Black Americana Cast Iron Mechanical Coin Bank

Found a vintage  Black Americana Cast Iron Mechanical Coin Bank at a garage sale the other day.  This bank is really  in great shape for it's age, probably 1940's or 1950's.  Although it would be considered a racist in today's world, these old pieces of black characters were a part of America's  past.  Today, they call it Black Americana and it usually goes high dollar at auctions.  This particular bank would probably go for $100 at auction, give or take a few dollars. 

Nailsea Art Glass

     Nailsea Art Glass is identified by it's beautiful threading of color.  The exterior of the pictured bowl has applied threading on the hand crimped ruffled edge.  The bowl is blown of clear glass and opal white, the threading is cranberry.  Nailsea Crown Glass & Bottle Manufactures in Nailsea, near Bristol, England lent their name to this style of glass, however,  Nailsea usually is referred to as the pattern and not the maker as many, many glass manufacturers produced Nailsea Art Glass over the years.

     Nailsea was originally made in the 18th century during the Victorian Era, these rare early pieces are very old and very valuable.  Because of high taxes on flint glass and no taxes on bottle and window glass, Nailsea Art Glass was born.  It became a common practice for bottle and window glass companies to produce tableware.  To dress these items up a bit they added lines and white dots, creating something beautiful out of something ordinary.
    The antique Nailsea Art Glass is rarely marked with any glass manufacturers identification.  Today, Nailsea is often a description of any glass item that has lines that have been pulled and combed.



The Primitive Country Kitchen

Isn't this a great Country Kitchen set up.  My daughter loves this old stuff, it is just full of warmth and character.  The look and quality along with the worn patina make this room a wonderful example of days gone past.

I can't tell you how many primitive kitchen utensils I have bought at garage sales and auctions over the years.  There are always collectors and decorators that will buy this stuff up.

 If you want to make your kitchen a country kitchen, or want to spruce up a flea market booth, mix your primitive utensils with your pottery pieces, add some vintage t-towels and some old worn cabinetry and you will have a great display that will get lots & lots of compliments! 

2011 Texas Trade Days

A Trade Day is the equivalent  of a huge flea market or swap meet where usually hundreds of vendors set up and hundreds of bargain hunters show up.  Trade Days are usually a one weekend a month deal, some more often, some only every other month.  Texas is loaded with Trade Days shopping opportunities.  Antiques, Collectibles, Crafts, Clothes, Home Furnishings, Electronics, Live Plants, Live Animals, and Just Plain Old Junk & every thing in between are very common at most Trade Days.   

     If you have a flea market booth, sell on eBay, or collect antiques, these various Trade Days are great events to pick up inventory, antiques & Collectibles

2011 Schedule Of Several Trade Days In Texas

Bonham, TX - January 6-9, 2011, February 10-13, 2011, March 10-13, 2011, April 7-10, 2011, May 5-8, June 9-12, July 7-10, August 4-7, September 8-11, October 6-9, November 10-13, December 8-11, 2011 http://www.bonhamchamber.com/index.htm

Canton, TX - Always held the Thursday thru Sunday before the 1st Monday of each Month - Dec 30-January 1, 2011, Febraury - 3-5, 2011, March - 3-5, 2011, March 31 - April 2, 2011,  April 28 - May 1, 2011, June 2-4, 2011, June 30- July  3, 2011,  July 26-31, 2011,  September 1-4, 2011, September 29-October 2, 2011,  November 3-6, 2011,  December 1 -4, 2011, December 29-January 1, 2012 http://www.firstmondaycanton.com/

Fredericksburg, TX - 3rd Weekend of every month - May 20-22, June 17-19, July 15-17, August 19-21, September 16-18, October 14-16, November 25-27, December 16-18  http://www.fbgtradedays.com/

Kountz, TX - May 27, 28, 29, June 24, 25, 26, July 22, 23, 24, August 26, 27, 28, September 23, 24, 25, October 21, 22, 23, November 25, 26, 27, December 16, 17, 18, http://www.tradedayskountze.com/

Livingston, TX - January 14-16, 2011, February 18-20, 2011,  March 18-20, 2011, April 15-17, 2011,  May 13-15, 2011, June 17-19, 2011, July 15-17, 2011, August 12-14, 2011, September 16-18, 2011, October 14-16, 2011, November 18-20, 2011, December 16-18, 2011 http://www.cityoflivingston-tx.com/

