5 Things I’m Looking for at Garage Sales in 2018 + Free Printables
Are you looking forward to garage sale season as much as I am? I still have several weeks to wait, but I am anticipating the day, when I’ll have multiple sales to choose from, and I won’t have to drive forever to reach them.
In preparation for that day, I considered what sorts of things I want to keep an eye out for, and have five to share with you today. They aren’t terribly expensive items, but they can take some patient hunting to find.
Let’s get started with the 5 things I’m looking for at garage sales: leather books, alarm clocks, wicker wrapped bottles, flower frogs, and trophies.
Oh, and at the end of the post, you’ll find some free printables that can help you get organized before you head out to garage sales this season.
1. Leather books
I love decorating with old leather books, particularly stacking them, as I have here on a baker’s rack that I recently gave a makeover. The colors tend to be soft and neutral, making them easy to decorate with, and they add a certain “cultured” look to your home, even if you’ve never read any of them, LOL.
Because of my frugal nature, I don’t like to pay a lot for them (or for anything, for that matter), so I try to pick them up for $2-4.00 each, depending on their condition, title, and color.
Part of the fun of buying, particularly for myself, is finding treasures at a low cost. That’s because I’m cheap, but also because in many cases, I will sell all or part of my collection at some point in the future and I certainly don’t want to “lose” money on an item.
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2. Alarm Clocks
I’ve found myself over the last couple of years, decorating frequently with vintage or vintage-looking alarm clocks. This one I picked up for a couple of dollars a year or so ago.
My alarm clock collection (yes, it happened accidentally) came in handy for my daughter’s graduation party last June. Perfect little reminders of the passage of time that I used to decorate a vintage suitcase labeled “cards.”
I rescued the rusty old clock(in front) from the garbage heap at an estate sale–you certainly can’t beat “free,” now, can you?
3. Wicker Wrapped Bottles
My most popular Instagram photo (above) highlighted these rattan-wrapped bottles. They come in all different sorts of shapes and sizes and make for great decorating, particularly in the fall.
I like to buy them in the $2-4 range when I can. Sometimes they come quite dusty or even a little dirty. I brush them with a soft bristled brush (that I save for this purpose), and often that takes care of it.
However, if necessary, I put them right in the sink and use the sink sprayer to try and remove the excess dirt. If it needs a little more aggression, I’ll use a soft bristled toothbrush and lightly rub, adding some mild dish detergent if necessary. Allow them to air dry.
Related Article:
4. Flower Frogs
I buy and sell quite a lot of flower frogs, but I also have several that I keep on hand for decorating. [I don’t really want to call it a “collection,” but I guess that is, in fact, what I have, ha ha.]
What I’m looking for this year, are some more unusual examples, perhaps some pretty ceramic ones or glass versions in unique colors. This ceramic frog is marked “Copenhagen, Denmark. Not in very good shape, I picked it up at a sale for 50¢.
Related:
- Flower Frog Collecting Guide
- Decorating with Flower Frogs
- Flower Frog Video
- Flower Frog Price Guide in the Member Library (get access when you subscribe to my weekly newsletter)
5. Trophies
Trophies may be among the most difficult items on my list to find. The combination of decorators scouring the earth for them, and the fact that a limited number were made (they’re not really a repeat buy in the same way that books are, for example), make them hard to come by.
I have five total, in varying sizes. I especially enjoy these two small ones, but I used my largest a couple of years ago as an alternative Easter basket. They look wonderful styled together, but don’t forget that they make great vases and planters, too.
So, that’s what I’ll be treasure-hunting at this year’s garage sales. How about you? What will you be searching for?
