garage sale ,stripped,sanded and varnished, I even have vanities.It is very rewarding after you finished and proud to say "I did that"

Answer 95

One of my favorites was my uncle Sam savings bank. I looked for one for years. Put a little oil in the mechanism so it will still work. Lots of fun!

Answer 96

In 1985 in Illinois, I found a chest of drawers, ugly under multiple coats of paint. Opening a drawer revealed that the entire cabinet was made of mahogany. $5 later I owned it, and after literally days of elbow grease, I rubbed in the tung oil and the wood absolutely glowed! It is now an heirloom.

Answer 97

I have a mahogany dining room table and sideboard. I was with my mother at an estate auction when she got them. That was probably in the late 1970's. I always liked the set myself. In about 1989, when she acquired a round oak table for her dining room and relegated the mahogany table and sideboard to the garage, I asked her if I could have them. My husband and I cleaned them with a Formby's product. I don't recall the exact product that we used. We had to replace the hardware on the sideboard as some pieces were broken and beyond repair and missing pieces. The table has 4 leaves for extending it if necessary for entertaining. I really love my table and sideboard.

Answer 98

everywhere

Answer 99

idk

Answer 100

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Answer 101

nothing

Answer 102

an old shot gun from the 1800's

Answer 103

I collect porcelain birds. To clean them all I have to do is wash them.

Answer 104

i bought a bunch of stuff, but now that you think of it i dont use any of it...

Answer 105

salam meay ba ham chat konem

Answer 106

1980's stuffed Snuffleupagus from Sesame Street. I had it when I was a kid. It was one of my favorite stuffed animals. My mom sold it at a yard sale without my knowing and I was so upset. I spent years trying to find another one. Then, when I was in the hospital in labor with my first child, my mom had a package sent to the hospital with my husband. When I opened it up, it was Snuffy! It was the same one I use to have, although probably not the exact one. I was so happy. It didn't help with my labor pain, but for a brief moment everything was good. Now my children play with him.



To restore a stuffed animal: most of them can be thrown in the washer and dryer, however some stuffed animals hair or stuffing will become permanently ruined in the washer or dryer. Always research how to clean certain materials. You may only be able to spot clean with a damp rag.

Answer 107

I bought an old double handle egg beater from a house sale for $30.00 and resold it for over $600.00 on Ebay a few years ago :)

I also bought an old fishing reel (forget the make of it), for $5.00 and sold it on Ebay a few years ago for over $300.00

At the same time, I was given an old Winchester fishing lure (a tiny little thing) and sold it for over $400.00 on Ebay.

Ebay is slow these days though :)

I will be going to a huge flea market on Sunday, I am hoping I find alot of goodies :)

Great question!

Answer 108

When we lived in New York my husband and I came across an old school desk when at a garage sale for $5. It was a bit abused, but we sanded and refinished it and it is just gorgeous now. It is one of the things that most people will comment on when in our house. I love it. It sits by the front door and is where you can remove or put on shoes. We love it! I have found other things at garage sales, but this was definitely my favorite.

Answer 109

pledge and paint stripper? I find the best items are well made wooden pieces of furniture that you can add your own touch to. I'd rather have something I created in my home than an ugly old piece of clunky piece of furniture......no matter how much its worth...unless its your own families item, i'd rather have something with a personal touch that fits into my creative home.

Answer 110

At last,someone wants to hear about my "treasures"! Im a thrift store,flea market junkie,so Ive got many,but a couple of my favorites ,I went to an estate sale and spied a badly tarnished creamer and sugar bowl on a little tray,well,I knew the tray was special because of the weight and scrollwork,paid $20,and the tray turned out to be solid silver,french,from the 1830s! worth about $500. then one day I was at my fave thrift store and found 4 oil paintings,filthy and unframed,paid $4 apeice for them,very art moderne from the 30s,paid about $200 apeice to have them cleaned,turns out they are from an artist who is known and worth $1500 apeice! Id never sell any of my stuff,I wouldnt have bought it had I not loved them!

Answer 111

I bought a super old, flapper girl type necklace from a yard sale for $2.50 once. It was so pretty, but kind of dirty so I got it cleaned at a local jewelry shop. It turns out that the little fake diamonds on the chain were real and it's actually really valuable, who would have thought? ^_^

Answer 112

4 antique chair I am in the process of restoring. They are beautiful and will look fabulous when finished. I paid $80 for 4. I saw almost identical set of 4 selling for $1000 (restored though).

