C Jere Owls on a Branch
I couldn't sleep a wink on Friday night because of these cheeky little owls. I received an email on Friday for an estate sale company and these owls were nonchalantly displayed on the lower shelf of a little table unit. I knew immediately that they were designed by C. Jere and I knew that I had to have them. Every time I woke that night and into the early morning these owls popped into my head. Finally at 6:25 I gave up trying to sleep, got in my car and drove out to the estate sale. I signed my name on the list (#3) and impatiently waited for the sale to open the doors at 9am.
Two women were in front of me in line. I knew that the owls were in the dining room thanks to some hints in the photographs. As soon as the door opened we scurried in and I went in search of those owls. It was as if I was trying to run in a dream. You know where you are basically stuck in cement. These two women walked ever so slowly toward the dining room. Finally I was able to dash around them and grab the owls without knocking a single thing over. My heart was beating like crazy as I held this beautiful enamel work of art in my hands.
Mama Owl & Baby
I paid $35 for the owls and they now hang above my mantel. The little Christmas houses and white twinkle lights were finally cleared away this weekend as I proudly displayed this C. Jere piece on the wall. This week I'm going to do the difficult thing and list the owls on eBay. I'll probably list it at a somewhat silly price because they go perfectly in my house. Here's one currently for sale. I can't tell you how many times I've had to walk in the living room, sit on the couch and admire this little family of owls. I'm so in love.
I told myself aloud this evening that I needed to start buying valuable items that I don't like so much. It would make my job easier.
Pottery Bird (owl?) $3
This little bird also joined the mantel and came from the same estate sale.
27 Small Drawer Cabinet $35
I had so many finds this weekend that I hardly know which to call my favorite. This cabinet is filled with drawers that are about 14" x 9" and it's going to be home for all the little items that need to be sold on eBay. I may have a drawer for jewelry, flatware, art supplies, rubber stamps and so on. I was going to paint it before fitting it in my inventory closet but I had decided to paint it once we move to our next and final home. Any color suggestions? Paint or spray paint? I'm planning to start filling up the drawers this week and put the cabinet to work.
Artist Ernst Hakon Svarstad
I bought this painting because I loved it and not because of the potential value. It was a few dollars and very unique because it's painted on wicker. I did research the artist when I arrived home. It turns out this artist is well known enough to have a page at Artnet.com. I have yet to find a price of a sold piece at an auction though. I'll do some more research this week once the children are back in school. For now it also has joined the owls on the mantel.
Little envelopes and library card holders for an upcoming Make Share craft. 50¢
Lyon Cortez Flatware
This wasn't found locally but it did arrive this week so I'd thought that I would include it. Do you remember my wish post about this pattern? With money a bit odd at the moment, Dave and I decided to buy presents on sale after Christmas. Dave picked a small item out but I never found anything that interested me. I heart vintage and nothing in the retail world teased me in the slightest. This set of Lyon Cortez flatware appeared on eBay and I bid and lost. The person who won apparently complained about the set and returned them and I was offered the set for $34. I couldn't say yes quick enough. I have decided that it would make the most ideal Christmas gift ever. They arrived, they were perfect and I adore them.
As requested, here are some Thrift Share items heading to Little Shop.
Keiran spotted these sweet dolls. They are available here.
Vintage Gnomes Table Linen is available here.
Vintage Mod Necklace is available here.
Overall it was a fantastic thrifting weekend. I have a two boxes of books to list, a large bin of items heading to eBay, a few items for Etsy and some others sweet finds for Little Shop. I also picked up a few things for the house. A perfect weekend.
Please take a chance to visit one of my new favorite blogs, Her Library Adventures. She has a thrift sharing opportunity every week called Flea Market Finds. I adore her photography, writing and thrift style. I'd love for you to pop in and leave a link to your thrifted finds.
Did you go thrifting this weekend?
Thrift Share Monday celebrates the Art of Thrifting. As a community of readers and bloggers we are able to connect through the process of buying second hand, selling and sharing.
We Thrift - We Share
Here are some guidelines if you would like to join Thrift Share:
- Your Thrift Share Monday blog post should include your thrifted finds from the weekend.
- Create a blog post with photos of your items.
- Link your Thrift Share Monday post back to Apron Thrift Girl.
- Link to your Thrift Share Monday post on Apron Thrift Girl using inlinkz below.
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Omg we are so like kindred spirits. Ive been thrifting since im 15 and cant get enough of it! I decorated a garden party several years ago all from thrift store finds. Im definately gonna check out the other blogs.
Posted by: IYAMPAM | January 17, 2011 at 03:28 AM
I, too eyed those owls in the sale pictures. I debated if I was going to go. I am so glad I didn't (even though I wanted them badly). I don't think I could have beat you....LOL
Posted by: Terri D | January 17, 2011 at 06:33 AM
And again, I love each item you've found! Especially the art and the drawer for storing your stock. I'm in love with the C Jere Owls, too. I remember you made a beautiful felted wall hanging based on those, I love the imperfect geometric shapes and bright colors. I would have a very hard time selling it, too!
Posted by: Van | January 17, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Looks like you had quite the finds Selena! Those enamel owls are great, and that cabinet - love it. Things are a bit crazy here on the weekends, but you continue to inspire me to add estate sales to my list of things to do.
Posted by: Alyssa | January 17, 2011 at 06:57 AM
OMG! I think the owls you bought are sooooo much pretiter than the one you showed us on ebay! Good luck!
Posted by: Linda Cloer | January 17, 2011 at 06:58 AM
Those owls are a tough call. That's a lot of money to be made, especially since the eBay owls seem to be in less than perfect condition.
