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If you get as excited as I do when treasure hunting, you need to be extra wary about your selections. It’s easy to get carried away with a “find” and overlook flaws that diminish value. You may feel rushed because there are other eager shoppers on all sides. Slow down and inspect the merchandise! Here’s a short guide to help you use your five senses to become a savvy reseller: SEE.
SMELL.Odors are a bane to buyers and can be difficult to remove. Take note when you enter a home and be on guard if you detect mildew or smoke—common culprits that can destroy a desirable item. Airing and washing items can sometimes eliminate smells but this involves time and hassle and may not be satisfactory. Cat urine is particularly difficult to remove and noxious to the nostrils (no offense to felines intended). There is also a rather mysterious odor that tends to creep into the homes of the elderly. If something stinks, trust your instincts and rest assured it will smell even worse when you remove the item from its environment, which often masks much of the smell. Pass on moldy or musty items—these odors spread when stored with pristine inventory. FEEL.
HEAR. Listen to the chatter at sales. You may be able to pick up on history of items or gain insight into demand. Some sellers will have expertise to share, so it doesn’t hurt to inquire. Another way you can use your ears is when encountering mechanical items. If you hear something rattling around inside when you give it a gentle shake, you may be dealing with a broken thing-a-ma-jig. You can also improve your purchase decisions by listening to what your gut is telling you. If your inner voice says something is overpriced, negotiate or pass it by. If you’re being too sentimental, check your emotions at the door. TASTE. I’m using poetic license to invoke this “sense”—my true meaning refers to aesthetics. Is your taste in line with what’s popular? Are you good at uncovering rare and coveted niche items? The best shoppers have a knack for identifying cool stuff that people want right now. You can’t always predict what will sell, but if you keep an eye on the marketplace, you can improve your ability to spot hot items in high demand. May fortune favor you as you hone your senses in the exciting field of treasure hunting. Good luck!
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No more vanilla Christmas presents—give cool vintage finds instead! There's a better way to get your Christmas shopping done this year, and it doesn't require fighting for a parking space or wandering the malls. Relax in the comfort of your own home and peruse the pages of the Cool Vintage Finds Store! You'll avoid a vanilla experience and instead find one-of-a-kind treasures for your family, friends and even yourself. Keep reading for ideas to help you have a more rewarding gift-giving experience! Something special for your sweetie.
Something thoughtful for mom.
More mom-friendly ideas ...
Something special for dad. Maybe Dad would enjoy a book with historical significance, a magazine with a personal connection, art that for his office or den or clothing to round out his wardrobe. Keep looking, you'll find just the right thing!
Something cool for a sibling. Maybe it's a t-shirt from your favorite band growing up or a long-lost toy. Or a poster from the movie you both were crazy about. Our Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay is an ever-changing repository of cool stuff any bro or sis will appreciate, especially coming from you!
Something awesome for your friends. You know what your friends like! No probs acquiring nifty gifties for all your best buds, right here.
Something you've always wanted. Don't neglect yourself while you do your Christmas shopping! Pick out a gift you've been craving so there's at least one package under the tree you know you really want.  Buy yourself a sweet reminder of a furry friend. Shop now for quick shipping and happier holidays! When you shop the Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay, your purchases will be shipped promptly and with care! If you're buying a gift that you'd like shipped to an address other than your own, be sure to add the alternate address to PayPal before buying. Happy shopping!
 Creepy modern day Halloween collectibles So a while back we came across one of these vinyl squeezable creatures that makes a blood curdling sound when you squeeze its belly. It was strange enough to pique my curiosity and prompt me to assume someone out there is probably collecting these dudes. Turns out they have a variety of names—Halloween Screamers, Cacklers, Monsters, Screechers, among others—and shape shift from season to season, with different manufacturers and varieties filling the market.  I did some research, determined the going price and listed our discovery in our Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay. Sure enough, it sold pretty quickly. So naturally we've been on the hunt for more screamers to satisfy the collectors who want to fill their pockets (and shelves) with these fascinating monsters. This past summer, we came across a handful of pocket screamers dating back a few years. Again, these early screamers flew off our shelves. In the process, we had a conversation with Hugo, a customer and collector with his finger on the pulse of the pocket screamer craze. "They use to come out like crazy in the beginning. over the years they have trickled down to only a few stores now. Use to be Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Jewels grocery stores, oh, and Party City was good for some classic ones. The ones with hair are the older ones and considered classics." |
This charming set is blocks is more desirable because of the handmade vehicle that holds them.
These cute figural alphabet blocks are called Schoenhuts Alphies and date to 1882.
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Victorian obelish alphabet block sets such as the one shown here are highly sought after and command a high price due to their rarity.
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Item sold by Etsy shopkeeper MilkweedVintageHome.
