I'm releasing myself from the need to continually explain my nerdiness and embracing the fact that junking is my number one passion. Here is my first set of unsolicited advice for those who are new or interested in garage sales, junk stores, antique shopping, or junk picking. Go for it!
- I always stop at tool sales when I'm garage sailing.
You've seen the signs that say "this one's for the guys" or "tool sale - garage sale for the men" or such. Anyway, they usually advertise especially for the guys. I stop at them. And I find junk. And yes, you do too. (I can hear you).
Here is why I stop: Often old tools, nails, or parts are thrown into vintage jars (bonus: the lids are often intact!) bins, boxes, and crates. I've found many this way. I've even found old linens/blankets that were used to cover stuff. (And I've gotten them clean, so long as there wasn't too much black grease involved).
- My biggest advise is to look past the dirt!! I can't stress that enough.
I'm a germ-freak, neat-freak, clean-freak - you name it. I've got a problem. (It's an uphill battle). But if I can learn to look past the dirt, grease and grime. So can you! Anything can be cleaned. (Believe me. That is so true. Some of my favorite treasures were the greasiest and grimiest. I love Goo Gone for greasy toolboxes, metal signs, and anything else covered in grease).
- Speaking of looking, that brings me to my next tip. You have to do what I call "dig with your eyes".
You don't just use your hands. That's the biggest mistake that I think people make. You have to survey everything with your eyes, constantly. I think it's a learned response. (I didn't do this when I first began).
- This one isn't so much a tip as it is a fact: Everyone likes junk.
Some just may not know it yet. Junk isn't just, well junk. It's anything old or vintage. There's a huge misconception out there about antiques. Too many people still think they don't like them. I've made it my mission to change that.
I've got a little side story for you. When I moved here Sara (my sister) said she didn't like antiques (I believe there was wrinkling of nose involved). She had no interest. So, of course, I took on the responsibility to set her straight. To make her realize that she actually does like them. ;)
She wanted to find some stuff for her entryway. She has said she wants to decorate her house but doesn't know where to begin. (Yes, I'm smiling). So, I sent her off to Rich's Antiques by herself (a very cluttered shop that you certainly have to use your eyes and your hands to dig in) with a little advice and what do you know? She came back with a huge (very cute) mirror for her entryway. A magazine rack. And two black-matted framed pictures (also for her entry). I believe those purchases were actually made on two separate occasions.
She painted the magazine rack black. It was formerly covered in a very dark brown stain. The mirror was also a dark brown stain. That too was painted black and then distressed (a little sanding and a few tools were involved). And voila! She has a very cute entry!
And the best part?
She now readily admits she likes antiques. I think it'll be awhile before she uses the word 'junk', if ever, but I'll take that. It's a start.
Antiques are not only the brass, Victorian style decor that most people envision when you mention the word. Just as there is every style of decorating today, there was every style back then. Think of the retro style of the 1950's. Or the hippie bohemian style of the 70's. Two complete and totally different styles. Both of which are considered antiques and junk. Those are just two of the hundreds of styles out there.
- I suppose to sum up this little bit of advice that I spewed out today, I'd have to say the biggest thing is in the looking. Look beyond what each item is.
Look beyond the color, if you don't like it.
Look beyond it's use to find another creative and fun use for it.
Look beyond the dirt and grime to see it sparkling and shining.
Look beyond the piles of junk to spot a single treasure. In every mountain of junk is a single treasure to be found. All you have to do is look.
~Changing the world one piece of junk at a time!
Happy junking!
7 comments:
You need to open up your own antique store! With your enthusiasm for the merchandise, you'd be selling stuff left and right! Ü -Kathryn
I can't wait to go through all my stuff and begin the whole process. :)
Good post, Jen. I do like garage sales but haven't really tried antique shopping at all. I must confess, though, since I am not a fan of cleaning, it's really hard to see past dirt and grime - when I'm the one who will have to clean it. :-)
One tip for getting even the toughest stains out, it works on natural fibers and is very gentle...soak overnight in cold water and cream of tartar. Worked on a rust stained wool blanket of mine.
Thank you! I'll make note of that. I always appreciate tips for cleaning stains!!
I just read in an article the other day about washing whites in cold water with a spoonful of cream of tartar instead of using damaging bleach for whitening. It's fun to see that same tip here! :)
I really appreciate that too because I always use Oxyclean. (Which, of course is loaded with chemicals of who-knows-what.) I used to use bleach until I realized how much it was actually wrecking the whites. They were getting dingy, - esp. the ones that were supposed to be washed on the gentle cycle.
I'm going to have to try that cream of tartar!
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