Celluloid Christmas Ornaments

     Vintage Christmas ornaments and decorations are hot during the holiday season.  Whenever I buy Christmas ornaments and decorations during the summer at yard sales I always look for the vintage variety and box them up to sell during the Christmas season. 
     If you like to go to estate sales or auctions you will discover that these, more likely than not, will have lots of vintage Christmas boxes to bid on.  Look for celluloid, glass, beaded, vintage homemade, vintage ceramic, flocked and felt ornaments and decorations.  The felt elves are a hot commodity this year, it truly surprised me at how much people will pay for a couple of felt elves.
     Today I unboxed some old celluloid Christmas Ornaments I found at a auction.  These are highly collectible, the older the better for collectors.  Ebay here I come.



Upcoming Storage Auctions

Here are a few upcoming storage auctions going on this week.  As always call to confirm that there hasn't been a cancellation.

October 27, 2011 - 9:00 a.m. - 11 Storage Units available for auction
Lawson Self Storage, 3718 Samuelson Rd Rockford, IL - Auctioneer: Kaptain Kirk's Auction & Appraisals, Contact Number:  (815) 494-8045

October 27, 2011 - 10:00 a.m. - 7 Storage Units available for auction
Tuscany Storage - 214 Vista Rd, Pasadena, TX - Auctioneer:  Worstell Auction Company, Contact Number:  (713) 946-8888

October 27, 2011 - 3 Storage locations with several storage units available for auction, U-Store will be the auctioneer, contact number: (703) 276-9160

U-STORE 4151 Kenilworth Ave, Bladensburg, MD,  10:00 a.m. - (301)277-1900


U-STORE 3860 Kenilworth Ave, Bladensburg, MD, 11:00 a.m.  (301) 277-9077

U-STORE 6120 LivingstonRd,  Oxon Hill, MD 1:00 p.m. (301) 567-3340

Upcoming Storage Unit Auctions

     I have found several more storage unit auctions for this week in several different states.  If you enjoy going to these storage unit auctions bookmark this page as I am trying to list these each week as I find them.  Please check these out before going to make sure there has not been a cancellation and to ask what the procedure is.  I like to bid on whole lockers like you see in the television program Storage Wars.  However,  I have encountered to many lately that drag the contents out and bid out individual items.  If I know in advance I can make a decision whether or not to attend.
Storage Unit Auctions in Virginia:

Saturday October 22, 2011 at 9:30a.m. - Fort Knox Self Storage, 755 Gateway Drive, S.E., Leesburg, VA There are 8 storage units in this auction, possibly adding more. Contact the Auctioneer - Greg Smith at (410)775-0115 for more information.  Following this storage unit location there will be two more storage unit auctions at different locations - 2933 Telestar Ct., Falls Church, VA at 10:45 a.m.. This auction only has 3 lockers available the last one will be at H Street Self Storage, 624 H. Street, NE, Washington DC at 12:00 p.m.  There will be 15 units available at this location

Storage Unit Auctions in Maryland - 3 storage auctions at 3 different locations from the same auctioneer on the same day

October 19, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. - Fort Knox Self Storage, 211 E. Pleasant St, Baltimore, MD.    Frederick Self Storage, 5106 Old National Pike, Frederick, MD 6 storage lockers available, sale starts at 3:30.  Another storage auction at Frederick Self Storage location - 120 Monroe Ave, Frederick, MD. There are 4 units available at this time with the possibility of 2 cars as well.  Auction starts at 4:15 p.m.  with the auctioneer - Greg Smith.  Contact Greg at (410) 775-0115 for more information.

Storage Unit Auctions In Missouri
October 22, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. - All Purpose Storage, 10857 Hwy 21, Hillsboro, MO - 17 storage units are up for auction.  Auctioneer: Auction Action Co. (314) 277-3257

Storage Unit Auctions in Ohio

October 22, 2011 at 10:00 - Sandusky Mini Storage, 1942 Milan Rd, Sandusky, OH, Auctioneer: Steven W. Kraus (419)239-4283 - 7 Units are up for bid

Storage Unit Auction

     I went to a storage unit auction Saturday and the bids were so outrageous I feel like I just wasted my day being there. 
     Storage Wars, American Pickers, Picker Sisters and Auction Hunters and the other television auction sites have become so popular that everybody thinks that there are treasures hidden in each unit and every cornfield in America.
     Eventually this popularity will wear off of these storage unit auctions and we can get back to affordable prices.  For now I think I'll keep my money until  the storage auction prices are not so inflated. 
     I do wish all of you auction hunters good luck on every storage unit you bid on, I'll be watching and waiting! 

Hull Little Red Riding Hood Cookie Jar

     I went to a couple of garage sales today and came across a ongoing auction.  I didn't have a lot of time to spend there but I went ahead and got my number.  I really don't like going to an auction that has already started because you can't get in to examine any of the items to well. 
     The auctioneers were selling things both individually and by the box load so I bid on a couple of boxes and then on a Hull Little Red Riding Hood Cookie Jar. 
     The bidder's drove up the price of the cookie jar to a place I didn't really want to go.  I did however, win the bid so within 5 minutes of arriving at the auction I spent over a hundred dollars on a cookie jar and a couple of junk boxes.
     The cookie jar is in great shape, it's a Hull Little Red Riding Hood Cookie Jar which was produced by the Hull Company in 1943.  Hull was in business from 1905 to 1986, the most popular line was the Little Red Riding Hood.  They were also very famous for pottery with an assortment of floral themes.  Hull is both valuable and collectible so If I can get any Hull pieces at a good price I know I can find a buyer for them.
     The junk boxes were a nice surprise.  Among the junk was a pair of Hull Salt & Pepper Shakers and a small 4" Hull vase.  They were all filthy and mixed with lots of other stuff but I cleaned them up and they are in great shape. 
     Ebay here they come!