This is them while they were dodgy:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stiffydagold/2654343111/

Answer 113

My favorite yard sale find(s) was this: One day I found a Halls Autumn leaf teapot for $1, but the lid was cracked. The next week at a totally different garage sale, I found another one for $1, ..but the pot was cracked with a perfectly good lid..so I made one good teapot/lid from the two.

Answer 114

I found an old chest at a yard sale for $10.00 I looked at the drawers, and saw they had dove-tailed construction and each drawer was dust proof. The hardware had been painted over, and everything was an ugly off-white.



I stripped it and found beautiful inlaid wood on the top two drawers, and the hardware was gorgeous. I gave it three coats of Deft Satin brush-on lacquer, steelwooling with 0000 in between coats, then gave a final spray on coat of Deft Satin spray.



Absolutely beautiful! Oh, and I found a penny in one of the drawers, so it cost me $9.99.



I also found a waterfall-design (circa 1930) desk at the side of the road. I am in the process of restoring it, as we speak. Cost $0.00!

Answer 115

At a used furniture store i found this Absolutely beautiful Coffee table and the top just needed some work. I sanded the coating on top of the table off and stained the entire table. Then I polyurethane the top of the table. After that I cleaned it up with some pledge. I love antiquee wood furniture.

Answer 116

If it's solid wood (not veneer), I want it. I don't care if the hinges and other hardware are shot, the interior shelving gone, or the thing is coming apart at the joints - if the most visible pieces are all there, it can be put back together and refinished. I try to honor the wood when refinishing, so prefer stains to paint. I don't like a varnish topcoat as it tends to yellow over time.

Answer 117

An antique dinning table. I bought it at a Salvation Army store in PA for $25.00. I refinished it by sanding it and applying stain and sealer. It was beautiful.

Answer 118

Once I found a divine turquoise tweed easy chair (looks like something from the Dick Van Dyke Show era) for $10 at a local Salvation Army that had very minimal wear and tear.



All it needed was a tiny bit of thread in the same color on the cording in one minute spot that had worn away.

Answer 119

I bought two items recently. This is the first one and I bought it for $15

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/hasemann/IMG_0184.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/hasemann/IMG_0183.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/hasemann/IMG_0189.jpg

The second one as you will see i bought for $30

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/hasemann/IMG_0726.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/hasemann/IMG_0733.jpg



I bought just a cheap hand sander and did a lot of sanding. I mean a lot. The first item had to be about 30 years old and the second is about 20 years.



I love these pieces and that is what I look for at garage sales. Something that is natural wood so I can redo.

Answer 120

it is location..The area was ounce occupied by well to do or older persons..many homes in the area handed down for generations,,these types keep items for years..Advertising to clean garages,etc for minimal amounts cash charged will reap much junk with some valuables..One good haul could make up for bad ones..If you have a large trailer offer to haul free? when persons have to get out everything goes...Most Good antiques may just require a good dusting ..too much cleaning may remove valuable patina

Answer 121

I like to buy broken dishes and junky items and combine them into mosaic pieces. I don't buy gifts for the adults in my life, but for a couple of dollars and a few hours of work, they get a handmade gift that they know I made just for them, and that I was thinking about them the whole time I was working on the gift.

So, I'm not exactly restoring, but reworking useless items into pieces of "art".

Answer 122

If i could find this a type 94 kai-no-gunto katana used by Japanese naval officers of WW2 if the sword had been chipped or perhaps even rusted i could restore it using my 26 stones ranging from 200 grit to 10,000 grit to bring back its original mirror shine. If the handle was cracked id try to find a replacement by checking model numbers some type 94 katana handles and guards would fit others. But finding a kai-no gunto nowadays is quite hard i only got one.

Answer 123

My husband and I were at the lakewood antique market in Atlanta, GA about a year and a half ago and we came across a very rough looking kitchen sink. It is a double sink with wash drains on each side. We got it for $40 and had it refinished in black (instead of the white it already was) and are now using it as our kitchen sink. We both just love it.

Answer 124

My favorite find is my oak fireplace mantle. It was in an antique store in michigan and I had to have it. Now it frames our gas fireplace in a bedroom. They don't make them like that anymore.Luckly only a little dusting was needed.

Answer 125

i got one of the first electric sewing machines for $3.50 and all i had to do was clean up a little and put in a new needle.

Answer 126

My absolute favorite yard sale antique find of all time are two very large, circa 1850's, dining room arm chairs that I bought for $5 each. The chairs are very rectangular in shape. The seat itself has measurments of approx 24" x 14". They were in pretty rough shape when I found them. Only webbing remained of the seats and one chair leg had a large piece of wood missing. (The legs were hand carved.)



I took them to a small, family owned, furniture restoration business in a town that has a population of 180! I live in the Minneapolis area, but it was worth the 2 hour drive! They charged a total of $50 to restore, fix and refinish the wood on both the chairs. (they found a piece of wood they were able to cut to size to glue into place where it was broken... it looks like new!)



I then took the chairs to another small, family owned, upholstry buisness in a town closer to home, but still considered small with a population of 9,000 (rural and city combined). I chose the fabric from their thousands of samples. The fabric I chose was very appropriate for the chairs and thier age. The final bill for upholstry (new webbing, cushions, fabric seats and fabric back rests (front & back), trimmed with rolled fabric... $60 for both chairs.



My $120 investment in two yard sale, almost tossed in a dumpster, find was well worth it! These two chairs will be passed down through my family for generations to come!



~~~~~~



I have to note that my second favorite yard sale find is one that has already been passed down to me. When my mother was pregnant she was yard sale shopping for a rocking chair. She found one and bought it for $4.00 in 1969. It is a solid oak mission style chair that is estimated dates back to the early 1920's. It has a removeable seat that has been replaced/recovered through the years. It currently has a tacky fabric seat. I will be recovering the seat in leather soon. It is a beautiful chair that I have enjoyed rocking my children in.

Answer 127

a speck of dust on the table. it was so beautiful. i bought it for $12.06.



then i licked it.

Answer 128

repair the broken parts. then clean it with a sandpaper,varnish it as a coating.





my favorites are old tables with elegant designs.

Answer 129

A purse with flowers on it...

Answer 130

with luck

Answer 131

Well, I managed to get Audux Huxley's garden chairs out of a skip in Hampstead a few years ago. They were really rotten, but I love to think about him and his wife thinking and talking, maybe even writting in the garden at the table! A lucky find.

Answer 132

My husband and I found these filthy antique plaster french wall plaques. A pair, a man in one and a women in the other both coming down a staircase from opposite directions. He wanted to paint them but when I took a toothbrush and some gentle ivory soap to them a gentgildingbing revealed gold guilding among some beautiful color. He is forbidden to touch them with paint. They hang in a place of honor on each side of our fireplace. We paid $1 each for them.

Answer 133

I try to find old cast iron skillets from the early 1900's. I have restored quite a few and some are worth quite a bit of money if you know what your looking for, All that i have restored i use...!!!

Answer 134

My favorite was a dining room buffet, still had the velvet in the drawers, and all the original hardware on it. We paid $2.00 for it at an auction. We stripped it to find original white oak wood and restained it, has been in our family for over ten years and still looks great.

Answer 135

My favorite yard sale items are the old McDonald's happy meal toys. My mom collects them so I pick them up. The have to be from the early 90's or before.

My best find was a Ronald McDonald doll complete with his whistle. I bought it for 3.00 but it is worth 75.00.

Answer 136

I found a Street Light LeCoultre clock that reminded me of a photo of my Dad in Paris in WWII. I paid $45 for the clock, a bottle of white wine, a bottle of Couvosier, some linens and an enameled amberina bowl. I sold the clock online for over $400! (No restorations.)

Answer 137

I went to a yard sale and bought a box of rocks. paid $3. when I got home, it has rough gems (sapphire, emerald, ruby, and aquamarines, among others), and about 80 gold nuggets or gold specimens. I estimate the total overall worth to be about $38,000.



The problem with keepsakes and inheritances is that the original owner or collector knows all about each and every item, relative worth, historical info, cultural background, and so on. but the kids either know nothing, or simply don't care to know, much less, value and auction houses. the reason estates sales are hit and miss lotteries.

Answer 138

I bought at a thrift store an entire bed set, in the 'shabby sheek' style. I saw a bed set similar to it at Target for well over five hundred dollars.



I bought the set, which included two night stands, a dresser, and another dresser for 175 dollars! All I did was change the knobs, and painted them an off white color. The best find ever.

Answer 139

a book called pearls from many seas.it is beautiful, soulful and worth a couple hundred dollars just by chance. ( it is over 100 years old) i found it in almost perfect condition while junking in a cardboard box for 50 cents!

Answer 140

Are you sure it is an antique? I have been finishing/refinishing furniture for almost 10 years in Royal Oak, MI. I would be happy to give you my input. Pics and knowledge of the piece would help me. Teak, pecan, walnut, cherry, mahogany, ash, etc. [e-mail]

