Yesterday I popped by a couple of local antique stores to see if there was anything on my list.
Lately I’ve been looking around for old galvanized watering cans {with the sprinkler head}, old galvanized sap buckets in just the right size, vintage minnow buckets and old garden tools.
I have a cool idea in mind for a front of the studio and have been on the hunt lately for all the needed supplies to make it happen.
Because seriously, the studio has to look TOTALLY different than the Lobster House, right? And well, gardening {my favorite hobby} is the theme.
My husband is even totally on board with my gardening idea… So that’s saying something. 😉 But maybe now that I think about it, maybe it’s just self preservation on his part.
If I go with a garden “theme” next door that would mean he wouldn’t have to cut anymore buoys. Hmm
Yada yada yada…
Do you know anyone would pay $6,500 for a taxidermy bear from the 70’s? I suppose it just takes one buyer, right?
Fact: $35 is my limit for an old galvanized watering can.
Check this out! An old apple harvesting bucket for $95. And swoon worthy with those dried hydrangea blooms in it.
I think it would make an excellent planter. Or look cool on top of a pie safe. I didn’t get it though. I have my list… And I need to stick to it.
Pyrex bowls! Apparently these are a hot item. You might want to check your cupboards and keep your eyes peeled if you go to any garage sales this summer.
These can be worth big bucks if you get the right ones.
Guess how much this set of 4 pink Pyrex bowls was going for!?
Holy canolies people!!! $475. WOW. That is crazy.
The butterfly lasagna pan was going for $100. And that’s just for the pan. No lasagna included.
I’ve always been a fan of Jatite bowls myself. Although I’ve never owned a set. Williams-Sonoma sells a set of three for $89.95.
But I guess it’s the old stuff people are collecting and willing to pay big bucks for.
If you have any perfectly aged wooden spoons they’re going for $9. They go for even more online!! Who is paying that much for old wooden spoons?
Movie set designers?
You might want to check Grandma’s cupboard from old Quaker Oats canisters. You’d probably get even more if there were still oats in the cardboard canister. 😉
I love antique stores, don’t you? There’s something for everyone. That’s for sure.
~Mavis
Nancy Settel says
I was an antique dealer for over 30 years but much older than this stuff (mine was from around 1790’s to about 1830’s) and have always been shocked by “collectables stuff and the prices they bring. It is an eye opener for sure. I did collect old water cans with original paint on them back about 30-35 years ago though for my front porch and also to sell come spring. You may not find them right now for a decent price but once the summer craze is over the prices tend to come down a bit. You also may want a small old wooden wheel barrel for the front bed with traces of paint on it that looks so cool in a flower bed (blue being my all time favorite and hardest to find at a decent price). Happy Hunting.
Mavis Butterfield says
I am on the list at my favorite antique store for a wooden wheelbarrow. The right ones are so hard to come by. I even thought about buying an old metal wheel and having the HH build one so I could fill it with flowers out front.
Judi Y. says
This is a GREAT idea! I had a small antique wooden wheelbarrow outside and the weather ruined it.
Brianna says
It is interesting how Pyrex bowls seem to be a high value item, but Hummel’s are not. I guess that is the difference between the wedding gift everybody received in the 1950/60/70’s and the collection everybody had. China sets are interesting too, some have great value and some are worthless. I have seen full sets (including gravy boat and coffee pot) go for next to nothing and others costing a small fortune.
The taxidermy bear is priced reasonably if it was made correctly and taken care of. My dad did taxidermy for awhile and it was an intense labor, artistic, and detail-orientated process and he would talk about some of the mounts he did. The larger or rarer the animal the more it costs and a whole animal verses a head mount.
Sue says
That’s because Pyrex is useful and Hummel figurines are…100% useless. Like the glass bells or little state spoons one of my aunts collected. Thank heavens my mother never collected that stuff!
