Of Books and Cats and Granite Counter Tops

I love books. As I wrote earlier, I have piles and piles of books. I went to an auction last week and bought 8 boxes (for $15). I am bringing a bunch of books into Gypsy Lea's for the October sale. I price them low because I want them to go. I cannot throw out a book. That is a sacrilege. I shutter at trashing even the most mouldy and disarticulated book. I have piles of old encyclopedia that I may some day cut apart and frame.

A pile that I am keeping

Books and plates for the October Sale.

Willy checking the stack.

Simon supervising the sorting.


My best friend - Babe

And my tiny little Gracie

I will price many of the children's book and religious books for $1 or less and there will be a number of books with a free tag just to keep them in circulation.

Mr. Flannery

Too Much Brake and it Will Hit the Road

On the road to St. Cloud this morning I came upon this truck pulling a trailer with porta potties. The front PP appeared to be a 2 seater and didn't fit onto the trailer bed. It was leaning to the passenger side (the truck passenger, not the PP)and would wobble on a bump or curve. I decided that to the rear, so to speak, was not the best position to be in, so I passed at the next opportunity.


Mr. Flannery

Some Pieces on the Sidewalk

A job that they wouldn't let Mr. Flannery do.



There was a bunch of stuff on the sidewalk at Gypsy Lea's when I got there with my couch and chair. The dress is on an adjustable Victorian dress form. The stained glass is a pair of side light panels in a wood moving frame.

Mr. Flannery

P.S. A few more photos from inside the shop:

I Need Some Upholstered Furniture

There appears to be a trend in our sales at Gypsy Lea's and Maple Lake Antiques. Upholstered furniture is hot. The same trend is showing up at auctions too. The chair that I used to buy for $5 and then sell for $10-15, is now unobtainable for $50. I deal in a lot of hard furniture, dressers, tables, cupboards, counters and it is nice to have a couch or side chair to soften the entire look. I have been selling every upholstered piece almost as soon as I bring it into the shop.

The competition at auctions and the desirability of such pieces in the shop may be related to the interest in decorating (redecorating - or in many of our cases, continuous sequential decorating) on a budget. Even with the economic downturn, a decent sofa at a furniture store will be more than a $1000. So a nice sofa, at a recycling shop for $200-$300 is one hell of a bargain.

I'm not sure what this posting means. I just wish I could find some upholstered furniture to class up and soften my displays.

Update: I stopped at a rare Sunday garage sale in Sauk Rapids on my way to Gypsy Lea's. Much to my surprise I bought a decent 1950's green couch and matching arm chair. I guess that whining sometimes helps.


Mr. Flannery

We Always Have Fun at Dave Miller's Auctions

I went to my normal Thursday evening auction at Dave Miller's in St. Cloud. The auction staff are always entertaining and friendly. Its often one of the social highlights of my week. (Mr. Flannery doesn't get out much).

Dave and sil Dave selling

Its always fun to pop the bubble wrap

Friends Steve & Terry

in our Hog Pen Corner

One on my newest Hogs

My metal washbowl frame

Some of my game boards

I bought this 1880's coat hook

with mirror

thing-a-ma-gigs by the lot

Dave

The very patient Jan Miller