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Unveiling Hidden Treasures: A Journey Through Online Auctions and Sentimental Finds

Explore a unique thrifting journey filled with online estate auctions, sentimental discoveries, and the joy of turning overlooked items into cherished treasures.

When Rachel of Antiqued Journey invited me to join her and MaryJo of Master Pieces of My Life for their Thrifted Finds Volume 17 post, I was thrilled!  Due to health issues, my thrifting takes a unique form, but no fear, I find my thrifty fix in a different way.  

Take a detour and explore Rachel's finds on An Antiqued Journey for some festive Christmas thrifts.  Her knack for discovering unique items adds a cozy touch to her home.  

Don't miss a detour over to MaryJo's world at Master Pieces of my Life where the enchanting Christmas finds meet the artistry of vignette royalty (when I see silver, that is where my mind wanders off to).  Explore the magic of unique treasures and discover the allure of festive displays that transform ordinary items into holiday masterpieces. 

Did you know incredible deals await at online auctions?  Absolutely!  

My husband and I regularly explore local online auctions, unearthing gems for our home.  Case in point, this 1950's vintage Kromex Chrome and Pressed Glass Lazy Susan Relish Tray, a find from an online estate auction.  Surprisingly, it didn't sell initially - can you believe no one bid on it?  

Building relationships with auctioneers or estate liquidators can lead to great opportunities.  Sometimes, unsold items can be obtained at deeply discounted prices or even for free.  I for one, love a good deal, don't you? 

This lazy susan found a new home with me for free. Initially puzzled about where to place this sizable piece, inspiration struck, and I eagerly created the perfect vignette for our Christmas dining room table. In fact, many of the pieces included in this display were also local auction finds. As they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure!

Next up, a General Electric Dual Speaker AM/FM Radio from 1960. Remarkably, it still works! Tuning in to stations is part of the fun, and at $6, how could I resist adding this historical piece to our kitchen? 

For newcomers, my decorating style is sentimental, often centered around family mementos. I enjoy decorating with those precious finds from the past.  Exploring local online auctions reveals grouped items, much like in-person auctions. I favor lots since they offer several items at a good price.

However, bidding can get competitive, and it's easy to lose track of items in a fast-paced online auction. I purchased a lot of salt and pepper shakers from my grandmother's estate auction. Her collection was inherited from her mother, my great-grandmother, which I believe adds a personal touch to our home. I simply could not let these items leave our family so they all found a home here with us and the pup.

  

This shaker lost it's mate long ago, but I have to say I still love it!  She is looking a bit aged, with dark spots, I simply cannot remove.  I have tried soaking, using a brush, they are stuck!  This particular shaker was found in her garage amongst other goodies, just waiting to be discovered and brought to our home.

After a little digging, I found this shaker was made by Consolidated Glass Company in the Blooming Wild Rose pattern and is an antique.  The "dirt" I thought I could not remove is in fact "cold paint".  Learning something new, I found it often wears off with washing and use since it is not fired to the glass.    

Including the shaker above, the remainder of the items I am sharing today were all purchased within the same lot.  I paid $17 for my loot, which I thought was a steal.  If you ask me, sometimes you cannot put a price tag on memories.    

Is this little guy not the cutest ever?  I actually do not recall ever seeing this one at Grandma's house, but he was part of the lot, and so he found a home with us too.  I researched his origins, and this cutie pie is a Schafer & Vater Dog Hip Flask from the 1930's, a delightful addition despite my teetotaler grandparents. It actually made me chuckle to find a flask amongst their possessions.   

JKF and Jackie Kennedy salt and pepper shakers also made their way home.  My mom recalled a trip to Washington D.C. as a little girl, and believes these salt and pepper shakers were a memento of the trip.  

These unique Vintage Moriage Dragonware Salt & Pepper Shakers were an interesting addition to the lot.  Turns out Great-Grandma had quite the collection, an entire china cabinet filled to the brim of nothing but salt-n-pepper shakers.  What a collection that would have been to see!   

And the salt-n-pepper shakers that got this party started are below.  

Memories flooded back with these dachshund salt and pepper shakers, recalling my childhood fascination with their whimsical design. Despite never playing with them then (but you know I totally wanted to!), they've now become cherished additions to my collection.

 

Isn't this little guy the cutest? These treasures now grace our china cabinet, a delightful sight when spending time in the dining room. If you're considering exploring local online auctions, be prepared for the thrill of bidding and the joy of uncovering sentimental pieces for your home. If you are unsure how to locate online auctions in your area, visit Auction Zip so you too can find the treasures of yesteryear along with me.

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Cheers!

Cara