You guys, I went to the World's Longest Yard Sale this weekend!!!
I'm so excited that I FINALLY got to go. Sort of.
I started off Saturday at 11:00am. Screech . . .
Yes, I not only was starting out a good two HOURS after the sales started, but also two DAYS after the sales started.
There just was no time to go on Thursday or Friday. I just couldn't fit it into real life. And then when Saturday came along I sort of got up late and then blah, blah, blah, next thing I know it's almost lunch time.
You know where I'm heading here.
Not only does the early bird get the worm, it gets the Pyrex, the cool farmhouse finds and the mid-century modern furniture. I could go on, but the thought of MY vintage cameras and MY Thermoses going home with someone else makes me a little queasy, so I'll stop now with what I DIDN'T get.
But what DID you buy at the yard sale, Pam?
I have to say that I kept thinking something better would show up around the next bend, plus like I said pickins were slim on Saturday, so I only came home with two items.
This sad old metal step stool that had been used to paint a few too many ceilings.
Seriously, you can use an old paper towel to wipe up your paint spills, people.
Plus someone had glued some ladybug paper on it at one point. Ladybug paper?
Since it is beyond my own personal "rusty and crusty" limit (and boy, do I set that limit high), I'm going to doll her up a bit.
Now let's get down to the nuts and bolts of the sale. The second thing I bought was an applesauce jar,
which now is a vase.
It started out for $5, but the old guy gave it to me for a quarter when I told him I didn't want the nuts and bolts and whatever that was in it.
An odd look was exchanged, like he had no idea why anyone would want an old jar. Probably about the same look I gave him, because I have no idea why someone would want to buy a bunch of mismatched fasteners.
Do you remember when I made a brand new pickled beets jar into a vase in my Vintage Style Garden Decor post earlier this year?
Same concept. Different vegetable/fruit.
Here are some photos of things I left for other people to snap up.
This guy had lots of great items, but at lots of great BIG prices. $240.
Uh, no. Not going to happen at a yard sale. May not happen at a fine antiques store either.
A chippy porch swing for $20. Beanie Babies in the background not included.
I thought long and hard about buying this and actually asked people's opinions on it on Periscope. But alas, I left it for someone else to find.
A $10 croquet set.
I already have four croquet sets, or else I would have grabbed this one up.
A chippy green chair.
I didn't have my glasses on when I asked the old woman what the price was. She told me $25 and I declined it, but after I got home and looked at the photos I noticed it said $15 on it.
I guess maybe I looked extra high-end in my Walmart jeans and drugstore sunglasses?
A typewriter for $50.
No, you cannot just slap a ridiculous price on something and think people will pay that for it! This is a yard sale.
Yard. Sale.
Have you ever been to The World's Longest Yard Sale? Or did you totally screw up and get there way too late?
Hungry for more 127 Yard Sale posts?
Melissa from Melissa's Antiques has a post up about her 127 Yard Sale experience and let's just say that it is a little more inspiring than my trip. She has tons of photos of the tons of stuff she bought. Let's just say starting out on Thursday seems to be the trick!
Linda from Coastal Charm shares her journey on the southern legs on the yard sale.
Vickie
Well, at least you didn't have to move any furniture out of your house to fit all your purchases, Pam. I think your step stool is going to look fab after you have at it!
Pam
Well, that's a good point. I'd be whining if I would have gotten a whole carload of stuff and then had to decide where to put it in here. With the step stool I can just slide it between the washer and dryer and be done with it.
Melissa's Antiques
I started the 127 Yard Sale in Cincinnati on Thursday morning at 8A. By Saturday around 10A I had made it to Addison, MI. It was my first year doing it and I definitely learned a lot. I'll probably start sooner than Thursday next year!
Pam
You should write a guide on the best way to "do" the sale!!! Did you find good stuff going North on 127? I have a friend who goes straight out 70 and hits 127 and heads North and she found some good stuff. Of course, she went on Thursday too 🙂
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage
Pam,
How fun. I did this sale about 4 years ago and it was so much fun. I found lots of great treasures. You found some great ones too. That step stool is fabulous.