100 Mile Yard Sale & Storage Unit Auction All in One Weekend

      I was so excited Saturday, we were going to follow the 100 mile yard sale route and stop by a storage unit auction that had 36 units up for auction.  The build up was so much more than what actually happened. 
     The 100 miles were mostly rural so the yard sales were few and far between.  We had better luck in the towns than we did along the hwy route.  That being said, we found very little, it was hot and everybody seemed to be selling clothes.
      I did get a huge box of old diesel truck manuals for $3, I think I can make a decent profit off of  them.  Other than that I don't feel like I bought anything or even seen anything that was worth the half tank of gas we burnt up.
     We were late getting to the storage unit auction but they had quite a few units for auction.  Unlike Storage Wars and Auction Hunters, each unit was opened up.  The contents had all been rummaged through and if there was anything good left  it was brought to the front of the unit so there was no mystery to it.  Truly disappointing, I did not bid on any of them as there was nothing that wasn't exposed. 
     The newbies of course were bidding and bidding high.  The influence of shows like Storage Wars and Auction Hunters was clearly evident among the bidders.  We kind of milled around so we could see and hear what some of the auction winner won.  There were lots of people saying "this is just a bunch of junk" and "I just threw away my money".    Yep, I agree!!!
     Next week I am having my own garage sale, I've got to get rid of some stuff so I can have more room and more money to buy more.  Wish me luck, if you are near the K Hwy Storage Units I'll be there Friday and Saturday come check out my treasures.

Beautiful Glass Baskets

     Today I went to an auction that featured fancy glass collectibles.   I know a couple of collectors that collect nothing but beautiful glass baskets and the auction bill stated  there were over 75 glass baskets up for bid.         
     While I got a few of these glass baskets I only stayed about an hour.  It was hot, the air didn't seem to be working and there were so many collectors there driving up the prices that I felt there was very little room for profit.
     What I did get will look good in a glass basket display and give my basket collectors some variety.  This first photo is a beautiful blue glass basket.  It has a thumbprint pattern, no stickers or markings but looks like a Fenton Basket.

 
The 2nd photo is another Fenton Basket, it is a beautiful soft aqua blue with deep blue highlights.

     The 3rd photo is also a Fenton Glass Basket complete with a paper Fenton sticker.  This fabulous glass basket is 10 1/2" tall, it's opalescent, it has a ruffled edge and has such a beautiful purple drapery effect.  This glass basket is just absolutely gorgeous!

    
     The 4th photo is a beautiful Art Nouveau Brides Basket.  This is just such a lovely piece of antique art glass.  Ruffles and crackle glass with a white gold pedestal that has three beautiful faces make this an exceptional glass basket! 

Thrift Store Find: Van Briggle Vases

     I have been to several auctions over the years and whenever a piece of Van Briggle is offered the antique and flea market dealers in the crowd go nuts.  Some of these pieces, honestly, are so ugly and yet they seem to bring big money.

     Last week I made a trip to one of the local thrift store and found two Van Briggle Vases with a $2. price tag on each.  I of course snapped them up.  It's not something that I collect but I can consign them to a auctioneer or put them in a flea market booth. 

    Van Briggle was established in 1901 and is still in operation today.  Soooo, not sure if these vases are old or not, I'll be researching these before I do anything but I'm sure I'll make a good profit on them. 



Auction Find: Weller Pottery

     Weller Pottery was started in 1872 by Samuel Weller.  Over the years Weller  produced many items including vases, crocks, bowls and planters.  With several pieces made over the years Weller Pottery Collectors enjoy a variety of choices. 

     Weller Pottery went out of business in 1948 so every piece of Weller you find now days will be vintage. If you come across any at a garage sale, yard sale, flea market, auction or thrift store don't hesitate on picking it up.
     This Beautiful Weller Vase is a auction find.  It is signed Weller Pottery on the bottom and like most Weller pieces I have found there are other numbers and writing on the bottom that are unreadable.  This piece of Weller has a lovely white embossed Cameo. This  paticular Weller vase is 9" tall and has a open rose with leaves, stems and closed roses, it is very striking against the light blue.

Auction Find: Antique Gilbert Gingerbread Mantle Clock

     I Went to a auction with lots of antique & vintage clocks.  This particular clock is a Gilbert Gingerbread Mantle Alarm Clock.  This beautiful Victorian Era Clock was a great find! 
     The Gilbert Clock Company was in business from 1828 until 1964, during that time it changed hands many times over the years but always produced high quality clocks.
     This clock is super clean, it has an oak finish, it is considered to be gingerbread style,  it chimes on both the hour and the half hour, the alarm works and the keys are included.
     This beautiful Gingerbread Clock is 24" tall, 15 1/2" wide and 5" from front to back.  The workmanship of this clock is just a beautiful form of art.
     At a $100 purchase price I'm sure to make a good profit on this antique Gilbert Clock.



Super Cute Gumby & Pokey Cookie Jar

Super cute auction find - A Gumby & Pokey Cookie Jar - not old, dated 1997 on the bottom but oh so  cute.  Does anybody out there remember watching Gumby & Pokey cartoons in the 60's.  This cookie jar definitely reminds me of the good old days!!!