Thanks again for hosting Thrift Share Monday!
Posted by: monogirl | January 17, 2011 at 07:04 AM
I was SO excited to see the posting in your shop for the gnome linen (her reminds me of the Tomtem) that I rushed over there without leaving a comment here about your owls. They. Are. Amazing. Truly!
Posted by: Brittany | January 17, 2011 at 07:09 AM
What fabulous treasures you found. I would have bought all of that myself lol
Posted by: Cheryl | January 17, 2011 at 07:43 AM
WOW- you had a great week!!! I love all your treausres- the owls are AMAZING & the drawers are great!- I Love vintage orangizers- Happy Monday:)
Posted by: stacey | January 17, 2011 at 07:56 AM
I was going to say "keep the owls", but after checking their price on Ebay I see your dilemma. Wow! Do what feels best in your heart - don't feel bad about keeping them though, if you truly love them. :)
Posted by: Leah in FL | January 17, 2011 at 08:02 AM
I think our find of the weekend was a glockenspiel/xylophone in a case (barely used) for $1. We sold it the SAME DAY on Ebay for $60! That was fun!!
You get so lucky at estate sales, we are very jealous. Around here they are too pricey!!
LOVE the owls - great find!!
Posted by: Jeanie | January 17, 2011 at 08:20 AM
Those owls are stunning! What a beautiful find. I hope you make lots of money on them to help with the sting of loosing them!
Posted by: Kari | January 17, 2011 at 08:54 AM
I love the owls! My camera is on the blink so I can't share my loot from this weekend, but if it is allowed, I can share this old post on some thrifting finds-I'm posting in the comments since it isn't a new find.
http://littleorangekitchen.typepad.com/my_little_orange_kitchen/2007/08/vintage-kitchen.html
Posted by: LAURA | January 17, 2011 at 09:09 AM
It's my belief that we should avoid doing things we will regret. And I think you will regret selling those owls. You can always find other things to sell, and if you get tired of them you can sell them later. You love them. Keep them!
Posted by: Queen of Fifty Cents | January 17, 2011 at 09:12 AM
I'm really jealous of the owls - they're so desirable and valuable. Where we are in southern cal, there's no way that would survive in an estate sale. They'd probably just put it right into auction online. C Jere is just too well known by the dealers - I went to a flea mkt this weekend and a dealer was telling her friend that they had set up an estate sale the past weekend where they priced a C Jere (one of the multi-bird hangings) at $1200. They sold it off the wall in the first 5 minutes. Anyhow, that's such a great score!
Posted by: A La Modern | January 17, 2011 at 09:37 AM
um, WOW. those owls are unbelieable. how can you bear to part with them? i think this is what would make me a crappy reseller... but your point about buying things you don't love to resell is well taken. do you do alot of research before you head out or while you're there or is it just experience?
the russian ornaments are similar to a box set i picked up when i was in Kiev in 2003. mine are of the onion church tops that are so prevalent in the former soviet union. we pick up christmas ornaments whenever we travel and it's so wonderful to unpack them every year and remember each trip.
alas, i didn't hit one thrift shop this weekend, so i'm empty handed. good thing i can live vicariously through you!
Posted by: angelika | January 17, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Selena, Congrats on all your treasure finds. Those owls are so totally YOU...I can hear your heart going pit-a-pat all the way from CALI every time you look at them.
My advice---not that you've asked for it, lol: Don't sell them. Keep them--for now. Live with 'em and love 'em. Sell everything else but 'em. Then, in a few months, see if the passion is still there. If it isn't it's always easier to let go, knowing the item goes freely. They look spectacular on your wall and they are soooooooo YOU and ATG; my credo is one perfect thing is But the decision is entirely yours, of course, lol.
Posted by: Sunny | January 17, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Ooooppps, buttah fingers made me delete a line: My credo is: One perfect thing is better than a million close to perfect.
Posted by: Sunny | January 17, 2011 at 10:18 AM
I dont generally research before going to a sale. I buy things based on what I know and I also use my iphone to look a few items up. Looking things up does slow me down but it can mean the different of a lot of money if I find something valuable. Most of the time more than anything else though I go with my intuition. Thank you for your own experience of Russian ornaments. My grandfather was born in Kiev. I hope to go there one day. Your trip sounds heavenly.
xoxo Selena
Posted by: Selena Cate | January 17, 2011 at 10:21 AM
okay, dont tell Dave but Ill put the owls in the back of the queue to be listed on eBay. Maybe by the time I get to list them our money challenges will be flowing in a positive way and they can stay where they are above my mantel. Thanks to everyone who suggested that I keep them. You guys are all the best.
xoxo Selena
Posted by: Selena Cate | January 17, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Please keep the owls for a while. :) You know where they will be if you need them.
Posted by: Monica | January 17, 2011 at 10:56 AM
I can totally relate when your heart is racing to get such a great find! Yay, you did it! Love the owls...they are definite keepers (but I also understand how sometimes ya gotta 'em sell, too). The painting is also a wonderful pick up!
Posted by: Michelle | January 17, 2011 at 01:59 PM
So glad to hear the owl aren't on the fast track out of there. They are awesome, Selena! Always loevely to hear about your weekend.
Posted by: Angela | January 17, 2011 at 03:41 PM
The Owls are amazing indeed, I think you should hold on to them for sure!!!
Posted by: Lara | January 17, 2011 at 03:54 PM
These "OWLS" are sooooo darn cute!!! Thanks for hosting this fun party.
Blessings,
Linda
Posted by: Linda@Coastal Charm | January 17, 2011 at 04:19 PM