Kris
Pam
Maybe we should all meet up at one central place next year and make a huge trip of it 🙂
Joanne Noragon
My BFF and I were going to make a three or four day jaunt of it. I had hotel reservations and everything. The week before we were to start the big family upheaval erupted, culminating in my taking custody of some of my grandchildren. That's as close as I've come. Neither granddaughter is interested and would only take up car space.
Pam
And you can't have anyone on the trip that doesn't want to be there, because they're just slowing you down 🙂
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
It looks like a fun day! I love that cabinet, too...have you ever seen this post from Bliss Ranch? http://www.bliss-ranch.com/2015/03/toy-box-to-cool-spool-cabinet.html I've been saving it...love you can buy the labels online, too.
Great to get the paint...I'll have to check out the Pinterest yard sale!
Pam
That is fabulous!!! Love her project!
Erica
I once got an awesome set of vintage turquoise canisters at an estate sale. I found them in the garage full of rusty nails. When I asked if I could just buy the canisters, the guy told me no, but if I bought the rusty nails, he would throw in the canisters for free. Uh, ok. Luckily I had just received my Tetanus shot.
~Erica
SueSchneid22
I have been there! It was long ago (like 20 years?!) and it was a real yard sale kind of thing. I loved it. We were in the part in TN near where my parents lived at the time. I bought a piece of a red and white quilt that had been framed. It still hangs in my bedroom. I think it was $5. It sounds a little more commercialized now, but I would like to check it out again someday. It's a great memory. Thanks for reminding me!
Ann
How interesting about Krylon sponsoring the event? The one color resembles, Pyrex goosberry? Thanks for taking us along with you.
Linda
Well, I don't care what I would miss if I could get there I would go. I can't believe all the leftovers you found. I have that Better Homes and Gardens Gardening Book. I didn't know I had a classic or a vintage book. Awesome. I'd love it if you shared your weekend adventure with us at What'd You Do This Weekend over at Tumbleweed Contessa.
Wishes for tasty dishes, Linda
Kirby
I have one of those spool chests (funny story with that one) and I did get it at an antique store, but I sure as heck didn't pay that much! Next year I am going to go to the yard sale for sure, even though it's about five hours from here to the nearest spot.
chris aka monkey
i haven't ever made it to the sale and i thought it might have gotten too pricey and you just confirmed it for me, i am sorry you were disappointed but the stool is cool xx
Susanna-Cole King
"An odd look was exchanged, like he had no idea why anyone would want an old jar. Probably about the same look I gave him, because I have no idea why someone would want to buy a bunch of mismatched fasteners." I laughed out loud at this part (I mean, really, not just in a "lol" keyboard-habits-die-hard way when you're not laughing out loud at all). I shouldn't eat and read your blog at the same time. I just had my annual event of actually cleaning my laptop screen and it's not going to last long at this rate! (What's that sticky stuff over this comment box right now? Mystery sauce...)
Also as someone who owns multiple typewriters and is not an expert, or a guru as is popular to proclaim yourself on the internets, but knowledgeable enough to know that particular Royal model is still easy to get and overpriced, as you noted. I dig your applesauce jar!
P.S. I just posted a tour of my apartment (that probably includes way too much of my face, but I didn't take the photos, thank heavens, that would have been tedious and the photographer who took this is truly a pro and exceptionally more gifted) if you would like to further experience my crazy, habitual collecting everything-on-the-walls ways, ha. 😀
[email protected] Charm
Pam,
I started the sale on Wednesday here in Alabama and then went up to Clarkrange, Tn.. I ended my trip around 1:00 on Saturday. I heard that a lot of vendors started selling the weekend before. Hope to have my post about my trip up by tomorrow. Luv that cute jar.
Blessings,
Linda