Longview, TX - January 8 & 9, February 12 & 13, March 12 & 13, April 9 & 10, May 14 & 15, June 11 & 12, July 9 & 10, August - 13 & 14, September - Gregg County Fair, October 8 & 9, November 12 & 13, December 10 & 11 - http://www.longviewtradedays.com/

Nacogdoches, TX - January 21-23, 2011, February 18-20, 2011, March 18-20, 2011, April 15-17, 2011, May 20-22, 2011, June 17-19, 2011, July 15-17, 2011, August 19-21, 2011, September 16-18, 2011, October 21-23, 2011, November 18-20, 2011, December 16-18, 2011
http://nacogdochestradedays.net/



Seminole, TX - January 21-23, 2011, February 18-20, 2011, March 18-20, 2011, April 15-17, 2011, May 20-22, 2011, June 17-19, 2011, July 15-17, 2011, August 19-21, 2011, September 16-18, 2011, October 21-23, 2011, November 18-20, 2011, December 16-18, 2011
http://seminoletradedays.com/index.html

Stanton, TX - Old Sorehead Trade Days - April 9 & 10, 2011,  June 11 & 12, 2011, October 8 & 9, 2011

http://stantontex.com/TradeDays,

Sweet Water, TX - Januray 1-3, February 5-7, March 5-7, April 2-4, May (April 30-1&2, June 4-6, July 2-4, August 6-8, September 3-5, October 1-3, November 5-7, December 3-5 http://www.tradedayssweetwater.com/index.asp

Tioga, TX - Every fourth Saturday of the month, April through September - http://westerntradedays.com/

2011 Iowa City Wide Garage Sales

Below is a list of all the City Wide Garage Sales I have for Iowa 2011.  If you town is having a citywide garage sale please let me know & I'll list it for you.  

Adel, IA

City Wide Garage Sale - 

May 5 & 6, 2011

Contact: (515) 993-5472

http://www.adelpartners.org/

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Bonner Springs, IA

City Wide Garage Sale - May 6, 2011

Contact: 

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Center Junction, IA

City Wide Garage Sale - April 2, 2011

 Contact: (563) 487-2621

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Durant, IA

City Wide Garage Sale - May 14, 2011

Contact - (563) 785-6099 

http://www.durantchamber.com/

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Dysart, IA

City Wide Sales - May 7, 2011

Contact:  (319) 476-5690

http://www.dysartiowa.com/

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Fairbank, IA

City Wide Garage Sale - May 5 & 6, 2011

Contact: (800) 334-2568

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Grimes, IA

City Wide Garage Sale - May 7, 2011   

Contact - 515-986-2143   http://www.grimesiowa.gov/ParksandRecreation/SpecialCommunityEvents/CityWideGarageSale.aspx

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Hiawatha, Iowa

City Wide Garage Sale - May 2, 2011

Contact: (319) 393-1515

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Iowa HWY 141 Garage Sale  

August 5 & 6, 2011

Several Participating Towns - http://www.141sale.com/id2.html

Manilla, Manning, Templeton, Coon Rapids, Bayard, Bagley, Jamaica, Dawson, Perry, Bouton, Woodward, Granger, and Grimes

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Jewel Junction, Iowa

Saturday May 14, 2011

Contact -

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Robins, Iowa

Robins Townwide  Sales - Fri & Sat - May 13 & 14, 2011

Contact: (319) 393-0588

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Wellsburg, Iowa

City Wide Garage Sale - May 6 & 7, 2011

Contact:  (641) 869-3342

Score: Lady Head Vases At Carthage City Wide Garage Sale

The Carthage, MO City Wide Garage was Saturday 05-07-11.  My big find for the day were these lovely vintage lady head vases.  A sweet deal at only $5 each, I snagged them up before anybody else could.    I found several other treasures, like a collection of postcards and some great Halloween costumes which will be great this Halloween but these head vases were the best deal of the day!



Travel Diary Great For Antique or Flea Market Business

If you travel in a motor home or pull a trailer to different locations for your antique or flea market business it will be very beneficial for you to check out  http://rvpicksandpans.blogspot.com/ to learn more about a great travel diary sofware program! 


If you're involved in a travelling business then there is a new travel diary software program that can help you keep organized.  Complete with a trip diary, a photo album, a expense journal, and a vehicle diary.  


Check It Out! http://rvpicksandpans.blogspot.com/   You'll be glad you did!!!