World's Longest Yardsale - August 2 - 5, 2012

     This year's dates for the World's Longest Yardsale is Thursday August 2 through Sunday August 5, 2012.  Dubbed the World's Longest Yardsale because it covers 690 miles through several states.  It is always held the first Thursday through Sunday in August. 
     There are lots of small towns along the route with vendors holding yard sales, swapmeets, and fleamarkets. 
     Besides the yard sales many towns have festivals and entertainment. HGTV's Endless Yard Sale will be filming again this year.  They filmed a one-hour special last year and are planning on doing the same this year.   If you are a vendor in the area between Chattanooga, TN and Jamestown, KY they would love to hear from you - with the right personality you might be highlighted in their special. 
     Hwy 127 runs through Alabama, Tennesee, Ohio and Kentucky and you'll have miles and miles of  yard sale choices.  Just be careful - there are lots of other people out there and most will be more interested in the yard sales along the highway than keeping their eyes on it.
     Happy yard sailing!!! 

2012 Bargains Galore on Hwy 64 - Miles of Yard Sales on Hwy 64

     Bargains Galore on 64 is 160 miles of yard sales, garage sales, rummage sales, flea markets, swap meets, antiques & collectible vendors.  A couple of years ago we followed this route and got a lot of great deals
     This year's dates are August 9 -11, 2012.  This event is always on the 2nd Thrusday, Friday and Saturday in August.  It runs from Fort Smith past conway to Beebe, AR.
     Partipating Arkansas cities & towns on 64 are Alma, Altus, Beebe, Clarksville, FortSmith, Morrilton, Ozark, Russellville, Van Buren, and Vilonia.
      Other small towns partipating include:  Atkins, Blackwell, Coal Hill, Dyer, El Paso, Hartman, Knoxville, Lamar, London, Menifee, Mulberry, Plummerville and Pottsville. 

Marx Presidents Collector Sets

     Back in the 60's Marx started making President figurines as play sets.  They were made in Hong Kong, they were 2 3/4" tall, hand painted, hard plastic and stood on a gold painted base. 
     The last name of the president, the number of president he was, and the years they served were impressed on the base.  These were displayed on a Styrofoam stand, that looked very impressive with foam pillars and steps.  Each president number was in a circle on the Styrofoam so you knew where to place him on the steps.
     I came across one at a yard sale last week and she only wanted $5 for it so I snapped it up.  I set it up on my kitchen table and everybody that came over last weekend was just enthralled by it.  They kept picking up the pieces and trying to mix them up, inspected them and dubbed it one of my coolest finds this year.
     It turns out they are valuable so I listed the set on ebay.  It had all the presidents from Washington to Nixon and was only missing one of the pillars.  I put it on eBay for $50 and sold it within a few days.
     In doing some research I found that they still make the presidents.  The yard sale lady told me her children played with it as young children, she was 78 years old.  Now days they are collector items.  They make them just exactly the way they did back in the 60's, they even have President Obama now. 
     However, in the spirit of money, they also make the supreme court justices, the presidential candidates - yes there is a Mitt Romney and of course Sarah Palin has also been added.  Why I don't know but who could forget Sarah?  Apparently nobody.

    
    

Art Glass Vases

     I found some beautiful pieces of art glass at a couple of yard sales this past week.  The beautiful green vase is about 8" tall and has some beautiful coloring!  It has pointy ruffles, I just love the color and shape of this glass.  This piece of art glass isn't marked which I absolutely hate as I could spend hours and hours researching art glass and never find the maker.  That being said even if I can't find the maker I think it is a beautiful vase!!!
     The second piece is a super small 2" vase, It's really a toothpick holder and it is signed by Joe Zimmerman.  
     The Zimmerman Art Glass Company has been in business for several years in Corydon, Indiana.  Joe Zimmerman was a famous glassblower.  I bought this little gem for $2 at a yard sale and expect to make $20-$30 when I sell it.