Vintage and antique blocks look great just as they are, displayed on a shelf in a nursery, kitchen or den. Some collectors like to complete the alphabet or spell out words. If you're the crafty type, check out Etsy to get ideas for upcycling old blocks into new and fun home accents. Whatever you do, don't pass up that box of blocks when you encounter them at a sale or thrift store down the road.
Visit our Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay to get your block fix or simply to peruse a fascinating assortment of merchandise.
Guest blog post by Emily Graham
Emily Graham is the creator of MightyMoms.net. She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms, from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family.
Find jewelry lots on eBay for your next crafting adventure.
Vintage is in and that means your kids might perk up when you suggest hitting your neighborhood or online thrift store in search of materials for your next craft session. Everything from old buttons to antique costume jewelry can be re-purposed into cool crafts and wearable things even the pickiest tween will be proud to create.
Here are a few ways to turn your vintage finds into contemporary masterpieces:
Here are a few ways to turn your vintage finds into contemporary masterpieces:
 This shadow box of skeleton keys is for sale on etsy. | Skeleton key wall art. Buy old skeleton keys online or round up a few at your local antique shop. With a piece of old board and some strong glue, you can create a skeleton key wall plaque. These plaques are easy to make and will add a cool twist to your decor. |
| Lace brooch. Repurpose grandma’s cotton crochet lace (crochet doilies also work) and her extra-large earrings that no longer have a match into a handcrafted brooch. Each lace brooch only takes a few minutes to make and requires little more than a needle, thread, piece of lace, and adornments. Positively Splendid lays out the full instructions here. |  Lots of lace remnants are easy to find on eBay. |
 Vintage buttons, brooches, bric-a-brac and linens all have potential to star in your next craft project. | Vintage button ornaments. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, Christmas crafts are always fun to make. Grab a jar full of vintage wooden buttons, a spool or two of ribbon, and clear filament (fishing line works nicely), and you have everything you need to put together some cute and colorful ornaments. Get inspired with how-to steps in this DIY Network tutorial. |
| Creepy doll head lamp. If your older kids have a twisted sense of humor, there are tons of ways to reuse an old doll head to create spooky Halloween decorations. A vintage candle holder, doll head, and battery-powered LED lights provide exactly the right creep factor for your All Hallow’s Eve shindig. Get inspired by the I Like That Lamp blog. |  Just one idea from the ilikethislamp blog. |
This lovely embellished Victorian postcard sold on eBay for over $100. Jewelry Art. We’ve already mentioned that you can use jewelry to create beautiful brooches, but a pile of old costume jewelry can also make great wall art. Head down to Goodwill or check out estate sales in your area. You can likely find a grab bag of old busted jewelry for a few dollars and old framed art pieces. Using glue and lots of patience, embellish your old painting for a dazzling one-of-a-kind piece of art.
Are you a writer with special expertise and a connection to the vintage, antique, collecting and re-purposing world? Interested in contributing to our Scouting Blog? Contact us for guidelines.
Guest blog post by Emily Graham.
Emily Graham is the creator of MightyMoms.net. She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms--from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family.
Arts and crafts are fun to do with your kids, but projects can get messy in a hurry. To avoid disrupting your main living areas, designate a room to contain your kids excitement for crafting and all of their glue and glitter, too. You don’t have to buy brand new—thrift and vintage resources can provide everything you need to furnish and stock your hobby room.
Look to thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales and online marketplaces such as eBay for craft room decor.
Rescued furniture can serve your purpose quite well and you won’t have to worry about a stray stroke of paint or blob of glue. An old kitchen table scavenged from the curb or thrift store is the perfect work surface for your hobby room.
 If your kids are little, scour re-sale sources for child-sized chairs and tables. |  Another idea—use a cast-off door to make a table for your main crafting space. |
No matter what types of crafts you and your kids enjoy together, you’ll need storage options for crafting necessities. If closet space is not an option, rescue a chest of drawers, bookcase or filing cabinet to keep supplies out of sight when not in use.
Think outside of the "rubber tub" when it comes to organizing your craft supplies. Once again, thrift stores offer a wealth of options when you need bins, boxes or other containers to store materials.
Handled baskets are both attractive and easily portable. Collect old baskets to organize paper, fabric, ribbon and more. From small to large, there's a basket to hold your stuff.
Vintage glass ball jars are perfect for storing markers, brushes and crayons (and can double as wells for painting projects).
Classic glass ball jars are versatile containers.
Vintage tea, coffee and cookie tins are especially fun to re-purpose for your crafting area. They come in all shapes, sizes and patterns. Stack tins when storage space is in short supply.
This group of old tins is for sale on eBay,
Even your supplies can be pre-owned or gently used. Paint, fabric remnants, construction paper, kid-friendly tools and other crafting essentials can be found in hobby stores but are also easily sourced from garage sales and second-hand shops.
