Take a Seat... It's Been Awhile

I have been kind of negligent on posting lately. It's not for lack of material as I have been finding some fabulous stuff recently. I guess because spring has come early, I have been working on other things like mushroom hunting, planting garden with my husband (we put 75 tomato plants in the ground by the end of March - unheard of in Missouri most years), and sprucing up the porch, patio, and deck. As I said, I have found time to go to garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets, too. Instead of inundating you with lots of finds at once, I think I will do several posts and concentrate on one or two of some the best in the last three weeks.

In March, I told you about this fantastic glass front cabinet I snatched up at the Edmonson Trading Post. Last weekend, they held their sale for the month of April and again, I was able to pick up some mid-century modern furniture - three chairs by the W.H. Gunlocke Chair Company, a US company located in Wayland, New York since 1902.

When I first saw the chairs, it was from this view and I was immediately drawn to them. What great clean lines. Since there was three of them, I originally assumed they were dining chairs (I don't know why) but after doing a little research, I am certain they were meant as office or board room chairs.

All of the chairs are in good condition. They need a little attention like maybe some Danish Oil, and there are a couple of little nicks and scratches on each but all in all, really sturdy and quite handsome. I can't believe no one had scooped them up as I went to the sale the second day and they were only $6 each.

 Each chair has a metal fob attached to it under the arm - a sign of a quality product, I think. And one chair had a complete paper tag on it and one a partial. They all had another smaller paper tag stapled along the bottom of the seat, as well. At first, I thought the "1977" was the year it was manufactured but I have now discovered that is the model number. Although I do not know the exact age of the chairs, I do know they were made sometime between 1940 and 1969. The "G" logo was established in 1940 and the company was sold in 1969 and renamed The Gunlocke Company.  Yes, that's quite a span of years but I was pleased to determine they are true mid-century modern. I haven't decided if I am keeping them because, really, I don't know what I would do with three office chairs (although they are way cool) but if not, I will probably list them on craigslist.

Has anybody had experience with Gunlocke chairs? Is there a site that has any listing of the model numbers and the year they were built? I love to know as much as I can about my items so any information would be much appreciated.

I'm linking to Apron Thrift Girl's Thrift Share Monday - a couple of days late! Enjoy all the other finds of thrifters across the world.

I'll Take Three, Please... How Odd

Well, the official March Madness is O-V-E-R for me. My team tripped and fell hard in the first round. I still can't talk about it, it hurts that much, and I won't be watching any more college basketball until November. On the upside, I guess that just leaves more time for garage sales, estate sales, thrifts, and flea markets this month!

I noticed that I have been picking up items in three's lately. Although, it is certainly more correct to display items in odd numbers, I have not purposely acquired things based on this premise. Is it just natural to pick in that order? I don't know - it seems odd to me! Anyway, here are some of my finds...

Here is a set of three vases I purchased this weekend. Okay, well, technically the orange "vase" is a vintage water jar but you certainly could put a bouquet of flowers in it. I really love the fired-on color and will be putting it in my kitchen. The tall art glass vase is more stunning in person. It has a thread of orange running through it that is not evident in the picture. It was super cheap, too, at 25 cents. The blue vase is an actual Danish Modern vase that came from a Danish couple's estate. It is not marked but I think it is cool and it has a story. And it was only $3.

In the last month, I have acquired three C. Jere bronze sculptures. The eagle on helm and the skier were purchased from Worthpoint and Craigslist, respectively, and while they were not bargain prices, they were priced reasonably and below market value. I am definitely keeping the eagle but may possibly give the skier as I gift - I don't know. The sea gull on helm I purchased at an estate sale. Although I hesitated a little, I have it on auction in my eBay store right now if anyone is interested.

I have a thing for vintage planters, most specifically Haeger planters. I prefer white and gold ones but I usually bring them all home if the price is right. The green stripe and basket weave planters are Haeger. The other is not marked but it has such mid mod style that I had to have it. Keeping all three.

In a week's time, I had accumulated three different pitchers. The all white pitcher has the coolest, mod floral design on the bottom half and the shape is fab, too. It is marked Thomas of Germany. The other white pitcher has a great mid century modern pattern on each side in black, grey and gold. It is marked Fine Bohemian China Czechoslovakia. I am debating whether to sell or keep it. And the sun tea pitcher is just fun. I guess you would float the tea bags in it but I don't know how to keep the bugs and  debris out when making my sun tea! I'll have to experiment.

My final three is this set of signed Friedman water color prints of scenes from San Francisco. They are each marked 1/64 which I originally thought was the number in the limited edition series. However, after seeing a few on the internet, it seems Friedman marked a lot of them 1/64 so it is now assumed that is the date. I have a collection of San Francisco items including some other artwork, and my husband works for the company that make the cable car ropes (cable) so when I saw these, I knew they were making their way to the old homestead. They were only $15 for the set. I have so much art I don't know exactly where I am going to hang these but I will find a place.

So, how is your March going? Have you found yourself buying multiples of certain items? I bet your treasures are just right for you!

Linking to Apron Thrift Girl's Thrift Share Monday. Take a look at what others are finding!



Happy St. Patrick's Day To You!

There are many good reasons for drinking,
One has just entered my head-
If a man doesn't drink when he's living,
How the hell can he drink when he's dead?

Luck of the Irish? Oh, I Think So.

