Hanging Teak Lamp
Last Friday my friend Jacki texted me while she stood in line for an estate sale to start in Washington. I didn't go out on Friday because the two estate sales in our area sounded rather dull and I wanted to work on the ReSellers Listing Challenge. I did get distracted as I found the estate sale online that Jacki was going to attend and then of course I got sucked into looking at the photos. Have you ever vicariously experienced an estate sale that someone else is planning to attend? It was so much fun to look at the photos, text her and later hear the story of the sale by phone. She picked up the most fabulous orange Mid Century Modern lamps for $1 a piece. By the end of the day I was really craving a good sale on Saturday.
One of my favorite Estate Sale companies had a sale planned in Petaluma. I was there very early, arriving around 5:30. I had my breakfast in the car as well as coffee. I read the paper, researched items on the iPad and eventually stood in line and visited with the other dealers. The sale wasn't as good as I had liked but I did get some good inventory to sell. This made my effort to be there early worth it.
I headed south to Novato to try some garage sales there. I hit 5 sales and bought nothing. Not a thing. I had one sale left in my GPS which advertised 1960's and 1970's items. I completely read the time wrong and thought it started at noon. Instead it had started at 10 a.m. and was ending at noon which is just about when I was arriving. In the end it was the perfect time because I could negotiate better on the pair of lamps that I bought.
Faux Arc Lamp
The house was nearly empty and I later discovered they have had the sale for the last three weeks. Oops. For some reason this lamp and the teak lamp above hadn't sold. I made an offer for both of them. I paid $100 for the arc lamp. The teak lamp is going to be listed on eBay.
I have a large goal this year in regards to building our savings. Lamp purchases don't typically fit into this, especially at that price. I don't know if you recall the amazing estate sale that I went to on Dave's birthday in July. I fondly call it the Crafter's Estate Sale. I filled the van for $400 and bought at least $4000.00 in inventory if not more. I'm still selling items from that sale. Last fall I finally pulled out the sterling silver belt buckles and belts. I realized that one had a zippered pocket on the inside. I opened it and discovered that previous owner had place two very crisp $100 bills inside! The neighbors could probably here my woots that morning. I placed the bills in my wallet and told myself that I would keep them there for an emergency purchase. I finally used one of them on Saturday to buy the lamp. So in a strange-thrift-math sort of way, the lamp was free.
the lamp at night
Sunday I told Dave that I would be enjoying lunch in the living room with my lamp. He gave me a strange look but understood. I can't tell you how much I adore it. The shade and curved pole are aluminum and the base weighs over a hundred pounds.
My vintage lamp was copied from this: the original Achille Castiglioni lamp. My base is certainly not marble and everything else is a little different. I'm hoping to eventually discover who made and sold this lamp.
While I didn't bring a lot home this weekend, I did find the faux arc lamp which is probably going to be on my list of top ten finds of 2012. The thrifted life is good.
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.
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Don't forget to visit Her Library Adventures for Flea Market Finds.
That lamp is AWESOME!!! I hit a bunch of garage sales and a couple of estate sales and two small flea markets and came home with NOTHING! :( But on a brighter note, I sold a bunch of vintage Barbie clothes on eBay and netted about $250 (invested $8). I plan to go thrifting today, so hopefully I'll find some goodies.
Posted by: Marianne | February 13, 2012 at 06:38 AM
Oh my goodness, my goodness me. That lamp is COMPLETELY amazing!
And isn't finding money in your thrifted goods the best thing evs? I found £5 in a £3 coat a few days ago and it made my week!
Posted by: Lulastic | February 13, 2012 at 06:47 AM
Whoa. I cannot get over that mid century teak lamp. What a find!
Posted by: Noe @ Adella Avenue | February 13, 2012 at 06:47 AM
Your lamp is so cool! And so is the one for ebay. Though my house is more "cottage-y", I appreciate all things vintage and think you really scored. And your story about finding the crisp $100 is amazing! I fantasize about finding treasures in old books sometimes! My recent "score" is that I bought a large remnant of 40's cotton 36" wide fabric for $1.00 at an estate sale a couple weeks ago and sold it for $72 on Saturday. There were 6 yards and I listed it for $12/yard and a gal from Australia bought it all. That made me very happy! Congrats on your lamp and I'm glad to hear your mom is stable for now.
