On Friday, I went to an estate sale I had seen advertised on Mr. Craig's List. I didn't really see anything in the ad that was jumping out at me, but all the stuff they showed in the pictures was in the same era of things I tend to collect. So I was hoping there would be a box or two of vintage Christmas hidden away in some dark corner of the basement just waiting to be saved.
Sigh. After navigating the ridiculously steep and shaky basement steps, not one tiny piece of vintage Christmas could be found in the basement.
But I did find this ironstone veggie dish.
It was super filthy when I found it, but when I licked my finger and wiped it on the dish, the dirt seemed to come off.
Everything was 25% off that day, so it cost me $6.00. To do some backward math, that would be originally priced at $8.00.
And then I found this 24" round mirror with the coolest etching design around the rim.
True, the silvering is messed up on the back. Mostly just a little pin hole here, a little scratch there, but there is a larger spot by each of the hanging holes that is pretty warn through.
The mirror looked a little cloudy, but I suspected most of it was from the ton of basement grime on it, so I did the old finger lick test on the mirror too.
Note to self: Don't use the same finger to do the wipe off test two times in a row, because 50 year old grime isn't tasty and you will spend the next hour trying not to freak out that you may or may not have just ingested rat poo.
The mirror was priced at $3.00, so it actually only cost the price of a large soda at McDonalds - $2.25
Eek!
Not sure why part of this girl's skull is missing. No way on God's green earth was she was coming home with me though. I am not that brave.
Why yes, that 350 on her boob is her price tag. Since it was 25% off day, she would have ONLY been $262.50 (had to use my calculator for that one). I have no idea what makes Miss Half A Head worth that amount.
Lastly, just because it was THE ONLY thing I found at the thrift store this week I'll throw it in this estate sale post, I found this vintage Christmas cookie tin for 99 cents.
I must have missed the day when all the good Christmas stuff gets put on the shelves, because it's been slim pickings for vintage Christmas finds around here (insert image of Pam throwing a tantrum in the aisles of Goodwill).
Did you have a good thrifting weekend?
*House of Hawthornes will not be held responsible for any nightmares caused by the above pictured doll. You're on your own with that one 🙂
Veronica
Pam I love the mirror and the ironstone tureen, lovely! But I also love you humor! You gave me some good laughs this morning! Especially about the finger licking! LOL But oh so true! LOL!
suzieQ
http://www.whiteironstonechina.com/careandcleaning.htm
Hi Pam and Olive....check out this site for tips on cleaning ironstone. Soaking in bleach or Oxiclean is not a good solution. It will clean the piece, but damage it. Don't have time to write more, gotta get ready for work. Hope you read this before you bleach...
Pam Kessler
I'll check that out! Thanks, SuzieQ!
suzieQ
Hey girl,
Can you tell that I'm a teacher and have to give advice and do research? Yes...it's true. Anyway, I was researching and hydrogen peroxide is O.K. to soak ironstone (I've even done it) and while researching, Oxiclean is formulated using hydrogen peroxide...so perhaps it is safe. Perhaps between the two of us and your other readers, we can discover whether Oxiclean is THE best way to clean old ironstone. I know it rocks cleaning old linens, wouldn't it be great if it had another benefit? Oh, and I stumbled on some sites for home made Oxiclean and places to purchase it much, much cheaper. So, lady with the blog, I think you have an assignment...now I really sound like a teacher.
By the way, your humor is one of the reasons I read your blog and I appreciate that you mentioned using different fingers while saliva cleaning dirty pieces. Junking is a dirty career path but we are all up for the challenge if the end result is a treasure.
Pam Kessler
See, I could soak the top in regular hydrogen peroxide and the bottom in Oxiclean and then do a comparison. Great idea!
Vickie @ Ranger 911
Wasn't there a scene in one of the Silence of the Lambs movies where.....well maybe somebody watched that movie too many times and decided to practice on the doll. Can you imagine what she'd be worth with her whole head intact?!
Love the veggie dish!
Shabby chic Sandy
I do believe that doll could cause some nightmares--it looks like its brains are coming out 🙁 The other things are quite nice though 🙂 Here you can get a large coke at McDonalds for $1--you might just need to move 🙂
Jill
I was at one thrift today and it was a big pile of junk! You were lucky to get the tin!
Sam I Am......
Great finds! i actually like mirrors that have some of the silver missing. It tells you it's old for sure and at my age I don't really need to see a detailed reflection of myself! LOL! Love the soup tureen also.
Polly McCormick
looooooove the mirror! and of course you had me at ironstone.
the doll is creepy. why such a high price? beats me too! creep factor maybe?!?
Marissa
The ironstone was a cool find. looks so pretty after that tender loving care. .
Cozy Little House
Maybe someone was trying to give the poor thing a lobotomy...
Brenda
Vicki@MorePowerfulBeyondMeasure
Gosh I live not too awfully far from Olive...I wish I had known about that estate sale!!! I stayed home this weekend and moved my multitude of junky stuff around...making room for more! I'm glad I snooped your comments because I am going to try the Oxyclean and warm water on my huge ironstone tray...its clean but has those tiny brown spots on it here and there. Love the mirror...very unique!
Estate sales are not for wimps...gotta face the rat poo and dirt, right? Have a great week!
Olive
The ironstone tureen is pretty. Good price too. If you want to clean it up more soak it in OxyClean and warm water. Just like linens. We had one of the largest estate sales in the south one hour from here and I did not go-kicking self.
Pam Kessler
Great tip. It is dirty still in the photo, but even after cleaning it it has some yellow spots left. Will try the Oxyclean in the morning.
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
Love the ironstone...and that mirror...LOVE it, too! I don't get too creeped out by dolls...I have a big doll head sitting in my studio, greeting me every time I walk in the room lol.
LivingVintage
The only thing I can say is SCORE! I would have scooped up that mirror and ironstone dish also. Oh, and the doll: I share your feelings. It truly is creepy looking.
ThrifterSisters
Vintage Christmas has been really scarce at the thrifts this year for me too. I was so depressed about it after a thrifting outing the other day, that I looked back on some of my thrifting posts from last year to try and make myself feel better. Want some good news? I didn't start finding good stuff until after Thanksgiving. So there is still a chance for us, Pam! My hope is once people get out their decorations, they will run to Walmart to buy some new stuff and donate all of Aunt Sally's old stuff 🙂
Have a great week!
~Erica
Joanne Noragon
The doll's hair is missing. The cotton is a bad attempt to simulate brains, or to safeguard baby's eyes. I won't elaborate.
I love ironware.
Musings from Kim K.
Finger-lickin' good pickings, Pam!! Your narratives always crack me up. PS. I found your vintage Christmas estate sale this weekend. I've seen NOTHING at the thrift stores though.
Anonymous
If the doll was French it could be worth thousands...especially if it said Jemeau on the back of the head...