You might be interested in these posts:
The Top 5 Things I’m Looking for at Garage Sales (2016)
Adirondack Girl’s Garage Sale Guide
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Oh my, you buy such great stuff at great prices! The garage sale season started a few weeks ago and so far I haven’t been to a lot. But the estate sales and garage sales I have made it to have produced some fun stuff. I look for the same stuff you do, but I add craft supplies to that list. Usually I can find paper, fun stamps, beads and supplies for jewelry making. But mason jars, buttons, silver plate, wooden boxes all make it home with me, too. Along with gardening stuff, galvanized containers and enamelware. Too. Much. Stuff.
If I listed EVERYTHING I look for, it’d be a big thick book, LOL. I love to get craft supplies at garage sales, too, Laura (and everything else you mentioned!). Agreed–too much stuff…
I love everything you are looking for and wouldn’t pass up any of them! Can’t wait for sales, but lots more snow heading here this week…
I heard! Not sure what’s in store for us this weekend. Had a few flakes last night, though 🙂 We’ll just have to wait it out, I guess…
Great idea to keep your top wants in mind when shopping. I love flower frogs and my ceramic one’s are my favorites! Love the clocks and just may have to keep an eye out for some.
Ooh, I’d love to see your ceramic flower frogs Linda 🙂 Have you posted any on your blog or Instagram? Here’s hoping for a good season of vintage shopping!
I’m looking for a medium sized globe. It seems like there are only big ones and the tin bank size. I also want to get it at a decent price! Not asking for much, am I?
Ha ha! I think you’re right about that size being hard to find, but I hope you have good luck this season, Fonda!!
Oooo… good list!!
Thanks Melissa! I notice you’ve already made some amazing finds–go girl 🙂
A great list, I love and collect all but leather covered books and I am going to add that to my search list too. Happy hunting!
Ooh, glad I could provide a little inspiration, Sharon 🙂 Good luck!
OMGoodness, Diana I have a whole tote of flower frogs…I should do a post on–if I can locate them in the disaster that is the basement right now. Roseville, Fulper, McCoy and a bunch of glass ones which are hard to label. Let me know when you are going to do that post—and I will try and have info and pics for it. Great items to look for….too.
My goodness, Sandi, that would be wonderful, even if you could take photos of just the 2 or 3 best ones, that’d be fantastic. One aerial shot, one side and one of the bottom if marked (in daylight only). I’m not too picky, am I, LOL.
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen rattan covered bottles at an estate sale around here and we rarely see flower frogs. They must not be Chicago-ish items. LOL
That’s so sad, Kim, but I’m sure you have a lot of things that we don’t have over here in the east.
For myself, I am always on the lookout for milk glass reasonably priced, esp Fenton, Imperial, and Westmoreland. Glass shoes. Paperback murder mysteries. Old tan Hardy Boys. Vintage dishes with pink roses. Dollhouse treasures. Craft supplies/stamping/silk flowers/beads/cloth,etc. Small international dolls. Whatever takes my fancy. For my booth which is mostly vintage, anything that I find reasonably priced. I would like to get over my fear of buying furniture. I am including some upcycled stuff and simple sewed stuff like pillows/pillow tops/ table runners/table cloths. I love old linens and glass altho it does not sell well. I can’t wait for yard sale season; still have snow bankings in the yard; it’ll be a while in Maine!
You’ve got quite a list there, Kathy 🙂 I hope you find all kinds of great stuff this season (whenever the snow melts!). I agree linens and glass do not sell well for me either. I’ve got to resist buying them, even when priced low. Happy hunting!
I will be on the lookout for these items. I am lucky since they have garage sales all year round here. Winter is especially good for them. Enjoy your week.
You ARE lucky Debra! I go through withdrawal in the winter…:)
Great decorating tips!! Thank you!
Thanks so much for this list and the printables you so freely share. Great information!
Diana, I need to play copy cat & come up with an updated list for me, but my trouble is, I don’t really have a most-wanted list. I just “know it when I see it.” Haha.
I have so many items still to be listed in my etsy shop that I don’t know when I’ll be able to justify any more shopping! My go-to items would be trophies (nearly impossible to find around here) and frogs since I started collecting them over 20 years ago. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home