Easter weekend was somewhat quiet around here. Well I should change that to yard sales were rather quiet. Friday on the other hand was busy with 3 estate sales and 2 more on Saturday morning. I'm still in my "taking a break and backing off of ReSelling" mood and just didn't feel like heading out early so I gave Friday a miss.
I did wake up early on Saturday morning and drove to a family run estate sale in Petaluma. After I attended that sale I happened upon a yard sale and immediately spotted the lamp above. Not only did I spot the one lamp but I also spotted it's twin. I bought the pair for $15. After speaking to the seller, Ellen Mueller, I realized that I had attended her sale a year ago. I remembered her because she had so many fabulous vintage children's books. I got to speaking with her and learned that she is an illustrator. You can see her beautiful work here on her site Merry Mint. She and I have such similar tastes with our love of children's books, gnomes, mushrooms, wooden German figures and vintage wares. It was so fun to talk and connect with her. It's not every day you run into someone who has so much in common with you.
Each lamp has a music box which leaves the soldiers spinning around. I'm going to try to see if I can sneak them into Keiran's room. He's turning 9 next Sunday but hopefully he'll be so intrigued with the soldiers that he will want them. If not, I may put them in my future studio.
I also picked up this gorgeous stationary set in the original box.
Inside paper and illustrations - so sweet!
With Cerys in circus I'm drawn to anything with a circus theme.
Little tiny candle holders from Germany.
I picked these up from the first estate sale of the morning. How cute are those images?
Large Collection of Cigar Boxes for craft supply storage.
I have a little wooden shelf unit that I have been collecting cigar boxes for.
The largest cigar box was full of glass tubes with cork plugs. I'm not sure what I'll do with them yet but one thought is possibly to hold German glass glitter. What would you do with them? I think I have around 25 of them.
After two weeks break the children are finally going back to school. We've enjoyed our spring vacation but I'm ready to get back to work. I'm so behind in emails, Little Shop, listing inventory and bookkeeping. Here's to a busy and productive work week.
Did you go thrifting this weekend?
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Don't forget to visit Her Library Adventures for Flea Market Finds.
the glass tubes are a find! you could also stick single flower sprigs into each one tube, and think up a system to join the tubes. i have seen them 'glues' to a window with plastic towel hooks, even individua ones. perhaps i don't explain properly. ask me if you want a better explanation.
anyway, lovely, lovely. also those lamps...
n♥
Posted by: woolf | April 24, 2011 at 10:27 PM
I used to love getting those cigar tubes from my Dad when I was a kid. I have no idea what I ever did with them though. I'd keep an eye out for a test tube holder to display the tubes filled with glitter. That would be so pretty.
I love the lamps, they are so interesting!
Posted by: monogirl | April 24, 2011 at 11:18 PM
Gorgeous German figures, my mum has various things I remember from childhood, especially at Christmas, they're lovely.
Posted by: Faith Hope and Charity Shopping | April 25, 2011 at 12:01 AM
That stationary is fantastic - amazing find.
Posted by: Sir Thrift-A-Lot | April 25, 2011 at 12:13 AM
Just found you via Fiath hope and Charity shopping. Love your blog and have linked up my thrifted finds.
Posted by: Karen Jones - The White Approach | April 25, 2011 at 02:09 AM
beautiful finds as usual. I like the candle holders and stationary set. I'm sure Keiran will love the pretty lamp.
love~mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
Posted by: my thrifty closet | April 25, 2011 at 02:40 AM
I love these playful finds! That lamps is -amazing-, NO other word for it. I love children's book illustrations, too. This week's finds definitely have that aesthetic.
Posted by: Van | April 25, 2011 at 05:47 AM
Here's an idea I recently saw for test tubes. http://myosowonderfulcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/01/test-tube-spice-rack.html
Posted by: Kristi | April 25, 2011 at 05:53 AM
Those tubes are great to store glass beads and charcoal pencils too.
Posted by: Marla | April 25, 2011 at 06:06 AM
You always find the cutest things!!
Posted by: Cheryl | April 25, 2011 at 07:52 AM
The items you found all look so fun and like they were meant to be displayed together. :) Very cheery!
Posted by: manateestoybox | April 25, 2011 at 08:08 AM
I would have been drawn to those lamps, too. How adorable!
And I am a sucker for a cigar box, too. So many things you can use them for. Two of my favorites are wooden ones that were handed down from family.
Tammy
Posted by: tammylovesdishes | April 25, 2011 at 08:38 AM
I have a feeling a 9 y/o may think the lamps too childish even if he secretly likes them. However your 9 y/o knows the value of vintage.
Until you figure out what to do with your tubes you could store them on miniature bottle trees. If you choose something wonderful to put in them permanently you can fill, then seal the top with a layer of wax.
Thanks for stopping by to commiserate.
We spent Easter out in the soggy yard, grateful the snow has melted, burning brush and garbage. Not what I had planned, but glad it is getting done.
Posted by: DogsMom | April 25, 2011 at 08:47 AM
great lamps. so cool that you found a pair! also love the candle holders. i'm curious about your comment that cyris is in "circus" - what does that mean? is it like being in gymnastics only circus themed?
i did go thrifting this weekend and found some great stuff i wanted to blog about but wordpress is giving me some trouble with uploading photos. grrr. i thrifted some craft supplies for our youth group at church so that they could create some visual/tactile meditation experiences for the Stations of the Cross over Easter weekend. it was very successful.
hope you're still feeling like you're recuperating and restoring. look forward to more thoughtful blogs from you!
Posted by: angelika | April 25, 2011 at 09:16 AM
I really really love that circus paper and illustrations! Total delight.
Posted by: Leah - MoxieThrift on Etsy | April 25, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Oh my gosh, I LOVE those lamps!!!!!!! I hope Im not being obnoxious but if you ever decide to sell one or both, will you let me know?!?!
The stationary is beautiful too as are the test tubes. You could hot glue the test tubes together onto a metal ring holder for single flowers. I got something like that at the Antique Fair ly. Very pretty but I think I only bought it to buy something, dont you hate that? I ended up putting diff sands from beaches & tiny "treasures" that my younger daughter brings home from preschool into ea tube & labelling it.
Thanks for another fun (& droolworthy) post! Mary
Posted by: Mary | April 25, 2011 at 11:08 AM
I love the goodies you always find! I think glitter would be just fab in the glass tubes but you just gave me a great idea for my beach sand collection :)
Posted by: Lori | April 25, 2011 at 01:01 PM
OH, what great finds! The writing set is just darling. I'm totally in love acquiring with stationary and paper goods, but I such a hard time actually using it, lol.
The lamps are sweet, too. So lucky to find a pair.
I would probably store beads or other crafty bits in them. I love glass storage, so you can see all the pretty stuff.
For my birthday, I thrifted a big ol' pile of yummy fabric from my fav, the legacy! Yay!
Posted by: Jacquie | April 25, 2011 at 01:32 PM
I just recently saw glass tubes tied together with a ribbon.......3-5.......used for single flowers. Nice center piece.
Posted by: JNC | April 25, 2011 at 05:50 PM
I am lovin' those fabulous lamps. So cute! $15 for 2 of them? Definite score! :)
Posted by: Amy Baldwin | April 25, 2011 at 07:47 PM
i did it!! it's not monday...even all the way across the country, but i got my post up. ;) now i better get my children breakfast and get out of here!
Posted by: rae | April 26, 2011 at 04:40 AM
Great finds this week Selena - especially those lamps. What a bargain. You really do find the coolest things. Bx
Posted by: Barbara | April 26, 2011 at 05:53 AM
I can't believe the things you find. I just don't know how you do it!
Posted by: Grace | April 26, 2011 at 06:46 AM
oh gosh i love the writing note set!
Posted by: chewy bewy | April 26, 2011 at 07:01 PM
I used a supply of glass cigar tubes to make little vases for hanging fresh flowers on our Christmas tree. Some were glittered, some decoupaged, some left plain and I hotglued a ribbon and loop to each. They hung quite nicely on the branches and each held a couple smallish carnations or one larger rose, trimmed for length.
Posted by: Marsha | April 27, 2011 at 12:58 PM