A Not-So Sticky Mystery

As new as this looked, it was sitting on a shelf without a box in the basement of a recent sale.  However, by its design, I knew it wasn't new. It sported that 1960's space-age/UFO aesthetic.  

A Crushing Find

Although I have absolutely no use for this 1960's Rival Ice-O-Mat Ice Crusher, I couldn't leave it behind for $2. It's in remarkable condition.

And Now the Rest...

The odd thing with my garage sale experiences is once I find something, even if it's something I've never seen before, I tend to find another or related item in quick succession.  Maybe I'm just more aware, having found the first, but I don't think so.

While out garage saling this morning, my eyes landed on this in a box of assorted items.  I immediately recognized it.

Tallstirs

I found these colorful aluminum stirrers at an estate sale for a dollar. With a decorative leaf for the bowl end of the spoon, I they must be for iced tea rather than alcohol. And just in time for summer!

 

An Ap-peeling Find

Seventeen years ago, I planted an apple tree next to my house with dreams of someday picking apples from my porch.

Over the years, the apples have suffered in a variety in ways all resulting in the absence of any edible apples come September.

There were droughts, hail, late Spring frosts, a complete absence of blossoms, and, most frequently, squirrels.  Lord, the squirrels.They would come in July and pick the tree clean of the young apples.

For reasons unknown, the squirrels around my house disappeared this year.  I suspect it has to do with a sewage backup that occurred in the creek behind my house, but that's purely speculation.  At any rate, it resulted in a bumper crop this year.

 

Guardians of the Coffee

 I found this Guardian Service coffee pot at an estate sale for $1.  I'd seen them before, but never used one, so for a buck, I thought I'd give it a try.

Working Out the Kinks in Your Kitchen

Somehow, I don't think this pamphlet is about playing "You Really Got Me" while making your Sunday waffles.

Kiddy Kreetures Cookie Cutters

I've always liked sugar cookies at Christmas time, but when you find these cookie cutters, suddenly Halloween seems appropriate too.

Today's Garage Sale Finds

I'm going to do something I haven't done in a while (since 2014 as it turns out!) and return to the roots of this blog which is, after all, garage saling.

Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the kickoff to Summer and with it the garage sale season, although I've already been out looking several weeks now.

It was a beautiful start to the day with temperatures in the low 70's and a blue sky overhead.  My wife and I didn't get an early start, but we were out before 9.  There weren't any spectacular finds today, but a couple of cool items were purchased (along with a few I had to pass up).  Here's a sampling of what we found.

First up was this 15-volume set of the Time-Life "Old West" series of books from the 1970's. My brother always wanted this set, but they were out of our economic reach.  They originally sold for $12.95 each (plus shipping and handling).  These days, $5 takes all.

Easy-Baked

I have to admit, one of my reasons (not the driving one, mind you) for going to garage and estate sales is to flip items for a profit.  I don't make a lot of money, but I at least cover my costs and fund future trips.  So that's what I had in mind when I found this vintage 1964 Kenner Easy-Bake Oven a few months back.

Cookie Cutter Memories

When I was a child, Christmas wasn't complete without my mom's sugar cookies.  As kids, my sister and I were always allowed to help with cutting them out and applying the sugar.  I always insisted Santa had be colored with red sugar and the Christmas trees with green.

We used a silver set similar to this one I found at a garage sale for $1.

Halloween Covered

Someone bought this Halloween tablecloth for a party that never materialized.  Still in it's original package marked at 59 cents, I paid $1 for it.  I guess at least they made a profit.  I would guess it dates from the 1970's.

Cartoon Dishes

I found this pair of cartoon-themed dishes at a sale last week for 50 cents each.  First up is this Yabba Dabba Doo-riffic Flintstones bowl by Deka from 1978, perfect for those Saturday morning bowls of sugary cereals.

Next is this plate featuring "off model" (thanks for the term, Karswell, I knew there was name for that!) Looney Tunes characters.

 The plate is unmarked, but may be made by Lenox.

These off model (there's that term again) drawings of the characters always bugged me.  Couldn't they find someone who knew how to draw them?

Elmer almost looks like his early incarnation as "Egghead".

Shrimps and Weenies

The 1950's may be the best decade in history for home kitchens.  With new materials, new innovations and high demand, there seemed to be an appliance to fit every need.

Enter, the Shrimpmaster.

Unidentified Frying Object

Looking more like the Jupiter 2 than an electric skillet, this frying saucer, also known as a "Party Chef" was made by Cory appliances of Chicago in the 1950's.

1950's Cupboard

I spotted this cupboard at the same estate sale where I found the Hartland horses.  On the first day of the sale it was marked $35.  I held out for the last day of the sale and went back for it.  It was still there and now 75% off, so I bought it for $8.75.

Artcrest Cabinet

I found this Artcrest metal cabinet rusting away in the basement of a recent estate sale for $7.  The bottom had been standing in water and was severely rusted.  I ended up reinforcing it with a 2x4 frame and screwing into the frame through the base.  The rest of the cabinet was lightly rusted (and extremely dirty).  I used a wire brush cup attachment on my angle grinder to remove the rust.  Primed and spray painted, it turned out pretty nice.  Again, I broke a cardinal rule and didn't take any before pictures.  Sometimes, when the mood strikes me, I start into a project and don't take time to take pictures. 

It stands a little over 5 feet tall and a little over 2 feet wide.  It probably dates from the '50's.

I couldn't find out anything about the Artcrest company.

I'm using it to house my vintage cans (a blog post for later) and other kitchen related items.

Curbside Dinette

Driving home last week, I found this 1940's dinette table in pieces and put out for trash at the curb of a home in Webster Groves.  It was in the same neighborhood where I found these curbside treasures.  The legs were already off, so it fit fairly easily into my hatchback.  Not that I needed a table, I just couldn't stand to see it go to the trash.

Get a Grip!

Whenever I go to estate sales, I always take a moment to look through the kitchen utensils bin.  They generally sell from a dime to a dollar per piece.  I'm always keeping an eye out for the unusual ones.  I came across this last week: