365 Days Of Junk - Day 7

USPS State Bird & Flower Stamps

Today, I found a sheet of 50 USPS stamps, matted and framed. The stamps are state stamps depicting each state's state bird and state flower. The value of each stamp is 20 cents. They were apparently issued in 1982. I paid $5.45 for them. It cracks me up that 2 stamps won't even cover the cost of postage to mail 1 letter, today!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 6

Aaron Fink Red Apple II

This is a matted & framed painting by artist Aaron Fink. According to the sticker on the back, the title is "Red Apple II". I found this in a thrift store and paid $7.77 for it. SCORE!
I have it hanging in the house.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 5

Elephant Basket

This is a basket with an elephant head lid. It has handles on the side, so I think it's meant to be a laundry hamper/basket. It makes me smile to look at it! I think I paid $2.52 for it, which makes me smile even more! I found it in a thrift store, of course.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 4

Miniature Lane Cedar Chest

I know it sounds silly, but this item is near and dear to my heart. Lane Furniture originated in Altavista VA, my parents hometown. My beloved maternal grandfather, and 2 of my great grandfathers worked for Lane. When I find something made by Lane, especially pieces made in Altavista, I always try to purchase them. I hope that my grandfather has had some hand in making the pieces that I find.

The miniature Lane Cedar Chests are mini versions of the standard size chests. They were used as salesman's samples for furniture stores. This one is marked with the name of a furniture store in Florida.

People used these as jewelry boxes or keepsake boxes. It has a lock and would have come with a key. It's rare to find one that still has them key with it, but I think you can easily find replacement keys.

Oh yeah... I found this particular one in a thrift store for $1.21!

365 Days of Junk - Day 3

Topsy-Turvy Doll

You've  seen one of these, right?

It's all the same doll! This one is a Little Red Riding Hood topsy-turvy doll. On one end, it has Little Red Riding Hood with her dress and her hood. When you pull her skirt up and flip the doll over, you have Grandma on one side and The Wolf on the other side. Grandmas bonnet covers The Wolf's face so that you can't see him until it's removed. 

I found this doll at a local thrift store for $1.91. It totally reminds me of my childhood, because I had several of these types of dolls, which my mother purchased from a specialty gift shop. When I found it, I started researching it and discovered that they are called Topsy-Turvy Dolls. They were traditionally handmade folk art dolls that had a white female doll on one end and a black female doll on the other. 

My mother recently found some new ones in a specialty store in Charleston, SC. She bought several for Sophie & me. It is just amazing to see the dolls that people can create!

Fun, yes?

365 Days Of Junk - Day 2

A Horse Tricycle 

I decided to stay with the horse theme and share this piece. I consider it to be a horse tricycle. I'm not sure if it has another name. This one is probably a reproduction of an older one but this one is still vintage. He's made of wood, with metal wheels & handle bar, and has a leather saddle. I think his tail is real horse hair. I purchased him from a flea market/junk store a while ago. I don't remember exactly how much I paid for him, but I think it was in the $40 range.

Sophie likes to try to ride him. She's entirely too big for it, so it's hilarious to watch!

Happy New Year!

HHHHHHAPPY New Year, friends!!!!!!!! I wanted to take a minute to wish everyone health and happiness for 2013. May all of your dreams come true!