Answer 141

I LIKE BUYING NICE PAINTINGS WITH OLD FRAMING.

BECAUSE ITS EASY AND FUN TO FIX THE FRAMING ON A PAINTING TOO!!!

Answer 142

I bought some old ladies underwear and washed it.

Answer 143

It was furniture that was in the family. I sanded the bedroom furniture and painted them a nice shade of white. I applied decals and varnished it.

Answer 144

my favorite was a yard sale find



an elderly lady in Chula Vista, CA was selling everything in her old garage.

it had all belonged to her deceased husband.



I bought most of his old tools and an rusty old sword he brought back from Japan after the war.

I was later told that it is over 300 years old, I want to have it restored by a professional but I cant afford to.

still, it's by far my favorite (rust and all)

Answer 145

you would have to get really creative and dicover ways. Antiques can always be recicled to new and sassy looks.

Answer 146

I like to buy good stuff.

Answer 147

crigslist.org

Answer 148

Well my favorite GS find isn't a piece of furniture but it is made partially of wood.

its a circa 1450-1520, Mine is an early model snap haunce pistol, for those that don't know its what the pirates of old used



cost $25.00

value $600.00

Answer 149

$30 for a black Galveston Les Paul.



Guitar polish and a few extra strings....

Answer 150

my wedding dress. I saw it in a thrift store and knew it was the one i tried it on and it fits me perfect.

Answer 151

I live in an old City with a lot of Second Hand Stores, where they sell anything from clothes to washingmachines. I love rummaging around on shelfs and counters with 'Bric á Brac'. It is a great way to save money, and still have stylish furniture, that were still made in old fashioned techniques of Craftsmenship, that comes with The Higher Art of Making Original Design to fashion an object in such a manner.

I have not been doing any fixing up old furniture. Whewn my Husband was still alive, we completely repainted an old German Piano complete with th candlesticks still in original state. He mad me choose between my keyboard synth r keeping the piano, when the exchange into the Euro age 25 % of our Income was lost to a Governments Mistake in the Exchange Rate. It was never corrected which I find humiliating towards your peers if you're in Government. Mistakes become corrected in any line of business. That 's also one of the things Politics is about, correcting a Policy is Human. Refusing to take the matter serious as a Governor, hurts The Constitution and shows no rexpect and claims to come from Super Standard Genes that a mistake may be admitted to openly, but reversing the outcome of an instant 25 % regular income decrease for the people would have been the proper behavior for a Liberal Governor Finance...

How they sneaked passed the original Constitution into a Poltical Existence had been taken care of in a special paragraph excluding faith and property as a partner in decision making on Structure and Shape of Infrastructure, Royals Task, and Source of many Royal Families, who had enough Mind for their people to bui railroads, where as Property only p[aid low wages not enough to live by for commoners, being squeezed out by the established Burocracy, the hobby of madman and Sociopaths, making a living on writing a rulebook, influencing the minds of people with meaningless words instead of acting on the Concensus in Harmony with Pro Creation in a Fair and Just Set of Basic Laws, That work out Harmoious in their working Configuration in a Country in Life, with Visionairs from Birth, and groomed to That office, in accordance with designations, Spiritual Hierarchy, which comes forth from having pledged, Efforts, Energy and Resource to people occupied by Kings from other Countries, claiming to be designated by Rightfull Over all Ruler, while we built better ships sinking their Money and Income. after having chased them of in moger Glorious Unifying Mini Environment as 7 Netherlands at one Time.

I see, I dragged the Constitution from the:"Lost Country in The Spirit of Man for you, when I specialize in repairing Jewelry, that's broken. Exclusive clothes, that end up on second hand markets, organised in people's neighborhoods fascilities. Embroidery, repairs of applications of Beads is also way of letting evening dresses look new and Unique, while the Gaments or fabrics have been accumulated over time by ladies still in the practice of designing and making their own clothes.

Modernising Life is a Good Thing, but having a solid occupation, in preserving The Crafts that are indigenous, to what Everybody believed, to be Dark ages, when a lesser indoctrinated common Emotion was embedded in our Peoples across The World. Nature's Role was a Central and Individual Communal thoughtwave pattern.

Answer 152

i got a sweing machine at one for liek $15.

it works great nd it was what got me inspired to be a fashion designer.

:]

Answer 153

bed bath and beyond

Answer 154

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Answer 155

whats yours because everyone has one

Answer 156

i found a baywatch book