I love to find an old sewing kit in a yard sale even if it has many pieces missing or has some of the needles broken (maybe missing altogether) because it reminds me of my childhood and learning to sew at my Mom’s side. It does not happen too often but I have found the odd sewing pattern or two at garage or yard sales, but more often at auctions. These are paper made and quite delicate especially if they are several years old. I don’t believe that they have any great value except to collectors, like me, who just like the historic element of the find. Sewing history goes back many hundreds of years.

Visiting auction houses for bargains

I enjoy auctions and the thrill of bidding on something I desire. I do set my own bid limit and I never bid past it but I do secure some items that are bargains. I have bought a number of antique vases at garage sales and auctions over the years but my reason was not a profit making one: I just loved the shape, design or color of the vases. I find them very appealing even though some of them have suffered damage and would not be suitable for holding a bunch of flowers due to water leaking from cracks.

I like all glassware and one of my favorite things to see for sale at auctions are glass balls which are so decorative. I have several hanging from my windows and they are spectacular when the sunlight hits them and reflects into the room. I prefer the small 4 or 6 inch circular shapes which can hang easily in high windows for great effect. I have a magnificent dark blue glass ball hung alongside an orange streaked glass ball, which are my two particular favorites not least because I bought them as a pair for only $10.

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