Week 1: Vintage Honey Holes and Giveaways

Week 1 of Town Cleanup was a success, despite the fact that I passed on this.

 

And this.

 

And even this, which really grossed me out because of the dead heads attached to the antlers. But as soon as I walked away, another picker snatched them up.

 

And my vehicle -- a van not a truck -- didn't look like this as I was driving home.

 

But I'm still doing the happy dance because I found not one but two vintage honey holes. A honey hole, if you're not a watcher of "American Pickers," is a spot where the good finds are in abundance. Both spots were in front of houses that looked like your grandmother might have lived there.

 

Here's one of them. Doesn't look like much, does it? So what made me stop?

 

It was a couple of old Easter baskets, which Mr. VS, who was riding shotgun, saw. (Thanks, honey.)

Upon further inspection I found something even better and a first in the history of my town cleanups. Vintage Halloween!

 
It's marked Beistle and is in fairly good shape.

We hit a few more streets and of course found nothing else that great. It was still light and I thought I would take a second look in that first spot. 

 

And I'm glad I did because this was at the bottom of the same bag that held the Beistle witch. There's something stamped on the back but I can't make it out. It's heavy, embossed paper and I think it's probably German. Any Halloween experts out there?

A day later, the second honey hole turned up these finds:

 

Some sewing odds and ends, including panels for a stuffed animal and a Bozo the Clown hand puppet, a 1954 Simplicity maternity pattern and a wax paper bag from the Singer Sewing Store that contains "Student's Lesson No. 1."

 

Two sizable pieces of retro floral fabric.

 

 A sweet child's coloring book dated 1961 and a sweeter child's handbag.

And a couple of items that came from neither spot but I wanted to share them. The trash can is that perfect Martha shade of blue/green. I'm thinking about using the lampshade for some kind of Halloween decoration.

Now for the giveaways. Here's what is up for grabs, and, sorry, no Halloween: 1 yard of the blue rose fabric or the child's coloring book. The image of the little artist is on both sides and it's in pretty good shape other than being a little musty, but I think some kitty litter will take care of that.  

To be eligible, leave a comment before midnight Thursday and tell me what you want.

Week 2 is going to be a bit of a challenge. In addition to trying to find good stuff, it's also my turn to take my castoffs to the curb. You might even recognize a thing or two.

 

Comments

[Sarah]

I would guess german on the halloween too. She might be in my halloween book. I think the "scarier" looking things are 1920'ish and friendly things are later.

I would have NEVER passed on those antlers though. Antlers are EXPENSIVE and I am collecting them for a grand plan. And it takes a long time to collect enough. LOL

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

Glad you found the honey hole! I always love picking in the older neighborhoods, where they've been accumulating stuff for decades, instead of the newer subdivisions where it's usually all baby stuff. Throw my name in for that coloring book, please. It's dated the year I was born!

[Linder]

I live right around this area and I'm ashamed to say that I've never done these pickin' rounds. (Not to say that I haven't found great stuff on the side of the road!) Put my name in for the blue fabric, please, and happy hunting!!!

[Aimee]

Hi! I've been following your blog and enjoy it. How I envy you the town clean-up days - what a great win-win idea for everyone there! I'll take the coloring book if you draw my name. Thanks and I look forward to seeing what else you find!

[georgiapeachez]

I'm all over that vintage fabric and you know what I'd be doing with that trash can if I had found it. Honey holes indeed! xo, suzy

[laurie mapgie ethel]

As I told you last year...I NEED TO MOVE TO YOUR TOWN! I LOVE this town clean-up! Total score on the vintage Halloween! I'm loving that coloring book...if I was to win!

[Joy]

That monkey thing in first photo is called a Monchichi. They are from the early 1980s (circa 1983-1984).

So jealous of the vintage witches. I need to trek to your side of town. Our cleanup day here in the Northwest burbs is just the usual metal junk like hot water tanks.

[Mary]

The German witch is a very good find. They used to sell for more, but I'm sure you could still get at minimum $25 for it, probably more around Halloween. I also would not have passed on the antlers. They are gross, but good sellers. And I have that Bozo puppet but sewn. I never knew he was a cut and sew!

What a great first week you had. Looking forward to more finds in the weeks to come.

[Melissa]

I wish my town had a clean-up day, or series of days, or week, or two. Hmmm... perhaps I should suggest it to our city manager? Anywho, LOVE your site! Keep us posted on your lucky finds! Oh, I totally love the fabric! ~Melissa

[Nashvilledeb]

I'm so jealous! I live in Nashville, TN and we Nashvillians never find treasures this grand on the curb! Your finds are great. I want every one of them!

[Cindy A.]

Wow! You did really well. I love the Halloween items and that little purse is too cute.

Thank you so much for sharing your finds and hosting a giveaway. My favorite is that lovely floral fabric! :)

[Jenny G.]

The Halloween stuff is fantastic, as is all of the other stuff. And I had the doll from the first picture as a child (Monchichi). Yes, the thumb stuck in the mouth like it was sucking on it, and yes, it was creepy. I always like the song for it though. Now it's a family joke.