Check out this Redfin article for more ideas to help you create a kid-friendly crafting space in your home.
Are you a writer with special expertise and a connection to the vintage, antique, collecting and re-purposing world? Interested in contributing to our Scouting Blog? Contact us for guidelines.
Santa Claus is usually portrayed wearing a red suit and hat. Every wonder how Santa Claus became associated with Christmas? Confused by the references to St. Nicholas, Belsnickel and Woodland Santa? Here's a short history of the many identities associated with the jolly old elf.
It all began with St. Nick
| Santa Claus, the secular hero of Christmas for generations, dates back to the fourth century and the region of Asia Minor. A young man named Nicholas (also spelled “Nicolas” or Nikolas”) was orphaned and left a wealthy young man. His generous deeds led to his sainthood. The gift-giving traditions centered around St. Nicholas were later co-opted by the early Christian church, to compel pagans to worship the Christ child. |  St. Nicholas became a saint in recognition of his generous deeds in the community. |
Father Christmas for Grown Ups
Father Christmas, a variation on Saint Nicholas, was associated with adult revelry. The Victorian era brought a return to the idea of St. Nick as a gift giver whose purpose was to delight small children.
Along came Belsnickel
| Belsnickel (also referred to as Belsnickle, Belznickel and Belschnickel) is a figure originating in German lore. Generally portrayed as a more serious figure than the jovial Santa Claus beloved by Americans, Belsnickel represents both the dark and the light sides of the Christmas holiday. He’s often depicted with a dour (or at least neutral) expression on his face and is known to wear simple, drab robes. He carries a branch or “switch” in one hand, which he uses to swat naughty children. He may also carry treats of candies, cakes, nuts and fruits, which he gives to well-behaved children, however, some reserve this more friendly role for Kirshkinkle (KrisKringle). His arrival comes several weeks in advance of December 25. The Belsnickel mythology was brought to the United States by the Pennsylvania Dutch, for whom the name translates to variations on Pelznickel. |  Belsnickel likes to carry a switch. |
American children are most familiar with Ms. Winship's interpretation of Santa Claus.
Santa Claus, the jovial elf
Modern-day Santa Claus evolved from the re-imagining of Saint Nicholas by Washington Irving at the turn of the nineteenth century. There was a tug-of-war in the religious community, as the Puritans disapproved of pagan holidays. Literary work re-imagined Santa Claus as a gift-giving jovial elf (think Night Before Christmas, famously illustrated by Florence Sarah Winship). That imagining has persisted in our culture to this day, where Santa is in charge of toy-making elves and flying reindeer.
Woodland Santa is friends with the forest animals.
Woodland Santa is magical, too
Woodland Santa, portrayed as a friend to animals, is another variation of Saint Nicholas. He may be dressed in brown or white robes, sometimes fur lined, but often less elegant than the ermine and red velvet garb of his counterpart. He’s frequently shown with birds perched on his arms or head and forest friends at his feet.
Which Santa do you believe in?
No matter which Santa figure you feel the most affinity for, you'll find a figure or ornament for your collection in the Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay. And have a very Merry Christmas, for one and for all!
Here's another run at the topic of what kinds of treasures catch my eye at estate sales. Personally, I find it very rewarding to discover objects that have special worth to collectors or simply still have purpose. I admire the craftsmanship of earlier generations and believe there's great value in preserving and re-homing pieces of history that might otherwise be discarded.
Quality table & bed linens
Cotton, linen, silk or taffeta—these fabrics never go out of style. I love to rescue pretty tablecloths, towels and bedding. Intricate laces and needlepoint artistry are always coveted and frequently go overlooked at crowded sales. Recently I happened upon a generous stock of unused Royal Society stamped linen, a true treasure. I look for items in pristine condition, but also rescue linens that will rebound with a good soak.
This mid-century European filet lace tablecloth is completely hand-knotted and hand-embroidered or “darned.”
Fun holiday decor
Christmas collectibles and decorations top my list, followed by Halloween and Easter. There are many classic figures and ornaments that are consistently in demand, but I'm not opposed to kitsch either. Quirky items have an appeal of their own. At Christmas time, flocked bottle brush and ceramic trees, Fontanini cherubs and nativity figures, Mercury glass bulbs and pieced felt and wool needlepoint stockings are always desirable. Halloween paper goods, animated objects and the occasional costume are quality finds. And for Easter, old-time paper mache or painted eggs and cute rabbits in all shapes and sizes are fun to rescue.
Everyone needs an old school rubber face plush Santa for the holidays.
