Antique Hand Painted Rose Gone with the Wind Hurricane Lamp $4~Sold $14.99

Glass Embossed Wheat Covered Wagons Gone With The Wind Hurricane Lamp! Pale pink with hand painted red rose and green leaves. Lovely brass base and key turn switch that lights up the base and the top together or separately. I found this at a thrift store and bought it for $4 and sold it for $14.99. The top globe was missing other wise it would have fetched about $200+.

Antique Bisque Hansel and Gretel Dolls $10~Sold $20

I found these vintage bisque Hansel and Gretel Dolls at a yard sale. These dolls were made by a company called Oumlet and designed after the Hummel porcelain figurines style. This company did not last long and the dolls they made are fairly rare. The dolls are in their original clothing both with hat and hankercheif. The elastic holding all of the limbs and head together are tight. The heads, arms, torso, legs, shoes and socks are all bisque and hand painted. I really had high hopes for these guys because I saw single dolls for $90 a piece on a few sites but when it was all said and done they were only worth $20.

Bell Trading Company Solid Copper Kachina Necklace $1~Sold $42

I picked up this super cool vintage solid copper "Kachina" Native American looking necklace at a yard sale for $1. The hallmark on the back said copper and by Bell. My first thought was copper is going for a great deal these days also anything signed is usually worth something. These are listed on light from $60-$99. A little history: The Bell Trading Company was founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1935 by Jack Michelson and his wife Mildred Bell. They sold Native American Indian jewelry at various tourist locations in the southwestern United States until the late 1980s.

Relief Angel Face Scuplture $2~$38

I found this Angel Face Relief Sculpture and purchased it at a yard sale for $2. I thought it was very well executed and the face was very interesting. The body of the "angel" was more flat and stylized and the face was very realistic. I got a great return on my money. And the colors were beautiful hues of green. Another great find!

Signed Hawaiian Charcoal Drawing with Bamboo Frame $6~ Sold $38

I found this Hawaiian charcoal drawing by Marcia Young depicting evening "moonlight" over the island. It was marked down to $6 at a consignment shop. I saw potential also in the bamboo frame and raffia matte very popular and in style. Very mid century very cool!

The Castle of Grumpy Grouch 1907 Rare $.25~Sold $50

The Castle of Grumpy Grouch is a rare Fairy Story by Mary Dickerson Donahey. Color illustrations by J.R. Clay. Pen drawings by Ruth Elliott Newton. Barse and Hopkins, NY. Copyright 1907 1st edition. Hardcover. I found this at a yard sale and bought it for $.25. It looked unusual and I noticed the 8 color plates and pen drawings. I thought to myself those look pretty rare for that time and it was in exceptional condition. The story is a classic tale of an ill-tempered little princess. I have seen this book else where on the internet from $175-$500.

Mid Century Modern Table and Lamp Cypress $35

Found this eye popping mid century modern table and lamp combo that can also be used separately at an antique flea market both only $35 and they are in mint condition!These are made of Cypress Knees which are actually part of the root system of the cypress tree. Because the cypress tree lives in a swampy area, its roots are mainly submerged. The knees are the parts of the roots that stand above the water level and they help bring oxygen to the tree. Cutting them off is now illegal because it will kill the tree. Any Cypress knees you would find today were cut in the 1950's or before. Just the lamp alone can go for a pretty penny but add the matching table and the intricate design, I am thinking I done good! Here is a pic of the root systems:

Woodcut Original Irving Amen 1918 "Cellist" $20~Sold $81

I saw a pair of these woodcuts in a consignment shop for $20 a piece. I could tell by the execution and style that these were one of kind originals and thought I bet this is a listed artist and I know these are worth something. So I bought them both. The one I sold was signed and titled "cellist" in colors of brown and gold with a matching very mid century appeal frame and matte. Another great find! and I kept the other one for myself. Titled "Melody" with same like colors as cellist, it is a little girl playing a flute and a bird sits by her side. It reminded me of Finley and I really want to own a piece of his work. He is an exceptional artist! A little history: Born in New York City in 1918, Irving Amen began drawing at the young age of four. By the time he was fourteen years old, he won a scholarship to the Pratt Institute. He emulated Michelangelo's masterpieces and spent years perfecting his own unique style. He is a sculpture, painter, woodcutter and print maker.

This is "Melody" the one I am keeping!

Here are other examples of his work:

Whiting and Davis Dragons Breath foil Ring $2~Sold $30

Another great Whiting and Davis piece of costume jewelry with the highly saute after dragons breath foil opal adjustable and very well crafted. Little history: This stone was first used in jewelry manufacturing in the early 1900s. Made of glass, it emulates a cross between the Mexican fire opal and jelly opal. Molten metals were added to the glass during manufacture to provide the fiery coloration of these stones.

Whiting and Davis Mesh Snake Bracelet $3~Sold $81

Dear God it was hard for me to part with this one! This is classic mid century unbelievable beautiful mint silver mesh triple coiled snake bracelet! I so wanted to channel my inner Cleopatra but the turn around on this one was too great! Highly collectible and sought after. Here is a little history: Whiting & Davis is one of the oldest costume jewelers in the U.S. The firm started as a chain company owned in by William Wade and Edward P. Davis. In 1907 C.W. Whiting became a partner, then full owner. They are known as silversmiths and also for their invention of a machine that could produce the fabulous mesh bags and jewelry. Early marks for chains include W.C. Co, for Whiting chain company; also W. & D. On most of their costume jewelry you will find Whiting & Davis inscribed.

60's Berman Buckskin Leather Fringe Coat $5~Sold $49.99

This coat was a major flash from the past! Looks a lot like some the coats and jacket in style now worth hundreds! I new immediately this was worth something! I acted like it was nothing major as I asked the woman having the yard sale how much she wanted for it! $5 What a steal! Another great find and a hefty turn around! A little history: Berman Brothers Fur Co. was established in 1899 by David, Ephraim, and Alexander Berman. The company was one of the largest hide and raw fur dealers in the upper Midwest in the early part of the century. Soon fashion trends changed and long-haired furs such as wolf, skunk, raccoon, and red fox had gone out of style and prices for those skins bottomed out. Berman switched to leather and The "hippie" look became chic in the 1960s, and Berman Buckskin cashed in on the fashion trend. This company is known today as Wilson The Leather Experts, Berman sold the company to them for $230 million dollars in 1988.

Homer Johnson Listed Artist Watercolor $6

I found this watercolor at the Habitat for Humanity for $6. The painting had amazing motion and I just new it had to be a listed artist. The artist is Homer Johnson and yes he is a listed artist! This is what I found out about Homer: Homer is known as the "Master of Watercolor". He focuses on movement in all of his pieces. Original watercolor signed by the artist himself. Two of his pieces on the internet are listed at $750. I currently have it listed for $350.00! I will let you know how this one turns out :) Artist's Statement: My work has always been involved with movement, gesture, and light. If I can still feel the gesture at the end of the painting process, I feel that I have succeeded.

The following are the current paintings I have found on the internet just to give you an idea of his true talent.

"Chico" Figurine 1940's Bought for $1~Sold $78

One of my best finds to date. I had no idea what I was buying but I new it had to have some value being ethnic and old. This turned out to be a Rare Collectible Santa Fe Railroad Company Chico Indian Boy Logo Figurine used as an Advertising Campaign from the 1940's. Sold for $78.

70's Marushka Silkscreen Bought for $5~Sold $19.99

Drop dead gorgeous 36.5 x 24.25 Marushka sunset print found at a yard sale for $5.00. I was not sure of the value of this print but I had seen a few in a consignment shop for $35-$45 a piece and they were 3 times smaller so I went with it. Sold on Ebay for $19.99. Made about a $15.00 profit.
In doing my research on Marushka silkscreens this is what I found out:
# Founded in 1970 by Richard Sweet and Victor and Mary Krawczyk.
# Based in Grand Haven, Michigan
# Initial projects included silkscreened office partitions
# Marushka’s heyday was in the early 1980s, they had five retail outlets owned by the company, including locations in Michigan and Florida.

The birch tree below I am keeping!

70's Belt Brass Bird Buckle Bought for $1~Sold $22.50

So I found this unique 1970's leather belt that reads solid brass on the bird buckle at a yard sale for $1. I knew it was worth something. I had a feeling I could flip this and probably make about $20. Nice investment and return doing something I love! Check this bad boy out! Sold for $22.50. Not bad....