Show us your Thrift and/or yard sale finds

[tonyb]

Wow, the things people throw away, eh? I acquired an old dresser in a similar manner several years ago. It cleaned up quite nicely too. We still use it, and if and when we ever decide to be rid of it, we'll see that it doesn't end up in the landfill.

 

[I Adore Film Noir]

I picked this old china cabinet up Saturday.
And I mean picked up, the former owner had placed it on the sidewalk to be picked up
by the city [or someone like me]
It was rather dirty but cleaned up great. There was one piece of trim from the bottom drawer missing.
But when I got it home and cleaned it up I found it in the back of the drawer.
It is a beautiful piece of furniture.

Gorgeous! I inherited one from my nana that's similar but instead of a knob, it has a lock and key. It displays all her china.

 

[Quigley Brown]

Salvation Army find...I bought it just for its mid-century/atomic starburst design (no plans to actually use it).

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[tonyb]

Dang, Quig, I was wondering where I'd left that thing. Glad it turned up. The waxing has been killing me.

 

[jamespowers]

Salvation Army find...I bought it just for its mid-century/atomic starburst design (no plans to actually use it).

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Looks like about a 1/4 carat there.

 

[Wire9Vintage]

You guys are making fun, but I think that razor is just beautiful! I'm always amazed at the amount of design that used to go into even the most utilitarian things. It's like things were *supposed* to be kept and treasured. Gee what's that like?

 

[tonyb]

True, W9V, we're joking around a bit. But I appreciate its design as well.

I wouldn't necessarily dispute your point about the "throwaway" attitude we seem to have about so many consumer goods these day (I think that's what you're saying; if I'm missing your point, please don't hesitate to say so), but design is still a huge consideration in the stuff we use every day. Think of Apple products, for instance. It's doubtful that stuff would sell so well if it weren't so stylish. Or tableware. People choose glasses and plates and silverware mostly because they like its looks. Or any number of things -- just about everything, really. It's not that people don't concern themselves with other attributes, but what people see counts for a whole lot. Styles change, and certainly not always for the better, but style sells.

Maybe I'm just stating the obvious and flirting with pedantry here. I'm working on it.

 

[Alex Oviatt]

I picked this old china cabinet up Saturday.
And I mean picked up, the former owner had placed it on the sidewalk to be picked up
by the city [or someone like me]
It was rather dirty but cleaned up great. There was one piece of trim from the bottom drawer missing.
But when I got it home and cleaned it up I found it in the back of the drawer.
It is a beautiful piece of furniture.

I have one almost exactly like this. I made it into a bar. Replaced the shelves with glass, added a light inside and my wife put a really cool fabric on the back of the inside--works really well! Great find--enjoy the piece!

 

[tonyb]

Wooden tulips. A buck ninety-nine for the set of five at Value Village.

 

[esteban68]

Salvation Army find...I bought it just for its mid-century/atomic starburst design (no plans to actually use it).

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Great 50's?design there.

 

[The Inspector]

So this week our neighborhood had a yard sale,(which I was in as well) and was getting rid of some junk that was taking up space in my garage when I get the urge to go out into my neighborhood and see what everyone had. Then I go up a few streets to find this interesting looking box that had an all to familiar name on it. So I decide to bite my tongue and purchase it for ten bucks and try to figure out what this tool does.
Now I know that you shouldn't buy things that you will have no use for and don't even know what their purpose is, but hey, its a neat little thing from the past that is a cool item to show to other collectors that collect singer tools and machines. But on that note if anyone knows what this thing is a "pm" would be nice.

 

[jamespowers]

So this week our neighborhood had a yard sale,(which I was in as well) and was getting rid of some junk that was taking up space in my garage when I get the urge to go out into my neighborhood and see what everyone had. Then I go up a few streets to find this interesting looking box that had an all to familiar name on it. So I decide to bite my tongue and purchase it for ten bucks and try to figure out what this tool does.
Now I know that you shouldn't buy things that you will have no use for and don't even know what their purpose is, but hey, its a neat little thing from the past that is a cool item to show to other collectors that collect singer tools and machines. But on that note if anyone knows what this thing is a "pm" would be nice.

I think it is a 1948 Singer button hole attachment. Now all you need it the machine to attach it to. You should have all of this to make it complete:

A complete set can go for a decent amount of money.

 

[The Inspector]

I think it is a 1948 Singer button hole attachment. Now all you need it the machine to attach it to. You should have all of this to make it complete:

A complete set can go for a decent amount of money.

I have my grandmother's singer out in the garage but it looks like a basic model it and not all to fancy compared to the ones you see on here. But thanks for the pictures and history. Ill be sure to see what I can find to get a nice complete set!

 

[jamespowers]

I have my grandmother's singer out in the garage but it looks like a basic model it and not all to fancy compared to the ones you see on here. But thanks for the pictures and history. Ill be sure to see what I can find to get a nice complete set!

The original machine would look like this:

 

[The Inspector]

The original machine would look like this:

That would be it. I even have the table in tact!

 

[jamespowers]

That would be it. I even have the table in tact!

You are set then. You need the metal cams for the bottom that determine the shape of the button hole and you can get sewing.

 

[The Inspector]

You are set then. You need the metal cams for the bottom that determine the shape of the button hole and you can get sewing.

Wow, maybe if I find the original instruction book I can use it for repairing my buttons if I need any. Thanks for the help!

 

[Miss Golightly]

You guys are making fun, but I think that razor is just beautiful! I'm always amazed at the amount of design that used to go into even the most utilitarian things. It's like things were *supposed* to be kept and treasured. Gee what's that like?

I agree - that is a really beautiful razor - so pretty - and I love the little diamante!

 

[W-D Forties]

I think it is a 1948 Singer button hole attachment. Now all you need it the machine to attach it to. You should have all of this to make it complete:

A complete set can go for a decent amount of money.

The little clippers are for snipping threads. I usually hold mine the other way up!

 

[The Inspector]

The little clippers are for snipping threads. I usually hold mine the other way up!

Yeah, it's just I have never held these before. XD