Pretty paper
It's impressive to see how earlier generations valued design and created amazingly attractive paper goods. Embossed and gilt decorated cards were the norm in the early 1900s, when folks relied on the post to stay in touch with friends and relatives near and far. As I wrote about in an earlier post on vintage Valentines, intricate die cuts and tissue paper honeycombs were common but added appealing dimension and delight. Pieces that have survived the intervening decades relatively intact can fetch a good price from collectors.
The artistry of old greeting cards and postcards is worth preserving.
Get in touch
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What are you looking for from a vintage vendor? Let us know what sets your heart a-flutter and we'll do our best to help you locate the items on your wishlist.
Cool Vintage Finds attracts shoppers from all over the world. We love hearing from people who are thrilled with their purchases and eager to tell us why. It’s especially fun to get the backstory—why something caught their eye, how they plan to use it or why an item is particularly meaningful. A recent transaction with an Australian eBayer (I’ll call him Mr. Halloween) was so special and inspiring, it deserved its own blog post.
It started with a Gemmy animated bookshelf ...
Next to Christmas, Halloween is the most popular holiday with our customers. We snatch up Halloween collectibles whenever we can. So when we saw an animated bookshelf by Gemmy at a local sale, we knew it would be perfect for our store.
Here’s the item Mr. Halloween purchased for his fabulous Halloween house.
Sure enough, Mr. Halloween came across our bookshelf and got in touch. He sent an email to be sure the item would work for his purposes before buying. When I assured him the books were motion-activated (creepily moving in and out as an eerie soundtrack plays), he knew it was something he and his daughter would love to add to their (not so little) Halloween display … down under. Yes, that’s right. Mr. Halloween hails from a small town in New South Wales, a state on the East coast of Australia.
Every Halloween, in a small town in New South Wales, Australia, you can find an IMMENSE AND FRIGHTENING home-assembled Halloween display enjoyed by friends and neighbors far and wide.
Mr. Halloween was pleased and let us know it!
We received a nice message from the ultimate champ of Halloween haunting after his bookshelf arrived safely.
“Dear hockandsocdad,
Thanking you so very much for getting the Haunted Books here to us in Australia … on our door step nice and safe.
I have given you a very good feedback and also all 5-stars rating.
The books are going to look good with some other Animated books on Halloween night in our Front Foyer [Car port] as it is fun and noisy and slightly scary for anyone and everyone will think that everything should be put into a museum.”
“Dear hockandsocdad,
Thanking you so very much for getting the Haunted Books here to us in Australia … on our door step nice and safe.
I have given you a very good feedback and also all 5-stars rating.
The books are going to look good with some other Animated books on Halloween night in our Front Foyer [Car port] as it is fun and noisy and slightly scary for anyone and everyone will think that everything should be put into a museum.”
When I say this guy goes all out for Halloween, I mean ALL OUT!
Mr. Halloween was kind enough to share photos of his elaborate ensemble, which takes up much of their house, carport and yard! I thanked him for his business and the great photos and asked if I could share them in our blog. He was happy to oblige.
The creepy fun starts with a ghastly graveyard ...
... and a marketplace of monstrosities.
Needless to say, the displays are totally bewitching.
"Bloody good job, bloke!" -- Said some Englishman somewhere.
Make no bones about it, this smorgasbord of specimens is out of this world!
But wait, there's more inside!
Right this way, past the gallery of ghouls ...
... super creepy Dracula finds these ladies dead gorgeous.
Watch out for the wicked wall of weaponry and the possessed bear rug.
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Looks like someone's lost their head over Halloween!
Even the dungeon ... I mean basement ... is chock full of horrors!
The mummies are amazeballs, just like in Tales from the Crypt ...
Hats off to the creators of this massively spooky spectacle!
Many thanks to our Australian friends who work so hard to put together this entertaining Halloween Hall-of-Fame-worthy haunted house. We're proud to know that Cool Vintage Finds played a small role in making this October 31 even more spectacular.
Inspired?
Surely it's taken years for Mr. Halloween and his daughter to amass their amazing collection of Halloween props. So better get started, you've got some catching up to do! If you’re in the market for Halloween collectibles, see what we have in store in the Halloween Scene corner of our store.
Shop for random and fun Halloween collectibles in the Halloween Scene category of our Cool Vintage Finds eBay store.
Whatever you do, be sure to have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN this October 31!
SCOUTING BLOG
Learn about our recent discoveries and what captures our imagination in this blog, then peruse the treasures in our Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay.
Brought to you by...
... Susan Buie, writer by day, vintage curator and co-proprietor of the Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay in all the moments in between.
Guest bloggers welcome. Do you have special expertise you’d like to share? Guest bloggers receive full attribution and a link back to their web site, blog or store. For consideration, submitted blogs must meet our criteria, are subject to editing, are not compensated and cannot be published elsewhere.
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