Angela D. says
We have collected a few beautiful pieces of Pyrex recently and we’re
actually using them as a replacement for all of our old plastic
containers in the kitchen. If it comes into contact with food, we prefer
glass. However, some of my still-nice Tupperware I am using in my
craft room.
Dawn says
I have one yellow Pyrex bowl I found about 25 years ago at a yard sale for $1. It’s pretty beat up and it’s my bread making bowl so I think I’ll keep it. Although, if it wasn’t beat up I wonder if that kind of money might make me willing to part with it.
Rosemary says
I have a wooden spoon that looks like that! I have had it for decades and it is my favorite one to use. I had no idea it was so valuable . . . maybe I should add it to my homeowners insurance policy . . . LOL
Lana says
We have been married for 48 years so yes we have valuable Pyrex in our cupboards that we use every day.
Meg C says
My grandparents had a HUGE Hummel collection (including all of the proper paperwork re: authenticity) and they always told me the collection was worth so much that it was my inheritance. Well, fast forward and I sure did inherit the collection, but I can’t say that it’s amounted to much re: actual monetary value, sadly. If only they had sold their collection at the height of the craze and invested the money on my behalf. lol
I do have a ton of fire king copper tint pieces that I will likely never get rid of them because I love them so much – just as added flair in my glass front kitchen cupboards. 🙂
Linda Sand says
Corning ware changed their formula, the old stuff IS better. The new stuff is fragile and the closed handle cups cannot go safely in the microwave.
Cindy Brick says
You have to be careful about Pyrex — there’s a boatload of repros out there right now. I have had a few disappointed clients who were certain they were getting big bucks, but it wasn’t the case. (Sad violin music here)
Look for PYREX on the bottom in capital letters. That’s one ‘tell.’ Here’s a link that should be helpful.
https://www.americastestkitchen.com/articles/8187-how-to-tell-new-vs-vintage-pyrex
Also, Mavis, you should have a blacklight flashlight that will pick up the green in uranium glass…they’re not expensive, fit in your purse — and can also pick out patched areas on walls (possible treasure caches?) and newer repair fabric on old textiles.
(That’s what you get for having a friend who’s also a personal property appraiser)
Mimi says
My husband was offered a huge taxidermy bear at a job site once and I said n-o-o-o-o-o. I guess I turned down a money-maker.
sandy says
Oh I am dying at all of the “camp” theme stuff. I love that. I would have all (except the bear) in my cart. Have fun! Flea markets are the place to find what you want. Brimfield, MA antique fair is as adventure and soooo much fun. I have gone 3 times and loved every time. I have so many treasures from there ( and I am in CA) I have 4 galvenized watering cans that were my grandparents-they hang in trees outdoors.
Cheers!
Lynn says
I think you may be late to the party on Pyrex. It actually may be slowing down a bit, other than the rare patterns. My GW, however, has accidentally put them out on the floor here and there and I have been able to snag them up. Around 5 years ago I found a small bowl with a pattern that was more rare; they wanted only $4 and I resold it for $40. I think the price has gone down a bit since then, though.
Peggy Lannon says
Be careful with the old Pyrex bowls/dishes. They contain high doses of lead. I had 2 of the different colored bowl sets that I used all the time when cooking but got rid of them when I found out they had the lead in them. My husband already has tremors in his hands and I didn’t want to take a chance on this making things worse.
Heather in Nevada says
That looks like a cardboard Quaker container. I’m guessing a metal one is worth even more.
Katherine says
You might look on Facebook Marketplace, Etsy and Ebay for the vintage items you are looking for. Yard and estate sales are another good source.
Kathleen in NJ says
I have between 30-40 vintage PYREX bowls and use them daily. I used to get them at auctions and flea markets. I love the cheerful designs and durability!
Marcy says
I have the pink set (only 3 bowls) the color is more worn out as I use them all the time. The best part, they were my mom’s from when she and my dad got married!) back in the 50’s. I just love them!