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Thursday, April 11, 2013

J Is For Junk

One man's junk is another man's treasure!



And in this case, I was working at the auctions and brought home
this French-Bauer milk crate!


I happened to be clerking at the time. 
 It was at the very end of the auction and most people had left for the day.
  We were on the last table
of goods and it was full of military items, uniforms, canteens and
boxes of ammunition.  There were only a half dozen men there bidding...
hunters...rougher looking guys than the ones that were there to
bid on the front tables of fine china and collectibles earlier in the day. :)

The very last item, which didn't seem to fit on this table, was a "french
dairy crate" as the auctioneer called it.  Bids?  Any?  haha
Those men, with their arms full of boxes of ammo, had no more interest
in a pink tutu than a French dairy crate.  haha.  So, I bid!
And brought it home for $2.00.  
One just sold on etsy for $75.  No lie!

I'm all linked up with the A to Z Challenge!
Click on the link on my sidebar to learn more!


63 comments:

  1. You sure do make me want to start going to auctions! I'm always into "other people's junk" it seems. Even when I take our trash to the dump, I find myself scanning the pile for hidden treasure. Hahahahha...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know exactly how you feel! The porch swing that the crate is on? It was in my next door neighbors trash....out on the curb one night with their garbage cans. haha.

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  2. Working at auctions would be bad for me. I probably wouldn't make a red cent that I didn't want to spend on something. My husband would be ready to go through the roof. :)

    Right now I have my eyes peeled for canning jars. They're so great for keeping all kinds of stuff in; rice, sunflower seed nuts, buttons, candy, marbles, sugar... But I don't feel like buying them new full price.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have, although not often, spent my whole paycheck for the day. haha. But it's the super cheap items that really thrill me!...and the trash is even better! Auctions are great places for the canning jars. I've gotten many there...and the thrift stores...one or two at a time. They are fun to collect, I agree! And Pinterest has so many cute ideas for using them!

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  3. I love that! Totally jealous right now.

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  4. Wow, right place right time! That's a sweet bargain right there!

    Hope your day is wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very fun. And yes, I agree...if that crate was sold up front with the high end collectibles, it would have gone for a lot of money!

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  5. Two dollars! What a steal! I love that crate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is SO heavy! I thought maybe I'd put it in my etsy shop, but I don't know if many would be willing to pay the shipping! I think it will just stay here and hold some jars of flowers. :)

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  6. LOVE the trash to TREASURE! Such fun! AND OH SO CHARMING!!!!

    As B says...is it because it is beautiful? OR is it the THRILL of the HUNT!?!?

    OH! A lot of BOTH!

    Pleasant day at auction yesterday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes, it is both! haha.
      This wasn't from yesterday's auction, btw...one earlier this month.

      Delete
  7. A second life....
    :-)
    Best regards from France,

    Pierre

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  8. ooo really cool milk crate...i love stuff like that...and finding treasure as well...yard sales....def a fav for me....

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  9. What a buy! Well done you and more fool these macho guys who could have made themselves a nice little earner with this gorgeous crate! take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. they could have...so true! Or maybe their wives would have appreciated it! Oh well...their loss!

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  10. I wonder what wonderful thing you will turn it into!!! Can't wait to see what you will do!! I just like the way the picture looks...it would even be nice matted and framed...You make junk look good Betsy!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I kind of like it full of canning jars and flowers. Maybe a centerpiece for the dining room table. Or maybe Pinterest will give me some ideas! I'll have to look!

      Delete
  11. Sometimes the auctioneers don't know what they're selling, it's true. My sister once donated approximately $200.00 worth of dishes with a Blue Willow pattern to an auction hoping to raise money for her church. The auctioneer just said "dishes" and they fetched an ungodly (pun intended) $4.00!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, he knew what he was selling. He just didn't have the right audience!

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  12. Now you just need some milk bottles to put in it. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. that would be a fun thing to collect!

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    2. My boys dug one out of the hill behind our house. I stuffed it full of Christmas lights. You can sort of see it behind my coffee cup in my profile picture. :)

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  13. Replies
    1. Had a phone call
      Was slowed down because of my crummy work hall haha

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    2. Work certainly can get in the way
      when on the blogs you want to play!
      haha. Still I saw you lurking there
      so beat you to the comment you share.

      Delete
    3. Nasty stalker stats thing
      Giving me away at your wing

      Delete
    4. Oh, but I love it...
      letting me snoop just a bit!

      Delete
  14. Damn that is a good turn over rate
    To sell at your etsy gate
    The ammo hounds may have liked a pink tutu though
    You never know what they do at their show

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. just so they do it behind closed doors.
      I don't care what they do at their shores.
      haha. Guns and tutus might be fun!
      Maybe pink bullets for their guns!

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    2. haha that would sure be a sight
      Might see some in a whole new light

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    3. I'll leave that to you
      and those attracted to your zoo.
      haha.

      Delete
  15. That is beautiful. Some old stuff is so nice. But it has to go through its ugly period first. The time when it isn't quite old enough to be lovely, and just old enough to be old. Olive green appliance will come back in style.

    I see you are serving coffee. Could I get a cup? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, stranger! The coffee is always on here! So great to see you!

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  16. This proves that auctions are really useful and that you can get some nice stuff from them Betsy, love this!

    ReplyDelete
  17. wow, what a great buy, you must be smiling for sure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, I was...especially at the story with the men there to bid. haha.

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  18. Great crate! And the blue tint jars are perfect in it. Very shabby chic!
    Love the Dwight Moody quote. Reminds us to be humble.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is that his quote? I couldn't find that...only 'unknown'. Thanks!

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    2. I meant the quote on your sidebar you have by Moody.

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    3. Oh! haha...I thought you meant the junk/treasure quote. :) Yes, isn't that a good one? I just recently found it and loved it!

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  19. love so much Betsy really you were lucky again!
    Im jealous too. !lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. wish you lived close...you could come with me! :)

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  20. What a great find! Never been to an auction -- those fast-talking people scare me. :) I know folks who love to go and just watch all the excitement going on.
    Nice to be here and visit your site.
    Silvia @ Silvia Writes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I know what you mean! The first day at work I was totally lost...I couldn't tell what they were saying, either and I was supposed to record it on a computer! haha. And yes, it is a fun day to just sit back and watch!

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  21. Wow - you got that for a steal! I love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought it was very cool...I've never seen one like it!

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  22. I would not have been able to resist this either, Betsy, although my husband would have asked me whatin the world I was going to do with it..lol! I think it makes a lovely flower box!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha...The Mister doesn't ask that anymore...I think he's given up! :)

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  23. Replies
    1. haha..well, it helps when the bidders don't care a lick about what is up for bid!

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  24. What an awesome deal :) good for you!

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  25. Hi Betsy - what a great investment .. cheers Hilary

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  26. I just bought a wood milk crate marked French Bauer and it includes the 30 half-pint bottles! I'm going to clean it up and place flowers in them. I also have wood crate marked Cloister Milk Company with 24 half-pint bottles. I quess this means I'm starting another collection! Joette

    ReplyDelete
  27. I just found a wood milk crate marked French Bauer and it holds 30 half-pints, which came with it! I also have a crate marked Cloister Milk Company and it holds 24 half-pints, which also was included. I have cleaned them, stained them, and now they are holding picked flowers in them. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh lucky you!!!! How cool to have the bottles along with the crate. I'd love to see a photo...perfect for flowers!

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    2. Hey...you need to start a blog so I can come and visit you! :) I want to see your collection!

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