Scouting Blog for Cool Vintage Finds

My Favorite Things, Part I

6/14/2017

While out at estate sales, I come across all sorts of fascinating and desirable objects. Like Oprah, I have a few "favorite things." Here's a short list of discoveries I rarely pass up.

via GIPHY

Styles that take me back ...

... to the sixties. I was just a squirt back then, but the current obsession with the Mid Century aesthetic has reawakened my fondness for preserving the fashion, decor, toys and trinkets that dominated the decade.

J J Jonette made sweet pin sets like this.

Flower power really was a thing.

Asian artifacts

From foo dogs to ginger jars, silk kimonos to gofun dolls—I'm partial to the rich symbolism and artistry exported from Asia.

Foo dogs are fierce and fantastic.

I love the detail in this Asian Empress doll.

This beautiful embroidered jacket is smokin' hot.

Quirky and random stuff

Some of the things that turn my head defy description. I know it when I see it, and then it's up for grabs to the next quirky collector who happens on our store.

Now that is one cool cat.

Somebody will have fun owning vintage Northwest Airlines dishes.

I like small things like these intricate Mexican hatching egg sculptures.

What do you like?

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SOLD on eBay ... treasures that have come and gone

4/7/2017

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If there's one thing you can say about our eBay business, it's that no two days are ever the same. Our Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay offers an eclectic variety of merchandise. The store attracts serious collectors, window shoppers, costumers, staging professionals, crafters and even resellers looking for that special something. We're getting better at rescuing gold when we're out and about. Here's a short list of items that customers have been eager to buy.

This vintage Italian straw hat was bought, listed and sold the same day.

Someone wanted this hat.

My partner in crime recognized the value of the well-constructed straw hat shown above, and sure enough, it sold to a buyer in Korea within hours of being listed on our eBay site. What makes this hat special? Quality (the straw was super sturdy); origin (made in Italy); age (over 50 years old); condition (flawless) and style (self-evident).

This vase sold quickly at auction.

Chinese pottery is very popular.

I'm drawn to stunning works of art with Asian origins. Fortunately, many of our customers also appreciate our finds in this area. The buyer of this Chinese Satsuma vase asked us to be on the lookout for other pieces featuring this beautiful "1000 flowers" or millefleurs pattern.

Mid Century has a big fan base.

Retro towels, table cloths, bed linens and interior decor are hot right now. Mod floral and atomic patterns are often scooped up as fast as we can list them. Judging by sales, buyers also appreciate no-iron percale sheets (popular in the 60s and 70s) more than ever. Made in the USA and union made—two labels that are harder to come by in newer merchandise—tend to increase desirability.

Toile patterns depict bucolic pastoral scenes.

Classic patterns continue to please.

Toile patterns are consistently good performers, so we like to score it for our store. Pillows, throw blankets, comforters and table linens often feature this pattern in blue on white or off white. More rarely we've found it in yellow on white and also red on white. Variations on this theme complement French Country (sometimes dubbed "romantic" or "shabby cottage") as well as American Colonial decor.