Today, I went to the first sale of the season for the Edmonson Trading Post. They have a sale at least once a month, March through November, and the prices are always outrageously cheap! The owners are "auction hunters" buying up storage units throughout the year to fill their store. It is one of my favorite places around here. Seriously, I once bought a vintage Los Angeles tablecloth at the Post for 25 cents and sold it for $25 which was a probably a bargain for that buyer. I spent a total of $12 buying quite a few smalls for my booth and this - my best purchase for the day which I'm fairly certain I am keeping:

It has a little damage to the top and some places that need to be cleaned but the glass is in excellent condition and it slides freely in the grooves. I can't decide whether I should sand it down or try some other method of restoring it. The finish is sort of chippy in places. Does anybody have any suggestions? I hardly ever see mid century pieces in this neck of the woods so I am excited about finding it, and the price was only $4 so how could I possibly leave it behind. I think Irish luck came to me a day early!

The Other March Madness

NCAA basketball's March Madness is in full swing this week with conference tourneys being played and the field of 68 being announced on Sunday and I am caught up in all its glory - I love college basketball! However, on Wednesday night, I opened our little rural newspaper and to my shock and surprise, the other March Madness had begun, too - a garage sale was listed for Thursday!  With an unseasonably warm winter in Missouri and current spring-like conditions, listings I don't usually find until late March at the earliest were already popping up. Oh, hooray! Here is what I brought home with me...

The Afga Silette 35 mm camera is marked "Made in Germany" and came with the original camera case and directions - I don't collect any cameras, really, other than Kodak so I am considering selling this one although it is pretty cool. I paid $1 for it - I think it is from 1953. The Kodak Generator Flashholder is probably a keeper. It is in the original box and has the directions with it as well. It, too, was only $1 and is from 1958 - the only bummer is that the sellers put the price on the top of the box with masking tape and when I try to remove it, it rips up some of the graphics. Why do people do that?! The industrial lamp and a bag of vintage frames/photographer's cardboard photo holders were a quarter a piece - I think the photo holders will be fun to use in some art projects - my favorite is the one with the stork on it used for a baby's picture. The hobnail vase marked "Japan" was a nickle.  And I picked up the Equipto industrial bench for $3 - I haven't figured out what to do with it yet. Any suggestions?

After the sale, I went to a thrift store in the same town. I always find something there and Thursday was no exception. One of the best finds was this 1970's Lucite (or acrylic) 2-tier waterfall chandelier.

I researched some on the internet and the asking price for these is between $200 to $800! Wow - score! I have already listed this in my eBay store and hopefully it will find a good home soon.

I also picked up these vintage airline bags at the thrift store for $1 each. I have been looking for some for quite awhile and these were hidden under some other stuff just waiting for me to discover them. I am thinking of selling them but I may have to keep one for myself. The KLM bag has a luggage tag on it with a Braniff Airlines business card in it. Braniff has been defunct since 1989 (I was actually scheduled to fly with them from San Diego on the day the declared bankruptcy) so I am guessing this bag is from the 1970's or possibly early 1980's. I love the offset stripe on the American World Travel bag - very mod - I am guessing it is 1970's vintage, too. 

I have been picking up a lot of books lately. I plan on sharing some of those finds in another post but this diet book is one of the more interesting ones I got at the same thrift store. Now, this is a diet plan I can get on board with following - how could you possibly go wrong with martini's and whipped cream?! Drunk and a sugar high - who's with me? I also bought the chenille bedspread at the garage sale for $5. It has been gently loved but it doesn't have any holes or stains and all the fringe is still attached so it definitely has plenty of life left in it.

So, how has your late winter/early spring thrifting been? Have you found any treasures? Here we go... let the madness begin!

Linking up to Apron Thrift Girl's Thrift Share Monday. Check out what everyone else is finding!

On Main Street

Trying to extend the Mod Lodge Vintage brand with signage and tags

I contemplated for a long time about whether to rent a flea market/antique store booth. I always liked the idea of being able to display items (merchandising) and also, having a place to take bigger items or items that wouldn't sell for enough to make it worth the effort on eBay. And, I have soooo much stuff. Really, it is taking over my basement. Finally, last summer I took the plunge. It was a disaster. The person who owned the flea market basically skipped town without paying anyone. I didn't lose much as I had only rented there for a couple of months but she still owed my over $100 plus the loss of merchandise and the rental fee. Some people lost over $1000 - ouch! I was wary to try it again, as I am sure you can understand.

Here's a peak into the 4' x 5' booth (but extends upward about 12')

About two weeks ago, I was in Warsaw, Missouri doing some shopping and I went to a few of the flea markets and antique shoppes. One of the places had some good spaces open and is in the middle of Main Street in a neat old building with the tin ceilings. After being inspired by Van at Thrift Core and several other bloggers who not only sell on the internet but also at brick and mortar locations, I decided to give it another try. My husband thinks I am crazy after the last incident but I am excited to have another place to display my thrifting wares! Hopefully, this adventure will turn out to be more positive.

Lower shelves and floor - probably needs a little work

I saved those 1970's National Geographic magazines from a
dumpster and I got the metal display stand for $10

I have a thing for metal milk crates - they're not for sale
but they make great holders and display pieces!

I am planning to add some blank greeting cards with photographs I have taken of local places and wildlife to the booth soon to give shoppers another reason to look inside. So, if you are ever in Warsaw (somewhat of a tourist town in the summer), stop by Hildebrand's Framing & Gifts on W. Main Street and peruse Mod Lodge Vintage. I would appreciate any feedback and of course, sales would be nice, too!

I am linking to Apron Thrift Girl's February Resellers Listing Challenge - even though this isn't actual listing items on the internet, it also inspired me to try again. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here are some cool vintage Valentine's I thrifted not too long ago for $1.50 for the entire bag which included two sheets of the "build a Valentines" and the car Valentine card. Even the instructions are neat. And the last card has graphics on the front and inside the card.  They sure don't make them like they used to - and these were made in the good ole U.S.A.  I love all the bright colors and fun graphics! Happy Valentine's everyone! Enjoy!