10 Amazing Vintage Finds of 2017: Costs & Values
Well it’s that time of year when we look back on the previous twelve months and determine how well we did. So today I want to take a look at ten of my favorite vintage finds of 2017.
Before I jump into that, I want to say a big thank you for being a part of Adirondack Girl @ Heart–for reading my blog, for leaving chatty and encouraging comments, and for interacting with me on social media (especially my Facebook group, Your Vintage Headquarters).
I’ve said it before, without you, this would simply be a diary, but friends, you’ve turned it into a community where we can talk about vintage and learn from and grow with each other. Thank you for that!
1. Vintage Quilt
A pretty patchwork quilt dating to about the 1930-40’s. I value it at about $100-125.00; I picked it up for $5.00 and it’s one of my favorites.
Related Article: A Feed Sack Fabric Collecting Guide
2. Native American Whimsey
A Native American beaded whimsy, which I bought for $1.00 and sold on eBay for $55.00. Items like these continue to be made for the souvenir trade.
Related Article: A Native American Basket Collecting Guide
3. Painting
An acrylic on board painting of “Goodale Farm” in Appleston, Maine, purchased for $2.00, sold for $79.00 at the Shaker Craft Fair.
Related Articles:
4. Hand Carved Angel
A hand carved wooden angel, signed “S. Guimand, 1996,” purchased for 50¢, available at my Gristmill Antique Center booth for $58.00.
5. United Drug Co. Crate
A United Drug Co. (Rexall Drug precursor) crate, purchased for $5.00, sold for $45.00 from my booth.
6. Chippy Aqua Blue Chair
An amazing, chippy arm chair, purchased for $4.00. It currently holds towels in my master bath.
7. Tole Painted Wooden Tray
A tole painted tray, purchased for $2.00 and available for sale from my antique booth for $28.00 (soon).
8. Bakelite Bracelet
A c.1930-40’s apple juice Bakelite bracelet. I purchased for $1.25 and then gifted to a sweet reader (Debbi) who gave me a number of vintage and antique items, like this table that I made over recently.
Related Article: A Bakelite Collecting Guide
9. Majolica Planter
A c.1920’s art nouveau, American majolica planter, bought for $3.00 and sold for $40 from my antique booth.
Related Post: A Majolica Collecting Guide
10. Black Americana Tin
A “Potter’s White Hands,” Black Americana soap tin, purchased for $3.00, sold for $150.00 on eBay.
I hope you enjoyed looking at some of my favorite finds of 2017. I look forward to all the vintage shopping opportunities that 2018 holds for us. Happy hunting, friends!
2014 Favorite Vintage Finds
2015 Favorite Vintage Finds
2016 Favorite Vintage Finds
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Love your favorite finds. (And the quilt is charming.) I did a similar post for my blog and it was hard narrowing it down to 10 favorites! 🙂 Here’s hoping we all have a wonderful year finding and selling fabulous vintage things. All the best, Karen
Thanks Karen! I’ll have to pop over and read your post 🙂 Happy hunting in 2018–
I love #s 1, 2, and 3. Way to go on Potter’s White Hands!
Thanks Rita! It was a good year 🙂 Happy hunting in 2018, friend–
I can’t believe the low prices at which you purchase your goods. The profit is great.
I guess I’m pretty lucky, Fonda 🙂 I believe in buying low in order to 6-10x your money, which let’s you cover your overhead and make a bit of a profit, too. Happy hunting in 2018!
Happy new year Diana! I love that beaded native American piece!
Tania
It was an unexpected find–love learning about new things, and then making money on them is the icing on the cake! Happy New Year, Tania 🙂
I loved every one of these finds. You always find the most wonderful vintage goodies.
Thanks Sharon–that’s so encouraging 🙂
I enjoy seeing what you find and sell. Thanks for sharing with us and having such a great blog. Happy New Year!
Gosh, thanks Linda 🙂 I’m still so grateful to you for being my friend in the early days–Happy New Year!!
