Craft Treasures at Auctions

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to share with you something that I personally love to do. I love going to auctions. Someone else's stuff can become your new found treasure ^.^ Examples I replaced my family's dishes from auction purchases. About two weeks ago I went to an auction and the prices were fantastic. I literally got 4 boxes of dishes each box being a buck a piece. I basically ended up with two brand new sets. One being a brand called GibsonUSA and a set of plain white Corelle dishes. It was wonderful.
Depending on the style of dishware or cooking utensils and on how your auctioneer handles his work, you could be walking off with some great stuff and all dirt cheap. The only ones I see going for insane prices are cast iron skillets and pots depending on their condition but still worth trying to buy. Also different sets of cookware that are much older like the 40's and 50's and earlier where they were really well crafted pieces.

Example I bought an electric waffle maker for $3 at the same auction I got my dishes, now I used to have a brand new one from Wal-Mart but it was terrible the pieces didn't come out for you to clean them so I was stuck making pathetic attempts at cleaning an electrical appliance then being terrified to plug it in the next time.
The model I got at the auction is older, made out of full metal and only rubbery/plastic handles. It also has one of those neat old time cords. BUT the best part of it is that the iron is detachable by screw. Meaning I can actually wash it and not worry about getting the entire machine wet. Yay for not having to fear electrocution as much!


Now a fun and exciting tip for my fellow crafters!
Did you know you can get craft supplies at an auction???
When I realized this it was the best day ever.
Some auctions are from older couples who are either moving away, moving into a home, or sadly they have passed away. While this can be very sad you can personally make sure their love of crafting goes on. Let them see your excitement over their collection of old buttons and fabric. It might spark some conversation on some of their old projects, share ideas. A crafter is always a crafter! When I'm old decrepit and incapable of doing crafts I hope to God there will be someone young willing to ask me about my old projects and ask me about techniques. It at least lets you enjoy what you used to do and love through conversation.

 Depending on what it is your craft supplies can go at dirt cheap prices at an auction.
Collectible items or magazines can be pricey especially if there is another fellow crafter going after the same thing. I've had my dad bid for me just because he's better at it so I didn't completely lose without a fight.

Today (July 14, 2012) I went to another auction and hit the mother load. And I took some pictures to share with you all ^.^

But first here's the story of my auction today.
I got there bright and early at 8am to just see everything up for auction. Now I had my eyes on this little sewing thread holder. It's made out of wood, the top has a pin cushion attached, and it came with wooden spools....and we all know you don't really see those anymore for sale in stores. But while looking around I decided to visit the attic, the attic had EVERYTHING from books to dressers etc. But in the very corner there was some sewing and quilting supplies. It looked like a small stash and I thought it'd be fun to try and get it.

Well by the time that lot came up it was between me and another lady. The starting bid was $3 and we battled until I won at $20. Now thinking it's such a small stash I could just whisk it away no problem....now here's where the fun began. I get informed by the auctioneer I did not just bid on this small stash but the ENTIRE corner of the attic which is supposedly all sewing supplies. So I go look.

It's covered in junk. Papers and plastic bags everywhere. I did out old foam padding for cushions, so old it was unusable. I did find some nice strips of quilting pieces to play with. I've always had an urge to make a quilt and thought it'd be something fun to practice with. So I set that aside....then diving deeper into the giant pile I find more remnants of quilt pieces....which they should have pitched. I was fine I kept diving. Out of a massive pile of what I can personally call crafters leftover and unusable trash I found some good pieces.

Two bolts of old upholstery fabric. I have 2 dogs so they are so getting new pillows out of that if the fabric holds up. Good value there. Plus all the quilt pieces I could use, bags upon bags of those in blues, yellows and reds, old knitting magazines, a crochet hook NEVER out of the packaging, and crafts from what I can see being the 60's. The titles on the bags are "Gift Craft Unlimited" which is from National Handcraft from a fad of the month club. Looked like fun. There were different kits, one to make your own gilded birdcage planter, one to make a little dustbin with hand painted designs, and one for Christmas.

It took me over six trips going up three flights of stairs to get barely half of it into the van we borrowed from my aunt. I was a bit of a stinker and left the rest there since it wasn't of much use to me. I didn't need a beat up old lamp or chair.

Well when all is said and done I sit with my parents and find out my dad got me the sewing stand I wanted that I spoke of earlier. Plus they bundled it with something else! So When I get home I take a look what's in the box. I found old buttons. Which is just perfect! If you love to knit or crochet having that odd button around to decorate your work is fantastic and gives it that one of a kind feeling. I filled almost an entire organizer tray with these buttons.

All in all I'd like to say it was a great day for crafting.

Here's the pictures of what I got from my auction hunting ^__^

The previous owner kept her buttons in her old prescription bottles.

I found some as far back as the 60's and it was nice to open them.

They were so not child proof ^^;

An old wood container for sewing needles from The Boye Needle Co.

This was a misc. container which various needles mostly larger sizes and as luck would have it a small crochet hook ^.^

I'm only 25 years old and I never saw a metal portable tums container and I just think it's neat.

Plus it has sewing needles

These two came with the sewing stand.

This is a crochet hook from a brand called Marcia Lynn.

Interesting to see how much these cost back then, 29 cents!

Apparently this was on sale for 24 cents at Ames then.

I love to knit and I never get to see this type of needle in stores.

My aunt always told me about them and even showed me her own pair.

Always tried to find my own but never had any luck.

Now they're mine all mine!

I love knitting older knitting books.

The styles are still cute I don't care what popular teens say!

Plus the children’s designs are just adorable!

Here's that stand I told you about, I just love it ^.^

Here's inside one of the magazines.

Might I add that some of these patterns I have never seen in newer books.

I find them to be wonderful and should be brought back

While going through my purchases I found that the previous owner saved this little magazine clipping.

Telling young ladies how they can make their own wardrobe in about week!

Ladies do you see any knit dresses that look familiar?

Seriously find the patterns pick your favorite colors and make them!

I believe in the long run they'll be far cheaper than when you get them at the store.

Because by the time you get them on sale it's no longer fall or winter.

Here's what one of the little crafts I found looked like. They’re all neatly packaged.

Some of them have the paint with them. I assume the paint is too old and will just have to use what acrylic paints I have.

Still looks like fun.

Here are the instructions for one of the crafts this is for the gilded cage. I hope to do this one. I'm praying the supplies are still usable.


So you can see that you can get lots of neat craft supplies at an auction. In total we spent approximately $40. And the stuff I found are worth more than that. So give it a try guys!

I did and loved it!

If you do let me know how it went : )

Coming Soon!
The Nerd Blanket: Remember my last post about the TV crochet blanket?
Well I couldn't get the pieces photographed....by the time I was finished I was so bound and determined to start piecing it together that I completely forgot to take a picture. I'm half way putting it together. When it's done I'll take a picture for you guys I promise : )