I have to say I am seeing more men at yard sales lately. A lot of men in their 30's and 40's, so it's not just for women anymore. Of course they are looking for things we're not. Lawn mowers, fishing equipment, car stuff, etc. Good to see you guys out there. Of course now that football season is starting, I guess we won't be seeing them anymore.

A new season

Well I have been shopping yard sales all summer and have gotten quite a few great items. I found on person who had several yard sales where all the merchandise was new. I purchased several framed pictures, and some metal sculpture that I noticed is hot this year. The items were 2 to 5 dollars. I purchased 2 counter bar stools with leather & nail head seats, a great bargain at 2 for $25.00 Since I will be moving soon, these items will go perfectly in my new home. I expect to do a lot of redecorating for just hundreds instead of thousands this way.

Getting Started

It’s endless as to what you can do with what you find at yard and garage sales. There are many, many ways of utilizing these “Priceless” first and second hand finds. It’s like going on a treasure hunt. You never know what you will find. It is fast becoming a national pastime.

I enjoy going to areas or neighborhoods that I have never been to. I find it turns it into an adventure for me. I have found many areas I never knew existed and some of them were very upscale homes nestled in the woods or on the water. I thought I was in a different City, upstate or in the country. (I felt like I was sightseeing at the same time)But that doesn’t mean you can’t find great bargains in your local areas. Some of my greatest finds where found practically next door.

If you have an open mind and an imagination there is no end to what you can find and what you can do with what you find. I will try and walk you through it the best I can.

Some people make a business out of it, getting their “precious stuff” together several times a year to make some extra money over the weekend. Others sell what they buy on EBay, or at their own yard sale or even advertising in their local news tabloids. There are a lot of local papers, like my own that let you advertise for free if the item is under $100.00

Others like myself like to buy and buy and buy. Unlike a retail store, if you see something you like you can afford to buy it. Also keep in mind what you will need in the near future such as holidays, birthdays, baby gifts or just a gift in general. I have given a friend a crystal candy dish when I have gone to their house instead of a cake and it cost me half the price of a cake. These gifts that I buy are always new and come in their original boxes. I have bought toys, games, baby items, leather hand bags, all kinds of holiday items and even silver jewelry. I found for myself two high end name brand watches for $2.50 each that are worth over $200.00 and all they needed was batteries. The end result is that I saved a lot of money.

Buying

I needed a humidifier for my garage and found one for $20.00. I found two new vacuum cleaners to replace my old one for about $12.00 each. I have gotten great deals on tables, pictures for the wall and I have used some pictures to put on stands for tables, shelves and even on the floor. I have gotten several very beautiful an unusual picture frames, crystal, Lenox, some of which I kept, some I sold, and all sorts of “bric-a-brac, pots, dishes, electric appliances and even a small Singer sewing machine, a fax machine, air purifier, new phones, electric chopper and slicer, and so much more. Most of these things were new in the box.

I started buying for my house when I needed some items for outside, front and back patios and decks. Since they constantly get destroyed by the weather, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. I got lucky right away and found several wicker chairs, some tables, a wooden bench, a flower pot stand and numerous amounts of very unusual flower pots of all sizes. I even picked up some holiday items to display. I bought a couple of large artificial flower arrangements to put out in the fall when the real plants stop flowering. I found a beautiful Victorian looking three wheel bike made of wood. It was decorated in satin and lace, so I ripped all the fluff off and put a flower pot on the seat making it into an unusual planter. When I told the lady who was selling them what I was going to do, she immediately took back the other two she had to use for herself as planters. Because it was made of wood I used wood sealer and stain to protect it. Since I was having such good luck finding things for outside I decided to see what I could find for inside the house. This is how you can really save money.

I needed a humidifier for my garage and found one for $20.00. I found two new vacuum cleaners to replace my old one for about $12.00 each. I have gotten great deals on tables, pictures for the wall and I have used some pictures to put on stands for tables, shelves and even on the floor. I have gotten several very beautiful an unusual picture frames, crystal, Lenox, some of which I kept, some I sold, and all sorts of “bric-a-brac, pots, dishes, electric appliances and even a small Singer sewing machine, a fax machine, air purifier, new phones, electric chopper and slicer, and so much more. Most of these things were new in the box.

Another idea, if you find something that has upholstery on it and you want to change it, and professionally done is too costly you can use fabric paint. Again you can use the same color or a darker one, but a lighter paint won’t cover. Fabric paint can be found in any arts and crafts stores. Add a lot of water to it so it has a water consistency. If it is too thick it will look like paint on the fabric. Play around with it till you get it just right. And don’t worry, it never comes off or washes out. If you can’t find fabric paint in your color of choice you can buy a fabric medium that will mix with any water based craft paint. Follow directions and add water till you get it right and it turns into a fabric paint. I have chairs in my dining area that have black, (what else) seats. It started turning a brownish color from years of sun, so I repainted it black and now it looks better than new. Oh yes, I want you to know that I do have other colors in my house other than black.

Don’t forget to use your imagination. If you see a picture frame, furniture, etc. that you like, but it isn’t the right color, remember you can always paint it. You can sand paint, distress it, sponge paint, use leather look paints, etc. For outdoor things use spray paint, it works wonders. Check out your local craft stores for other ideas and always keep these items on hand:

Craft paints in assorted colors

Spray paint gloss finish

Polyurethane water base ( oil base turns yellow)

Sponge or sponge painting (flat side should have large holes)

Several different size good craft brushes

Refinishing

I found that items were being sold very cheap when they needed work and since I was going to redo most of it, I didn’t care. I bought a small round table on a three leg pedestal base. The legs needed tightening all the corners needed wood filler. I don’t have wood furniture in my house so I decided to paint it black and I find that what looks best is satin or semi-gloss finishes on painted wood. The top I sponged in tan, beige, white and a drizzle of black. I then sprayed it with a high gloss spray sealer. It really looks great. Oh, I only paid $2.00

I bought a coffee table with a wooden frame that needed work and a gorgeous solid marble top in beiges. I paid $15.00, so it was definitely worth putting some work into it. First I washed it all down outside with a hose. I then filled in all the areas that needed it with wood filler and made sure the four legs were secure and then painted it black. It now has a new look that fits in perfectly. I will now sell my old coffee table.

I was looking to put a small table in my upstairs bathroom, and I found just the right one and it only cost $8.00. Again I fixed the gaps, tightened the legs and painted it also black. It came with a tarnished one piece Colonial handle. I replaced it with two large pewter knobs. It now has a new and wonderful look. You would never know that these three tables were the same tables that I originally bought. If you have wood furniture in your home and want to keep the wood pieces in a wood finish, then just clean up the wood and re-stain the piece in the same or a darker finish. A lighter stain won’t take over a darker one. Finish it off with a satin or semi-gloss polyurethane finish.

"Shabby Chic"

There is also a popular look called “Shabby Chic” and it is the easiest of all to do. It can be furniture, mirrors, picture frames any and all types of accessories and wall hanging. The more you bang it up, the better it looks. I have been painting mine an off white, but I have seen them in all shades of pastel colors. I then use sand paper to rub off the edges and a screw driver to distress other areas. I use a satin finish polyurethane to finish is off. I have seen them in stores for hundreds, so it may be a good idea to pick up these pieces for mere dollars, shabby chic them and re-sell them.

I have only done yards sales, but there are also Tag ad Estate sales. They are held in the house and usually run by profession sales people. The prices are for the most part higher, but if you are looking for old very expensive furniture and expensive antiques, you can find some good buys.

Also know that you can bargain down a bargain price, that is part of the fun.

Make it an adventure and happy hunting.