Love the finds. I have sold a number of quilts, but none as nice as yours! I am impressed at your ability to find treasures, especially at the prices you pay. I love the beaded heart and the blue chair. On a side note, if you need to seal something without changing the wood color, I use Polyvine dead flat finish. I found it on Amazon – it’s a little pricey but it really works to seal chippy things and not change the finish. Happy New Year, thanks for your blog and Facebook page, I love both.
Hi Laura–thanks SO much, Laura, for the suggestion; I’ve never heard of that product, but I think it’s exactly what I need. I presumed because I was using matte finish that the dry wood color would be retained. Wrong. I’ll know better next time! Happy New Year, friend and thanks for the encouragement–I appreciate it so much!!!
Hi Diana….I love the Hexagon hand pieced quilt. (all of them but especially the quilt). I am working on one now and believe me $95 is a steal. That is probably 500 hours of work easily. Blessings in this New Year.
I know, I can’t believe it still hasn’t sold. This business can be a hard one to figure out! Hope your year is blessed, too, Terry!!
The quilt is lovely! I looks like it would be great for a round dining table!!!
It would look beautiful on a table, Rose!
When we go up to Rockland, ME antiquing, I am gonna look for the Appleton farmhouse! I went back and looked at your other years in review, too; I’m learning all the time! I could decorate a room–no a house–around the colors in that Tole Tray. Love pink cabbage roses–on dishes, in wallpaper, upholstery material….I am getting itchy for another “road trip”. Ten below is NOT yard sale season!!! I do envy you the prices you are able to buy for but we all have our occasional cheap “finds.” You do awful well, though! Happy hunting to you all in 2018!
Oh I’d love to hear about the farm if you’re able to find it Kathy! I agree 10 below is NOT yard sale season. Thanks so much for all of our support and encouragement in 2017–looking forward to 2018 with you 🙂
Dear Diana, thank you for the purity and dedication to vintage and blogging with truth. I always love your finds and imagine us with our hands on the same things at the same time if we were shopping together. May 2018 bring even more wonderful, interesting goodies to share!
Aww, that’s so sweet of you to say, Sandi! Ha ha, guess we’ll never be able to shop together then 🙂 I hope 2018 is a great year for you too–
Diana, you’re swell to share with us your finding and selling prices. Most wouldn’t do that. I wish I could find a good place to sell locally. I really love the hunt and the rescue, but I can’t keep buying without selling. I do enjoy reading everything you give to us. Love the quilt and everything else!
I wish you had a place, too, Patty. I have to drive 35 minutes to get to the shop I’m in. Do you have anything in that range? I’m so glad you enjoy my blog 🙂 🙂
I’m in a small town near a big city. There are two stores that I’m familiar with in the city, but the areas they rent are small and the prices are high. There is a place here in my town, but it’s off the main street and the traffic is very low…I can’t imagine there’s enough buyers to keep any of the vendors above the cost of their rent. For now, the vintage things I’m holding are only getting older! 🙂
🙂
LOVE that quilt. Someone should buy it at that price. Love the tole tray, and the chair is out of this world! When you sell on Ebay, do you mainly use auction or fixed price?
I start everything out with an auction and then if it doesn’t sell, I switch to fixed price. So far, it seems to be working.
You sure do have an eye for finding great things! I wish you were my neighbor – I’d sure love to hang out with you….but this is the next best thing! Love your blogs. Happy New Year!
Aww, thanks Susan 🙂 You’ve blessed me today!!!
You’ve blessed mine many times over, dear friend….and others! 🙂
🙂
WOW! That soap tin was a real find!! I like the quilt, too! Funny how we can love something, but others, not so much lol Story of my life! Anyway, here’s to another good thrifting year! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm:) xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
Happy thrifting to you too, Kathleen!!
Love the quilt. Has it sold? I’ve emailed you a couple times but apparently they didn’t go thru. Anyway, please tell me about the hexagon quilt. Thanks!