When I was at a craft show this weekend, I unexpectedly ran across a crafter that had a few vintage items sitting out. I wasn't expecting ANYONE to have vintage items. At all. I was just attending the craft show to support the local community and to get out of the house on a dreary Saturday morning.
Just the other day, Erica at The Adventures Of Two (Pyrex Crazy) Thrifting Sisters posted about finding vintage Gurley candles at an estate sale, so it was like a light shining down from heaven when I saw this guy sitting on the table.
Surrounded by his buddies.
Gurley was a candle manufacturer that made highly collectible figural holiday candles from the very late 1930's through the 1970's.
I picked up one of the candles and saw that it had a paper label on the bottom that said Tavern something or other on it. I was only mildly disappointed that it did not say Gurley, because I still loved the vintage looking little guy. Little did I know at that point that Gurley produced the Tavern brand candles. Hello, Tavern = Gurley!!!
In the most casual tone I could muster while my brain was doing cartwheels in my head, I asked him how much the candles were. I thought I only would buy the turkey, since it's close to Thanksgiving and I need another turkey like I need a hole in my head.
Mr. Crafter started shuffling around and him-hawing and I thought "Oh, crud, this isn't going to turn out well!" He finally said he'd really like to sell them all together, so if I would take all the ones on the table and the ones he had in the box over there I could have them for $8.00. Box, what box? OMG, there's a box!
Uh sure, that sounds reasonable to me. So I quickly handed him $8.00 and ran out of the craft show.
It was only after I got home, that I actually looked at all the candles. There are 7 that say Gurley (Mr. Turkey happens to be a Gurley), 6 that say Tavern and three that don't have any tags on them, but look very Gurley/Tavern-esque. BTW, the box is not the candle box, but an old peanut box, so I sort of got overly excited about nothing there.
But still, a much more fun day at the craft show than I expected.
Robin
LOL! you always have the best shopping stories! Love your BOX of finds - lucky girl. The turkey is so sweet as is the snowman.
JoKnows
What a great shopping tale! I love the candles. So sweet! Congrats on the happy find. Now following you on GFC. Joann
Julia@a-living-space
Wow, what a deal! I haven't heard of these candles before, but now I'll have to keep an eye out for them! So adorable... I love them all!
Thanks for linking up with us 🙂
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
OH I love these...and that photo of all the candles with the picnic basket is absolutely awesome!
Decora Adora
Lovin' your Gurley candles. . Amazing how painted/dyed wax candles have kept their colors for so many decades!
I love your blog you have a New follówer from chile
TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic
A girl can learn so much sitting on her butt reading blogs when she should be working on her list of chores!! 🙂 So much to know about these cuties! Congrats on your great find... that chubby little snowman is my fav'. 🙂
Vicki
I often wonder how these vintage candles have survived for so long and not melted. I laughed over the box. I would have been the same way...just as excited over the box as the candles. Still a cool old box!
Lynn@ The Vintage Nest
You lucky dawg....what a find and buy! I remember a couple of years ago, that the gurly candles were really sought after and prices were high. Haven't seen many out in the antique stores lately. Love yours!! Happy Wednesday.
Laurel@chippingwithcharm
Lucky you! I can almost see you racing out with your cute little "finds"...been there 🙂
Ellie VanCaster
I never knew those candles were something collected but gosh I sure remember seeing so many of them out and about for holidays.
Cool find!
Ellie
Diane
I'll have to keep a lookout for those candles, they are adorable! How lucky for you to find them at such a great price.
Van
I LOVE the gorgeous holiday candles, so expressive. Now I know what they're called too, I never knew.
Marci
I also collect Gurley candles. Great thing to hunt for and they are usually not too expensive. The halloween ones tend to cost more (check out some completeds on ebay, some are crazy high!) You got a great deal!
Joanne Noragon
Haha. Grandma's house? My mother put these out every Christmas when I was growing up. Good job.
Danavee
Ohhhh I love this post. I was just educated! Thank you! NEW FOLLOWER!
Fairhope Supply Co.
I learn so much from other bloggers. I'm ready for some CRAFT TRIVIA!!!! These actually remind me of a candle making kit I had when I was a little girl. Very cute, indeed!
I don't suppose you'll light them?
Ha.
Glad I found you through Coastal Charm.