Lynn at Cottage and Creek
Posted by: Lynn at Cottage and Creek | February 13, 2012 at 06:50 AM
the hanging lamp is so beautiful!
mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
Posted by: my thrifty closet | February 13, 2012 at 07:03 AM
I love that you had lunch with your lamp...and that your husband got it. :) It is gorgeous.
Posted by: stephanie | February 13, 2012 at 07:27 AM
what a beautiful arc lamp! oh, and i get that 'look' all of the time from my hubby when i bring home new finds for the house :)
Posted by: Rachael | February 13, 2012 at 07:28 AM
Love the lamp, Had one like it when we were younger and gave it away when my husband and I moved out of the country. Have seriously missed it. Nice to see one again, this time in your living room. It looks much better with you than it did with me. Congrats!
Posted by: Lisanne | February 13, 2012 at 08:39 AM
Do you have a link for your ebay shop anywhere? I have looked over your site, but can't find it. I was thinking of going to that estate sale, but there's no way I can get up early like you can! Thanks!
Posted by: Megan | February 13, 2012 at 08:39 AM
My eBay ID is super easy to remember: apronthriftgirl :-) I dont have a regular link to it on the sidebar but I do link to it in individual post from time to time. Thanks for asking.
xoxo
Selena
Posted by: Selena Cate | February 13, 2012 at 09:00 AM
Wow, what a fabulous find! The lamp is a perfect fit with your decor. Thanks so much for sharing and for hosting:-)
Posted by: Betsy | February 13, 2012 at 09:58 AM
I love both of those lamps! I've been looking for a hanging lamp like that for awhile now. I'll have to check out your listings (though I'm probably too cheap to pull the trigger!) Great luck on finding the $110 bills.
Posted by: Nikki | February 13, 2012 at 10:00 AM
These are great finds! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Alexandra | February 13, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Fantastic arc lamp. Thanks again for hosting. Your posts are inspiring. Love coming back to read each post (and re-read earlier posts as well).
Posted by: Joy P | February 13, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Thanks for hosting. Always happy to have a post to share and to check out the other posts.
Posted by: Rob Hunt | February 13, 2012 at 12:15 PM
Your living room is well put together and that arc lamp looks like it was just meant to be. My next thrifting trip I'm gonna search for belts with zipper pockets! Thanks for hosting- Makes Mondays fun.
Posted by: Merci | February 13, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Your arc light is amazing. And it really was sort of free. BTW, I love that chair in your living room with the wooden arms. We had one similar to it in my house when I was a kid.
Posted by: Pam | February 13, 2012 at 01:41 PM
That lamp! That lamp!! Just gorgeous! Definitely worthy of surprise found money!
Posted by: BeckyKay | February 13, 2012 at 02:50 PM
both those lamps are amazing - especially the arc lamp. i totally understand your desire to have lunch with it. man, i'd be waiting for it to get dark all the time. it's beautiful. i am constantly amazed at the amount of estate sales you go to and the amazing stuff you get there. my goal this year is to start reselling. here's hoping i'm as successful as you are!
Posted by: angelika | February 13, 2012 at 03:57 PM
AHHHHH I'm so jealous of that arc lamp!! I have been wanting an arc lamp ever since I first laid eyes on a pictures of one, but I have neither the space nor the money for one. I would eat many a meal basking in the glow of such a lamp. Well done!
Posted by: Julia@a-living-space | February 13, 2012 at 04:19 PM
I LOVE the lamps. You posts remind me that I need to SPEND money to MAKE money. I always hold back when buying from a lot of vintage, maybe I need to buy them out-- I'm opening a vintage shop, after all! ;)
Posted by: Van | February 13, 2012 at 04:20 PM